CJ Buck and Larrin Thomas Chat | MagnaCut, Knife Steel, Heat Treat, and More

[@growleym504]

Just gotta say, I am 65 this year and I have carried a Buck 110 since I was a kid and determined to be "big enough" to start carrying a grownup knife instead of the sheepfoot barlow. Thanks for not discontinuing this iconic knife. It is THE classic large pocketknife. I have chipped a couple but never broken one. Lost a few, got a few stolen, always buy a new one when that happens. If I got my pants on and I am not on an airplane or in a courtroom, I got my 110.

[@wizardofahhhs759]

I used to carry one in my pocket but it started wearing holes in all my britches pockets so now it gets carried in it's sheath.

[@flsuccesscoach]

61 here and have the same history with knives. I've had a love affair with pocket knives since I was a kid and have dozens of them but Buck is always my go-to knife.

[@richardkev3077]

As a teenager and a new military recruit in 1974, I bought my first knife, a Buck 110. I always found it too heavy for my pocket, so I carried it in its sheath. In time, the sheath looked 100 years old, even though the knife still looked great (after occasionally using brass polish on the bolsters). I had it until 4 years ago when I moved-I saw it during packing, but not since. It has to be here somewhere…

[@ANARCHY-nr2lq]

​@@richardkev3077 hope you find it

[@anonomus1429]

Please add MagnaCut to steel options on Custom Knives.

[@-G-Mac-]

I would definitely rebuy a 105 in Magnacut!

[@JaneThorson-dm3ev]

I want a Buck with Magnacut

[@Idk-wm1bc]

They have it now

[@Bob_Adkins]

I was QC manager for a very large tool machining facility, and we heat treated tons tool parts daily. I tried to do everything very scientifically to gain repeatability, but the people on the floor didn't always believe meticulous, burdensome control was necessary. Scrapping a ton of expensive parts on occasion gave them a new outlook!

[@chrisreuther4546]

What a phenomenal video... its really says a lot about Buck and the respect that someone like Dr. Thomas has for the company... that it's the first (unless I am wrong) company that he has really came to the public with like this and to collaborate with... this is huge. Nice Job Buck

[@BuckKnives]

You're correct! Thanks for taking the time to watch. Always appreciated.

[@j.t.messner7557]

Excellent discussion. I enjoyed both the science behind making a good knife steel, from Larrin, and the practical application/use from CJ. Thank you both for bringing Magnacut to Buck Knives.

[@cwsmith17]

Great interview! Love that Buck Knives is so interested in Magnacut

[@jimholliman2822]

What a great conversation & interview.

[@Stan_Rich]

Great Vid! I started my Buck Knife ownership in the late 60’s and have added to my collection throughout the years. I use my Bucks heavily in Hunting, Fishing, Camping and working projects outside. I still own every one of them and love & appreciate each one. In 2004, I was lucky enough to Buy some knives right at their El Cajon, CA factory when they were preparing to make their move to Post Falls, ID. I met Chuck Buck and CJ Buck at the factory while they signed/engraved/year dated, each knife I purchased.

[@propblast82nd]

Nothing more American than a Buck Knife 🇺🇸

[@chrisjohnson9542]

A shotgun with a chainsaw attachment is pretty American.

[@davidneal6920]

@@chrisjohnson9542 so is the Indy 500

[@katanasmith]

A buck customer for over 50 years, I have to say I much preferred the old 440c knives for edge retention. Also I believe that the older Bucks had convex edges which I love. I do give you guys and Paul Voss credit for getting the best out of whatever steel you use. Still like the old 440c better.

[@greasypeanut]

Just bought that 501 lol. Can’t wait to get my first Buck knife!!

[@BuckKnives]

Awesome knife to choose for your first Buck! Would love to hear what you think of it after some use.

[@MPiKMS72]

I'd love a regular 110 with ebony in Magnacut.

[@enzowarren9832]

Those exist now in case you’re still interested. Same configuration as a standard 110 except in MagnaCut.

[@stout_tossme7541]

I love this. Having had the pleasure of chatting with both of these men on numerous occasions I can attest, that these two are fabulous people and Buck Knives is one of my top three knife companies. Great video. Great steel. Great knives.

[@timtitus2532]

Did a tour of Buck when it was located in El Cajon CA. Quite a few years ago. I've been reading Larren's knife steel nerds for a while now. I think this video is a very good talk about the different aspects of knife steel and its application, never particularly cared for 420HC but I have a few Bucks with that steel and they do quite well, much better than I would have expected. I took a metallurgy course when I was in the Navy and have been very interested in it ever since. Good video guys, thank you.

[@EduardoGarcia-fj2uc]

Great video thanks for share with us. I'm a proud owner of Buck knifes thanks for make a very rough and dependable knifes. Of course made in America with American steels.

[@davegoodridge8352]

Very informative. I really appreciate this video from a couple of real artists.

[@jeffhicks-wo1ty]

larrin such a friendly and likeable guy

[@franka9760]

I just ordered your new knife, the Larrin, from Buck! I really look forward to receiving it!

[@nafis6668]

Just got a 120 General Pro in S35VN . It is Shaving sharp out of the box, with low angle. The shiny guard and handle looks good in sheath. Totally impressed. Obviously not a knife for prying , but for good slicing.

[@lukeandrew8102]

Just wanted to say I love my 110 hunter sport awesome modern take on a classic knife and it’s the knife I carry everyday

[@RomyArms]

Buck has changed so much over the years. My first knife was stuck 110 from canadian tire. Great knife. Recently I bought a knife from the custom shop and waited quite a while (I reside in canada) upon receiving the 110 I ordered I noticed the big gaps between the wood and the brass bolsters, I could fit my finger nail in between it. Also, the wobble in the blade was terrible! As well as alot of grime all over the knife. Yes I mean all over, not just in the action. I couldn't believe what they sent me, so I sent it back and they said it was a full rebuild. Some time later I received the "re built" knife. Upon opening g the box I see right away that it's the exact same knife! I mean identical, they did not do anything.same gaps,same wobble, same grime and the exact same wood! I took pictures the first time I received the knife and when comparing it was Identical. After all that they just refunded my money and couldn't explain what went on. I will keep buying my bucks from canadian tire.

[@SpecialXM8]

Great interview! I’m very glad that technology is combining with tradition. My choice is usually 112, with this new steel he will just the bomb

[@Coolalrite]

I'm aching for more of these to come back in stock. I adore the Buck company and can't wait to add to the already existing collection I have

[@solargoomba]

They are still in stock on the buck website

[@BuckKnives]

We still have some! There was a momentary stall on our website right after the knife went up, but we got it fixed.

[@Coolalrite]

@@BuckKnives will you be getting more models made later in the year with this steel like the 110?

[@stephenlukovich9648]

These will never come in stock again. Limited to only 800

[@Coolalrite]

@@stephenlukovich9648 damn. That's a shame. I didn't know they had them till it was already too late

[@rosamendez4837]

Good video

[@tennesseesmoky9012]

A most interesting conversation on blade steels commonly used at Buck Knives. Thanks for the information.

[@BuckKnives]

Glad you found it interesting! Larrin is a wealth of steel knowledge.

[@rifleman1873]

Great partnership!! I have recently picked up a Buck 110 Slim Pro in S30V. I love it. If you make it in Magnacut I am on board to try it.

[@wizardofahhhs759]

The Buck family make some of the best knives in the world. Gotta love the 110 folding hunter.

[@randomstuffman01]

Great talk. Thanks. My 3 EDCs: Buck Vantage small (420hc), Buck Odyssey 182 (ats-34), Spyderco Centofante (VG-10). toronto canada.

[@Wcquick]

Great interview/conversation between two remarkable, creative metal workers. Liked and subscribed

[@jessejohns4783]

That bit of a discussion at the end was very interesting. I would love to see a video talking about the pros and cons of each steel Buck offers and what type of use is best for each. Like which steel would be best for a bushcrafter who processes wood (minus batoning) and does food prep, versus a hunter who will only be processing fish and game, versus a person who will mostly be carrying it and opening boxes. Also, a discussion of proper care for each type of steel to prevent corrosion would be great as well.

[@theKashConnoisseur]

Dr. Thomas has an entire blog (Knife Steel Nerds) dedicated to discussing the pros, cons, and material properties of different knife steels. Looking at Buck's site, I'm seeing only a few steels on offer: 420HC, 154CM, S30V, and of course Magnacut. With knife steels, there's a balance between 3 main properties: toughness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance (or stainlessness). I'll try to address the tasks you've listed with those properties in mind. 420HC has the benefits of being the most affordable, and also having the highest toughness. Another benefit is that it is very corrosion resistant, and very easy to sharpen. It has the con of having the poorest edge retention. With the high toughness and stainlessness, this makes a great steel for fish and game processing, for food prep, and will also handle bushcrafting tasks such as making feather sticks, whittling tent pegs, etc. Depending on the thickness of the blade stock and the shape of the edge grind, even heavy chopping and batoning might not be out of the question. This may indeed be the best steel for bushcrafting, with the caveat that it will need to be sharpened more frequently. 154CM has the benefits of decent corrosion resistance (slightly lower than 420HC but on the same level as AUS-8 and AEB-L) and edge retention. It's primary con is having the lowest toughness of the available steels from Buck, although it's still on the same level of toughness as D2 and is more than sufficient for most tasks. This is still seen as (and is!) an upgrade over more "pedestrian" steels, and so it can command a higher price. A 154CM knife will do great with fish and game processing, food prep, and light bushcrafting tasks. However, heavy chopping and prying may run into the limitations on the steel's toughness. This isn't the "best" steel for any of the tasks listed, but is a mighty fine steel for EDC regardless. S30V has the benefits of good corrosion resistance and the highest edge retention of the steels Buck offers. It's primary con is price, being a premium steel that is hard to find in a knife under $100. Another con is that it's more difficult to sharpen on traditional stones, although this can be mitigated by using diamond plates. It also has moderate toughness, being slightly above 154CM but well below 420HC and Magnacut. An S30V knife will be wonderful with fish and game processing given the high edge retention, and that carries over to food prep as well. The same limitations apply to bushcrafting tasks as with 154CM, so it will do do feathersticking and whittling just fine but heavy chopping and prying is not recommended. This might be the best steel of the bunch for those daily cutting tasks, with the high edge retention allowing more cardboard to be cut before the edge needs touching up. Magnacut is interesting because it has a pretty balanced spread of properties, with a rare combo of very high toughness and top-of-the-line corrosion resistance. It also has good edge retention, a little below S30V but similar to D2. The major con right now is availability. It's also a premium steel, so costs are generally higher as well. With high toughness, amazing corrosion resistance, and decent edge retention, it could feasibly serve in any of the roles you mentioned, from cleaning and breaking down game to bushcrafting to food prep. Due to the high stainlessness and toughness, I think this would be the best choice for breaking down fish and game. It won't patina from exposure to bodily fluids unless severely neglected, and the high toughness will help prevent edge chipping in case you hit bone while cleaning game. All of these steels are more than sufficient for cutting cardboard and opening packages. The steels with higher edge retention will just be able to do more cutting before becoming dull. All of these steels are considered "stainless", although its stain LESS, not stain never. Proper care generally involves keeping the steel clean and dry when not in use. Basically, you can use warm water and a light detergent (drop of dish soap) to remove debris from the blade, taking care to avoid submerging the handle. Then, carefully rise and dry the blade. If it's a folder, a little drop of oil on the pivot goes a long way.

[@jessejohns4783]

Thank you for that very informative information. I really appreciate it. Honestly, from the sound of it, their 420hc seems like their best option. The toughness and corrosion resistance being as high as it is. I do have experience with that steel, and it does lose an edge rather quickly, but a few strokes on the sharpener and your shaving hairs again. I do really wish Buck offered some carbon steels as well as some scandi grinds or more flat grinds. The hollow grind they have on their classic grind would have me worried on most difficult tasks.

[@theKashConnoisseur]

@@jessejohns4783 420HC is a great steel, especially with Paul Bos' heat treat on it. Other manufacturers don't do it as well in my experience. I still think there's reasons for owning other steels though. I have a couple (non-Buck) knives in S30V and the extra edge retention is exceptional. With 420HC, after a day's work the knife needs a touchup to keep it sharp. With S30V, it stays sharp for weeks at a time, only needs a light stropping to come back to razor edged, and only needs to be touched up on a bench stone once or twice a year. But yeah, not my pick for a hard use chopper, with that lower toughness. Speaking of carbon steels! I'd love to see Buck play with CPM 3V. It's got the same level of toughness as 420HC, the same level of edge retention as 154CM, but isn't stainless. I don't mind taking a little extra care of a nice knife though, and it would be really cool to see my favorite Buck 110 design in something like 3V.

[@housevollmer9106]

Will I be able to get my hands on a few magnacut 120 generals before Christmas??

[@thenauticalhunter7388]

Please do Magnacut in a Buck DROP POINT blade shape!!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Warsmith_Honsou]

I'm wondering why there is still no knife with a blade from Buck 110 but with a button lock or liner lock? I would buy a Buck 110 that can be operated with one hand.

[@BuckKnives]

Something we are looking into!

[@stout_tossme7541]

@@BuckKnives we can't wait to see what you have cooking!!

[@t.m.p.7242]

yeah absolutely would love a Button Lock 110, maybe even with a flipper tab?

[@t.m.p.7242]

fidget factor would be off the charts. Not to mention the sound.

[@billmanning8806]

Love this. Likely will listen again. Gives good background on Magnacut. THANKS. But I'm still looking for more...for example, why the production kitchen knife makers have not seemed to begin using Magnacut?

[@Puddspanker]

Because production kitchen knive companies use shit steel. There are high end kitchen knife makers making magnacut blades. Same with bushcraft makers. Everyone is slowly hoping on

[@stout_tossme7541]

What Zandrews said.

[@theKashConnoisseur]

It's also worth mentioning that Magnacut is a very new steel, with relatively low demand right now. That makes it more expensive to buy for production knife makers, and the supply is relatively lower than the common stainless steels they tend towards. There's also other elements of production, such as ease of stamping/machining and ease of sharpening, that might make Magnacut seem less attractive to mass-production kitchen knife shops. After all, if it tears up their dies and their belts more than the soft stainless they're used to, that increases their production costs. And then there's the heat treat protocol. And the fact that most people want cheap, disposable kitchen knives and probably aren't willing to pay Magnacut (or any other premium powdered metallurgy steel) prices.

[@mikeogden5256]

Buck should make its own super steel

[@BuckKnives]

Now there's an idea that gets us excited!

[@solargoomba]

I had to pick one up. This is my first Buck knife, but magnacut at 63 hrc and the knifesteel nerds logo?!?!

[@dheller777]

What does Buck heat treat their magnacut knives to on the Rockwell scale?

[@BuckKnives]

63HRC

[@dheller777]

@@BuckKnives Thank you.

[@miguelterivel9918]

pour moi c'est la meilleure compagnie de couteau au monde selon moi et j'adore les buck knife.

[@richardkev3077]

As a geologist, my simplistic view of steel is that it is a solid solution of iron and carbon with other elements, some deliberately added to modern steel.

[@frogman07]

Classic Buck 112 in Magnacut.....please!😊

[@DWArgenti]

This is awesome. I’ve always wanted a Buck..and now I’m sold. I want something that can be handed down to my sons. Thanks gentlemen. God bless.

[@smithn.wesson495]

Buck Knives - Please add MagnaCut as an option for the 110, 112, 119, 120 and 124 classic knife series.

[@barrylilley6392]

Enjoyed that 🙌

[@AshandElm]

The Buck 112 Slim Pro TRX in MagnaCut would be amazing.

[@Mike-cp3xr]

Buck was founded on Christian principles and used to include a flyer in the box stating that fact. God bless em' ! ✝️

[@kriskabin]

Just as long as you remember that America was NOT founded on 'Christian values,' & is still a great country. * The wise American founders knew how important separation of church & state is. Study the European Dark Ages & you'll learn why the founders of America demanded separation of church & state.

[@iannetta11]

HRC on the 60th Anniversary 110 Magnacut?

[@joshuasmithson9504]

Lost my favorite knife ever today, 650 Nighthawk. Pretty upset, not sure how to replace it. I read a lot about this company and how they are a Christian based family. Keep up the good work guys.

[@JoeyKnifeInnovations]

I really like the most popular think its the, 110 folder from Buck. I love the looks of it and the eronomic handle. Very nice blade shape. Classic folding knife. Magnacut steel is still hard to get nationally in Finland. I hope Magnacut will Land here someday. I dont buy abroad anything, only from retail like. Brisa

[@theKashConnoisseur]

A Magnacut puukko would be pretty nice!

[@Kr1s4un]

I have a lot ot knives, but "Buck knives" is the best for me. Like no other. 😊

[@TheTrueNorth11]

Is Magnacut going to be a staple for Buck now?

[@BuckKnives]

We will be continuing to add in more MagnaCut moving forward!

[@jg8979]

@@BuckKnives Keep them coming, I’ve never bought a knife so fast as your Magnacut 119 stealth run. A friend called while I was in the shower and told me about the run, I still had shampoo in my hair when I made the order because I jumped out immediately.

[@rayray9620]

Can you offer a high end vanguard with Magna cut steel?

[@thaknobodi]

💪🏼

[@justyou9360]

120 magnacut pretty please with a cherry on top

[@rifleman1873]

Speaks volumes to why Buck has survived for so long…. The willingness to change and adapt.

[@kennethwandell9061]

I want a Buck with magnacut steel but they are plain and not customizable.

[@kriskabin]

10/2024, I just ordered a custom 110 in magnacut. It's available along with s30v.

[@kb9oak749]

This is huge! What will the trolls say about Buck now?

[@1joshjosh1]

I have to many Buck knives. Some new...some used. Like them all. Buck 4 eva !!

[@Dmhlcmb]

The only company I don’t mind buying 420 from is Buck. Legendary is appropriate to describe their heat treatment.

[@BlueRooster76]

Roosters Leather and Steel for 110 quick-draw videos

[@edwardcreel4571]

So why on earth does a knife company that is 122 years old fool around with junk steel like 420j2 it’s soft it’s junk and people are not stupid everybody knows it’s junk I don’t care how well you heat treat it

[@konnorwerth4906]

It's cool and all adding magnacut but just dont get rid of 420hc... Real knife users don't need super steels. In a real survival scenario if you needed to you could use a river rock to sharpen your knife, you can't do that with these "super steels" also 420 hc holds plenty good of a edge for me and I use Arkansas stones to sharpen. I'm 23 and will always love bucks 420hc

[@BuckKnives]

Our 420HC isn't going anywhere anytime soon!

[@konnorwerth4906]

@@BuckKnives that's really good to hear, I'm a huge buck fan. I use my knives for a very wide range of task, not having a steel that touches up on a Arkansas would be pretty sad to me personally. Thanks for the assurance!

[@Puddspanker]

​@konnorwerth4906 you can most definitely sharpen super steels anywhere. Pick up a worksharp field sharpener. It's like 20 bucks dude. It has a 20 degree guided diamond stone. With a strop. There is no reason to fear having or using super steels. They're pretty easy to take care of.

[@konnorwerth4906]

@@Puddspanker can't sharpen on Arkansas stones or river rocks that and it has lower toughness that's why I stick with my 420hc

[@Puddspanker]

@@konnorwerth4906 I personally would never sharpen my knives with river stones. I'd rather have a super steel that can stay sharp for along time. Upkept with minimal sharpening and stropping. If I need to sharpen in the field, the field sharpener works fine. And for toughness, unless your beating your knife and batoning, a minute toughness differential doesn't really matter. I personally think 420hc is ass. It sharpens like shit and is a bit soft. But if you dig it, that's pretty dope. Cheers.

[@tacticalcenter8658]

Buck always low hardness. Look at 20cv at 59rc lol. Get that up to 61-62 and then I'll buy one. I think he lies about how important his heat treat is. Bos 420hc was good for its time. Its 2023 now.

[@theKashConnoisseur]

In general, you gotta trade off between toughness and hardness. 420HC might not heat treat to the highest rockwell out there, but it's got top-of-the-line toughness out of all the stainless steels and that's a major reason people like it. Buck's 420HC is still the best 420HC on the market, thanks to the Paul Bos heat treat. And for people who need a stainless steel that is as tough as possible, 420HC is hard to beat.

[@CodyCobraSB]