Since 1902, Buck Knife Company has been cranking out design after design that has been well-received by hunters, sportsmen, and other working people around the country. Most of their hunting knives and pocket knives sport classic designs and all of them feature high-quality materials. It wasn’t until recently that Buck specifically jumped on the survival or bushcraft craze.
That may be because the people behind the scenes know that any Buck knife in your hand is a Buck survival knife. If you use it for survival purposes, that’s what it is. It doesn’t need the sticker designation for self-promotion or assurance.
All the same, when Buck rolled out the Selkirk, it made some waves. Let’s take a look at why.
The Buck Selkirk: A Purpose-Driven Buck Survival Knife
The Buck Selkirk is Buck’s answer to the bushcraft question. While the people at Buck (and most people that carry Buck knives) know that a Buck 119 or a 124 Frontiersman is a fine tool in the bush, this model has been designed specifically for some extra utility.
The Buck Selkirk is 9.5 inches overall and weighs a fairly hefty 7.6 ounces. It’s pretty hefty in the hand. Its 4 ⅝” blade features a graceful drop point and a long, straight belly for making even cuts. The 420HC steel blade is corrosion resistant and because it’s been given Buck’s legendary heat treatment, boasts pretty good edge retention as well.
The blade features aggressive, sharp jimping along the spine that will offer a sure grip even when soaked or covered in blood or grease, and the blade also features a full flat grind and a full tang. Because of these features, a fixed blade like this can be used for batoning or making the light, shaving cuts necessary for carving feathersticks, two very important tasks in most classic survival scenarios.
The spine of this Buck survival knife is ground square, making it sharp enough to strike sparks from a ferrocerium rod and also ideal for scraping tinder from dry wood. It could probably also be used to flesh a pelt in a pinch, too.
The Selkirk’s full tang runs through textured Micarta scales that are perfectly machined and index very nicely. The knife is comfortable in the hand and very adequate, even for hard work. The Micarta handle will also remain sure, even in the cold and wet. This knife also sports a flattened pommel that can be used for striking, such as for the purposes of driving nails or opening nuts.
One more thing you might love about survival knives is that they often come with little add-ons. This knife features a Kydex sheath that can be carried on the belt, classic tip-down, or in a scout carry configuration. It’s also sold in a kit that contains a ferrocerium rod and a whistle.
Where Can I Get Mine?
Looking to pick up Buck’s token contribution to the bushcraft craze? For just under $70 you can pick up one of these at WhiteMountainKnives.com, plus you’ll get free shipping if you live in the U.S. Check out their other Buck knives while you’re there – White Mountain Knives has an encyclopedia of them.
