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(More customer reviews)I have the discontinued model that is one step up from this one, which is identical except for an extra 3/8" of blade. I picked it up from a big box store at a nauseatingly low clearance price. Now that I have one-- well, at that price, I actually bought three-- I would say that it's well worth the price quoted here.
This knife is extremely sharp out of the box, thanks in part to Buck's proprietary Edge2x edge geometry, which makes for a longer, thinner grind with a smaller included angle. It can cut just like a very thin knife, but it still has a robust 1/8"-thick spine. It shreds free-hanging paper with a flick of the wrist right from the factory.
It's made of 420 HC stainless, which is a very common, inexpensive, and corrosion-resistant grade of steel. Buck claims that all their knives are hardened to 58-60 Rockwells (c), which is pretty darned hard. I would worry that this hardness makes for good edge-holding but difficult sharpening, although the Edge2x geometry is supposed to ease sharpening a great deal.
Because of the edge angle, hollow grind, and hardness, I might also worry about the blade's toughness under harsh use, such as pounding it into a tree stump with a baton in order to pry out wedges for kindling. That kind of work might be best left to a heavier knife.
Otherwise, the Diamondback seems bulletproof and is suited to any use short of heavy chopping. It is especially useful for kitchen chores, as the blade configuration permits the entire edge to contact a cutting board. This is uncommon among outdoor knives.
The handle is a rubbery synthetic called Kraton textured in a snakeskin pattern for a sure grip. It's a bit chunky-looking but very nimble in the hand and long enough so that the pommel extends well beyond one's pinky, even when employing a foil-like grip with the wrist canted forward. The steel tang is continuous with the knife blade and extends all the way through the handle so that the pommel is hard enough to use as a makeshift rock hammer if necessary.
The sheath is typical, just a nice, heavy nylon scabbard with a hard plastic insert, snap retainer, and belt loop. It carries nice and high on the waist so that it doesn't interfere with sitting down, and the whole package is very light.
I am a big fan of knives of this approximate size, and I have several that sell at the same price point by makers such as Schrade, Bear and Son, Gerber, and CRKT. This one is easily the sharpest and otherwise compares favorably in all respects. I'd be happy to carry it on any outing.
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Buck 479BK Large DiamondBack Outfitter Fixed Blade Knife
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