When it comes to fixed blade knives, there are few companies that make a better knife than Buck knives…
And right now, two of their most popular fixed blade models are the Buck 119 Special and the Buck 120 General…
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But that begs the question… Which is the better knife?
Well, that’s a great question, and in this Buck 119 vs 120 comparison, we’re going to examine how these knives stack up to each other in a number of different categories…
In the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of the different features these two knives have to offer, and you should be able to determine which is going to work best for you…
Let’s get started!
Buck 119 vs 120 – Blade Steel…
The Buck 119 Special has a 6 inch 420HC steel blade…
420HC is a great steel because it’s strong, has good edge retention, and has good corrosion resistance…
And because it’s so easy to maintain and to sharpen, it’s a great choice for fixed blade knives that will be used outdoors…
On the other hand, the Buck 120 General has a 7 3/8 inch S35VN blade…
Now, S35VN is a more expensive steel than 420HC, and the reason why is because it has fantastic edge retention…
It’s also tougher than 420HC and still has a great deal of corrosion resistance…
So overall, the Buck 120 General has a much better blade steel than the Buck 119 Special, and because of that, there is a significant price difference between the two.
Blade Shape…
The Buck 119 Special features a clip point blade which give’s a classic look. A clip point ha s very sharp point which is great for piercing and making precise cuts…
On top of that, it features a hollow grind which makes this knife a great cutter and slicer as well…
And guess what…?
The Buck 120 General features that same clip point blade that you get with the Buck 119, and it features a hollow grind as well (again, it’s just made from a different type of steel)…
In addition to that, both knives also feature a fuller on the blade which shaves off a little bit of weight and adds a little bit of rigidity.
Handles…
The handles that you get with these two knives are in some ways similar, but they do have some differences…
The Buck 119 Special’s handle is made from black phenolic handle. It’s very ergonomic, and even has some slight finger grooves molded into it…
Aside from that, it also features an aluminum pommel and guard which help balance the knife and give it a sleek look…
On the other hand, the Buck 120’s handle is made from Micarta which is a very popular knife handle material because of it’s lightweight and comfortable feel…
That being said, the Buck 120’s handle is also very ergonomic and includes those subtle finger grooves molded into the grip…
And it also has an aluminum pommel and guard which, again, look great and gives a balanced feel to the knife overall.
Size and Weight…
The Buck 119 Special has an overall length of 10 1/2 inches and weighs in at 7.5 ounces…
It’s a relatively compact and lightweight knife, especially for a fixed blade…
On the other hand, the Buck 120 General has an overall length of 12 inches and weighs in at 8.3 oz…
It’s a larger and slightly heavier knife, which can make it more difficult to carry and use for extended periods of time…
But that being said, the extra blade size and weight can also give you more cutting power and leverage when performing heavy-duty tasks…
In the end, the Buck 119 is a little smaller than the Buck 120, and you’ll just have to determine which size knife works better for the role you have in mind for it.
Durability And Multiple Uses…
Both the Buck 119 Special and the Buck 120 General are built to be extremely durable…
They both have a full tang, which means the blade extends through the full length of the handle, which obviously makes the knife a lot stronger…
They also both come with a high-quality leather sheath, which will allow you to conveniently carry them around or store them…
In terms of uses, the Buck 119 Special is a more versatile knife that can be used for hunting, camping, bushcraft, fishing, hiking, backpacking, and everyday use…
It’s a great do-all type knife that can handle a wide range of tasks…
The Buck 120 General, on the other hand, is specifically designed for hunting…
Its clip point blade design makes it ideal for skinning, gutting, and other heavy-duty tasks…
If you’re looking for a knife specifically for hunting, the Buck 120 General is the way to go.
Warranty…
In terms of warranty, Buck Knives has been offering a lifetime warranty on their knives since 1902…
So with both the Buck 119 and the Buck 120 you’re getting the same lifetime warranty, which means you can send your knife in for repair or even have it replaced under the right circumstances…
Buck 120 vs 119 – Final Thoughts…
So in the end, both the Buck 119 and the Buck 120 are fantastic knives…
But if I could only have one, I’d go with the Buck 120 for a few reasons…
First of all, it’s a larger knife, which will just give you more capabilities in terms of cutting, chopping and overall use…
But aside from that, you also get an S35VN steel blade which is superior to the 420HC that you get with the Buck 119…
Last, I also slightly prefer the micarta handle that you get with the Buck 120, mainly because of its overall look…
Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Buck 120 General (Over 1,742 Amazon Reviews):
Now if you want to save a few bucks and don’t mind a slightly smaller knife that has a 420HC blade (which is still a good steel), then feel free to go with the Buck 119 because it’s still a great knife…
Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Buck 119 Special (Over 4,200 Amazon Reviews):
You can’t go wrong either way because both are Buck Knives which means they’re built to a high standard and are going to last you for a very long time.