This is Buck's standard blade material because it approaches the wear resistance of high carbon alloys while delivering the corrosion resistance of chromium stainless steels. Add our exclusive heat-treat process and you have a very user-friendly combination of superior corrosion resistance with excellent strength for wear resistance and durability. You also have a blade that is easy to resharpen. For best performance we harden to a Rockwell hardness of Rc 58.
Over the years like 40 I have purchased Buck as well as many others.BUCK IS A GREAT TOOL.
I Received my custom 503 with 420HC polished blade and cherry-wood handles for my sixteenth birthday and I'm very satisfied with the quality of the knife. The knife was delivered about six weeks after ordered. The engraved blade was polished to perfection and the handle was stained consistently throughout. It Seams pretty sturdy and is just the right size for everyday pocket carrying. overall it's a quality knife that will last generations and makes a great gift for all ages.
I have had my 503 for at least 40 YRS. It is my constant companion. It has done everything from opening the mail to opening Xmas presents for my children & Grandchildren to doing heavy jobs. It is everything a could ever want in a knife.
I have been using a Buck knife for over 40 years. They are the best knife on the market and I have tried others. The only reason I have had to replace one is because I lose them. Other than that, they will last forever.
I know I have had this knife for at least 30 years. I carry it in a small case that my belt passes through. It is always sharp. Only needs a little sharpening when I do something dumb. Use the back of the knife for opening packages and the blade for everything else.
Bought in '80 and carried for many, many years. I have NEVER used an abrasive stone on this knife, using only ceramic sticks and butcher's steel to reshape edge and condition it back into proper alignment. The steel, workmanship and quality cannot be any better. I've had a lot of different pocket knives of various brands and none - not one - has ever been good enough to tempt me to "retire" this 503. The blade still has the same profile as new and lock and pivot are still excellent. I love this knife and if I ever loose it (I certainly hope never), I will replace it with the exact same knife. It's large enough to do the work, small enough to comfortably carry and classy looking to boot. Perfection in pocket knife!
For 38+ years this knife has been in my pocket. My father gave it to me when I was 18. I've even saved a life with it ((tracheotomy). I can't wait to get it back after a small mishap.
My wife gave me a "Prince" for xmas last year as per my request to replace a similar sized knife that I received from the NRA a few years ago. The "Prince is a gentleman's knife and fits perfectly in the small pocket inside my slacks and jeans. It's a perfect pocket knife for most things and is not intimidating if I pull it out to open a package at work. All in all, awesome. BUT, and there are two BUTS here. 1. The primary grind was so coarse on the blade that it looked and felt like a file. This was not the polished blade version but my 110 and even my son's Bantam have much smoother primary grinds. 2. I sent an email to BUCK describing this problem and got absolutely NO response. So my experience is that quality control and customer service are both lacking! I wanted a BUCK knife because of tradition and what I thought the company stood for. BUCK may have forgotten both.
My wife gave me a "Prince" for xmas last year as per my request to replace a similar sized knife that I received from the NRA a few years ago. The "Prince is a gentleman's knife and fits perfectly in the small pocket inside my slacks and jeans. It's a perfect pocket knife for most things and is not intimidating if I pull it out to open a package at work. All in all, awesome. BUT, and there are two BUTS here. 1. The primary grind was so coarse on the blade that it looked and felt like a file. This was not the polished blade version but my 110 and even my son's Bantam have much smoother primary grinds. 2. I sent an email to BUCK describing this problem and got absolutely NO response. So my experience is that quality control and customer service are both lacking! I wanted a BUCK knife because of tradition and what I thought the company stood for. BUCK may have forgotten both.