Buck Decatur Folding Lock Knife

Though Buck has become very proactive in launching new knives, it must be said all that have passed through my hands have been well worth their design team’s efforts, and they will be of interest to anybody in need of a specific type of knife.

The Buck Decatur (on test) is a very distinctive folder that holds an equally distinctive blade. Measuring 4.5” in the closed position and weighing 3.4oz, the Decatur holds a slim, 3.5” drop-point blade (7Cr stainless steel). Again, the company has installed their Ball Bearing technology, which really does an excellent job of allowing the blade to open very smoothly.

Roll with it

The ball bearings lie between the blade and the handle liners, in a recess underneath the front pivot point. So, once the flipper on the rear of the blade’s spine is operated (pushed down and back), the blade effortlessly deploys into the fully open position. At this point, a strong lock liner secures the blade in place. Due to the design, the flipper (which is part of the knife blade itself), when deployed, usefully serves as a finger guard, and combined with the quite basic, yet suitably ergonomic handle, makes the knife feel safe and secure in the hold.

There are two versions, and they are identical, except for the different handles. Here, you see the model made from Guibourtia Ehie wood, while the other model has a rugged, black, G10 handle. While we know the attributes of G10 for use in handle making, let’s delve deeper into the wood on offer.

Good wood

Guibourtia Ehie is native to West Africa and grows in closed rainforests and transitional forests, often in small groups. It’s used as a tropical hardwood for cabinet making, carving, flooring, joinery, musical instruments, and turnery. The wood is heavy, with a density of 0.85 g/cm3, making it very durable and resistant to wood-boring insects. Anyway, as a knife handle material, it scores highly and feels good in the hold. Plus, it’s strong, robust, and can withstand the elements.

Conclusions

The Buck Decatur is a slim, sleek, and very capable field knife. It scores even more highly due to the Ball Bearing technology inside, which offers a one-handed opening that’s smooth, fast, and easy. The slim, yet relatively thick blade, is useful as a skinner and paunching tool as well as carrying out general cutting duties in the field. Although the handle isn’t contoured, its lengthy dimensions and slab-sided overall design still ensure a secure grip, whether you’re using the G10 or wood handle model. Both also boast a strong, stainless-steel pocket/belt clip and come with the Buck Forever Warranty.