T.R.
Member
Does anyone have experience with this fixed blade knife?
TR
TR
Buck was not very forthcoming on that aspect of it-
My Selkirk would have probably been about 2014 vintage, so ad copy has likely changed in the interim. At one point, IIRC Buck sent almost all its manufacturing overseas. After the move from California, it started making more knives in the US and many of them are made here now but not all. If you will look at Buck's history from its website, you may not see a reference to this offshore outsourcing. https://www.buckknives.com/about/history/Buck says “imported”, at the bottom of the “Overview”…you can see the origin for each knife…I thought all Buck were US made…learn something new each day.
Separately, I have the Vanguard and really enjoy it.
https://www.buckknives.com/product/853-small-selkirk-knife/0853BRS-B/
https://www.buckknives.com/search?q=Vanguard
If you will look at Buck's history from its website, you may not see a reference to this offshore outsourcing.
I was not critical of Buck for going offshore, nor did I indicate the Chinese version was inferior. Buck had built its reputation on, among other things, "proudly made in the USA" and all of a sudden it wasn't, and that fact was not clearly noted. I believe the Selkirk is better made than the Vanguard. I do want all pertinent information when making a purchase, and quick look at the current Amazon description does not disclose the origin until you read questions and user reviews.Buck is no different than other manufactures.
I believe the Selkirk is better made than the Vanguard.
The grind, blade shape, and handle material and design were factors that made me opt for Selkirk. Check out blade forums' discussion for pros and cons. https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/buck-selkirk-v-s-buck-vanguard.1415752/ Neither is without warts. I vastly prefer the Becker BK16 for heavy work.