Buck 119 Review: The Knife Every Outdoorsman Needs
If survival is your aim, a Buck 119 review may give you the answers that you’re looking for when it comes to picking a quality knife.
Many will say that there’s no better knife out there for an outdoorsman to have, and others will say that no knife collection is complete without it. But is the Buck 119 Special worth it?
A quality knife can have so many uses. Whether you’re an emergency prepper, a survivalist, or a knife enthusiast, you most likely know a thing or two about knives.
So, what makes the Buck 119 stand apart from the rest? First, you may want to know a thing or two about using a survival knife.
Contents
Tips for Using a Survival Knife
If you’re planning to brave the wilderness with just a knife, then you’re in luck. We have a few t for you to survive the wild when you only have a knife with you. ips
And, quite frankly, our Buck 119 review wouldn’t be complete without them.
Find warmth
What better way is there to find warmth than to build a fire? With just a knife, it’s pretty much your only option anyway.
You’ll first want to gather a decent amount of dry wood, including small logs and twigs. There are various fire-starting methods out there to look into, as well.
Before you light your fire, be sure to clear a 6-foot circle around the fire, and make sure there are no branches immediately above it. Line the ring with as many stones as you possibly can to keep it from spreading. This will also trap and reflect heat toward the inside of the fire, which will make it easier to keep the fire going.
Somewhere to sleep
Of course, you’ll need somewhere to sleep. How can you build a shelter with just you and a knife? Keep in mind that you won’t necessarily need a place of refuge in average conditions, but you will be glad that you built one if there is rain.
Mainly, you will want to keep your shelter dry, small, and off the ground. There’s no point in wasting time to build a small cabin or any large accommodation. Besides, heat will stay trapped far better within a small space.
Birch bark is excellent to use as shingles, but you will find the best results by using a ton of ferns and softwood. Dry leaves will also be useful for waterproofing.
Something to eat

image by pexels
Hungry for breakfast when you wake up? Insects come out at dawn, and you may be able to find some.
If you don’t get lucky, you can give your body its own heat by a lot of movement. Move around to your traps, and hope that you got lucky.
To build a trap, you will need to find pliable wood, like basswood. This is incredibly important, as it will be your source for traps, rope, straps, and your backpack.
You will want to find game trails, which should be around the banks of a water source. Take six of your basswood strips and tie a 1-inch diameter loop at the end. Slip the other end of your trap through it and prop it above the ground.
Small trails will give you small game, so stay toward those. You may find raccoons, rabbits, partridge, or quail.
Water
Go downhill to find a water source. You can only survive three days without water, so this will be incredibly important!
Plus, you can find basswood near many water sources, so that will be helpful to build traps as well.
Buck 119 Review: Buck Knives 119 Special
Is this a knife worth adding to your collection? Well, you’re about to find out the answer with our Buck 119 review.
The Buck 119 Special has been around for a long time. They were initially made by the founder, Hoyt Buck, and his son, Al Buck. The 119s rose in popularity during World War II, when Buck gave them to soldiers.
Buck Knives 119 Special Fixed Blade Knife with Leather…
- RAZOR SHARP CLIP POINT BLADE -…
- COMFORTABLE GRIP & BALANCE -…
- AN AMERICAN ICON – Classic…
- CONVENIENT CARRY- Includes a…
- MADE IN THE USA – FOREVER…
The original design has stood up against the test of time, and this Buck 119 review will give you the answer to why.
The Buck 119 Special is 10.5 inches long and has a 6-inch blade. The blade is 420HC steel, which Buck uses in almost all of its knives. Although this is an older type of steel (and certainly not the hardest out there), it is still incredibly sharp and has a straightforward re-sharpening process. The handle is phenolic resin, featuring slight finger indentations.
The older models of the Buck 119 Specials came with a leather sheath, but some current ones come with a nylon sheath. Many believe this is an attempt from Buck to cut costs. However, there are plenty of places out there to find a leather sheath if you prefer one.
Hide & Drink, Thick Leather Mora Knife Sheath w/Belt Loop…
- KEEP YOUR KNIFE CLOSE AND…
- HIDE & DRINK’S 101 YEAR…
- HANDMADE FROM SOFT &…
- FINELY HAND STITCHED: We are…
- MAKES A GREAT GIFT: Hide &…
This knife is made in the United States. It will come to you razor-sharp, so you won’t have to worry about receiving a dull knife.
The Buck 119 is incredibly well-rounded for any outdoorsman, whether you will be fishing or hunting. It can easily break down game or fillet fish.
This knife has been a cult-favorite for over 40 years, and many people still actively use it today.
How We Reviewed

image by pixabay
For our Buck 119 review, we took a look at various customer reviews and took all of those into consideration. We extensively researched this knife, and also took a look at similar knife options to compare and contrast each one.
Alternatives to the Buck 119 Knife You Need to Check Out
If the Buck 119 doesn’t sound like the right choice for you, here are some other options that have many similarities. After all, our Buck 119 review wouldn’t be complete without comparing it to some other options.
Ontario Knife 498 Marine Combat Knife, 8180
Ontario Knife 8180 498 Marine Combat Knife (Black)
- Military spec version of the…
- 12 inch overall length with 7…
- Made in the USA
- Sheath Material : Leather
Ontario Knife is a brand that is well-known for making excellent knives for combat, survival, and tactical use. The 498 Marine Combat Knife is one of the best knives they offer. This knife is mainly for U.S. military members, so it can be trusted to be robust and reliable.
This knife has a 7-inch blade made of 1095 carbon steel with a non-reflective black zinc phosphate finish. The handle is weather-proofed and made of black leather. The blade edge has a 55-58 HRC hardening, and the knife includes a steel butt cap and leather sheath.
The 498 is incredibly easy to sharpen, and it also has excellent edge retention. It is sure to last you a long time. The leather sheath that it comes with is high-quality as well.
This Ontario Knife model is another option that is entirely made in the U.S. This is one knife that you will want to have in your collection!
Where to buy
USMC KA-BAR, Straight Edge
KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife, Straight
- 1095 Cro-van steel. Edge…
- 7″ Straight Edge Blade
- The most famous fixed blade…
- Overall length 11.875 inches
- The most famous fixed blade…
The USMC KA-BAR has been around since 1942. As you can guess by the name, it is made for the U.S. Marine Corps but has also been supplied to U.S. Army and U.S. Navy members.
This is a multi-use knife, which many may not think would be suitable for fighting. However, many soldiers say the knife was an excellent fighting knife when returning from World War II, as well as Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
While this is an excellent fighting knife, it is also fantastic as an outdoor survival knife. It can be used for various camping tasks.
The standard version of the KA-BAR has a 7-inch blade and is 11.875 inches overall. There is also a shorter version available, with a 5.25-inch blade. This American-made knife is basically indestructible. It holds up under extreme circumstances incredibly well.
You can use this knife for splitting wood, precise cutting, skinning, chopping, and battening. It has excellent edge retention and will sharpen easily. However, the blade will require oil to prevent rusting.
The handle of the KA-BAR is ergonomic, and you will get a secure grip even if your hands are slippery or wet. It has a Kraton coating to resist extreme heat, water, or excessive cold.
This is an excellent knife choice for survivalists, preppers, and knife enthusiasts alike. It offers a beautiful design and exceptional durability.
Where to buy

image by pexels
SOG Pillar
SOG Fixed Blade Knives with Sheath – Pillar USA Made Steel…
- U. S. -MADE CPM S35VN STEEL…
- 5 inch satin polish blade: a…
- Mi carta full tang knife…
- Versatile Kayden sheath knife:…
- SOG knives for life: Take care…
In case you’re unfamiliar with SOG, they got their name from a U.S. Special Ops unit, the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam-Studies and Observations Group, or MACV-SOG. SOG knives are well-known for their high-quality and performance.
SOG’s Pillar knife is one of their U.S.-made, single-fixed blade knives. The blade is incredibly high-performing and sharp. It has an insanely sharp 90-degree spine bevel.
The handle is made out of micarta and has a pass-through, full-tang construction. The Pillar comes with a belt attachment point and Kydex-type sheath.
This knife can be used for a wide variety of outdoor tasks, from chopping and battening wood to food prep.
The Pillar knife has been somewhat of a turning point for SOG. They are competing in all aspects of the knife industry with the Pillar. From the blade’s steel to the material the handle is made from, this knife delivers everything you could be looking for in a knife.
Where to buy
Using Your Knife to Survive
the Wild

image by pixabay
Overall, any of the knives on this list are going to be a fantastic piece to add to your knife collection. Or, it can be the perfect first knife to give someone who is just starting their collection.
Whatever the case may be, hopefully, this Buck 119 review gave you some clarity on whether or not you want to purchase one for yourself.
Will you be buying one after reading our Buck 119 review? Let us know in a comment below!
Featured image by: Amazon

Paul Grove has been passionate about hunting for as long as he can remember. He recalls hunting squirrels with his dad’s trusty Winchester Model 63 as early as age 9. As he grew older, his hunting interests, tactics, and gear have refined. He was also fortunate enough to be born in Wisconsin, thus having unhindered access to some of the nation’s best whitetail deer hunting spots. When he’s not chasing deer or other large to massive game on public lands, he is field-testing various fishing gear in a never-ending quest to find that perfect fishing setup. Is his passion for hunting and fishing innate or acquired? Paul believes that it is more about passing down a family tradition.