Buck Hartsook: Wrap and Review
I've been using the Buck Hartsook for over a year now as an everyday carry knife. It's tiny, but that's why I like it. It's definitely a light-duty knife, and though some people with larger hands claim it difficult to hold and maneuver, I find it perfect for opening letters and packages, cutting fruit and cheese, shaving and splintering small twigs, cutting stitching, cloth or thick tape, or thin rubber such as bicycle innertube. I have done light prying with it, and it's seen water, salt and fresh, and has faired fine by allowing it to dry out. The blade holds an edge well and is easy to sharpen: it's more than worth the $20 I paid for it.
The Hartsook is sold as a neck knife, with a similar version called the Smidgen. Both come with a sheath and a small loop of paracord on the end. Apparently, the first version of sheath does not keep the knife secure; I received the second version. In this version, the knife is held in by a small plastic button that fits into the top lanyard hole in the handle, so it wont just pull free if caught, but is easy to release. I strung mine onto a 20" length of size 24 nylon twine with two overhand knots on either side of the sheath so the knife doesn't slide freely, joining the ends together in a tightened overhand on a bight for the safety of a quick release: an intentional tug on the stopper knots at the two ends renders the knife untied.
The spine of both knives is textured above the top lanyard hole, as well as over the base of the blade. It provides good purchase for the thumb when grasping the blade, and on the Smidgen, the same texture works perfectly to strike firesteel. The Hartsook seemed to have trouble with it, assumedly due to the oxide coating, so I actually sanded off the coating in that area to fix the problem. The small modification madea huge difference.
I also wrapped the sheath with size 18 twine because it looks nice, and is always useful to have around. Carrying it around the neck is comfortable and subtle, as it's very light and slim, but can be annoying when jumping or climbing vigorously--especially when inversions come into play--and, when tucked, isn't quick to reach. A favored way is hitch it around a belt loop or drawstring on my pants and let it hang or pocket it. The wrap on the sheath keeps it from scratching my phone, and it's easy to find the twine near my waist to guide the sheath out into my hand if it's not already out.
Overall, the Hartsook kicks ass as a tiny fixed blade.
Specs:
• Blade Length: 1 7/8" (4.8 cm)
• Overall Length: 4 ¼”
• Blade Material: Black oxide S30V
• Carry System: Molded nylon sheath
• Handle Material: S30V skeleton with black oxide coating
• Weight: 0.5 oz. (w/ sheath +/- 1oz)
