Buck 184 Buckmaster -Survival Knife

[Zarvan]

​

The Buck 184 "Buckmaster" is a large Bowie -bladed survival knife, allegedly developed at the request of the US Navy SEALs. I received the following -photo from a visitor to this webpage -which shows a Navy SEAL with a Buckmaster strapped to his hip.
The knife has a blade that is approximately 7.5" -(19cm) long, and is of the classic Bowie shape. The hollow -ground main edge is about 6.5" (16.5cm) long. The false edge is serrated on one side. The back of the blade -features a very aggressive 3" (7.5cm) long sawback. Maximum -blade width is about 1.5" (3.7cm), and the blade is .288 - .290-inch thick. The blade is forged 425mod steel. The handguard is about 6mm thick, with both ends curving -slightly towards the blade. Each end is drilled and tapped for a 2" (51mm) long, 10mm diameter "point" which is designed to allow the knife to be used as an anchor when a line is attached to the lanyard ring at the pommel. The grip is 4" (102mm) long and 1.25" (2.8cm) in diameter, knurled and grooved for a sure grip. The grip is hollow, with a usable -internal opening secured by the threaded pommel, which in turn is knurled -slightly larger in diameter than the grip, and sealed with a black rubber O-ring.

'
'

​

The threaded -pommel also secured a 4.5mm thick steel stamping which is pierced to provide a lanyard/rope hole.
Regarding the grappling -hooks, these are described it the patent which CAN BE SEEN HERE. In brief, the patent -discusses the attachment of the grapples to the quillon with sufficient -strength to support a load of 600 pounds and reference is made to a casting line. With this said, it is generally -accepted that using the knife as a grappling hook, which implies the act of tying a rope to the pommel and throwing the knife, could be very hazardous! In fact, the last of the BUCKMASTER knives came with small flyers saying that using the knife as a grappling hook -would void the warranty. A better use of these hooks are as anchor pins -where knife can be wedged in some rocks or the crotch of a tree and used with a securing line off the lanyard loop attached to the hollow -handle cap/pommel.
The sheath is of black rigid fiberglass -reinforced plastic. Attached to the front of the sheath are two removable black nylon -pouches; the smaller one contains a full-size Silva Type 12 compass with a red cord lanyard. The back of the sheath has an inlaid sharpening stone. Heavy black nylon -webbing is used to cover the stone, secure the two pouches to the sheath, -secure the knife in its sheath, and provide a loop for a leg tie. An additional loop of black -nylon webbing, with a Fastex-type closure, provides a quick-release belt loop.
As for the knife's production, the Buckmaster was -tested by and issued to the Navy SEALs for a short time. I have read that the knurled -metal handle did a number on hands while chopping; it didn't do too well in salt water tests; and it was very heavy. Commercial production lasted 13 years but cheaper copies led to the end of the Buckmaster. These days the Buck 184 "Buckmaster" is extremely -popular with collectors and I personally use one as a camp knife. These -knives are extremely rugged and the blade holds a sharp edge -making them an excellent example of a Rambo era survival knife.
NEWS: Buck 184 Buckmaster -Survival Knife