If you’re in the market for a knife, there aren’t many brands out there than Buck. The Buck family have been making knives since 1902 but the well known American brand began manufacturing at scale in the 1960s. While black buck knives weren’t particularly popular then, they’re making a comeback today.
It’s this history that makes Buck one of the most reputable and well-respected knife manufacturers on the market specializing in both fixed and folding models.
Buck Knives With Cerakote Finish and/or Black Handles
If you love your traditional knives, you’ll know most knives originated with a black handle, rather than the fancy colored handles we see in the market today.
In the past couple of decades, we’ve also started seeing many modern knives feature a black blade that’s becoming increasingly more popular too.
Unfortunately for those of us who enjoy the appearance, we aren’t blessed with too many choices from Buck that have a black knife blade. That being said, there’s 5 knives in this list that use the Cerakote coating for a beautiful black finish.
Otherwise, you’ll also find a bunch of nice traditional Buck knives using a black handle.
Advantages of a black coated knife blade
If it’s a black knife blade you’re looking for (rather than a black handle), there are a few advantages to that. It typically boils down to one of these, though:
- It doesn’t reflect light
- They’re inconspicuous, especially in dark / low-light situations
- The extra coating can protect the steel from rust & corrosion
- Style – it looks cool 🙂
If you’re looking for a Buck with a black blade, or a traditional-looking black handled Buck knife, you’re in the right place. We’ve listed many of Buck’s best black knife models which you can get your hands on right now.
5 Buck knives with a black cerakote blade
1. Budget All-Round EDC: Buck 327 Nobleman Knife
Light, nimble, good blade, lovely handle and a modern design. The Buck 327 takes our pick as the best EDC for smaller budgets.
Ask 100 people what the best EDC is and you’ll get 100 different answers. Well, we’ve taken a punt and picked the Buck 327 as our favorite (at this price point) of the black Buck knives as it ticks so many boxes of a great EDC.
A 2 5/8″ blade, comprised of strong 420HC heat-treated steel, companies a rubberized carbon fibre handle and a pocket clip attachment. Thanks to the tiny 2.8oz weight, it’s a joy to carry around day-to-day whilst being strong enough to face most tasks.
It also looks great whilst it’s doing it thanks to the checked handle design that’s modern and fresh compared to other Buck knives.
2. Higher Quality EDC: Buck 843 Sprint Ops
The Buck 843 offers something for those looking for a black EDC with higher quality steel (S30V), better handle & locking, and made in the USA. The marbled carbon fiber finish is gorgeous.
Similar to the Buck 840, the Buck 843 is another beautiful, premium EDC to consider.
Other than the steel upgrade (S30V is harder & retains an edge longer than 420HC), the next thing you’ll notice is the locking mechanism. This knife uses S35VN steel.
A high-speed ball-bearing flipper makes for fast deployment. The reverse tanto blade shape gives the knife piercing strength while also giving you the smooth cutting surface of a drop point.
The blade is tempered with Buck’s famous BOS heat treat for fantastic edge retention. Buck also coated the blade with cerakote to provide further corrosion resistance and durability. The knife also includes a cerakote coated, removable, deep carry pocket clip.
3. Camping Knife: Buck 104 Compadre
The perfect camping companion that’s great for everything from chopping wood to prepping your meal.
Heading out for a weekend of wilding camping? You need a specialized knife by your side to handle off the tasks thrown at you.
And the Buck 104 Compadre is the perfect knife for just that. At 9 /12″ overall and weighing 7.1oz, this knife has some bulk behind it to help you with chopping and batoning wood. To help, the 5160 carbon spring steel has shock absorbing properties to ensure you comfort whilst doing it.
The micarta handle feels great in the hand and comes equipped with a leather sheath to store the knife on your belt when not in use. That Buck Forever Warranty is also on hand to give you peace of mind that the 104 can handle all the camping tasks you need.
4. For Heavy Wood Work: Buck 108 Compadre
A highly specialized knife for chopping, splitting and batoning wood – including a cool, black blade.
If you’re looking for the best froe knife for clearing the undergrowth, chopping wood, batoning, splitting or just anything to do with wood, the Buck 108 is the perfect knife.
The 5160 carbon is great for absorbing heavy shocks with the additional Cerakote finish providing additional abrasion and corrosion protection for those undertaking heavy woodwork.
The knife comes with an ergonomic micarta handle and comes equipped with a specially adapted leather sheath. If you’re looking for a unique knife that’s tailor-made for woodwork, look no further than the 108.
5. Higher Quality EDC: Buck 839 Mini Deploy Auto
The Buck 839 Mini Deploy Auto packs alot of punch in a small profile. It features Cerakote coated, S35VN steel and a drop point blade. The handle is constructed of black Cerakote coated aluminum.
The Mini Deploy is a sub-2-inch push-button automatic knife designed for easy carry and enduring performance. Utilizing a cerakote coated, 1.875″ blade with 154CM stainless steel, the Mini Deploy has excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance.
Smooth, machined aluminum handles, coated in cerakote, give these knives a comfortable feel, while the stepped lower edge provides extra grip. A removable, deep carry pocket clip lets this knife ride easily in your pocket.
*Please Note: The sale of automatic knives is subject to restriction by the laws of many states and territories in the United States and by Federal law. Federal law also restricts the interstate shipment of these knives except to certain customers. The federal restrictions are described in 18 U.S.C. § 1716(9) (as amended) and 15 U.S.C. §§ 1242, 1243 and 1244 (as amended).
8 Black Handled Buck Knives
1. Hunting Knife: Buck 119/124 Frontiersman
Ask most hunters for their top 5 hunting knives and I’d bet the Buck 119 or 124 would be in there. Strong and sturdy with a premium blade.
A 6 1/4″ blade, inside an 11 3/4″ package with a weight of 13/3oz, it can only be the Buck 124. It’s easily one of the best fixed blade hunting knives ever created and remains a fan favorite to this day.
420HC steel, a full tang Micarta handle and an aluminum pommel combine to create a knife that’s perfect for all your smashing, chopping and batoning needs and we can guarantee it will be a match for any task that’s thrown at you.
Just be aware that a premium knife comes at a premium price. You’ll be paying north of $150 for this piece but it’s well worth it for serious hunters that need a strong and durable companion.
2. Folding Hunters Knife: Buck 110 Slim Select
The Buck 110 Slim Select is an all-around great folding knife that’s perfect for those who need a dependable, strong knife on a long hunt.
The legacy of this knife talks for itself. First released in the 1960s, the 110 Slim Select has stood the test of time and remains one of the most versatile, strong hunting knives on the market.
A 3 3/4″ clip point blade is supported by a lockback mechanism and a premium G10 handle, delivering the perfect combination for slicing, skinning and fleshing tasks when out in the wild.
Given its size, it’s probably not one you’re going to want in the pocket, but luckily it comes equipped with a leather sheath to help you carry the 7.7oz weight. At just over $100, this is one of the best folding knives anywhere (not just from Buck) and is well worth the increased price tag.
3. Compact Multi-Tool: Buck 303 Cadet
A super versatile multi-tool knife that’s compact in size and stylish in looks.
The Cadet is one of Buck’s smallest knives and it’s perfect for carrying around in your pocket. Combining a clip, sheepsfoot and spey blade, the Cadet’s versatility will see you good in a number of day-to-day cutting and slicing tasks.
At 19oz and a closed length of just 3 1/4″ we see this as the best compact multi-tool you can get from Buck and of course, it comes with that all-important black handle.
4. All-Round Multi-Tool: Buck 301 Stockman
The best black multi-tool knife Buck do that’s just big enough to handle some more meatier tasks.
If you liked the look of the Cadet but want something a little more robust, we think you should consider the Stockman. The configuration is exactly the same, but the blades are around 50% bigger. This makes it a great knife for slightly toucher tasks.
At just under 3oz, it’s still more than compact enough to carry in your pocket though with 420HC steel blades all treated in Buck’s Paul Bros signature treatment. Like many Buck’s it also comes with their forever warranty and is made in the USA.
5. Micro Folding Knife: Buck 417 Budgie Knife
Modern knife with a unique frame lock that delivers one-handed opening and closing.
The 417 Budgie is a really interesting knife that’s new for 2024. Its tiny 2″ blade is supplemented by a range of great features. A lanyard loop and pocket clip offer two great carry options with the S35VN steel delivering great cutting and slicing performance.
The real MVP of this knife though is the locking mechanism. The frame lock delivers a strong and sturdy foundation whilst being easy to operate with one hand when opening and closing.
This knife stands out for its modern look and feel and would look as great on a keyring as it would lashed on your backpack.
6. Buck Skeleton Knife: Buck 635 Paklite
A lightweight but sturdy skeleton knife that’s cheap whilst delivering great performance.
If you’re a fan of skeleton knives, luckily Buck had a black model just for you with the Buck 635 Paklite. At just over 1oz, it’s the perfect knife for keeping the weight down with the 420HC steel blase still offering great slicing performance thanks to the caping blade style.
The Carekote coating offers additional corrosion and abrasion resistance for the whole frame with the bundled-in polyester sheath providing a range of different carry options for the 6 3/4″ piece.
Reasonably priced, the 635 is also an absolute steal making it the perfect companion for light game hunting, fishing or detailed woodwork.
7. Lightweight Hunting Knife: Buck 684 BuckLite Max II
If you’re on your feet during a long hunt, you need to keep your loadout light. The Buck 684 is the perfect companion for just that.
Our first fixed blade knife of the article is the perfect lightweight companion for an endurance huntsman. A 3 1/4″ blade fits into an overall 7 1/2″ package that’s feather-light at just 2.8oz.
Whilst this knife is all about weight, it’s performance pretty well all around. 420HC steel blade (inc Edge2x sharpness) combines with a Dynaflex rubber handle and comes equipped with a heavy-duty sheath.
The full tang construction also contributes to a level of durability you wouldn’t expect from a knife this light and, of course, it’s all covered by Buck’s Forever Warranty.
8. Versatile Carry: Buck 239 Infusion Drop Point
A traditional knife that’s easy to carry on the belt, in the pocket and of course, in or on the boot.
The 239 Infusion Drop Point pocket knife is an excellent choice for everyday carry. Engage the flipper on the back of the handle, and the spring-assisted, satin-finished 7Cr17Mov steel blade opens instantly.
The blade locks open with a liner lock. The drop point blade is great for general everyday tasks. Jimping on top of the blade gives you added control.
This knife has a durable aluminum handle with a lanyard hole. The pocket clip allows for easy carry.
Summary
There’s no denying that a black knife, either in the handle or the blade, is a sight to behold. Luckily one of the world’s best knife manufacturers, Buck, created a wide range of great knives for all needs.
We’ve just picked out some of our favorites today, but be sure to shop around to find the black Buck knife that’s right for you.
Be sure to check out our post Buck Knives Review: Are They Worth It?