Buck 102 vs Buck 105: Which is Better? [2024]

We’re back again taking another look at two great Buck knives – this time, the Buck 102 vs Buck 105. If you’re getting outdoors this year, having a dependable and versatile knife is essential to battling the wilderness. Whether that’s for hunting small game or just for basic woods use, both of these knives could be for you.

Anyone who knows anything about knives will know Buck, and will likely have heard of two of their most popular models, the 102 Woodsman and 105 Pathfinder. These are two very similar knives, but their subtle differences could make all the difference depending on exactly what you need the knife to do.

Given both the similarities and the differences, we’re going to help you answer the key question – which knife is better for me, the 102 or 105? Here, we provide a side by side comparison to give you the full picture.

For complete clarity, we’re going to be comparing the Buck 102 Woodsman Knife and the Buck 105 Pathfinder Knife.

Haven’t got time for a full review? Here’s the headline: 

• If you’re looking for a knife for small game / fish, or want something a little smaller/lighter, go for the Buck 102.
• If instead you need a solid all rounder, great for hunting and wood use, the Buck 105 will be your best shot.

Now, let’s get started with the full review.

Buck Knives 102 vs 105 – Key Comparisons

Whilst on the face of it these two knives may look incredibly similar, both have some key differences which make them perfectly suited for different outdoor needs!

The 102 has been a go to knife for many generations of hunters. Simply take a look at the reviews on Buck’s website to confirm it. With it’s fine clip point blade, integrated finger guard and thumb grip ridges, it combines the performance and control needed to overcome any hunting task.

Whilst the 105 is also a fantastic hunting companion, it has the added benefit of being more of an all rounder. Given it’s slightly more heavy duty feel, reviewers have also put the 105 to use with general woods work including cutting small trees, making shavings and whittling.

As you’d expect from the above, the 105 is therefore the longer and heavier of the two knives, gaining a whole inch on the blade length. Both knives do come with either a Cocobolo DymaLux or Phenolic grip and are pretty equal in price give or take $5.

Ultimately, the question we think you should be asking yourself is this. Do I need a dedicated, compact hunting knife or do I need a bit more of an all-rounder? The former leads you to the 102, the latter to the 105.

“I find the 102 to be a great dresser – seriously – and what a neat size….The 105 is just great for everything. From cutting up chicken to general camp work”

That’s the high level, but let’s break each knife down in a bit more detail.

Side-By-Side Specs – Buck 102 vs Buck 105

	Buck 102 Woodsman Knife	Buck 105 Pathfinder Knife
Overall Length (“)	7 3/4	9 1/8
Weight (Oz)	2.5	4.5
Blade Thickness (“)	0.120	0.120
Blade Type	Clip	Modified Clip
Best For	Hunting small game and fish	Hunting larger game and general woodcraft
Steel	420HC	420HC
Sheath	Black leather	Black leather
Manufactured	Made in the USA	Made in the USA

Buck 102 – Detailed View

Buck advertise the 102 as a true hunting knife and if you check the reviews, no one can argue that statement. For anyone heading out into the wilderness in search of small game or fish, this really is the knife to have on your belt.

The Buck 102 is a fixed knife coming in at 7 3/4″ in length making it fairly small by general hunting knife standards. But don’t be fooled by the size, the knife packs a punch with its 0.120″ fine clip point blade offering up great performance for skinning and dressing out game.

The best benefit that arises from the knife being smaller is the similarly reduced weight, with the 102 coming in at just 2.5oz. This makes the knife super easy to handle and isn’t taxing on the hand, even after hours of use.

The knife comes in two variants thanks to the option of either a Cocobolo DymaLux or Phenolic handle. But, regardless of which handle option you go for, it comes with a genuine black leather sheath for easy carrying.

As with most Buck knives, the Buck 102 is made in the USA and comes with a forever warranty against any defects that may arise from poor workmanship – giving you the peace of mind that with every 102 model.

Buck 105 – Detailed View

The Buck 105 is an incredibly popular knife with outdoorsman of all descriptions, mainly due to its versatility. The 105 is a fixed knife perfect for most outdoor tasks with reviewers specifically loving it’s perfect balance of performance across small game hunting, wood work and bushcraft.

When we compare this knife up against the Buck 102, it’s the size and weight which stand out as the main differentiators. With overall length at 9 1/8″ and the weight starting from 4.5oz, the 105 is a more substantial knife to use day-to-day.

The blade of the 105 matches the 102 in it’s thickness of 0.120″ and uses the same 420HC Steel, but the difference lies in the shape, with the 105 sporting a modified clip blade design.

Additional features such as a finger guard, thumb ridges and deep choil help keep the dexterity in the knife despite its larger size. The knife also comes with both Phenolic and Cocobolo DymaLux handle options, with the later pushing the knife weight up slightly further to 5.8oz.

The 105 also comes with a geanuine leather sheath, is made in the USA and comes with Buck’s warranty against workmanship defects.

Read More >>> Buck 110 vs Buck 112 Comparison

Summary – Buck 102 vs Buck 105

Both the 102 and the 105 are fantastic outdoor knives with a lot of similarities!

Both are fixed knives, made in the USA and utilise high quality steel. The main differences between the two comes in size and blade type, with the 102 lending itself to the pure huntsman whilst the 105 offers better all-round qualities.

In the end, the decision will come down to the needs you have when next venturing out into the wild. The alternative, of course, is to purchase both knives, both are incredibly good value and when equipped with both, would offer you the complete flexibility to tackle any challenge you may face.

As always, we’ll finish up with a quote from a knife fan and their thoughts when comparing the two knives:

“I find the 102 to be a great dresser – seriously – and what a neat size….The 105 is just great for everything. From cutting up chicken to general camp work”