As handy and as useful folding knives are for EDC, they’re not the ideal tool for the job when it comes to outdoor tasks. For those, the simplicity and efficiency of a fixed blade can’t be beat. With a larger profile to match a beefier blade, a full grip thanks to locked-in handles, and no moving parts that can break or require maintenance, nothing beats a solid fixed blade for an outdoor or survival kit. Buck’s new 104 Compadre knife is one of three new fixed blades built for camp work, each designed for specific tasks and all made in the USA with Buck’s signature construction. With a no-nonsense, no-frills, and all-business feature set, the 104 Compadre Camp Knife is ready to do some work.
Fixed blade knives are all about the blade and its steel. The 104’s blade and tang comes in 5160 spring steel (best known for its excellent shock absorbing properties) hardened to 57-58 HRC for high performance without requiring specialized maintenance or sharpening. You get 4.5“ of cutting edge on a drop point, making it as versatile as possible for all type of cutting needs. A Cobalt gray Cerakote coating on the blade adds even more rust and corrosion resistance, making the 104 usable for both general purpose and food prep tasks, not to mention giving the knife an aesthetic dark blade.
The rest of the knife’s 9.5“ full tang goes into natural canvas Micarta handles for optimal grip, durability, and resistance, with a subtle groove at the end of the tang to lock in a full-handed grip against the bolster. And when it’s time to pack up, the 104 Compadre comes with a genuine leather sheath with a belt loop attachment for stowing on your belt or on the webbing of your gear. A lanyard hole on the handles also gives an additional carry and retrieval option if needed.
With simplicity comes efficiency, and the Buck 104 Compadre ticks all the boxes for an absolutely solid outdoor knife, backed by over 110 years of made in the USA experience and a forever warranty. Pick it up from Amazon at the link below, and be sure to check out the rest of the Compadre series to round out your camp EDC.
