A VERSATILE KNIFE FOR CRITICAL TIMES

THE BUCK/HOOD PUNK—READY TO MEET THE CHALLENGE

STORY BY JAMES E. HOUSE

Dictionaries define “punk” as a substance that smolders when ignited. One common use of punk is as specially treated sticks used to light fuses.

Although that definition does not really define a knife, this name has been given to an outstanding survival knife from Buck Knives. The Buck/Hood Punk is a knife designed by the late Ron Hood as a tool for survival and backwoods use. It has a distinctive style and is well designed for its intended purposes.

The Micarta scales have ridges that provide an excellent gripping surface.; A properly fitting blade screwdriver can be used to remove the two-part screws that attach the scales.

“[THE PUNK] HAS A DISTINCTIVE STYLE AND IS WELL DESIGNED FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSES.”

SHOCK MITIGATION

The Punk features a 5-inch blade made of 5160 steel that is given Buck’s proprietary heat treatment to produce a Rockwell hardness of 57-58c. The 5160 alloy is a spring steel that is extremely durable, tough and capable of withstanding shock and torsion. Measuring 0.185 inch in thickness, the Punk’s blade has an attractive, gray powder coating that blends nicely with the well-shaped Micarta scales.