BUCK Hoodlum fail.

I was getting tired of getting accused of abusing this knife. I think you can see from the finish on the spine that I wasn't batoning with it. I don't throw my knives either so you just have to trust me. I'm 45, a combat vet, I work in industrial construction so I'm tuned in to geometry and stress failures (well I feel like I am). Whatever. Theres plenty of excellent big knives a third the price of this one. Just lettin the folks know. BUCK says I will get an improved model. Why would they need to improve a knife with no issues? Thanks.

Update: 8/16/2022
It's been 10 or 15 years maybe since I bought my Hoodlum. We had some problems BUT Buck DID send me a replacement Hoodlum.
I don't remember exactly what steel the first one was but I don't think it was 4160...oops that's voltage, lol, the current Hoodlums say they are 5160 steel but it seems like back when mine broke they said if I could wait a couple weeks longer then I would get an upgraded version with a different steel for all future Hoodlums. I thought they were omitting the stupid notch. Apologies to the Don Hood fans but it should have never been there. I waited and I got a crisp clean brand new Hoodlum a few weeks later.
I put the broken, pointy end, 4" tip (giggidy) in the pocket of the tech sheath when I sent it in, but it was still in there when they sent it back. I'm not a metallurgist so I can't tell a difference but that tip off the old Hoodlum is the sharpest knife, or piece of a knife, in my entire collection. So I'm pretty sure they changed steels but the 5160 of the replacement is easier to sharpen than the stupid sharp 4" tip from the broken blade. It seems tougher, and still holds it's edge moderately well. I think if there was a change, the 5160 steel is a better fit for a survival/hunting knife that's shaped like a fighter. I thought the change BUCK was hinting at was deleting that notch. It is SO unnecessary, and placing a stress point right across from the blades sweet spot? However, BUCK seemed stuck on the notch idea. I guess because it came straight from the late Ron Hood. I think if it was done quick, and without heating the blade up, you could zap a few MIG welds in the notch filling it. I would feel a lot better about the giant stress point right in the middle of this fairly expensive blade. Otherwise the blade is balanced perfectly, it's shaped perfectly, the micarta handles are some of the best I've seen, and even the handle has a unique shape that just fits the hand, no matter the odd grip and there's zero vibration. It seems like it's one of those tools that actually makes the wielder look like he knows what he's doing lol. More accurate chops, and less fatigue, even though you're slinging a pound of sharpened steel in round house full power whacks...and for me anyway, fewer misswhacks, that could legit damage the blade. I had a cue stick like that once.
I had a lot of harsh words for Buck back years ago and it seemed like half of YT wanted to kick my ass for "mistreating my Hoodlum or abusing it. Commenters and I argued for months, very loudly and angrily. I think they were Ron Hood devotees, and that's fine...10 years later. Buck sent me a new one and it's been a great knife. It's in my closet even now...but it STILL has that damn notch and even though the replacements have a good track record and this was a new knife, to this day I'm ALWAYS looking at that notch when I swing. I'll either pull my swings or I'll stress over it in the back of my mind until I get one of the other big knives. I think the blade is fine and will do what you want it to do. The problem now is just me overthinking it, and worrying. I can't go to the woods anymore so it'll work just fine for many years to come bushcrafting in the house or even in the yard on an extra good day.

[enjoythewildUSA]

Thank you so much for making this video. I was absolutely going to buy one of these knives, but saw your video and you save me the waste of money.

I had a bizarre failure with the buck 110 many many years ago. However, I figured that was an anomaly.

This knife by Ron who would absolutely should be top-notch given his reputation, and the money box allegedly put behind its development.

[ScoutCrafter]

Awesome video... Anybody who puts a deep notch on the spine of a knife obviously knows little of the principles of a strong blade! Without the notch that blade would be a much better seller too... Thanks for posting!

[sgtrock]

Thanks Cliff. I was starting to feel kinda bad. I never broke a $150 knife before, except for my Snody Resistor auto knife and I'm still sad about that.

[sgtrock]

I don't know when it was made but I bought it in December. No I didn't get hurt. I was in my wood pile using my Hoodlum to move logs over for slitting. And no not splitting with the Hoodlum, with a maul. I was just enjoying the thunk in the clean cut end. When done I sat down on one with with one in front of me an kinda slapped the blade down sideways with satisfaction as to say to know one watching "now THATS a knife" and the tip sprang off. It was no harder than throwing down a full house.

[babylonbarber]

The design aesthetic is appealing of (Hoodlum) but when I saw that manufactured 'groove' in it I just thought to myself, surefire failure right near that area of the blade. 

[CliffStamp]

That grain structure is extremely coarse, it is very clear at 1:09 . No surprise it broke at what is essentially a charpy c-notch, however that is a serious issue with the thermal processing. Who ever is running the QA need to check out the time at temperature for the soaking and look at the condition of the steel they are getting and make sure it is properly normalized and rolled for use in knives.

[sgtrock]

Now that was an abused knife lol. I work in an industrial environment. It's like a blacksmith wearing a Rolex. It did save my finger once though. I got hung up and was able to whip it out and pry steel pieces apart before it crushed my finger. The spring and lock broke just from ware. I can't say enough about that knife, blade, lock, springs. and true ambidextrous. I'm a lefty. Once the scales are removed, it's perfect. I carry a Kershaw Shallot now. It's good and very quick but lock up sucks.

[sgtrock]

I haven't had any problems with the replacement Hoodlum. I am SOOO careful not to put any lateral stress on it that it's almost not useful. If you want to put a notch in your target sooner or later your arms going to get tired and you'll get a glancing blow. When it does I can feel the vibrations change to something like the day the first one broke. I saw your name angrily mentioned in a blade forum on the Hoodlum and reminded me I should update you. Also did you know of the TOPS Knives Askari?

[BillySAw]

They fixed the issue after 2013 in the later models after that year they were all milled instead of laser cut

[kxd]

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!  I'd much rather read about this BEFORE I buy the knife rather than after!  I'm sorry for your loss.  Into each life a lemon must drop.
Ask me about my new, troublesome HP Envy w/win8.1.  Just jokin', please don't.  Had it in the shop TWICE in the first month of operation.  RATS RATS RATS!

[CliffStamp]

In general you really need to take care when you start really taking chunks out of the tang as they did here as if you don't do it right you can end up with a knife which is very uncomfortable in hand. The simpler solution is just to taper and soften the tang - more work but on a knife of this cost these are the kinds of things they should be doing.

[grog]

When was that one made ? It looks like one of the old ones that the heat treat issue was fessed up to. I got one used off Ebay just to destroy, and have not been able to do it. That sucks that it broke on you. Good you did not get hurt.

[zeltarstormrun]

Well that's 2 Hoodlums I've heard of on Youtube that broke. I've heard that the first gen knives had some heat treat problems. Looks like normal ware on your knife, glad Buck has the Forever warrenty on their knives. But still for the cost of the knife and a name like Buck. I'm still surprised! I wonder what Ron would say to Buck if he was still around.

[sgtrock]

The replacement is hanging in there but I'll tell ya I am very careful not to put ANY lateral forces on it. My Anaconda II by Blackjack Knives I wouldn't think twice about putting my 200lbs against it...then maybe getting a comealong. But that's a story for another day!

[CliffStamp]

That is always one of the issues with replacement, you always feel a bit odd with them. I have found it takes a long time and a lot of use before that goes away.

[sgtrock]

I got the replacement Hoodlum from Buck. I was going to try to sell it and not even unsheathe it but the temptation was too great. I just feels good in the hand. Its hard to put down. I'm taking it to walk the dog or take trash out. So long as it doesn't break, it's addictive to hold. BUT if someone wants to make an offer on a kinda tested knife. It will come with a BUCK 25%off coupon that they gave ME ...as an apology I guess. It'll come with a 4.25" hoodlum knife tip. Make offer! TY.

[sgtrock]

The box it came in says 12/12/12 is that old?

[TheGeezzer]

It broke at the notch. The notch has obviously weakened the blades integrity. What the hell they put a notch in the blade for? Hell its only ever going to weaken it...that's why it broke the stresses were channeled down the notch instead of through the entire blade.

[sgtrock]

I sent the broken blade and the broke tip to BUCK and got a new knife in return. Buck left the broke blade tip in the sheath pocket. I'm trying to figure out how to affix a handle and have a 4.25" doodle knife made with crappy steel. Anyway I batoned with the new knife a little (very little) in front of my fireplace gritting my teeth. I don't want to break it but I must know! I'm tempted to give it a light sideways slap on a log face like the last 1 but I don't want to have to send it in again.

[Fritziecola]

I work in scrap metal. granular structure looks like cast iron or cast aluminium. Have broken d2 and l6  blades on digger hydraulic shears and other shears. Never appears this granular.