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Buck Gives the Grandfather of Fighting Knives a Bold Heritage Reissue

This distinctly American blade gets an appropriately patriotic 250th-anniversary redesign with a few material tweaks.

Knife blade with "BUCK 119 U.S.A." engraving and a handle featuring a red, white, and blue design with stars and stripes.Buck
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By Sean Tirman

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Made famous by Jim Bowie and designed by his brother Rezin, the Bowie knife could rightfully be called the grandfather of fighting knives.

Known for its beefy, aggressive blade, it is also one of the most quintessentially American fixed blades. Bowie even carried this knife with him when he defended the Alamo.

However, Buck’s 119 Special America 250 Edition might take the cake for embodying patriotism and heritage. And now, it could be yours.

Knife handle with red and white stripes, blue section with white stars and "76," and a gold pommel and guard.
Does it get more American than a Bowie knife with Betsy Ross’s American flag motif?
Buck

Stars and bars

For the most part, this knife is true to its predecessors. However, it does have one very obvious alteration: its handle.

Over the years, the 119 has seen quite a few different handle materials. That includes hardwoods (like Rosewood and Cocobolo), Micarta, Phenolic and more. This edition, however, sees its handle crafted from acrylic.

Knife with a polished blade and handle featuring red and white stripes and blue section, surrounded by vintage items on a textured surface.
The knife retains its overall specs and signature 420HC clip point blade.
Buck

This material is respected for its low level of necessary maintenance and resistance to moisture. However, it also has another stylistic bonus: it can be made in any number of colors and patterns. As is obvious, Buck has chosen a red, white and blue motif inspired by Betsy Ross’s original American flag design.

The handle also gets a special butt and guard treatment, boasting aluminum spacers sandwiched between brass. It might just be the most patriotic-looking Bowie knife ever made (or at least put into production).

As an added heritage bonus, the knife also comes with an exclusive black buffalo leather sheath.

Knife handle with American flag design featuring red and white stripes, blue top with white stars and the number 76, and a brass pommel.
The special red, white and blue handle is crafted from acrylic, while the butt and guard are brass and aluminum.
Buck

Born in the USA

Beyond its handle restyling, this is still a classic Buck 119 through and through. It retains the same overall specs and silhouette.

That, of course, includes its most notable feature: its beefy clip point blade. Measuring 5.875 inches, this blade is built from 420HC steel (a classic, beloved, hard-working outdoor steel). That means it can handle just about any tough cutting job you might throw at it.

Black leather sheath with a gold and red-striped knife handle partially visible.
This special-edition 119 also gets an exclusive buffalo leather sheath.
Buck

And since it has a full tang (meaning the steel extends through the handle), it can also withstand a lot of pressure and impacts, as occur during chopping and carving.

Granted, it’s also an incredibly beautiful showpiece, so you might not want to put it through too much punishment. But it does help to know that, despite its great looks, it can still handle plenty of service.

Knife with American flag handle and brass guard on a fabric surface near glasses, a red cap, and a leather glove.
If Captain America carried a knife, this might be his go-to pick.
Buck

Availability and pricing

The Buck 119 Special America 250 Edition is now available on the brand’s site for $500 apiece. However, it’s a limited release, so it won’t be around forever.

About the Author: Sean Tirman is an associate editor at Gear Patrol who specializes in EDC, cannabis and outdoor gear.

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