Buck Definitively Proves That Beastly Backcountry Knives Can Also Be Budget-Friendly

Buck’s knifemaking history is directly tied to the outdoors. After all, the brand’s most legendary folding knife (and perhaps the most iconic American knife, period) is the 110 Folding Hunter.

This means the brand knows a thing or two about outdoor cutting tools. In fact, I’d argue its prowess lies in its connection to wilderness adventure and survival.

The brand also just proved that formidable bushcraft blades need not be money pits, either, with the Buck Alpha Backcountry Knives.

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Bushcraft trio

The Alpha Backcountry Knives include three different offerings, which share quite a bit in common. However, they also differ in some key ways.

Of the three, the largest is the 663 Guide. This knife has a blade measuring 4.375 inches, which is relatively long and narrow.

The second largest is the 664 Hunter, which could be called the “truest” backcountry blade of them all, boasting a 3.625-inch blade.

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And the third, the 662 Scout, is by far the smallest of the three, featuring a 2.875-inch blade.

It’s worth noting that all three knives have drop-point blade shapes and similar ergonomics. In fact, beyond their size and shape differences, they’re all built exactly the same, meaning none has a performance edge; they will all hold up beautifully outdoors.

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Affordable, not cheap

All three of these backcountry knives fall under a $100 price point. That’s a pretty great metric, as it means they’re all quite affordable. However, it’s important to note that affordability doesn’t mean skimping on quality.

For instance, all three knives feature full-tang blades, meaning the 420HC steel stretches from the tip to the butt, offering plenty of strength and durability.

That durability is also boosted by the fact that the steel has a Cerakote coating, a ceramic-based finish that increases the blades’ resistance to abrasion, corrosion, chemicals, extreme temperatures and much more.

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The handle scales are dual-material, crafted from a combination of VersaFlex rubber and glass-filled nylon, which keeps them light and grippy while maintaining stability and toughness.

And all three come with their own Kydex sheath and belt mounting system. Any way you look at it, that’s a lot of bang for your buck (pun intended).

Buck Knives

Availability and pricing

The Buck Knives 664 Alpha Hunter, 663 Alpha Guide and 662 Scout Backcountry Knives are now available on the brand’s official site for $100, $95 and $90, respectively.

Buck Knives

Buck Alpha Backcountry Knives

Even Buck’s most iconic knife ever, the 110, is known for its connection to the great outdoors. It’s a space the brand specializes in, which is what makes its trio of Alpha Backcountry knives so exciting. While they vary in size and shape, they all share some common components, including Cerakote-finished 420HC hard-working full-tang blades and grippy dual-material handles (made from VersaFlex rubber and glass-filled nylon). These knives prove backcountry capabilities can still come at an affordable price.

• $90 at Buck Knives (662 Scout)
• $95 at Buck Knives (663 Guide)
• $100 at Buck Knives (664 Hunter)

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