Buck 55 vs 501 vs 503 | Which One To Choose?

When it comes to high-quality USA-made pocket knives, none can beat the Buck Knives. They have versatile options for all kinds of users. While searching for long-lasting hunting and everyday carry pocket knives, I started comparing the buck 55 vs 501 vs 503.

The main difference between the Buck 55, 501, and 503 is their blade shape. The Buck 55 has a clip point shape, and the 501 & 503 use a drop point. Moreover, They have different bolster construction too. The first one uses brass, and the other two have silver nickel bolsters.

These were some of the best pocket knives from Buck Knives, and that’s why I’m comparing them. I have found a few minor differences between Buck 55, 501, and 503 that I will be discussing throughout the article. Stay tuned!

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Specifications at a Glance

Blade

Features

Buck 55 vs 501 vs 503 | Key Differences

There is no doubt that Buck Knives is one of the best pocket knife brands in the USA. But I needed only one knife, and that made me compare the 55, 501, and 503, especially because their pricings are close.

Let’s discuss the major differences between Buck 55, 501, and 503:

1.Blade shapes

The blade shape for the Buck 55 is a clip point, while the Buck 501 & 503 blade shape is a drop point. Blade shapes are important for pocket knives. Different shapes are best for different uses.

Clip point: The front section with a spine appears to be clipped off in clip point knives. Usually, the cut-out area is concave and best for precision and detailed work.

Drop point: Drop point knives have a concave spine, dropping from the handle to the tip. They have a bigger belly for slicing. Drop-point knives are best for hunting and general-purpose usage.

You can get the one that best fits your requirements. The drop point shape is the most common and popular one. But if you need precision, the Buck 55 with clip point can be a better choice.

2. Appearances

The Buck 55, 501, and 503 all look identical, and you may get confused when you first see them. I found it tough to distinguish between Buck 501 and 503 at first glance.

Buck 501 has the shortest blade length, and Buck 503 has the longest among these three models. While the 503 has a silver color appearance, the other two come in brown color.

3. Construction materials

All three knives use 420HC stainless steel for the blade. This is a pretty good quality steel and cuts things quite well with a sharp cutting edge.

However, Buck 55, 501, and 503 use different handle materials. They use ebony wood, Rosewood, and DymaLux Red Wood, respectively.

The ebony wood is quite harder than the other two kinds of wood and has a lighter appearance. As the name suggests,  DymaLux Red Wood has a reddish look. In the case of quality, all three are excellent.

User opinion: When looking for opinions from real-life users, most of them said the Buck 501 is their favorite for its sturdiness.

4. Portability

All three pocket knives are lightweight and feel comfortable in hand. They are perfect examples of everyday carry knives for their lightweight design.

The Buck 55 and 503 weigh almost the same, while the Buck 501 is 1 oz heavier. This is mainly due to its thicker blade. The 55 and 503 blades have the same thickness.

Plus, I like the fact that the Buck 501 comes with a genuine leather sheath. You can carry the knife in the sheath in your pocket, while you need to carry the other two in your pocket or belts.

5. Bolsters

Knife bolsters are essential for a smooth transition and comfortable operation. I always look for sturdy bolsters.

Both the 501 and 503 have nickel silver bolsters, while the Buck 55 has a brass bolster. Nickel silver is sturdier than brass, and I will give the points to the 501 and 503 here.

A Closer Look

Only knowing about a few differences between the knives is not enough to make purchase decisions. Let’s have a detailed look at the Buck Knives 55 vs 501 vs 503:

Buck Knives The 55 Folding Pocket Knife

The Buck 55 is a classic folding knife, best for hunting purposes. While other hunting knives are heavy, this one can be a perfect choice if you want a lightweight pocket knife.

Buck Knives have over 110 years of experience in manufacturing perfect shape knives. When you see the Buck Knives The 55, you will be amazed to see how perfect the craftsmanship is.

Its ergonomics are perfect and feel awesome when you hold it. The folding pocket knife comes with a Lockback lock mechanism that offers maximum safety during work.

Whether you are going on a campaign, hiking, or looking for an everyday carry knife, the Buck 55’s precision will never disappoint you.

Buck Knives 501 Squire Folding Pocket Knife

Buck Knives 501 Squire is another excellent folding knife from the company. Its thickness is the same as the Buck 55. The sharp-cutting stainless steel cutting edge with the full-bellied blade makes it perfect for slicing.

The retro look of the Buck 501 will impress everyone. Plus, the knife has a comfortable grip that you will find helpful while working.

One of the best things about Buck Knives is they offer a lifetime warranty. If you find any defect or the knife gets damaged due to the manufacturer’s fault, you will get a free replacement without any questions asked.

Buck Knives 503 Prince Folding Pocket Knife  

There is nothing you can not do with the fantastic Buck Knives 503 Prince. It is slightly smaller than the 501 Squirrels and comes in at the same price as the Buck 55.

The razor-sharp full-bellied Buck 503 pocket knife with a hollow blade is a great piece for all purposes. There’s a nail notch on the blade that makes it easier to open and start working

The slim design of the Buck 503 is a perfect fit for the pocket. Similar to the previous two models, it also has a Lockback locking mechanism.

Overall, the Buck 503 Prince folding knife is an excellent choice for fishing, hunting, skiing, hiking, and everyday carry.

Buck 55 vs 501 vs 503: Which one is best for you?

I hope you have decided which one you want to buy among the Buck 55 vs 501 vs 503. All of them are great options with similar price levels and use the same material 420HC stainless steel. They have a lot of similarities, but a few differences too that affect the purchase decision. If you want a lightweight pocket knife, both the 55 and 503 are good. But if you need an all-rounder pocket knife, I think the 501 will be a better choice. The rest is up to you.

Perfect alternatives to Buck 55, 501, and 503?

If you want to consider a few other options, I would recommend you have a look at the buck knife 110. It is similar to the Buck 55 but thicker and heavier. The extra weight makes it a better choice for heavier work.

You also can have a look at the buck knife 121. Although the price is similar to the others, its excellent craftsmanship and lock features make it worth considering.

FAQs

Question 1: Are Buck Knives good knives?

Answer: Buck Knives are popular for producing high-quality and affordable knives that are built to last long. Professional hunters, people in the Navy, and general consumers all use Buck knives, and the majority of them are satisfied with their purchase.

Question 2: What is the sharpening angle for a Buck Knife?

Answer: The sharpening angle for a Buck Knife is 13 to 16 degrees. You will need not reprofile a Buck knife. Holding it against the stone to evenly cut across the edge grind will give you an edge with a similar angle.

Question 3: What do the markings on a Buck Knife mean?

Answer: Buck knives include number markings that mention the year when the knife was made. It helps the user to know how old the knife is.

Read More: Buck 105 vs 118: What are the key differences?