Buck 277 Folding Alpha Hunter, Rosewood Handle, Liner Lock Folding Knife with Leather Sheath

by Buck Knives

Product Features

• Includes knife, box, sheath, and warranty registration card
• The buck 277-folding alpha hunter features a 3-1/2-drop point
• Comes with rosewood handles, an exposed frame with grip ridges
• The folding alpha hunter comes with a fitted brown leather sheath
• Sport grip ridges along the top of the rear frame for an extra sure grip

Product Description

Buck Knives 277 Folding Alpha Hunter TM is the evolution of Buck's venerable 110 Folding Hunter, one of the most copied knives in the knife industry. The Folding Alpha Hunter is solid, smooth and feels like it was made for your hand. It is the companion to the fixed blade Alpha Hunters, offering a liner locking folding version of this popular design. The Alpha Hunter features a 3-1/2" drop point 12C27 Mod Sandvik stainless steel blade, and is 5" long closed. It weighs 8 oz, and comes with resin impregnated Rosewood handles that leave the border of the handle exposed, and sport grip ridges along the top of the rear frame for an extra sure grip. The Folding Alpha Hunter comes with a fitted brown leather sheath, and as with all Buck Knives, features Buck's 4-Ever Unconditional Lifetime Warranty.

Product Details

• Item Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000EHWYXU
• Item model number: 277
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,629 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #97 in Sports & Outdoors > Hunting & Fishing > Hunting > Hunting & Tactical Knives > Hunting Knives

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Warning: NOT 154CM steel., November 22, 2010

By 

Mumblin' Berk "Berk" (Bowelsong, NJ) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Buck 277 Folding Alpha Hunter, Rosewood Handle, Liner Lock Folding Knife with Leather Sheath (Sports)

There are a number of problems with the Buck 277 Alpha folder:

Primarily, this up-scale "rosewood" version is described (on and off Amazon) as being 154CM Crucible steel. Well, it isn't.
The blade is stamped 12C27M. That is Sandvik strip steel used in kitchen cutlery. I'm not a metallurgist. I'm not here to debate the relative merits of a particular steel. But in my opinion, this particular bait-n-switch is a violation, and puts THIS knife in a different use / value / price category. I've had to send it back immediately.

I own a number of Buck knives, including my original Buck 110 folder circa 1970's. The company says that this Alpha folder is an "evolution" of that venerable knife. After handling the Alpha even briefly, I can tell you with full confidence that this Alpha is not even in the same BALLPARK as that 110. Not in any category, not by any stretch of the imagination. It's insulting to even suggest that. It's like comparing a Mc'Grease Burger to a slice of Prime Rib.

Despite it's outward appearance of a heavy, tough knife, you have to SEE the liner lock to believe it. I'm telling you, it's the thinnest, weakest looking lock of it's type that I've seen, on any knife, ever. THAT is sad. Worse than sad. I have it side-by-side (right now) with a $10 San Ren Mu folder from China which is 1/2 the size, and the lock-up on that knife is much thicker and stronger. BUCK!!! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING???

Now, to be fair, there are some GOOD aspects to the Alpha,
BUT ONLY if we reclassify it as middle-of-the-road utility folder. (don't even think about this one as a "hunter")

As a utility / daily use / tough "garage" type of knife in the $30 range, yes, it's OK. Not great, but OK.

It is a heavy knife for it's size. Personally, I find that pleasant.
I like heft in this kind of knife, as they will get hard use and must withstand it.

Balance: I'm going to give away a trade secret; One of the reasons Buck knives FEEL so good in the hand is the balance.
Buck favors a heavy butt. The center of gravity moves aft, away from the index finger, toward the middle finger. To me, this improves the feel, DEPENDING on what you're doing with it, of course. Most all modern knives go the other way. Blade-heavy. I find that disturbing. Personal choice? Maybe.

Scales: I complain about the scale material, BUT if you re-classify it down a few pegs, it's OK. Maybe even a positive thing, because they are simple flat slabs, so anyone with a bit of sandpaper and an interesting material can whip up new scales for it and dress the knife up any way you like. I rather enjoy that, and was looking forward to it. Alas... it was not to be.

There's more, but I'm sure I'm boring you, so here's my bottom line:

Pass on this one. Do a little more shopping. At this price point, there are MANY fine options.
If you really like the style, wait for a sale, and get the black-handle one.

Best of luck.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent liner-lock knife., September 13, 2010

By 

UnexplodedCow - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Buck 277 Folding Alpha Hunter, Rosewood Handle, Liner Lock Folding Knife with Leather Sheath (Sports)

I bought one of these, and have to say it is very hefty. It's handle heavy, and feels a bit like a roll of quarters in the hand (in weight especially...this will drag loose pants down). The blade is super smooth when flipping out. A little light weight oil makes it even smoother. The liner lock snapes into place perfectly in the middle of the blade, and is quite stable. Buck did make a recent change from 54CM to 12C27M steel, although it still has the Bos heat treatment (and logo). 12C27M is a Swedish steel that is about on par with 440A, but the Bos treatment is supposed to improve its hardness. The factory edge on mine dulled a bit, but it was tested on a lot of cardboard, whittling wood, and cutting things (knife-based activities). By "dulling" I mean that it wouldn't shave the hair off my arm after a few days of these activities, but would still cut through a tomato without issue. With a little touchup sharpening, the edge is back, and the knife is scary sharp. The wood on the handle is extremely smooth and well shaped. The pictures do not convey how serious this knife is: how much a work of art it is combined with its feel of extreme durability. This thing makes their venerable 110 model look like a toy. The sheath (a very nice burgundy brown leather piece) that came with mine was cut out of the box. I contacted Buck, and they responded within 24 hours. They sent me a replacement sheath at no cost (very nice people to talk to). Overall this is a must buy for someone looking for a durable, useful knife.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buck Alpha - A Classic, October 13, 2008

By 

Bill from St. Lou (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buck 277 Folding Alpha Hunter, Rosewood Handle, Liner Lock Folding Knife with Leather Sheath (Sports)

Buck makes excellent knives (I have several). This is one of their better functional knives. It has 154CM steel which is harder steel, harder to sharpen, but also holds its edge a very long time. It also can be opened and closed one handed which is nice in a folder. It has a lanyard hole and an excellent sheath. Also, the rosewood is gorgeous. I'm sorry the one customer had such a bad experience. In all the Buck knives I have ever bought in my 50 years, I have never had a bad one, not one. I also think the founder is a great guy and truly believes in a great product. Had the customer contacted Buck, I'm quite sure he would have been more than satisfied.