Buck 503 Prince Lockback Folding Knife

by Buck Knives

Product Features

• Includes Knife, Box, and Warranty Registration Card
• The 503 Prince TM has a 2-1/2" drop point 420HC stainless steel blade
• The Prince is a slim-line knife with woodgrain handles and nickle silver bolsters
• The Prince is a classically styled slim-line Gentleman's knife
• The 503 Prince, as with all Buck Knives, features Buck's 4-Ever Lifetime Warranty

Product Description

Buck 503 Prince is classically styled gentleman's slim-line pocket knife. It has a 2-1/2" drop point 420HC stainless steel blade. The Prince is 3-3/8" long closed and weighs 2 oz. It is a slim little knife with woodgrain handles and nickel silver bolsters, and as with all Buck Knives, features Buck's 4-Ever Lifetime Warranty.

Product Details

• Item Weight: 2.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000EI0W06
• Item model number: 503
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,028 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great little pocket knife, October 12, 2010

By 

J. Williamson (Huntington, WV USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Buck 503 Prince Lockback Folding Knife (Sports)

I have actually owned this knife a couple of years now, purchased at a local store in my area. I am a big fan of buck folders, and have owned many of them in my life. I am also an avid collector of knives, specifically functional, high-quality knives, and Buck ranks near the top of my list.

The blade of this knife is made from 420HC stainless steel. This is the standard steel that Buck uses, and makes for a good knife blade. Notice I said "good" and not "superb." There are several stainless steels that make for better blades, but Buck's use of this 420HC steel does not detract from the overall quality of their knives. I can still achieve a razor edge on this knife, and with a minute or two of touching up per week, can keep that level of sharpness with this blade. It is easy to sharpen, and makes for one of the best folders I have ever owned.

The solidity of this knife's construction is superb. Buck makes, perhaps, the strongest lock blade mechanisms on the market that I have come across, and when this knife is locked into place, it is closer to the strength of a fixed blade knife out of all the other brand's folders I have ever owned. There is NO play in the blade at all, not when locked into position, and not even when you are opening this knife. It is smooth to open, and easy to close.

This is my permanent-carry knife. I usually carry two folders; this knife, always, and usually a larger, higher-grade steel work knife. This knife's small size and beautiful design is what I usually pull out to use when around people, as my work knives are larger...and a bit scarier. It is a very non-intimidating blade, and can be carried anywhere (not withstanding federal buildings and airplanes, of course). This particular knife's slim design completely obscures this knife when carried, both by the carrier, and people around you. It is probably the most comfortable pocket knife to carry that I have ever owned. Despite being small, the quality of the knife makes it suitable for basically any cutting task that you need it for.

The shape of the handle allows for a good grip, and the wood handles are beautiful. The nickel bolsters add to the beauty of this knife, without sacrificing its quality. The only thing that would make this knife better would be a higher quality steel, such as the 154CM steel that Buck uses in some of their more expensive knives...still, this is a great knife, perfect to carry anywhere.

One thing I do have to note, however, is that this knife is NOT designed for one-handed opening. I have seen many posts condemning Buck's folders for the difficulty people have in opening these knives one-handed. This knife was NOT designed to open one-handed. It does not have studs embedded into the blade to allow for such action. If you look closely at the blade of this knife, and of the other Buck folders whose blade design is similar, you will see a small, crescent-shaped indention near the spine of the blade. That indention is made to get a grip on the blade using a fingernail...so that you can hold the handle with one hand, and open the blade safely with the other. While I CAN open this knife, as well as the Buck 110 Folding Hunter, Lockback Folding Knife that really has people hating it for its lack of ease in opening one-handed, I don't recommend it. The blades are simply not designed for it, and you run the risk of slicing into your fingers trying to attempt a one-handed opening. Use a little common sense when looking at a knife blade; you can see whether or not they are really designed for one-handed opening.

Anyway, this is a fantastic folding knife, for everyday carrying and use, for pretty much anywhere that you go. I would recommend to anyone that they carry this knife, for its ease and comfort of carry, and its functionality and quality.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great first knife, November 2, 2010

By 

Phil Zampino (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buck 503 Prince Lockback Folding Knife (Sports)

I purchased the Buck Prince knife for my son, upon his completion of the Royal Rangers tool craft merit. It's a really well-made knife, with which he can safely perform camp tasks. It came out of the box with a very sharp edge, and hasn't shown much wear after some whittling, fuzz/feather stick making, and general cutting tasks. In my opinion, it's the perfect size for boys under 11 years old who know how to handle a knife.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great pocket knife, March 28, 2008

By 

M. Wright (TEXAS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Buck 503 Prince Lockback Folding Knife (Sports)

I've carried this knife for years--had to replace ones I lost a couple of times and have always gone back to the same knife. A good size for slacks pockets--not too long and fairly thin. Typical Buck quality--takes and holds a very sharp edge.