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Buck has upgraded their Pursuit Pro series, which first came out in 2019. The all-new 2020 upgraded Pro models now have a new highly visible orange handle instead of the green that was seen on the standard models and the blade is now forged from better blade steel. The designs of the knives are still the same.
The Pursuit Pro series of knives are specifically designed to serve as a multi-purpose alternative to traditional hunting knives for beginners and seriously experienced hunters. The Pursuit Pro series consists of three full tang fixed blade knives and three Lockback folding knives.
Each group has a larger fixed blade, a large gouge hook blade, and one small fixed blade.
The Buck Pursuit Pro series ranked number #1 in our best hunting knives for 2022 buyer’s guide!
Table of Contents
Buck Pursuit Pro Series Specs
Buck Pursuit Pro 656, 657 and 658
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Buck Pursuit Pro 659, 660 and 661
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Pros
- Drop point blade available with or without guthook, ideal for skinning
- Easy, one-hand opening
- Lockback design for safe use
- Highly visible contoured, ergonomic, rubberized handle
- Includes a heavy-duty nylon sheath
- Cryogenically treated blade for great edge retention
- S35VN steel
- Forever Warranty
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Polish on blade a bit uneven
- No pocket clip
Size and Weight
The Pursuit Pro 656 and the 657 guthook models have a total length of 9.5 inches and weigh approximately 6.4 ounces. The Pursuit Pro Small Fixed Blade (model 658) has an overall length of 8 inches and weighs 3.3 ounces.
The Pursuit Pro folders are 5 inches once closed and feature an overall length of 8.575 inches. Both folder model weighs 3.6 ounces.
The smaller folder (model 661) is 4.32 inches closed, its overall length is 7.75 inches and the knife weighs 2.5 ounces.
Blade
All knives have a drop point style blade with a satin finish and a plain edge. The blade has a generous belly, a comfortable, non-slip profile and the blade is sturdy and dependable.
The Pursuit Pro 656 and the 657 guthook models have a blade length of 4.5 inches and a blade thickness of about 0.14 inches. The Pursuit Pro Small Fixed Blade (model 658) has a 3.75 inch drop point with a blade thickness of about 0.11 inches.
The big folders each have a 3.575 inch blade. The smaller folder (Buck 661) has a 3 inch drop point blade.
For the original 2019 Pursuit Pro Series, Buck used 420HC steel. 420HC did not receive heat treatment from the legendary Paul Bos.
The new Pro Pursuit models are made of S35VN stainless steel and did receive a Paul Bos heat treatment. Paul Bos is the best in the business and delivers a blade with excellent strength, corrosion resistance, and overall durability.
Buck’s S35VN steel offers the same cutting quality as S30V steel, but its properties allow S35VN steel to be reground more easily. This makes this steel an excellent choice for skinning multiple animals, with the ability to sharpen in the field if needed.
The Buck Pursuit Pro uses Buck’s Edge2x technology, which provides superior edge sharpness and a sharper blade.
Paul Bos heat treatment
“Buck Knives is a market leader in edge retention thanks to our steel selections and heat treat process pioneered by industry famous, Paul Bos, whose heat-treating system has proven to be the best in the business. Each blade is put through a rigorous heat treat process and quality performance test. It is then tempered to the appropriate Rockwell Hardness through a heating, freezing, and reheating system. This gives you longer edge life, ease of resharpening, and a blade that will not fail you.”
Handle
The first thing I noticed about this knife was the modern handle design and how comfortable it felt in my hand. The Pursuit Pro series hunting knives have a nylon handle with a grippy Versaflex rubber over-mold. Modern plastics with rubberized areas provide a good grip in almost all conditions.
Each knife in this series is contoured for an incredibly comfortable and slip-resistant grip, even while wearing gloves. The finger grooves give an extra grip for a firm grip even when the handle gets wet. The GFN and versaflex-over-molded, glass-filled nylon handles are now high visibility orange which is really nice, especially in dark circumstances.
Folders
The Buck 660, 661, and 659 Pursuit Pro folders are lockbacks that open with ambidextrous thumb buttons. Lockback folding knives have a mechanism that locks the blade in the open position, activated by opening the blade all the way. A lockback gets its name from a rocker (rocking locking bar) that is partially visible at the top of the knife. They are easy to open with one hand.
Performance
The fixed full-tang knives are all very durable, they are made to take on whatever you throw at them. The knives are a pleasure to work with. The contoured handle reduces hand fatigue while working. I did not experience hand fatigue within normal parameters.
The Pro pursuit pro knives with a gut hook on the blade make work easy when doing field work. The blade is full-bellied with a strong, thick point for heavier work. Perfect for prying loose joints. The tip of the blade tapers to the point, which minimizes accidental poking during skinning.
The new steel is also really nice. Buck’s S35VN steel provides the same edge retention as S30V steel but its properties allow it to re-sharpen easier, making it a great choice for skinning multiple animals with the option of field sharpening when necessary.
Sheath
Each knife in the Pursuit Pro series comes with a lanyard slot for added security and each Pursuit Pro knife is accompanied by a lightweight high-quality nylon heavy-duty sheath with a belt loop attachment.
Warranty
Buck warrants that each of their knives will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the knife. Buck states that they will, at their option, repair or replace with a new knife any Buck knife that is defective. Buck knives do not warrant misuse, normal wear and tear, or product changes. Buck state that their knives are not intended to be used as hammers, chisels, pry bars, or screwdrivers. If used as a hammer, chisel, pry bar, or screwdriver the warranty will be voided.
Verdict
The Buck Pursuit Pro series is a series of affordable knives that meets the need for a mid-range hunting knife. For both the beginner and the more experienced, serious hunter, these knives are well suited. We have not come across any downsides, they are very solid knives offered at a decent price.
They are made in the USA and come with Buck’s Forever warranty. The Pursuit Pro knives were already fantastic when they came out and are even better now. Highly recommended!
This is a very well written, and detailed review of the hunting knife from Buck. I have never bought one before, but this review really makes me want to buy one, and test it out for myself. I have only ever bought Kershaw, and Gerber knives, but now I think I should branch out, and see what other companies have to offer. Thanks!