Reviews and Ratings for Buck 685 BuckLite MAX II Large Hunting Knife 4" Plain Blade, Black Rubberized Handles, Polyester Sheath - 11559
Buck 685 BuckLite MAX II Large Hunting Knife 4" Plain Blade, Black Rubberized Handles, Polyester Sheathrated 5 stars out of 5 (4 reviews)
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Buck 685 BuckLite MAX II Large Hunting Knife 4 inch Plain Blade, Black Rubberized Handles, Polyester Sheath

 

Price: $36.95

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Customer Reviews

Buck 685 BuckLite MAX II Large Hunting Knife 4" Plain Blade, Black Rubberized Handles, Polyester Sheath
rated 5 stars out of 5
Mark
 Mississippi
Jan 19, 2022
Pros: Blade Sharpness, Overall Quality, Materials, Handle Material, Weight
Cons: Sheath/Scabbard

Great knife, cheap sheath!

I asked for and got this knife for Christmas. Two days later I helped my son skin a deer with it. Out of the box this thing was razor sharp and stayed that way through the skinning process. The handle is excellent for grip. It was raining and I was still able to hang onto the knife with no problem and maintained very good control. Overall I'm really happy and would recommend the knife to anyone (already have, actually). The down side is the cheap nylon sheath. Yes it holds the knife, but the snap strap is too short and is difficult to close, especially when it's on your belt. The belt loop is way too small. I wear a 1.25 web belt for my pistol and knife and it will not fit through the loop without considerable force. Finally, the stitching looks like crap. I'm an upholsterer and know good sewing. This is not it, so I fear it won't last. My 5 stars is for the knife. The sheath would probably rate a 1 or a 2 just because it doesn't work/fit well. We'll see how the sewing holds up.
Buck 685 BuckLite MAX II Large Hunting Knife 4" Plain Blade, Black Rubberized Handles, Polyester Sheath
rated 5 stars out of 5
Chris
Castle Rock
Jun 08, 2026
Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Finish, Handle Material, Overall Quality, Weight
Cons: Sheath/Scabbard

Better than expected

This thing is comfortable in the handle, easy to use. I dulled the blade cutting into the dirt around some sprinkler heads. Sharpened back up. A kydex sheath would be the only thing I'd change. I'd gladly pay more. If I break it, I would definitely buy another.
Buck 685 BuckLite MAX II Large Hunting Knife 4" Plain Blade, Black Rubberized Handles, Polyester Sheath
rated 5 stars out of 5
Happykt
 Austin, Tx
Aug 16, 2021
Pros: Weight, Handle Material, Overall Quality, Blade Material, Materials, Finish, Blade Sharpness
Cons: Sheath/Scabbard

Rugged Sharp and Handsome Knife

I'm a huge fan of Buck knives and own about 10 of them, including the Buck Vanguard 192, which has almost the same length and blade length as this knife. While the Vanguard is a showstopper, I wanted a more utilitarian tool that I wouldn't mind getting wet, dirty and actually using. This knife feels very comfortable in my hand, has a wicked sharp stonewashed blade, and those great black rubber handles make it easy to grip. What I didn't like was the cheap sheath and bought a Buck 191 brown leather sheath, which fits this knife exactly, without a millimeter to spare. I also added a blue paracord string to the handle, and this will be my go to carry when I go on long car trips, camping, or just want to putter around the yard and poke at things. All in all I am very pleased with this excellent knife and its bargain price point.
Buck 685 BuckLite MAX II Large Hunting Knife 4" Plain Blade, Black Rubberized Handles, Polyester Sheath
rated 5 stars out of 5
Jld Archery
 San Diego, CA
Jul 01, 2025
Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Finish, Handle Material, Materials, Overall Quality, Sheath/Scabbard, Weight
Cons: None

Great Budget Buck - BuckLite MAX II

After years of buying high-end knives (both foreign and domestic), my focus has changed to purchasing and using USA made blades that are built to work hard, but are simple tools and budget friendly. This Buck 685 is a fine example of that. I purchased the "no gut-hook" version. Super affordable, light-weight and nothing fancy. Yet it still performs great at all cutting and carving tasks. In my opinion, Buck's time honored 420HC steel and heat treat is still relevant in today's world of super steels. And their Forever Warranty is something you can rely on. I find the lightweight sheath to be very functional. I am fond of the rigid retention strap that is not flopping around at risk of getting cut when inserting or extracting the blade. I've slipped a plastic #4 S-Biner through the sheath's belt loop for easy on-and-off capability. Overall, a great American made knife design at a price point that is hard to beat.