Buck Mini Spitfire Review

The Buck Mini Spitfire, introduced in 2014 as a compact version of the popular Spitfire, aims to deliver a convenient Everyday Carry (EDC) option with its streamlined design and classic drop point blade. Despite its promising features, including a blade crafted from Buck’s well-regarded 420HC steel with Paul Bos heat treatment, the knife faces significant challenges in performance, ergonomics, and fit and finish.

While its sleek aluminum handle and lightweight design offer easy portability, issues with the handle’s grip and thumbhole, alongside a problematic lockback mechanism, raise concerns. As we compare it to competitors like the Spyderco Dragonfly 2 and Kershaw Skyline, the Mini Spitfire struggles to measure up, leaving room for improvement in future iterations.

Released in 2014, the Buck Mini Spitfire was introduced following the success of its larger counterpart, the Spitfire. The demand for a more compact version led Buck to shrink the design while also making subtle changes to the blade shape, eliminating the slight recurve of the original model. Other modifications include the removal of the decorative pivot and the streamlining of both the thumbhole and thumb ramp.

Buck Mini Spitfire Review: Ergonomics

Initially, the Mini Spitfire makes a favorable impression. The handle is straightforward, with a gentle curve devoid of unnecessary scalloping or grooves, just large enough to fit all four fingers comfortably.

The jimping on the thumb ramp and back of the handle is well-executed.
However, as you start using the knife, certain issues become apparent, ranging from minor to significant.

The aluminum scales are notably slick. While this slickness might be acceptable in a light-duty EDC knife like the Mini Spitfire, it becomes problematic when paired with the thumbhole. This thumbhole, a narrow oval, lacks the secure thumb placement found in the Spyder Hole it draws inspiration from. Combined with the slick scales, opening the knife feels like a struggle each time. What should be a reliable opening method turns into a tricky ordeal.

The larger Spitfire, with its differently-shaped thumbhole, offers a more consistent opening experience, though the slick handle scales pose a greater issue due to its size and the likelihood of being used for more demanding tasks where a secure grip is essential. In contrast, the Spyderco Dragonfly 2, a direct competitor to the Mini Spitfire, features a perfectly designed round thumbhole, and its textured FRN handles provide excellent traction while being lighter than the Mini Spitfire’s aluminum scales.

Buck Mini Spitfire Review: Blade Shape

At first glance, the Mini Spitfire presents a positive impression. Despite finding the swedge and opening oval somewhat unattractive, the blade itself is a classic drop point, a personal favorite blade shape for EDC tasks. Although the Dragonfly 2’s leaf blade rivals it, the drop point remains a versatile choice.

The challenges arise with the grind. Generally, Buck tends to apply a “soft” grind to their blades. This means the transitions where the primary grind and swedge grind begin are not well-defined or sharp.

In some cases, a soft grind isn’t problematic, especially if the grind is radial or far from the cutting bevel. However, in a small blade like the Mini Spitfire’s, these soft lines result in the knife, designed as a hollow grind, performing more like an obtuse, poorly executed full flat grind.

While the cutting bevel is thin and well-executed, as often seen with Buck knives, the soft primary grind catches on materials during cuts. The full-size Spitfire shares this issue, though it’s a more aggressive cutter due to its mild recurve. The Dragonfly 2 outperforms both by a significant margin.

Buck Mini Spitfire Review: Blade Steel

Both the Spitfire and Mini Spitfire feature blades made from 420HC steel. On its own, 420HC is unremarkable, but a key selling point for Buck knives is the heat treatment by Paul Bos. Bos is recognized as one of the best heat treaters, and his proprietary technique enhances the positive attributes of this otherwise average steel.

Buck’s 420HC sharpens quickly and retains its edge longer than expected. In my testing, the Mini Spitfire maintained its sharpness for a substantial duration. In non-Buck knives, I might prefer AUS-8, another common steel in this price range ($30-$40) over 420HC, but Buck’s version is exceptional.

I favor it over AUS-8 and significantly more than VG-10, the standard steel for the Dragonfly 2. While Buck may have shortcomings, no one can fault their choice of steel for their knives.

However, as good as Buck’s 420HC is, it doesn’t compare to super steels like ZDP-189, available in the Dragonfly 2. ZDP-189 offers incredible edge retention and sharpness, although it’s challenging to sharpen. While this version of the Dragonfly 2 is pricier than the Mini Spitfire, it’s worth mentioning.

Buck Mini Spitfire Review: Carry

Like the Dragonfly 2, the Mini Spitfire is compact enough to sit unnoticed in your pocket. The slick aluminum handle scales, while an ergonomic drawback, facilitate easy retrieval from your pocket. There’s nothing worse than a knife that refuses to exit your pocket smoothly, and fortunately, that’s not an issue here.

However, the clip presents a problem. It’s not only unattractive but also features an odd hump near the top. This means that if it catches on something, the clip could bend out of shape, potentially ruining it. It’s simply not well-designed. Buck seems to favor it, though, as it was also on the original Spitfire.

I prefer the Dragonfly 2’s wire clip. While it can bend easily, it’s more due to its inherent lack of strength than unexpected snags. It’s not my favorite, but it’s a clear improvement over the Spitfire’s clip.

Buck Mini Spitfire Review: Lock

Unfortunately, there’s more bad news. The entire Spitfire line, like most Buck knives, are lockbacks, which can make excellent EDC locks due to their simplicity, ambidexterity, and low maintenance.

The problem stems from extremely poor fit and finish. The lockback on the Mini Spitfire is poorly executed. It’s misaligned, rising above the handle’s back and negating the jimping on the knife’s spine.
Holding the Mini Spitfire up to the light reveals that the lockback doesn’t sit flush with the handle scales, and the blade tang and lock meet sloppily.

These issues lead to significant blade play. While a little play is typical in a quality lockback, like that on the Spyderco Dragonfly 2, the Mini Spitfire’s blade can practically rotate due to the loose lockup.

This sloppiness will only worsen over time. This is not a knife you should purchase, but if you do, don’t expect it to age well.

As noted, this level of fit and finish is almost expected from Buck. I’ve yet to encounter a well-finished knife from them. My 110 is sloppy, the Vantage I owned was sloppy, and the full-size Spitfire is no better. The Mini Spitfire is simply the worst of the lot.

Buck Mini Spitfire Review: Final Thoughts

The Buck Mini Spitfire is a subpar knife. It falls short when compared to its intended competitors, like the Dragonfly 2 or the Kershaw Skyline, and even when evaluated on its own merits. The performance is lackluster, the aesthetics are poor, and the fit and finish are disappointing. At $30, it doesn’t even offer much value.