Buck 698 Ferrox Overview
This Buck 698 Ferrox review is based on regular carry and everyday use – I used it like I would any other knife in my EDC rotation. Because a quick look at the specs shows it ticks a lot of boxes for most users. The Ferrox is a modern EDC folder with a D2 reverse tanto blade, aluminum handle, dual thumb studs, and a crossbar lock. It does not have the classic wood-and-metal Buck look, but it still feels like a Buck where it matters.
After carrying and using the Buck 698 Ferrox through a busy stretch of everyday tasks, including a fair amount of cardboard processing, I think Buck got this one right. The Ferrox is trim, smooth, easy to carry, and useful without losing the character I expect from the brand.
Buck 698 Ferrox Specs
| Spec | Buck 698 Ferrox |
| Blade steel | D2 |
| Blade shape | Reverse tanto |
| Blade length | 3.375″ |
| Blade thickness | 0.110″ |
| Closed length | 4.50″ |
| Overall length | 7.70″ |
| Weight | 3.20 oz |
| Handle material | Aluminum |
| Lock | Crossbar lock |
| Opening | Dual thumb studs |
| Pocket clip | Reversible tip-up clip |
| Color options | Silver, Bronze, and Black |
| Current price | Check current price at Buck Knives |
Specs are useful, but they only tell part of the story. The real question is whether the Buck 698 Ferrox works as a practical everyday carry knife.
Buck currently offers the 698 Ferrox in Silver, Bronze, and Black. My review sample is the Bronze version, which pairs the darker blade and hardware with a warm-toned aluminum handle.
First Impressions of the Buck 698 Ferrox
Out of the box, the Ferrox made a good first impression. The factory edge was sharp enough to easily slice small curls off a piece of paper, which is usually a good sign that your blade has a sharp edge. What surprised me was how long it was able to hold that edge.
The design is attractive without being flashy. It’s aesthetically pleasing, but it’s still a tool, first and foremost. It has a modern look, but Buck did not make it overly tactical just for attention. Its proportions are trim, the handle is not too thick, and the knife feels like it was designed to be carried and used.
That matters to me. I have always associated Buck knives with a slim look and feel. Even though the Ferrox is clearly more modern than a traditional Buck lockback, it still has that familiar trim Buck profile.
Opening, Closing, and Lockup
The action on the Buck 698 Ferrox is excellent. It opens smoothly with just the dual thumb studs. There is no assist, yet it feels glassy smooth, like it’s got some fancy bearing system. But it’s just good design and tight tolerances.
Opening and closing the blade is satisfying enough that I found myself using it like a fidget toy for a while. With my fingers clear, the blade drops closed with a light to medium pull on the crossbar lock. The lock tension feels just about right.
Blade lockup is solid, with no movement that I could detect.
The only play I noticed was in the crossbar lock buttons. Even under spring tension, they have the tiniest bit of movement, which is not unexpected for a moving part. If you shake the knife hard enough, you can hear a quiet rattle from the lock buttons. Other than that, the knife operates silently.
More importantly, that slight rattle never mattered during actual carry or use. I only remembered it when I sat down to look back at my early notes. Nothing came loose during the review. The clip stayed tight, the hardware stayed tight, and the knife continued to feel solid.
Part of me initially thought the sliding lock button could use a more aggressive texture. After using it, I think Buck made the right call. There is enough texture to operate it easily, but not so much that it feels sharp or makes accidental unlocking more likely. It unlocks when you want it to, and not before.
Pocket Carry
This may seem like a small detail, but the pocket clip is a big deal to me. A bad clip can ruin an otherwise good everyday carry knife.
I carried the Ferrox in my usual knife spot in my right pocket, and it pretty much disappeared until I needed it. At 3.2 ounces, the weight never really called attention to itself, which is exactly what I want from an EDC folder.
The clip was one of the biggest positives. It was not too tight and not too loose. It held the knife securely, came out when I needed it, and did not fight me every time I reached for it or tucked it back in my pocket. This is exactly how it should be, and other designers would do well to study the design, in my opinion. If you have ever had a bad clip, you know exactly what I’m referring to.
I pay close attention to pocket clips because I have had bad ones before. On a previous knife review, the clip was functional, but poorly designed. It stuck out too far, caught on things, and even scratched my car. Ever since then, I have judged knife clips against that experience.
The Ferrox clip gets it right. It is secure, practical, and unobtrusive. For everyday carry, that matters more than some people realize.
Handle Comfort and Grip
The handle is comfortable and I never gave it a second thought throughout the review. Its lightly textured diamond pattern worked well with dry hands and gave me enough traction for normal use without feeling rough or overly aggressive.
The handle is not too thick, and I did not notice hot spots during repeated use. It didn’t slip during normal cutting tasks either.
If I were using this knife in wet weather or as a dedicated camping knife, I might want a bit more texture. With very wet hands, the grip may not be aggressive enough for everyone. But that is not really what this knife is. The Buck 698 Ferrox is an everyday carry knife first, and for that role, the grip strikes a good balance.
Blade Shape and Cutting Performance
Buck calls the Ferrox blade a reverse tanto, and that description fits. It gives the knife a modern look, but it also works well for the kinds of tasks most people use an everyday carry knife for.
I used it for normal pocket-knife jobs, including opening packages, cutting up cardboard, and general daily tasks. I also cut old rope, paracord, and plastic strapping from shipping boxes. It handled all of that with purpose. This blade understands the assignment.
The blade shape is not perfect for everything. A little more curve toward the end would make it handier for slicing food. I use my pocket knife at lunch fairly often, slicing fruit, veggies, or a piece of chicken. The Ferrox works fine in a pinch, but meal prep is not what this blade shape is optimized for. Perhaps I need a dedicated “lunch box” knife, too.
For cardboard, packaging, rope, and similar EDC tasks, the blade shape makes sense. It is attractive, functional, and gives the Ferrox a distinct look without making it awkward to use.
Edge Retention and Maintenance
The Ferrox came sharp, and it stayed sharp through my review. After a fair amount of cardboard processing, the blade still did not feel like it needed a touch-up. I get a lot of packages delivered, so there is always cardboard to break down and recycle. While I try to stick to utility knives for that, more often than not, I reach for the pocket knife I am already carrying. I would not call this a long-term edge retention test, but for normal carry and review use, the D2 blade held its edge well through plenty of cardboard and other everyday cutting tasks.
When it does need sharpening, D2 may take a little more patience than softer steels. That is part of the tradeoff for better edge retention. A knife like this deserves to be maintained before the edge gets truly dull, so use a quality sharpening setup and stay ahead of it. Put in the effort, and it will continue to be a reliable companion.
I would also keep the blade clean and dry after use. D2 has more corrosion resistance than some tool steels, but it is not fully stainless. For normal EDC use, that should not be a problem, but it is still worth wiping the blade down after cutting food, wet material, or anything sticky.
Does It Still Feel Like a Buck?
Yes, it does.
The Ferrox is clearly not a classic wood-and-metal Buck lockback. It has an aluminum handle, a modern reverse tanto blade, thumb studs, and a crossbar-style lock. On paper, that may not sound like the Buck knives a lot of us grew up around.
In the hand and pocket, though, it still feels like a Buck to me. The proportions are slim. The design is practical. The knife feels like it was built to be used, not just styled to follow a trend.
That is where Buck seems to have found the balance. The Ferrox brings modern EDC features into the lineup without losing the sense that Buck still knows what a pocket knife is supposed to do.
What I Liked
The Buck 698 Ferrox is an attractive knife with a design that works as well as it looks. The blade came sharp, stayed sharp through my use, the thumb studs worked well, and the crossbar lock was convenient without feeling fussy.
The clip was another major positive. It held securely, carried comfortably, and did not snag or scrape the way some poorly designed clips can.
I also like the overall value. This is not an inexpensive “gas-station-bucket” pocket knife, but it also is not priced like Buck’s premium Heritage Elite models. For someone who wants Buck quality but is not drawn to the classic 110 or 112 style, the Ferrox feels like a solid way into the brand.
What I Would Keep in Mind
I don’t really have any complaints about the Ferrox. The only adjustment for me was coming from an automatic knife. With an action this smooth, a manual folder requires you to pay attention and be deliberate when opening and closing it. If you get careless, you can cut yourself. Don’t ask how I know.
The other thing to keep in mind is that this is not the classic Buck look. If you want wood, brass, nickel silver, and a traditional lockback, the Ferrox may not be the knife you are looking for.
The crossbar-style lock also looks and operates differently than a traditional lockback. I had no issue with it at all, but if you specifically want a classic Buck lockback, this may not be for you. Functionally, though, it works very well.
Who Is the Buck 698 Ferrox For?
The Ferrox makes a great everyday carry knife. It’s attractive, reasonably priced, not too heavy, not too light, and easy to carry. It opens smoothly, locks open solidly, and has one of the better pocket clips I have used recently.
It is also not overly intimidating. The design is modern, but it does not come across as excessively tactical. That makes it a reasonable choice for someone who wants an everyday knife that can handle normal use without looking out of place. At the office, no one looks twice if I take it out to open a box or share a sandwich.
It can also handle light weekend camping chores. While it is not my first choice for dedicated food prep, it can slice food, carve wood, cut rope, and handle the kinds of tasks most people actually use a pocket knife for.
If you want one knife to cover a few different everyday tasks, the Ferrox makes sense.
Final Thoughts on the Buck 698 Ferrox
The Buck 698 Ferrox is a modern EDC folder that still feels like a Buck. It is slim, practical, smooth, and easy to carry. The action is satisfying, the lockup is solid, the clip is excellent, and the D2 blade held its edge well through regular use.
It is not the knife for someone who only wants the classic Buck lockback look. But if you want the Buck name, Buck quality, and a more modern everyday carry design at a fair price point, the Ferrox is worth a serious look.
MSRP was $79.99 with a $9 engraving option at the time of publication, but knife prices are always subject to change. Check the current price at Buck Knives before buying.
As always, I’d like to thank Buck Knives for providing the 698 Ferrox for our testing and evaluation. Visit Buck Knives to learn more about the Ferrox and the rest of their extensive knife range.