The black Buck 700 Nomad made an unusual first impression. Its black finish and red accents reminded me of the CZ Shadow 2 Target Limited, a competition pistol with a similar color scheme. The CZ is a specialized handgun with a premium price. The Nomad offers some of that same visual appeal in a package that is affordable for most people and practical enough to carry every day.
I was not immediately sold on the red accents for a pocket knife. Still, those small touches give the Nomad a unique style while gently moving it away from the fully tactical look an all-black knife might suggest.
That balance carries through the rest of the design. The Nomad combines a curved D2 blade with a narrow aluminum handle, fast thumb-stud opening, and a crossbar lock. It looks different from a classic Buck, but it still has the trim profile and practical feel I associate with the brand.
After using the Buck 700 Nomad for a bunch of the usual cutting jobs that come up throughout my day, I found it to be a very capable everyday carry knife at a sensible price.
Buck 700 Nomad Specs
| Spec | Buck 700 Nomad |
| Blade steel | D2 |
| Blade shape | Drop point |
| Blade length | 3.25″ |
| Blade thickness | 0.110″ |
| Closed length | 4.50″ |
| Overall length | 7.80″ |
| Weight | 3.10 oz |
| Handle material | Anodized aluminum |
| Lock | Crossbar lock |
| Opening | Dual thumb studs |
| Pocket clip | Reversible tip-up clip |
| Color options | Black, Blue, and Bronze |
| Current price | Check current price at Buck Knives |
Buck offers the Nomad in Black, Blue, and Bronze. My review knife is the Black version, with a black blade and handle broken up by red accents.
First Impressions of the Buck 700 Nomad
The Nomad arrived sharp and ready to use. In the hand, it feels slim with a nice amount of weight. It is not heavy enough to become a burden, but it is also not so light that it feels cheap.
The aluminum handle gives it a solid feel without adding unnecessary bulk. Even with its nontraditional styling, the Nomad retains the slim profile I have come to expect from Buck.
Handle Shape and Texture
The Nomad has subtle file-style texturing around the edges of the aluminum handle, while most of the grip remains fairly smooth.
That fits the role of the knife. This is an everyday carry folder, not a hard-use outdoor knife designed for cleaning fish in the rain or working with wet, muddy hands at a campsite.
For opening packages, cutting twine, handling lunch, and taking care of the other small jobs that come up during the day, it does not need extremely aggressive texturing. The smooth aluminum is comfortable and unobtrusive.
Even so, I would personally prefer a little more texture across the grip. That is a matter of preference rather than a serious criticism. The handle worked well throughout my review, and the knife never slipped during normal use.
Pocket Carry
The pocket clip works very well, which I have come to expect from Buck. It is also reversible for left- or right-side tip-up carry.
It holds the Nomad securely without making the knife difficult to remove when needed. Once clipped into my pocket, the Nomad stays out of mind until a cutting job comes up.
The black finish also held up well during carry. The flat surfaces of the handle still look good, and the blade finish remains like new after cardboard processing and the other cutting tasks.
The only visible wear is along the sharper inner edges of the aluminum handle near the spine. Those edges picked up a few light marks, probably from rubbing against my keys in the same pocket. It looks like normal carry wear rather than a problem with the finish.
Opening, Closing, and Lockup
Like the Buck 698 Ferrox, the Nomad is remarkably smooth and fast.
Despite having no assisted-opening mechanism, the Nomad opens quickly and smoothly with either thumb stud.
The blade locks up solidly with no lateral movement that I could detect. Pulling down on the crossbar lock allows the blade to drop smoothly back into the handle while keeping your fingers clear of its path.
It has also remained as solid as it was on the day I took it out of the box. Nothing has loosened, developed play, or started rattling during my time with it.
Buck Nomad 700 D2 Blade Performance
The D2 blade was plenty sharp and held up well during normal use.
Recycling day provided one of the better tests. I had a pile of empty boxes to cut up, and the Nomad handled the cardboard processing without trouble.
For more basic jobs, including cutting rope and twine, opening boxes and letters, and using it in a pinch for lunch, the Nomad is more than sharp enough.
When the edge eventually needs a touch-up, a diamond or ceramic sharpener will make the job easier. Based on how it performed during my review, that may not be necessary for quite a while.
Drop-Point Blade Shape
The curved drop-point blade adds useful versatility.
It works well for opening packages and making more precise cuts, but the curve also makes it more useful for food and slicing tasks. If you find yourself using your pocket knife around the kitchen or during lunch, that extra belly makes a noticeable difference. And yes, I am a bit OCD about keeping the blade clean, so I have no issues using it for my food.
The Ferrox has a straighter, more utility-focused reverse tanto blade. The Nomad is the better fit for someone who wants a little more slicing ability without giving up normal EDC performance.
Buck 700 Nomad: An Office-Friendly EDC Knife
One small interaction helped confirm that the Nomad works well in a workplace.
I wore a new T-shirt to work and noticed a long thread hanging from the back. Since I could not easily reach it, I handed the Nomad to a female coworker and asked her to cut it.
She used the knife without hesitation, and the interaction did not draw any negative attention. That told me something useful about the Nomad’s appearance. It looks like a practical pocket knife rather than something designed to intimidate people.
At the same time, it is still a capable knife. I would not want to face someone holding one in a defensive situation. Somehow, the Nomad finds the right balance between being effective and remaining appropriate for normal daily use.
Modern Styling With a Familiar Buck Profile
The black aluminum, red accents, thumb studs, and crossbar lock place the Nomad firmly in Buck’s modern EDC lineup.
What keeps it connected to the brand is its narrow profile. Even with the nontraditional styling, it retains the slim feel I have long associated with Buck knives.
Price, Warranty, and Overall Value
The Nomad hits a sweet spot for everyday carry.
You get D2 steel that holds an edge well without requiring excessive maintenance, smooth action, solid lockup, a good pocket clip, and the overall quality I expect from Buck.
It is also covered by Buck’s Forever Warranty, which adds some reassurance for a knife intended to be carried and used regularly.
For someone wary of spending hundreds of dollars on an EDC knife, or worried about losing an expensive daily carry, the Nomad is a strong option. Spending much less would probably mean giving up a noticeable amount of the materials, action, finish, and overall quality that make it appealing.
Final Thoughts on the Buck 700 Nomad
The Buck 700 Nomad is easy to carry, pleasant to use, and priced where a good EDC knife should be.
I would personally prefer a little more handle texture, but that is the only real change I would make. The Nomad remained solid throughout my review and handled everything I asked of it.
Check the current price at Buck Knives before buying.
As always, I’d like to thank Buck Knives for providing their 700 Nomad for our testing and evaluation. Visit Buck Knives to learn more about the Nomad and check current pricing.