103 question

H

hobbiest

Joined
Jul 26, 2014
Messages
55
Just getting into fixed knives. Want a 103. Currently have no bucks. Anyone know when they changed the steel and or when they thinned the blade? Looking at a 1995 with cocobola handle and wondered if its made the same as the current ones? TY
 
Your first post. Welcome to the Buck forum. 103 Cocobola's are a current 2014 catalog item. The steel used is 420HC since about 1992. There was a change in edge sharpening geometry about 2000. As to blade thickness, I know there was a change but I don't know when exactly. Two spot checks, I have a 1997 blade that is .178" thick and a 2002 blade .118" thick so I guess the change took place sometime between the two. Hope this helps.
 
It does. I wanted the thicker blade so if Im reading it right its a 103C which should make it 1995 and the thicker one.
 
If you want one to use get a 1991 model 103 as it has 425M steel. If you want pretty, get the cocobola. Welcome. DM
 
TY for the answers. I thought the older ones had 440c. I want but pretty and to use :) so I want both eventually. I went ahead and got it cause I don't think it was a bad deal. This is what I bought. If I didn't get what I thought then live and learn. He had two listings and sold those 4 and has 2 left in this listing. In the other listing which is the one I bought from it also showed the box.
 
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Ok, your mislabeling the early steel. It's 440C not 420C. To give you a run down on this model: the 103 from the time the 'Skinner' name was given it (1961) until 1980 it's blade steel was 440C. It was given a model number in 1972 (103). IN 1980 it's steel changed from 440C to 425M. Then in 1992 it's steel changed from 425M to 420HC. As it remains today. The stamping and spacers tell us the year of it's mfg. and steel. PLUS, DON'T post links to active sales. It's against Forum rules. DM
 
Welcome to the forum,if you want. A great knife,find a early 103 with 440c steel,those are beautiful knives that work as hard as you work them.great knives!
 
TY and sry about the link. Just deleted it.

Getting more and more into fixed blades but still new to it. Starting with ones I like but not breaking the 100.00 mark yet. Usually 50.00
 
THe truth is any of the Buck steels is going to do a very good job as a hunting knife - I have used all three types of steel in various 100 series Buck's and never failed to skin and cut up my deer. If you want to be a collector of steel types go ahead, nothing wrong with that, but Buck would hurt themselves by using an inferior steel or grind (so they don't) - manufacturing methods and points of view on proper blade grinds evolve over the years BUT any of them, from any era, will do the job in style! That was a great deal on a Cocobolo handled 103 - I'd of jumped all over it irregardless of edge grind, blade style, or leather sheath style. Welcome to the Buck Forum and the using and collecting of Bucks! OH
 
Old hunter has some good points.ICurrently use a 103 made in2004 that has 420hc steel.the knife does everything and more quite easily,has doubled as camp cook knife many times too!i prefer a cover doge grind on my hunting knives,and the 420takes and holds it very well.i only touch up my skinning knife with a steel and strop during hunting season it's rare to have to put a new edge on with stones.they are very good knives.whoever designed the 103 is a genius!
 
TY for the advice. At the moment my "collecting" for me is affordable,nice knives that I would also like to grab and use to if I so desire. Two weeks ago I picked up a gerber freeman unused with s30v steel,cocobla handle made by cabalas 5 yrs ago I think and loving it. Looks good and feels good. Wouldn't hesitate to take it out to the woods.
Going to get a 103 with the plastic handle sometime for use and want a 119 sometime.
For a usable collection I like the looks of the frontiersman with micarta handle.
Lots of others I like to but not all buck ;)
 
Yeah just saw one on ebay 158 out of 1000 and signed by Chuck Buck and CJ Buck. Could only drool though cause over 200.00 is a little out of my price range. Did they make more of a general production one that was for use and not just show?
 
That was probably the 903, named the Signature series. That is about what those are going for. Those came with a up grade sheath, a mirror polished blade and Chuck Buck's signature. A very handsome model. I don't think Buck offered a more user variation of that. DM
 
Well that sucked. He said there was a mistake and wants to cancel the order. Guess I didn't need to spend money this week.
 
Someone else offered him money under the table and he took it. So, the items not going to auction. DM
 
So he had said when he opened the box it was a different knife in box and wanted to back out.
He now has them relisted at auction instead of buy it now. Same pics listing and all.
Thinking about sending him a note and saying Im glad he found them,can ship when he wants or calling Ebay. That burns me up.
 
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