110 2-dot stamp variations?

TAH

TAH

Joined
Jul 3, 2001
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If you study these stamps closely, they are all different. Specifically, notice the spacing and placement of the dots under "B" and "K" in photo 2 & 3. Also notice the font size of U.S.A. in relation to 110 in all three photos. In photo 2, all font size is larger/taller than in photos 1 & 3.

I'm curious if different stamps were used/interchanged during the same time period or were the stamps changed and used exclusively until the next change? If the latter, is it known which stamp came first and what years they were changed? Seems like this would be an easy way to narrow down the date of manufacture of 2-dot knives if these changes were documented.

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I've never paid too much attention to the different stamps…only that I noticed them.

You should post a picture of the whole knife along with each example you showed so we could see the approximate years for each stamp. We could date each better that way.

Maybe you're on to something. :)
 
TAH,
It is a good thing Buck’s records for dating a lot of knives are so vague; otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to play “The Dating Game”. When it comes to dating the Two Dot 110s opinions vary. Joe Houser, George Stinzel and Richard Matheny, three experts, each have slightly different interpretations. Here are two photos. The first shows the stamps for 5th Version Variations 1, 2, and 3. To me, each variation seems to have a slightly different font, but remember the sample size is only one for each variation. The second photo shows a 5th Version Variation 1 on the left and a Two Dot on the right, but I think what’s important are the two knives in the middle. They are the first 110s with sintered frames but without the change in the tang shape and lockbar found in the Two Dots. These knives were produced in the same year (I am certain it was 1975.), but they have different fonts on the tang stamp. I will have to pull out my four variations of Two Dots to check fonts for them. Unfortunately, I think the fact that two knives of the same variation, produced in the same year and having different fonts doesn’t look too encouraging for pinning down dates by font characteristics. Maybe if we get a lot of samples I would change my mind. Even then, we would have to have information dating font changes.
Bert

tang & nick 5th Version Variation 1, 2, 3.jpg5-T-T-6.jpg
 
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Bert, Thanks. Your saying the 2 dot 110 came out in 1975. I'll check but I'm mostly sure that's what George says. DM
 
David,

I'm pretty sure George says early to mid 1976. I said the sintered frame 110s came out in 1975, but they were not the Two Dot with a change in tang shape and lockbar.

Bert
 
It was Bill Keys that says the 2 dots came out in 1975 and George Stinzel says 1976. These are both well respected gents. DM
 
Stumps said:
You should post a picture of the whole knife along with each example you showed so we could see the approximate years for each stamp.
Click to expand...

Stumps, the 3 photos were taken from the internet as examples, so unfortunately, I don't have photos of the entire knife. I only own one 110 and it has the stamp shown in photo 1.


bertl said:
Unfortunately, I think the fact that two knives of the same variation, produced in the same year and having different fonts doesn’t look too encouraging for pinning down dates by font characteristics.
Click to expand...

Bert, I figured it was a long shot, but these stamp variations intrigue me. Thank you for taking the time to type detailed information.
 
TAH,

I really don't know anything about the mechanics of stamping the tang. There are some questions that I hope someone might answer. How long does the die for stamping last before it needs to be replaced? How many dies are used at the same time for stamping? I would guess it's more than one. Does the font have any real significance to Buck when a knife is returned for warranty work? A couple of years ago, 110Dave wrote me that someone should do a real survey of all the different fonts on tang stamps. That might be an interesting study. Of course then we would have to figure out if it meant anything.

Bert
 
I agree, Bert. Not sure why it is so much fun to discuss little changes, but it is. :)
 
My 110 is like your photo #1, with a tiny U.S.A and close-spaced dots:

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The full knife is here:

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The 112 is also a two-dot and, as the images show, the U.S.A. and dots are similar to the 110.
 
Thanks ABB. Yep, our 110s have the same stamp, but my 110 has small head brass rivets. Unfortunately, there appears to be a lot of inconsistencies.

IMG_6733_zps3470fdd7.jpg
 
TAH,

Your Two Dot is a Variation 4, the last of the Two Dots, and ABB has a Variation 3.
 
bertl said:
Your Two Dot is a Variation 4, the last of the Two Dots, and ABB has a Variation 3.
Click to expand...

Really? I thought the three small head brass pins came before the three large head brass pins. Unless I'm reading it wrong, according to Joe Houser's timeline at the top of this page, my knife is a 5th Version, 6th Variation and ABB's knife is a 5th Version, 7th Variation. No?
 
TAH,

I think I am getting dyslexia. I reversed what I meant to say. You are correct.
 
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