1987 marking question

[Ruari]

A friend is looking for a Buck 110 made in 1987 (his birth year), which is the > symbol. He has been sent a picture of a 110 which I've cropped a bit, which has the > mark, but seems to include a dash as well (which does not feature as a Buck year mark that I can find).
Question is, is this a genuine Buck 1987 marking, a marking mistake or just not a thing?

 

[HolyRoller]

I think that's 2009.

 

[Ruari]

I think that's 2009.

Hmm, 2009 looks more like a crow's foot, but noted.

 

[jude_061]

That looks very much like the “carrot” mark of a 1987 110. The 2009 looks like a broad-arrow marking. The zero looks somewhat suspicious on your knife versus a 1987 marked 110. The “C” in “Buck” almost looks to have cut the top of it off. It is hard to tell by the photo on my phone. Maybe the die was damaged or someone made a mistake in the marking process.

 

[TheFishman]

For reference, this is the blade stamp on my 1987 422 Bucklite.

 

[jude_061]

1987 Buck 110 tang stamp close-up for comparison.

 

[Midnight Rider]

I read on another post that a dot would sometimes be added next to the date stamp to designate mid-year changes such as blade steel. I'm no expert, just throwing it out there..

 

[jude_061]

I read on another post that a dot would sometimes be added next to the date stamp to designate mid-year changes such as blade steel. I'm no expert, just throwing it out there..

I’m no expert, and I could very well be wrong, but I thought that only was for a mid-90s knife with a dash (-). If I remember correctly the original of that year was:

BUCK
110-
U.S.A

Then the mid-year change was:

BUCK
-110-
U.S.A

If I remember correctly it is 1992. I can’t recall what the mid-year change was. I have one, and I think it was the knife I blew up trying to put a lanyard hole in. I’d have to look. With regard to this knife, a dash between the 110 and the > seems odd when the 1992 (?) version had the second dash to the left of the model number. I don’t purport to be an expert on these things though; however i recently purchased a knife advertised as a three dot which upon inspection proved to be a two dot with a blemish that likely occurred through use. Someone more knowledgeable about these matters will probably chime in and correct me.

 

[DeSotoSky]

It is a legitimate 1987 Buck knife. I have several with that marking. M Midnight Rider is correct. Best explanation is Buck used dots to signify an engineering change. The blade steel or how the blade was blanked etc. Different meanings at different times on different models. With batches of materials moving thru the factory it was necessary to identify batches that would need different handling such as heat treatment, Assembly etc. Buck has not kept good records on this.

 

[DeSotoSky]

I’m no expert, and I could very well be wrong, but I thought that only was for a mid-90s knife with a dash (-). If I remember correctly the original of that year was:
BUCK
110-
U.S.A
Then the mid-year change was:
BUCK
-110-
U.S.A

My recollection is there was a change in the geometry of the blade lock. The change happened early in the year so single dash 110's are rare and double dash common. I've been watching for years for a single dash finger groove.

 

[Ruari]

Much appreciated chaps, I'll let my friend know that knife is good to go.

 

[jude_061]

This place is a wealth of Buck knowledge. Good job M Midnight Rider and DeSotoSky

 

[Midnight Rider]

This place is a wealth of Buck knowledge. Good job M Midnight Rider and DeSotoSky

Hey, Jude.
(I've waited a long time to use that reference, I'm a lifelong Beatles fan)

Happy to help. I don't know a lot, yet but I'm a pretty good Parrot . And you are correct, this place is a wealth of knowledge. Lots of good folks on here, too.