2001 last year for the 703's?

Joe58

Joe58

Joined
Nov 11, 2002
Messages
1,969
Hey guys -

Just wanted to confirm with the knowledgeable folks here that 2001 was the last year for the 703?

At least, that what I gather going thru the catalogs on the BCCI site.

I want to continue working on getting a representative from each year, and I know the pre-86 ones you can't really tell apart, least I can't, as I have two or three and they look the same to me.

So I'm not sure the year they were introduced offhand?

So I'll work on the year stamped versions.

Thanks!

Required pic of the two I carry pretty regular. Great model pocket knife.

 
Joe, this is a paraphrase from "Blades Guide To Knives" pg. 513. I'm not sure who wrote all the article. 'In 1999, Buck started to wind down the 700 series run and removed the 704. In 2000 the remaining 4 models had their shields removed. In 2001, the 701 was removed from the catalog and in 2002 the remaining models were discontinued. Special orders were accepted during 2002 for at least the 703.' Hope this helps you in your search for historical data for this series. DM
 
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Joe, here's their introduction dates.
The 703 was introduced in Dec. 1979.
The 701 in 1983.
The 705 in May 1981.
The 709 in Sept. 1981.
DM
 
David Martin said:
Joe, this is a paraphrase from "Blades Guide To Knives" pg. 513. I'm not sure who wrote all the article. 'In 1999, Buck started to wind down the 700 series run and removed the 704. In 2000 the remaining 4 models had their shields removed. In 2001, the 701 was removed from the catalog and in 2002 the remaining models were discontinued. Special orders were accepted during 2002 for at least the 703.' Hope this helps you in your search for historical data for this series. DM
Click to expand...

Thanks David! I figured you'd know. You're a walking Buck encyclopedia. Lol ;)

That would sync with the seller on eBay currently with a 703 scale marked as being a Prototype dated 1978. Has funky blade tang markings like they were done with an electric engraving pen.

I wonder if some made now and then were just special orders, like my brass 86 marked one. I've not seen any 703's with stag, just the couple I have in brass instead of SS, but I've a 701 in stag. I have a set of the 700 series models, all in brass. Don't know if Buck run off smaller batches in brass and those went to particular dealers or what. Since the regular catalogued models are all stainless bolstered.

Wish Buck would have started their date code stamping system earlier. It's quite helpful. Be nice if all makers had something similar in place.
 
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I've never know much about the Buck 700 series, except that when they were introduced I thought they looked "different". I obtained one but never warmed up enough to buy more - well made and heavy duty for sure. This is my 703, early to mid 1980's I think. OH

Buck_703.JPG
 
I really like the 700s. Other than bolster shape, a lot of the other slippers are indistinguishable between manufactures visually. But the 700s are unmistakably Buck! I don't have any yet, but keep my eyes peeled for them everywhere I go rummaging. There aren't many to be found compared to the 300s.
 
Joe, I ran across some info. on the brass frame 700's. I'll look and find it again. DM
 
The early 700 series knives were polished until 1986. Then at the year date stamp Buck began sanding them. At that time Buck gave all the 3 blade models its own spring for each blade. In the late 80's Buck did the series in a brass frame. Not mentioned in the catalog. The stag handled models ran from 87-94, a different one along each year. If the blades are polished and with stag (during this era) it came out of the custom shop. DM
 
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