317 FieldMaster Question [oops, I meant TrailBlazer]

DeSotoSky

DeSotoSky

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Joined
Mar 21, 2011
Messages
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Save me some digging. What year were the "AMERICA'S FARMERS FIRST" blade etch versions done and is it known how many? Wow, it's a post photobucket apocalypse out there trying to search old threads for information. I recall there was a 317 article in the newsletter but looks like the newsletter index has not been updated since 2011. /Roger
 
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Roger,

I almost have my model history index updated. I'll send you a copy when I finish, but don't hold your breath. Gsea had an article in September 2015 and said 550 were produced, but he gave no date.

Bert

EDIT: I think that may have been a SMKW edition. If you have old catalogs you could wade through them.
 
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Thanks Bert. The September 2015 article referenced a March 2015 article by Houser.
The answer was 1986-1987 and as you said, 550 produced.
I got lucky at a Gun show last weekend.
 
WOW, David was the only one to catch my typo....
Yes, the 317 is the TRAILBLAZER..... not Fieldmaster.
I don't know how I came up with that.... good catch David.
 
I knew what you meant and figured someone would make a correction

Bert
 
Did you mean this one. 300

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Not my photo
 
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Yep, that is it Craig. Thanks for posting the pic. I'm disorganized and not set up for pics at the moment. Hope to be by Sunday. It came in a buff yellow 1 piece box with 317 sheath. The box is for a 'standard' 317 Trailblazer with no indication that the knife inside is a limited edition. Is it the correct box?
 
Roger, I think that not long ago you said you aren't particularly fond of etched blades. Are you going to buff that blade clean?

Bert
 
bertl said:
Roger, I think that not long ago you said you aren't particularly fond of etched blades. Are you going to buff that blade clean? Bert
Click to expand...

Bert, of course not. There is a difference when the etch is artwork. My complaint is that Buck has a tendency to do cheesy etches on blades... why for example does an expensive limited edition knife need the words "LIMITED EDITION" laser etched on the blade. Some examples I can think of are the Glint, and the two Chuck Buck commemoratives 500 and 405. all three are rather attractive knives the received the "cheesy" treatment. Even the expensive 119 Historical Set didn't escape the cheese. Stuff for Smoky Mountain also frequently gets the "treatment". I've had photo examples. I'll dig thru the remains of p'bucket to try and find some. /Roger

405.CB.Signature.Micarta 006_zpsroowagjc.jpg
 
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Here is photo with better contrast. Not my photo.
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I can't say on the box mine are all in a big trash sack, put there during some remodeling. My additional comment, along with yours, is that what we think as etched, I believe is just ink printing. If you got these as gifts or freebies you could easily polish them off the blade. Several 317s were printed this way as specials by SMKWs. 300

Oops, I have been remiss with all the info. These 317s are all Camillus made, unless a after market custom actual metal etch or laser. Except for a few Cami samped blade offerings like the Railroad version which had stamped train engine and printed lettering.
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SMKWs offered a few of these printed specials made 'outside' of the Buck factory. Some given as gifts may have had the printing polished off by the owners choice. (Non collectors likely) All 317s were made by Camillus, Bert's 317 was customized in the old Buck custom shop using a Cami body, as were others by other outside sources. Usually just a change of scales. I have never seen one with fancy steel. Several members have nice collections of these (GSEA for one). Some re-scales are more interesting in nature than others.
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Not my photo
 
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DeSotoSky said:
Bert, of course not. There is a difference when the etch is artwork.
Click to expand...

I would have been surprised if you had said yes. Every once in a while I think I should get an 802 to go with my 102s. It's a good looking knife, but I just don't like the signatures etched on the blade.

Bert
 
Yep, I rate signatures on blades right up there with the cheese...
The 802,803,805, & 819 series are perfect examples of beautiful blades marred by the signatures. I just display the opposite side. Still looking for the 819 (at my price.. ;o).
 
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