639 tang shape & rehandle

J

Jeff S1

Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
1,203
Hi Guys,
I was hoping for some help with a project knife. I recently picked up a 639 from another forum member, with the blade in really nice shape, but the handle has some wiggle to it. I was wondering what the tang looks like and if it is the same as a 119? If it is like a 119, could I swap the handle parts from the 119 to the 639 after I cut off the rubber 639 handle? If not no biggie, I will just rehandle the 639 with something else. Thanks for any help with this question. Jeff
 
i am guessing here
but if the handle is loose and you send it to buck
they May put a new handle on it like a 119
ask joe is what i would do
 
Hi Dave, Thanks for the reply. I was hoping to avoid this with the "do it myself fix"...I called Buck yesterday and spoke with the wrnty dept. where I was offered one option, send it in for a new Silver Creek bait knife under the exchange program. I advised I want my 639 and further the SCBK seemed like a very poor down grade. So...I felt fixing it myself was the way to go. Just curious what the tang may look like from anyones experience. It feels like it goes about 3/4 of the way into the rubber handle.

I was pleased Buck offered an exchange...but it was not something I was interested in.
 
well it was worth a shot
i believe the tang is like a 119 but don't quote me
if it were me on a diy
i would pick stacked leather washer with bone or horn spacers
but each one has their own...
i think the 119 handle will break most of the time to get it off..
 
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Thanks Dave,

Buck was very nice to offer a replacement, but I do not want one. I like my knife and never want anything for free. I will try the stacked leather with a crown butt. It is on my to do list & thanks for your help.
 
Jeff,
The tang is like the 119. We actually "used up" the last of the 639 blades years ago by putting 119 components on them. Made a nice collectible.

BTW, you would actually get a 119 in exchange, not the Silver Creek. I think the person you talked to is not familiar with the 639 and was only concentrating on the fact that both knives have a serrated back.
I hope this helps.
 
Hi Joe, Thanks for the reply! Would it be possible to send mine in for a 119 make over with 119 handle components?
I am will to pay the cost of the work and would never want ANY freebee. I would love to have the 639 blade/119 handle combo if possible and gift it to my son!
Thanks for any consideration.
Jeff
 
Assuming your blade has the saw, if you put a 119 handle on it you will turn it into a 639-B1. The B1 was a limited production run and I would be concerned about adding to the number of B1's available for collecting because it makes the knife more common and less valuable.
 
The 639 does have the saw & scaler tip on my knife. Interesting point you make. I never knew about the knife you mentioned until Joe H. described it a day or so ago. I would never want to devalue anyones collecting values, just want a solid knife handle again for this blade. I will figure something out and rehandle it myself. Thanks for all the replies.
 
I can't see one more more 639-B1 added to the mix would de-value anyone's collection.

Email Joe!




Just my two centavos ......:rolleyes:
 
I did email Joe a second time (before this came up) with just that request, a couple days ago and am waiting for his reply
 
Richard Matheny said:
Assuming your blade has the saw, if you put a 119 handle on it you will turn it into a 639-B1. The B1 was a limited production run and I would be concerned about adding to the number of B1's available for collecting because it makes the knife more common and less valuable.
Click to expand...

i had one of those knives i think
it was marked custom and not a number
had a xx of xxx on it ...
only got 80$ for it on fleabay...:(
 
Haebbie's knife is a 639-B2 without the saw. I think rehandling the knife with another handle material other than phenolic is the way to go. That way you will have a truly unique knife.
 
Hey Jeff...Joe has been on vacation this last week so will sure he will get back to you soon.

I am wondering how there is play in the handle. Have you taken the handle off yet? Just concerned that the tang may be broken within the handle?
 
Hi CJ! Very nice to have you in my thread!
The tang appears to be fine all the way through, with my less than professional method, of really clamping down on the blade by hand (taped) and bending the handle at about 1 inch intervals. Seems fine. If you grasp the blade and twist right to left the tang moves a bit in those directions and also up & down front to back. I think the knife has just seen its fair share of use over the years. I would consider it just normal wear & tear to be honest. I was just curious about the handle swap. I would love to purchase the parts and do it myself as a project with my son and then hand it to him after we finished it. I would NEVER expect anything free from Buck as the rubber has just worn over the years, plain & simple. If I could buy the parts or pay Buck to do same it would be great to restore the ole beast to its glory days. Anyway, thank you again CJ for stopping bye! No worries with Joe, I await his input after his return once he settles back in, this should be low on his busy list. :)
 
Thanks for your patience! :)
I just sent you an email a few momments ago. We will make it right!
Take care,
 
Hello Joe,

Great to hear from you. The day was made a bit brighter! E-mail back to you and I did "ask". ;)

Thank you!!!!
 
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