I have a 701 that is probably 5-7 years old. This knife has been through it all. That includes a few times through the washing machine and dryer (not recommended). But you'd never know it by looking at it or using it. These guys aren't particularly fancy or decorative, but the mileage doesn't show on them much at all. The wood looks almost new. The blades have held the edge so well that they have rarely needed to be sharpened. And everything is still tight and smooth. It has some scratches on the bolsters, but they're more like "beauty marks" to me. Yeah, some knives look prettier out of the box, but use them both for a year and then compare them.
Oh, by the way, I just got a little 705 from Cumberland Knives. It is every bit as good as it's big brother. Shaving sharp out of the box, tight and wobble free. This is better than I have had from Boker, Browning, Case, or Puma. And some of them cost twice as much.
I don't know how the folks at Buck do it, but they sure make one heck of a knife.
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Dave
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If a tree falls in the forest, and there is nobody there to hear it, don't blame me.
[This message has been edited by Columbo (edited 03-20-2000).]
