704 best years?

[austin37]

Looking at getting a Buck 704 Maverick, was there a better year due to the 3 vs 2 back springs they used in 1986 or were they only on the muti bladed knives and not the single 704? I understand the knife is discontinued and they cannot preform a blade replacement any more so I’d like to get a model that will last as long as possible in good working order

 

[pjsjr]

Buck 704 Maverick, was there a better year due to the 3 vs 2 back springs

The 704 is single bladed with only one back spring.

 

[Railsplitter]

To the best of my knowledge, the backspring issue was with very early 703's that came out in 1979-1980. Buck nipped that in the bud pretty quick after knives started being returned.

My records show that the 704 came out in 1982 but I'm not sure where I got that information. Probably from a BCCI newsletter but I'm too lazy to look it up right now. The backspring issue would have been resolved long before 1982 and likely never existed on the 704.

There may be a variation in blade steel over the years. Pick one out and enjoy it. It's a great knife.

 

[austin37]

Thank you both

 

[Hickory n steel]

Personally I'd recommend an early script logo 704 if you can find a good example at a good price.


I don't know if it's been confirmed whether or not Buck actually used Sandvik steel early on with the 700 series, but I think mine might be Sandvik steel and that possibility is a good reason for me.
I'm not hung up on steels or into premium stuff, but my 704 whatever it's made of sharpens easily and holds an edge very well.
It seems a bit harder than their 420hc or 425m , but I would expect it to be even harder if it was 440c.
I'm not really a good judge of that kind of thing though, so maybe I'm completely wrong.

That script tang stamp is just cool too.

 

[Falcos9933]

Personally I'd recommend an early script logo 704 if you can find a good example at a good price.

View attachment 2019287
I don't know if it's been confirmed whether or not Buck actually used Sandvik steel early on with the 700 series, but I think mine might be Sandvik steel and that possibility is a good reason for me.
I'm not hung up on steels or into premium stuff, but my 704 whatever it's made of sharpens easily and holds an edge very well.
It seems a bit harder than their 420hc or 425m , but I would expect it to be even harder if it was 440c.
I'm not really a good judge of that kind of thing though, so maybe I'm completely wrong.

That script tang stamp is just cool too.

What year did it come out I have one also rosewood handle old script plate

 

[DeSotoSky]

Prety sure there was a stag offering.
If you are into David Yellowhorse, he fancied up a few. Coyote (shown), also Buffalo and Stallion.

 

[Hickory n steel]

What year did it come out I have one also rosewood handle old script plate

I don't really remember for sure when the model was introduced, but the script examples were 1st.

 

[plb]

The 700 series model history can be found in the June 2003 newsletter. Larry wrote that the 704 was first mentioned in a 1982 order form but not featured in the 1982 catalog. (It made it's debut in the 1983 catalog) All early 700s featured tang stamps and shields in script until 1984-1985. Also, starting in 1986 on the 3-bladed model 703 and later the 701, each blade was given it's own backspring, instead of the secondary blades sharing a backspring. When Buck announced the coming of the new 700 series in 1979, they said the blade steel will be "new high-carbon, high chrome steel from Sweden". Whether Buck actually used Swedish steel or their typical 425m, they switched to 420HC around 1994. Production of all 700 models had ended by 2002.