A Pair Of Older BuckLites

A

ArfinGreebly

Joined
Apr 3, 2008
Messages
369
Okay, I tell myself, just breathe.

Clock is ticking . . . down to 30 seconds . . . okay, now CLICK! Confirm!

And three minutes later . . . CLICK! Confirm!


And what do we have to show for that?

An older (one-dot) green-handled BuckLite 424.

An older (no-dots) green-handled BuckLite 426.


Well, it almost makes up for missing that Buck 500 last week . . . the one that went for less than $50.


Well, guys, how did I do?

 
Pretty cool, I've been on the lookout for Bucklites at local pawn shops and what not and by far the most common one I've encountered are the 422s in green and black 426s and 424s especially seem to be getting harder to find, at least for me anyways.
 
That is a terrific combo of sizes, large and medium, AG. I EDC a 424.

Buck gave new life to the 424, after being 10 years disco, with Canadian Tire as the only vendor. New time you're north of the border you should pick some up and don't forget who your friends are. :)

PS: The Bucklite 424 can also be obtained by calling the Buck company store with your credit/debit card in hand. I've purchased several orange ones just that way. Just don't take no for an answer as, for some reason, they are not easily looked up in their inventory.
 
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I had no clue Buck still manufactered the 424 I'll have to check in to it and maybe see if they can scrape one up for me.
 
Here is a photograph of the 2010 production for Canadian Tire Bucklite 424 that I carry with two clam packs for the vault:

Bucklite424modernproduction05-03-2012009.jpg


Bucklite424modernproduction05-03-2012004.jpg


This one shows the rescue me orange variant 2010 production of the Bucklite 424 bot over the phone from the Buck company store, with a couple spares. I really enjoy this size knife and I have XL paws:

Bucklite424modernproduction05-03-2012013.jpg


Note: No nail nicks (pic of nail nick on clam pack does not represent the actual knives which do not have a nail nick).
 
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I happened to notice these (424s) in Canadian Tire on sale this summer, $10 each. Bought 6! Pretty nice, especially for $10.
 
pat brennan said:
I happened to notice these (424s) in Canadian Tire on sale this summer, $10 each. Bought 6! Pretty nice, especially for $10.
Click to expand...

Sadly, I have confirmed that Canadian Tire no longer has on-line ordering.

It would cost me more in just gas to drive to where I could buy one.

I guess I'll see what can be done over the phone at the factory. Unless, of course, showing up in person would make that easier . . . :D

 
So, they got here today.

No boxes, no papers, but I wasn't actually expecting any.

Disappointed in the 424. The ricasso rubs against the inside of the scales when it closes, so it doesn't snap closed. Oil doesn't help. It opens just fine, makes a satisfying snap as it locks up. Lock-up is solid.

Now, the blade itself is the original factory edge. It's a mild convex grind and still quite sharp. No complaints there.

I paid more than its "street" value, given that a modern replacement can be had for half that much, but the riveted steel spacer at the foot is worth an extra buck or two. If the closing were clean and snappy, I would be very pleased. In all other respects, its just fine. If I could find a way to relieve the pressure on the ricasso in the closed position without inducing blade wobble or breaking the handle, I'd do that. I'm guessing either abrasion or heat would be involved.


The 426, on the other hand, is very nice, and I am very pleased with it. It's an exquisitely profiled drop-point blade (convex ground).

Seriously, Buck guys, if you're listening, take that old 426 drop-point blade and mount it in an EcoLite handle, call it an Outdoor Knife, and you'll sell a ton of them.

Those of you who have examples of this old 426 blade (pre-1986?) will know what I'm talking about. This blade is more refined than either the Bantam 286 or the BuckLite Max 486. It's a nearly perfect bushcraft profile. It's more in keeping with the 500 profile, but with that extra lean look that another inch gives to it.


The open/close snap is good. Lock-up is tight. No blade play. Some rivet discoloration, but nothing bad.

This one goes immediately into EDC rotation.


Oh, and we're on the subject of pretty drop point blades, a drop point version of the 422 with an EcoLite handle would be very tasty.

Very tasty indeed.

 
Congrats on your nice win. I have this one. It was my first Buck given to me back in the mid-80's. I used it for deer hunting. In recent years I gave it to my son. I noticed that the tip had a slight bend to it when I gave it to him, that must have happened during one of those past hunting seasons, because I hadn't used it for anything else, and that was years ago. Unfortunately the last time I saw it in my sons room the tip had been broken off. He claims that he was just using it normally when it happened, but I wonder if he tried "fixing" it.
Bucklite010b.jpg
 
I have the same knife as DougS. It was what got me started on these forums, when I thought I'd lost it. Picked up another off Ebay and lo and behold, found my original. Send it to Buck. They'll hook you up with another blade if needed. My guess is that a standard 112 blade would work. Your kid would still have a great knife that would last him years if he quits snapping off the tip.
 
Doug, looks like you have a 426 Bucklite... The 112 is the same size as the 422 and the 110 blade is the same size as the 426.... So if you have a 426 you need a 110 blade... The 422 is my favorite Buck knife... I got my first Bucklite 25 year ago or so... :thumbup:

422... my first one and I still have it and the box....
P9120031.jpg
 
ArfinGreebly said:
Okay, I tell myself, just breathe.

Clock is ticking . . . down to 30 seconds . . . okay, now CLICK! Confirm!

And three minutes later . . . CLICK! Confirm!


And what do we have to show for that?

An older (one-dot) green-handled BuckLite 424.

An older (no-dots) green-handled BuckLite 426.


Well, it almost makes up for missing that Buck 500 last week . . . the one that went for less than $50.


Well, guys, how did I do?

Click to expand...

ArfinGreebly, I was watching that 426 and I for got to bid on it... You did good on that one... ITE ... :thumbup:
 
ItsTooEarly said:
ArfinGreebly, I was watching that 426 and I for got to bid on it... You did good on that one... ITE ... :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thanks, ITE. I was kind of dreading having someone else from the forum here chasing it, 'cuz that surely could have driven the price up. It's a fine example of the species.

Speaking of which . . .

The blade on that 426 -- I have seen nothing else in current production in the Buck catalog that matches it. As I pointed out above, the 286 and 486 blades don't match that profile.

The blade as rendered is just a superb general purpose blade for outdoors use. Like I said, very bushcrafty.

Using my thumb and finger as a "pinch caliper" to compare the thickness of the 110 and today's 426 blade (put spines together, pinch gently to feel any difference in thickness), the blade stock is exactly the same thickness for the 110, the new 426, and the old 426.

The blade clearly could be a drop-in replacement for a 110.

But the catalog shows nothing in current production with that same blade -- at least not that I can find.

So, my question is, does Buck currently produce any pattern that uses this blade?

Buck-426-Grn-01.JPG


Buck-426-Grn-02.JPG


Buck-426-Grn-03.JPG



Seriously, I would pay good money for a 110 with that blade, either wood-n-brass or EcoLite. Heck, even in a new 426 chassis if it came to that.

I'm actually surprised at myself for how strongly I feel about the usefulness and broad utility of this blade. I opened the knife for the first time and realized I'd been looking for that blade and never knew it. There was a moment of "ah, that's how it's supposed to look."


Am I alone in this sentiment?

Anyone else love this blade like I do?

 
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AG, I think most of us who like the 426s, 110s, 112s and 422s like the drop point blade... Buck did a short run on the first 426 Bucklites with a drop point blade... I'm not sure how many were made... Leroy R might have some older 426 drop point blades... The BCCI still makes a few Drop point 110s... Have a look at some of my Bucklites... here's a link... ITE

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/722145-I-was-feeling-a-little-lite-today

You can post some pics of your Bucklites on there, if want to... ;)
 
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