All stainless Buck 186??

C

Convex

Joined
May 7, 2009
Messages
57
Hello, I'm very new here. I was wondering if anyone could give me some info on an unusual 186 that I've acquired recently.

The knife appears to be an all stainless 186 with a four dot blade. The clip and handle are not the typical cast Ti, but seem to have been fabricated from 11 ga SS sheet. The holes are machined thru (skeletonized) and chamfered (approx 1/16"). It lacks the lower finger guard typical of the 186 / 560 model, and is not designed to be taken apart (no screws - it uses the rolled rivets of the 560). The handle does not have the "Buck" logo anywhere on it. All parts of the knife are 1/8" thick: scales, clip, blade, lock, spacers.

The entire knife is bead blasted, blade handle, lock bar, etc. Definitely not satin. The overall fit and finish is excellent Buck level quality.

If I can figure out how to post some pix, I will put some up ASAP. Any help with ID would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for a great forum, it is the wellspring of info on Buck knives on the Internet. Keep up the good work guys!:thumbup::thumbup:
 
It will help tremendously if you can figure out how to post pictures.

I use photobucket and have few problems posting pics with that.
 
If you can't figure out the picture posting, email it to me and I'll stick it up for you.
 
Sorry, got an account on photobucket, thnx Stumps, do I just post the link here?

photobucket.com/user/zoeshiv19/library/?sort=3&page=1

Hope that worked..
 
Hmmmm... Link doesn't look active. Howdya do that?
Geez, I sound like a total noob :o
 
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Copy from "direct link" then click on the picture symbol on the bar under quick reply and paste
 
Interesting folder. It looks like it was made by a skilled craftsman using a vintage Buck blade. And it looks heavy. Very heavy. Even the clip is as thick as a brick. Your version of the 186/560 is missing the pronounced hawk's head finger guard that serves to keep your fingers from sliding onto the blade during a push cut or stab.

How did you come by it?

I don't see any maker's mark. I wonder if Leroy had a hand in its construction...
 
I will sir, thanks so much :thumbup:

Here's some background on the knife..

This was sold with another knife, a 560, which was allegedly a factory prototype with a Damascus blade, standard gray Titanium handle. That one was also a 110 blade, but with the downward arrow indicating 1989 manufacture. It was supposedly made as a test of whether Buck would produce a Damascus 560, which they subsequently never did.

Google / Worthpoint search showed there was indeed one other damascus 560 made by the custom shop much later on stamped Buck/Custom/USA, "Designer's Choice" on the reverse. According to that seller, it was purchased as a one of a kind from the legendary Joe Houser at a knife show. Anyway, I digress..

The stainless 186 and the 1989 Damascus blade 560 were both sold as Buck 110's with only the yellow post it note info on each as the description. I was told that the the 186 was a pre production mock up from the original set of 4 dot blades that Phrobis received from Buck during the design phase of the 186. Not sure if it was made by Buck or Phrobis, but it was before the Ti cast handles were made.

Now, did this guy just feed me a line, or is this indeed a one off early prototype?
 
Thanks guys, yes def one to go in the pine box with me ;)

Oregon, this thing is a boat anchor! But believe it or not, it doesn't feel awkward to handle or carry.
I got it from an online gun parts dealer on Evilbay. I did not buy the Damascus 560. Wife would've probably used it to kill me if I bought two knives like that!

But yes, I too wonder if Mr Remer had something to do with this.. How can I find out? Talk to Joe?
 
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I was watching both on ebay few weeks ago didnt bring a great amount..
I was expecting much more.
 
Probably because people have not seen one or thought it was a home made jobby.
What i would do is contact joe houser at BUCK and see if he has any ideas too.
 
Joe Houser & Leroy Remer will both be in Post Falls for the BCCI 25th so you could carry it to there and discuss its history in person. Or take it to a show where one or both are present closer to your Florida location. The seller may have more to say. Hoever, I bet that porterkids knows something so you could give him a ping @ his forum http://quarterbore.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=67
 
Thanks for the heads up, I sent an email to quarterbore, hopefully Porterkids will contact me soon.

Maybe I could get in touch with Joe Houser, or Leroy Remer thru email or here on this thread.... Don't see a trip to Idaho in our future, lol..
 
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