Alpha Hunter Folder Info Needed

Airedale1

Airedale1

Joined
May 18, 2009
Messages
28
i bought this Alpha Hunter a long time ago and it's been sitting in a drawer for too long.
I watched a YouTube review of one the other day and noticed that the one in the video had a hex shaped lanyard opening on one side. Mine is round on both sides and mine is ATS-34 with the BOS heat treat. Did all ATS-34's have the BOS? Why no hex shape lanyard opening?

I'm hoping someone on here can put a rough date to mine and tell me a bit more about it. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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Your knife is the model 277 Folding Alpha Hunter and was made in the year 2002 as indicated by the 'anvil' stamped on the tang after USA. That was also the first year for the Alpha Hunter Series which was in the catalog thru about 2014. Was also available in standard 420HC steel and a rubber handle as the model 279. Guthook versions were the 276 and 278. Different steel were offered later progressing thru 12C27 and finally S30V the last few years. ALL Buck knives have heat treatment developed by Paul Bos but they only put the trademarked logo on knives with non standard steels. I have only seen the hex lanyard hole on the survival/tactical knife types. Don't think I've ever seen that feature on the Alpha Hunter series but I may be wrong. Buck did have a hex bit set in the catalog, not sure of the years.

edit.. a quick check of the price lists finds the rubber handled version #279 to continue in the catalog thru 2019.
 
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After Mr. Hubbard's comment I searched the closet and found a 2013 #277...yes it has a hex but you have to turn it over to see it. The hex is only on the back side and does not pass thru... it's round on the front so easily missed (by me). Possibly a feature for bit retention?
 
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DeSotoSky said:
Your knife is the model 277 Folding Alpha Hunter and was made in the year 2002 as indicated by the 'anvil' stamped on the tang after USA. That was also the first year for the Alpha Hunter Series which was in the catalog thru about 2014. Was also available in standard 420HC steel and a rubber handle as the model 279. Guthook versions were the 276 and 278. Different steel were offered later progressing thru 12C27 and finally S30V the last few years. ALL Buck knives have heat treatment developed by Paul Bos but they only put the trademarked logo on knives with non standard steels. I have only seen the hex lanyard hole on the survival/tactical knife types. Don't think I've ever seen that feature on the Alpha Hunter series but I may be wrong. Buck did have a hex bit set in the catalog, not sure of the years.

edit.. a quick check of the price lists finds the rubber handled version #279 to continue in the catalog thru 2019.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for your reply; it is greatly appreciated. Great info!
 
DeSotoSky said:
After Mr. Hubbard's comment I searched the closet and found a 2013 #277...yes it has a hex but you have to turn it over to see it. The hex is only on the back side and does not pass thru... it's round on the front so easily missed (by me). Possibly a feature for bit retention?
Click to expand...
There is a retaining ring inside of the unit between the spacers to snap the bit into place. Thus the one sided design.

Jeff
 
Airedale1 said:
i bought this Alpha Hunter a long time ago and it's been sitting in a drawer for too long.
I watched a YouTube review of one the other day and noticed that the one in the video had a hex shaped lanyard opening on one side. Mine is round on both sides and mine is ATS-34 with the BOS heat treat. Did all ATS-34's have the BOS? Why no hex shape lanyard opening?

I'm hoping someone on here can put a rough date to mine and tell me a bit more about it. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

APaguI8.jpg


IYO9603.jpg


4XPFYiX.jpg


fPeIoPY.jpg


8zbgvkU.jpg
Click to expand...
I really like the Alpha Hunter folders. I had one with the hex lanyard hole and it may have been my youtube video that you saw since I pointed it out. The original I carried for 10 years it was in Bucks standard steel 420 I think it didn't say. It is a very tough blade. I cut lots of steel banding with it and it never showed any wear from that abuse no scratches or anything. It was hard to sharpen like many Bucks tend to be. The knife is a real work horse. I changed scales so I could the horizontal carry sheath I had in the video if that was my video. The knife is heavy but has many features that can be useful. The frame is tough as a tank. Cheers to the designer.
 
Here is my alpha 276. I thought i bought it around 2002 but based on the T, (which i previously thought was just part of the model number) it is a 2003 model if i understand correctly.

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Ive used it a lot of the years. Not so much these days though. When i was younger, the guthook was useful for fishing chores, but got in the way with everyday tasks. I dont do much fishing these days so it lays around mostly.
 
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