An open letter to Buck

Status
Not open for further replies.
LostViking

LostViking

Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
3,431
Dear Buck Knives,
And especially, dear Buck family.

First, let me offer my heartfelt condolences on your loss of Chuck.
It touched me more than I had expected. Perhaps not on the personal level that it touched you folks. But it touched me never the less. I think in part because it reminds me of my own mortality, and how precious every day is. But also because of the way I have come to view Buck Knives.

I received my first Buck Knife over thirty years ago. I was an avid outdoors person. Young and newly married. During the process of building my house. I saw a Buck 102 Woodsman in a case at a gun shop. My wife was with me. I asked if I could see it. After a brief time, I handed it back to the owner. Explaining, I just didn't have the money for it.

It was stunning, with the brass shining bright. The sheath smelled wonderful too.
It was the most beautiful knife I had ever seen at that point in my life. But with bills to pay and a house to finish. It just wasn't in the cards.

The following Christmas, my wife surprised me with that very 102. She had gone back the next day and bought it. She said she had never seen me want something that bad. So she made sacrifices of her own to get it for me. That was a long while ago. I still love that woman.

I also still own and use that Woodsman. It was then, and remains to this day a constant companion. If I went in the woods it was on my side. The guys in fall camp admired it. For me, it was more than just a knife. It became a symbol of everything I hold dear.

Freedom, to go in the woods whenever I wanted. Courage, to go into your own business, and try new things. Innovation, to design things that have stood the test of time, and are still sought after and valued today. I saw that Buck 102 as everything that was good about America.

Back then I saw the United States of America as a place. I loved it then. I still love it today. But I see it differently now. It is not just a place. It is a way of life. The United States is what it is, because of its people, and how they choose to live.

It was and still is, about freedom and adventure. About taking risks and striving for success. It is the American Dream. And I could hold a piece of it in my own hand.

The early years as a young married couple had their challenges. We got busy with life. Trying to carve out our piece of the dream. My 102 did everything I ever asked of it, and looked beautiful doing it. It was all I needed.

I don't remember exactly when. But at some point I got more interested in knives. This industry has exploded. I can only imagine what it takes to remain competitive.

I found interesting new knives from custom makers. And knives from other places. Newer more modern designs. I bought and sold many. Through it all. My little 102 still made it to camp. Cuts veggies for breakfast to this day. Cleaned critters with fins, hooves, and everything in between. Never whimpering or demanding special attention.
After a while, I just took it for granted.

A few months ago, a member here, TAH, posted an old Nacona Boot ad with a Cowboy stepping on a rattlesnake. In his hand was a Buck 124.

I hadn't seen that ad in decades.
But all those old feelings came rushing back. For me, Buck Knives have come to symbolize what I love about this country. That old poster said it all. I purchased a 124 a few days later.

More recently, I added a 50th Anniversary 110, a 105 Pathfinder, and a just last week a 119 Special.

All knives I had lusted over for years, but never bought. For me they are Americana in a sheath.

I have bought and sold a lot of knives. My Bucks are not going anywhere. They are more than the sum of their parts. They are an iconic American Legend. There is a piece of Chuck in every one. And indeed a piece of the entire Buck family. What a proud legacy you folks carry on.

I bought, built, opened, and operated a small retail business. And one of my proudest moments, was when I became a Buck Dealer. I was never a big player, catering to rural hunters, and older gents looking to replace folders they lost to airport security after 911.
But it meant a lot to me.

When I sold my business. I held some Bucks back and gave them as gifts to loyal customers. There were some teary moments.

More recently, I looked at the Selkirk. It is a beautiful knife. I am heavy into woodscraft, camping, and the outdoors. I still spend many hours per week in the woods. The Selkirk seemed the perfect choice for my woods related chores and adventures. But I did not buy it. Instead choosing to purchase a 119 Special.

Not because I believed that the 119 was a better woods knife. Quite the contrary. I think the Selkirk will shine for its intended purpose. But because the 119 Special is another American Icon. Proving once again, that an American made product can withstand both the test of time and fierce competition. It truly is a timeless design.

I keep seeing that Cowboy, in those boots, holding that 124.

It is my sincere hope that someday I will hand off my Buck Knives, one by one, to younger boys, or girls, as the case may be. We went through our own set of medical issues and do not have children of our own.

That is part of my reason for writing this letter. While I don't have children of my own to pass these on to. I hope all future aspiring young woodsmen and woodswomen have the same opportunity I did. To hold an Classic American Legend in their hands.

That in a nutshell is my stumbling block with the Selkirk. It may be a wonderful knife. I am sure it is. It is even a Buck Knife, better yet. But sadly it will never be a Classic American Legend. Because, well, it's not American.

I do not pretend to understand what you folks have to do every day to stay profitable. Which is how you stay in business and keep the doors open. That I do understand.

I don't have all the answers. I don't even know all the questions. But being a somewhat simple man. I do understand what is important to me. I would be willing to spend more, much more, in fact. To own a Selkirk with U.S.A. proudly stamped on the side. As well as other Buck products. Keeping as many jobs here as possible is important to me. More now than ever.

I dare not speak for others, but after seeing some of the feedback on the Selkirk. I believe at least some others feel the same way.

The world has changed a lot since I unwrapped my Woodsman on that snowy Christmas morning. It is certainly more complicated.

I can not fault you folks for making the decisions you have. I can only respectfully thank you for the joy and pride of ownership you have provided me. I applaud you for still allowing the current and hopefully future generations the opportunity to unwrap their own Classic American Legend.

This may go unheard, it may not change a thing. But sometimes I feel the need to say things out loud. It matters enough for me to say it here. Buck Knives and indeed the Buck Family are important to America. Maybe more now than ever before.

I see a Buck Knife as the Flag, the Eagle, the Freedom, and all that goes with them, wrapped up into a beautiful, functional package. I get chills knowing that I can hold that in my hand.

I sincerely thank you for that.

I debated posting this here, or sending a hard copy to Idaho. It remains to be seen whether this was a good choice. I chose this route because I felt folks here should see it. Loyal fans that they are.

I hope that out of respect for the Buck family. Any and all comments that may follow remain civil, thoughtful, and respectful.

If it turns south, I will close it myself or have a mod do it. I hope that does not happen. This is important to me on so many levels. This particular forum on Blade has a special feel to it and I do not wish to upset that cart.

LV,
 
I respect your honesty,I pretty much feel the same way,many of my friends try gift me buck knives because they know I love them,sadly it's usually the China bucks they pick as gifts not knowing any difference.i have yet to carry one of them.
 
I too was interested in the Selkirk but shyed away when I found out it was Chinese made.
 
Lost Viking,

For clarification, is your concern about products made anywhere other than in the USA, or is it just products that are made in China?

Bert
 
I felt the OP's letter was heartfelt and sincere, that being said my opinion on Buck's business plan is well known and perhaps best summed up by the old adage, "You can please some of the people all of the time and you can please all of the people some of the time but you will never please all of the people all of the time". Anyone who believes to the contrary should start their own business and give it a shot.
 
Heartfelt and beautifully written - it says what a lot of us would like to say but don't have the skills to put into words as well as you have. Thank You.
 
I agree with what you're saying Viking, to an extent. I think the folks are trying to keep the doors open though.

I don't think it was Buck's intent for the Selkirk to compete with the 119. Instead, I think it was there intent for the Selkirk to compete with the Gerber/BG and other similar knives with whistles and fire starters... lol

I think if you would have compared the imported 300s to the domestic 300s that would have been a better argument for patriotism and why are they whoring out everything good about domestic Bucks.

Unfortunately, when someone with a boatload of money and potential says "I need something with your Brand on it that I can sell for 1/3 the price of what it's actually worth". You have to find them something with your brand on it, that they can sell for 1/3 the price of the good stuff. After all; the consumer doesn't know. Pretty soon "Buck" becomes synonymous with "China" and perhaps a generation or two down the road no one will remember Buck was made in the U.S.A.

So, I'm okay with Buck competing with the other imported stuff; but competing with themselves is totally unacceptable.


Sorry for the rant, I'm sleep deprived this week.... If it's that bad; delete it please...lol
 
Thanks you for posting this. I think yours is the feeling of most buck folks and red blooded Americans, although we painfully understand how times changes things.
 
Lostviking! What a wonderful letter
A piece worthy to be set in print and framed.
You've hit the core of it all.
Americana should be a living heritage in use and practice
And not something dusty, old and largely forgotten.
The buck family and buck knives typify the pioneering spirit of american enterprise.
It endures because it has become a trusted institution.
This has taken years to build.
So that today it has become an internationally recognised brand.
Which comes to represent amongsts the best of what the united states of america can offer.
I wouldn't worry too much about off shore oems
As these products are not going to replace or be the flagship models in the product range
Of any american cutlery manufacturing company worth its salt.
Even the mainland chinese consumer would rather buy imported goods
It is the educated consumer who buys for value and worth.
And not the manufacturer that dictates and decides what is good for the consumer.
 
"If I buy from Buck it'll be from the U.S.A manufacturing plant here in the States."

The Selkrik is a sign of change, everything changes we just have to accept it and move forward. Even though it's not made in the United states.
I can't stand it either, but, I accept that. I have Chinese made Kitchen knives I accept them, sharpen them and use them without a second thought.

I've bought one Taiwanese made knife, I abused it when I re-kindled my knife addiction :D
then I bought a China made Fixed blade, the quality was bad so I sold it.

Truth is I hide my first knife in a dark corner. :rolleyes:


I went through buying GEC, and Northwoods knives
which were American made, the quality was so much better.
I sold them because my collection was growing too fast :o
I bought a Buck custom shop 112
then a Buck 124.
whats next.


I really enjoyed reading your post Lost Viking, stay safe!
 
What a great letter. Thank you for sharing. I agree that I will never buy a China made Buck knife but I understand they have to do what they have to do.
 
Great letter.....I agree with it, but also realize that Buck must compete with others in the market. Hard to decide which path is best. I am in my mid 50s and Buck was the top line knife sold at stores for many of my years looking at knives. the last 20 years has seen so many new makers out there, that Buck is now just one of many choices you can make. Should they be like Henry Rifles and stick to the all made in the USA even source parts? Maybe, but people tend to pay more attention when they are buying a expensive rifle over a knife. The low end China Bucks are better than most low end knives ( although Rough Rider knives seem to be on par with them). I do understand that some non knife people will not hold the Buck name as dear to the heart as many of us do, but all things seem to change over time....I would rather see Buck continue to be a profitable company still making knies than a sort after collectors brand that went out of business or worst, a name bought out by some company that would then make all chaep knives selling them under the well earned name of Buck. We all know this happened to many other old world brands....
 
Wonderful letter. I think you summed up what many Buck folks are like. For me Buck is more than a knife, its a tradition. I became a lifetime member of the Case knife collectors club about 9 years ago after receiving a Case for Christmas. That re-sparked my interest in knife collecting. Up to that time I had a few Bucks and a Schrade that shared pocket time. I ventured out over the past 9 years and tried and carried various different knives. But I always seem to come back to my Bucks.

I actually went almost completely away from Buck for a couple of years while trying out different things. I don't have a issue with foreign made products as I do have some German and Japanese knives also. I also don't have an issue with Buck making some knives over seas. I realize that many folks don't care where the product is made. If Buck needs to make some over seas to keep the doors open I understand. But for me when I slip a Buck knife in my pocket I "personally" want it to be a USA made one just because that's what I grew up with. Am I living in the past or trying to cling to days gone by? Maybe but oh well.
 
LV,

That was one of the most enjoyable reads that I have ever experienced on Blade Forums.
 
On the money LV. Buck, please take note that there are a lot of us who feel the same. The PR value from saying we design and build ALL our products in the USA can not be underestimated.
 
Among my first knives was a Buck Knight, given to an acquaintance in the Corps. I have a CS Kobun for him, but cannot recall his mailing address....
If the elder Buck was a Christian, nothing to worry about.
 
I collect buck that are made in the USA.
I have no issues with foreign knives I just don't think they are collectable and would never be considered classic.
It would be hippocritical to say I don't buy foreign products because 90 percent of everything I buy is foreign. Including the gm truck I drive that's mainly built in Mexico or canada.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top