Another Akonua age question

C

country101

Joined
Jul 11, 2011
Messages
9
I was wanting to verify the age of my akonua. I believe it to be an '81 model from what I have read on here, but I cant quite find all the information in one thread to verify. I don't have a picture available right now to post or I would. If it is needed, I will get one later when I get home.

It has no year symbol, so I know it is older than '86. It has the rosewood handle, but with the rounded/curved bolster. I don't know when exactly they started using that instead of the micarta. I think I read that they changed the handles and bolsters around the same time, but the person couldn't verify if there was any overlap or not. Is all this correct and is there anything else that might help age it?
 
A lot of changes taking place in the 81/82 time period... the handle material changed, the guard shape changed, and the steel changed from 440C to 425m.

I looked up the model history on the BCCI website. The blade steel changed to 425m in 1981 and the handle changed to red birch in 1982. The variation you have with the old style pointed guard and the Birch handles are pretty scarce so the guard must have changed not too long after the handle change. I would say that dates your knife to approximately 1982.

edit & afterthought (4/28) ..... The reason you can get slightly different answers to this question from knowledgeable collectors is the nature of the data and the process. There are two accepted sources both located on the Buck Collectors website. The first is a model specification sheet found under the model history heading. This data sheet suggests the change to Birch takes place in 1982. The second, and probably newer source is a 401/402 model history written by Joe Houser in 2007. Houser attributes the change to birch as 1981. There is a disconnect between when Engineering changes are decided, when existing parts are used up and the manufacturing change actually takes place, When the change is officially noted on the engineering specification sheets can possibly be another date entirely. Joe's article notes an engineering change for the guard in 1980 but we know that change did not actually take place until after the handles changed to birch. I have seen too many Kalingas and Akonua's with birch handles and early style pointed guards to be an accident, yes, they are scarce and hard to find but certainly not hens teeth either. 1981 or 1982, take your pick, either way you know the age of your knife within a year.
 
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Thanks for the reply DeSotoSky. From what I read, that's about what I was figuring. I thought the guard changed in '81 from someone's post years ago is why I was thinking that year.

Does that combination add any value to the knife that you know of? Personally, I like the looks better and rarer is usually better, but from my few days worth of looking for this knife I have not seen much difference in price between any of the variations other than the limited editions and the guitar style.
 
Thanks. I have seen a lot of info in various threads, but sifting through it to find specifics was pretty tedious. Some of the info might be in a Kalinga thread or it might have to be compiled from several threads, etc. Thanks for the help.

Here is a picture of what I have, just for reference. It will stay in its current condition. I bought another one to actually use. Someone didnt know what they were doing with a stone and marked up the blade pretty good, but it's not bad enough to ruin it for use. It just doesnt look as good. I spent about 2 minutes with it on the worksharp and it is shaving, but there is a pretty good amount of stone marks that are still showing. I need to polish the brass a little and look into getting a sheath made for it so I can carry it. The original sheath is horrid.

IMG_20160428_152306_zpsk3iis5po.jpg


IMG_20160428_152306_zpsk3iis5po.jpg
 
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Right click and open in a new tab. That's the only way I know how to view it. I loaded it on photobucket and copied the link and then used the insert image. I thought that's just the way it was since I see that little icon all around the site when I have searched things. The firewall at work wont let me do a lot of things so I dont know what I can do to try to fix it.
 
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I have tried it several different ways, so I dont know why it is not displaying right. I copied the link from my app both as a direct link and an image link and copied what you sent me in your email that I just read.

Is there a post limit before pictures can be posted?
 
country101 said:
I have tried it several different ways, so I dont know why it is not displaying right. I copied the link from my app both as a direct link and an image link and copied what you sent me in your email that I just read. Is there a post limit before pictures can be posted?
Click to expand...

I think I know what is wrong. Go into your PhotoBucket Album settings and uncheck "IMG thumb" and check "IMG code". I would also check the Easy Linking Mode box. Don't bother checking any of the other boxes on the Album Settings page unless you use them.

Now that we can see your knife... you've got a nice scarce transitional Akonua there. Good find... :thumbup:
OH... and welcome to the BUCK forum.
 
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I dont see that setting in the app. I had the album set to private and have changed it to public. I will go to the website on my phone and try to find the setting you are talking about.
 
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