Another re-handle project completed... Buck 639

caquino · Jul 5, 2022

I just completed a re-handle of my 639 Fieldmate with stacked leather and a 119 guard & pommel.

This is a project that I've wanted to do for quite some time, but until now I just couldn't work up the guts/gumption to take a perfectly good 639 that are not that common and risk screwing it up. Needless to say, I'm very pleased with the outcome.

brianv · Jul 5, 2022

caquino said:
I just completed a re-handle of my 639 Fieldmate with stacked leather and a 119 guard & pommel.

This is a project that I've wanted to do for quite some time, but until now I just couldn't work up the guts/gumption to take a perfectly good 639 that are not that common and risk screwing it up. Needless to say, I'm very pleased with the outcome.

View attachment 1862694

You have every reason to be pleased!

GPyro · Jul 5, 2022

Well done!
You're pretty talented.

YaArArYa · Jul 5, 2022

I haven't seen that knife before. and to me it looks factory , good stuff!!

Triple_D · Jul 5, 2022

Looks great! I'd love to change the handle on my 639, as I'm not crazy about the Kraton one. I did make a leather sheath for it though.

caquino · Jul 5, 2022

Triple_D said:
Looks great! I'd love to change the handle on my 639, as I'm not crazy about the Kraton one. I did make a leather sheath for it though.

Thanks!

FYI..... This is what they look like naked, after the Kraton handle is removed. Adapting a 119 pommel took some imagination, due to the oversized hole at the end of the tang. I believe the 3 large holes are what's used to anchor the Kraton handle to the tang when overmolded.

pjsjr · Jul 5, 2022

Nice job, great improvement over that Kraton handle.

Triple_D · Jul 5, 2022

caquino said:
Thanks!

FYI..... This what they look like after the Kraton handle is removed. Adapting a 119 pommel takes some imagination, due to the oversize hole at the end of the tang. I believe the 3 large holes are used to anchor the Kraton handle to the tang when overmolded.

A while back, I asked the Buck custom shop if they could convert the handle to something similar to a 119. They said that due to machining, and liability, issues, they could not do it. But it's OK like it is, and basically, has been sitting in a closet since I bought it, back around 1988.

RLB0414 · Jul 6, 2022

Very nice. I have a 639 that was an online purchase. Based on the mold in the sheath and kraton handle the knife and sheath were either put away wet or allowed to get wet while in storage. Both reeked of mold when I received them. Sheath is gone but struggling with knife. Not sure what path to take with it.