Availability of Vintage NIB Buck Knives?

TAH

TAH

Joined
Jul 3, 2001
Messages
6,135
Has anyone else noticed NIB knives from the 70s are getting more difficult to find? Even a few years ago, it was pretty easy to find nearly any model on eBay that was NIB. Sure they pop up from time to time, but they're getting more scarce and when they do come to market, the price is outrageous. I've been keeping my eye out for a NIB 107 Scout (with bolsters) and a 317 Trailblazer (at a reasonable price). They're few and far between.

Now, I realize I could buy a used knife and send it to the spa, but a used knife usually comes with a sheath that is pretty tired. :grumpy:
 
Yes, I'm noticing that. At our last show a lady stopped to look at my display and ask. 'How much for that knife?' I said, 'ma'am these knives aren't for sale as they are my display knives.' She said, 'do you have a spare of that one?' And pointed to an early original 107. I said, some I do have spares and that is one. She say, 'ok how much you want for it?' I said it's my spare and I hold them for replacement. She said, 'how much does that one run?' I said 100. She said, 'and where can I get it?'
She was serious and ready to buy it. She had been looking for one for some time and having found one she was ready to purchase it. I didn't have the box or papers. She wanted to use it for a kitchen paring knife. DM
 
The lack of box and paperwork isn't a deal breaker for me, but I do prefer knives and sheaths in new condition. Regarding the 107, using it has a kitchen knife is my intention as well.
 
I've recently sold close to 30 NIB 110s from 1978-1978 and 1980.
One guy bought eleven of them.
I just had way too many.
I've kept a variety of the NIB 110s for myself and my collection though.
 
TAH, have you tried searching for a 4" Buck knife as the same knife was in the Empress Trio set. Those sets are often broken up and sold individually. You'll know it if it has the old English script stamp. By the time Buck offered it as a separate model (1976) it had a block letter stamp with the model number (107). Just no pouch sheath. DM
 
After been a fan of Buck knives since boyhood, I've come to the collector side of them a bit late to the party, so I've no sense of comparison, but some models do seem pretty scarce or quite spendy. I was able to take advantage of the sale Stumps had and pick up some nice pieces I wanted. I found a 317 online, in good shape, but I'm going to send it in for a spa. It wasn't priced horrible, but not real cheap either. I didn't get a sheath with it or anything, and it appears near impossible to find just a sheath for one. One well. Thrill of the hunt and all that.

I really would like to make it to one of the shows some time. The small gun shows we have around here will generally have a few used knives of various pedigrees but often in pretty well beat condition. Then it is as if the seller sees you looking at it, the price automatically doubles. So it's rare to find a good score. Plenty of those outsourced Pakistani Buck 110's though. Cheap too! Lol. :)
 
Joe58 said:
After been a fan of Buck knives since boyhood, I've come to the collector side of them a bit late to the party, so I've no sense of comparison, but some models do seem pretty scarce or quite spendy. I was able to take advantage of the sale Stumps had and pick up some nice pieces I wanted. I found a 317 online, in good shape, but I'm going to send it in for a spa. It wasn't priced horrible, but not real cheap either. I didn't get a sheath with it or anything, and it appears near impossible to find just a sheath for one. One well. Thrill of the hunt and all that.

I really would like to make it to one of the shows some time. The small gun shows we have around here will generally have a few used knives of various pedigrees but often in pretty well beat condition. Then it is as if the seller sees you looking at it, the price automatically doubles. So it's rare to find a good score. Plenty of those outsourced Pakistani Buck 110's though. Cheap too! Lol. :)
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Joe…if this sheath is acceptable it would be my pleasure to send it to you.





 
Over the last few years I will buy vintage Bucks on the bay that are in very good shape without signs of abuse. I will buff out bolster and pommel if needed. I also buff out the sheaths, put a layer of snow seal on them. Once that sets I'll hit it with either black or brown shoe polish and hand buff it out. They usually turn out pretty good. Not NIB, but still very nice. And since they're not NIB I will be much more apt to use them.
 
You guys are making me feel a little guilty. I have privately said to a few, if I wanted to get all the good knives I should have never shared any information with other people. But, that's just not in my heart. I do think the info I have written about, photographed and posted here and there has increased knowledge on 300's and made them more desirable to other folks. I have noticed the same thing with some other models by the posting of info by other Buck forum folks. So, I readily admit I was lucky and got to find some of the knives in the "fresh fields" of the late 80's and 90's. I got to get some special editions when they first came out. When Ebay was a new thing not many people used it and good old knives were more common and cheaper too, when gun and knife shows were in every town and you weren't made to feel like a terrorist for attending. I say lets just keep on keeping on and I will give everyone a yell of success when they show a good 300. 300
 
New yellow two piece boxes give me a ____ on. Yeah can't wait to see what is inside it. :p:D :thumbup:
 
Joe58 said:
Sent you pm Stumps....tnx
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Yessir - you're correct about that. Brother Stumps was able to help me out with a much appreciated Christmas present however. Most grateful and my naked 317 will now have some clothing. :)

Merry Xmas forumits!
 
David Martin said:
TAH, have you tried searching for a 4" Buck knife as the same knife was in the Empress Trio set. Those sets are often broken up and sold individually. You'll know it if it has the old English script stamp. By the time Buck offered it as a separate model (1976) it had a block letter stamp with the model number (107). Just no pouch sheath. DM
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Thanks David. I always wondered about the English script. I'm looking for the block letter 107 with sheath.
 
I've got this unused, unsharpened 120 NIB. Its been setting in a drawer for over 30 years.


DSC00280_zpsbb1d5998.jpg
 
DDDWho said:
Are you a Coasty? Me 1960-64, 11th district USCG Air Station San Diego and USCGC Minnetonka (now scrapped)
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My Father retired from the Coast Guard after putting in 20 years. Retired in 1969. He is now 84 and going strong. The Coast Guard helped in making him a great man. We moved around alot when I was younger bouncing around
the Oregon and New York coasts as well as the Philippines. It was great growing up in that atmosphere. We lived at the Cape Mears lighthouse for some time while my Father where he was the last lighthouse keeper. After him
the lighthouse was changed over to automatic and needed no keeper to keep it going. It was a great place to live. We had a pet deer named Olly. He liked Olympia Beer hence the name.
 
gedlicks said:
My Father retired from the Coast Guard after putting in 20 years. Retired in 1969. He is now 84 and going strong. The Coast Guard helped in making him a great man. We moved around alot when I was younger bouncing around
the Oregon and New York coasts as well as the Philippines. It was great growing up in that atmosphere. We lived at the Cape Mears lighthouse for some time while my Father where he was the last lighthouse keeper. After him
the lighthouse was changed over to automatic and needed no keeper to keep it going. It was a great place to live. We had a pet deer named Olly. He liked Olympia Beer hence the name.
Click to expand...

I wish this forum had a "like" option
 
Hey Who,

Good looking 120. Does it have 2 or 3 spacers?

Also, check the last post on the Buck "Survival" Knife? thread.
 
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