BOS S30V mini alpha hunter ?

[postfallsidaho]

That is a very nice collection! You seem to know your knives, so I'm really hoping that your Mini Alpha is the real thing. Many things have come out of Buck's factory that most people aren't aware of such as the 119 build out with charcoal handles and an ATS-34 blade, also the 118 with a D2 blade. Could be your's is something like that.

moment ago, i compare to the 151/172/498....etc, i find the logo of bos s30v in 196 is same to 498's , totally full , color and size and font........this is good.

:thumbup: yes, very nice collection!! You have good taste in cutlery

I would say that is good! Sounds like you came across a nice rare mini alpha!!!

 

[xia63]

That is a very nice collection! You seem to know your knives, so I'm really hoping that your Mini Alpha is the real thing. Many things have come out of Buck's factory that most people aren't aware of such as the 119 build out with charcoal handles and an ATS-34 blade, also the 118 with a D2 blade. Could be your's is something like that.

hehe,thank you Dave,very much.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

the 118 made from D2, is issued for a short time at BUCK's website (web specials) last year .
the 119 you said made from ats-34 , i have seen one on ebay last year......only once until now. i love it , just for deep stamped ats-34 that means the process from BUCK own traditional method, not bos ats-34.this is from my experience of using 181. so hard, so good retention.......:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Joe Houser]

I took a look at the pictures and really cant tell for sure if the knife is real. I need to talk to a few people here at Buck and see if I can find some background on etching vs stamping. I know that in some cases we prefer to etch the premium steels because they dont like being stamped. But I dont remember ever seeing a mini Alpha with that etch.

 

[Plumberdv]

I took a look at the pictures and really cant tell for sure if the knife is real. I need to talk to a few people here at Buck and see if I can find some background on etching vs stamping. I know that in some cases we prefer to etch the premium steels because they dont like being stamped. But I dont remember ever seeing a mini Alpha with that etch.

How about one made from S30V? Is that a possibility?

 

[xia63]

I took a look at the pictures and really cant tell for sure if the knife is real. I need to talk to a few people here at Buck and see if I can find some background on etching vs stamping. I know that in some cases we prefer to etch the premium steels because they dont like being stamped. But I dont remember ever seeing a mini Alpha with that etch.

thank you sir. Your word make me more worried.

i hate the laser etched, especially the steel model, because it's too easy to remove, even fake. especially the custom shop produce edition.

Earlier this year, i got some custom edition 110 from my seller that 110 was made from bos s30v .
"when we choose the style of inscriptions, we were told by BUCK not to stamp the bos fire logo. only using laser etch. because it may cause more defective products ....." , this is the seller said to me.
so, i was forced to accept these products, you can see them at: http://xia63.blog.163.com/album/#m=1&aid=206712667&p=1

but I knew these are not BUCK's traditional style.

i miss the old style, especially custom edition from custom shop, such as "designer's chioce" and stamped steel model. this is very trusted.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

maybe we can suggest BUCK to increase anti-counterfeiting technology to avoid fake.

 

[Plumberdv]

The 110's certainly look authentic right down to the COA. The strange thing to me is (but what do I know) the laser etched S30V. I have two very recent custom shop 110's (within the last couple of months) and several older ones and every one of them has it stamped, not etched.

The etch does look identical to the one on the Paradigm and Vantage Pro's, on which both sides are laser etched, not stamped. I have another CS 110 in S30V on the way, so when it gets here, we'll see if they have changed methods lately. If this is true: "we were told by BUCK not to stamp the bos fire logo. only using laser etch. because it may cause more defective products ....." , I'd be interested in why that isn't an option given to anyone ordering off Bucks site or why if stamping causes problems, they don't just switch methods on all of them?

 

[postfallsidaho]

The 110's certainly look authentic right down to the COA. The strange thing to me is (but what do I know) the laser etched S30V. I have two very recent custom shop 110's (within the last couple of months) and several older ones and every one of them has it stamped, not etched.

The etch does look identical to the one on the Paradigm and Vantage Pro's, on which both sides are laser etched, not stamped. I have another CS 110 in S30V on the way, so when it gets here, we'll see if they have changed methods lately. If this is true: "we were told by BUCK not to stamp the bos fire logo. only using laser etch. because it may cause more defective products ....." , I'd be interested in why that isn't an option given to anyone ordering off Bucks site or why if stamping causes problems, they don't just switch methods on all of them?

I would also be curious to know how or why they etch some and stamp others. The new Ergo knives I acquired (including the folder) are all etched. It makes it tough on the end user! Maybe its a 2010 changeover? I remember a couple years back when I bought my first Gen 5 and it was also etched not stamped, I got concerned that something was not quite right at first....

 

[Plumberdv]

I would also be curious to know how or why they etch some and stamp others. The new Ergo knives I acquired (including the folder) are all etched. It makes it tough on the end user! Maybe its a 2010 changeover? I remember a couple years back when I bought my first Gen 5 and it was also etched not stamped, I got concerned that something was not quite right at first....

There's also a fairly recent thread, where Joe (or someone from Buck) stated that they didn't like stamping both sides of premium steels because it could cause fractures or something.

 

[BG42EDGE]

I CAN'T WAIT to see what Joe has to say about that "Custom" 110 with the S30V etched way out on the blade.

Then again, why would anybody create a fake that perfect and then blow it with that silly-looking etch???

Quite a mystery, this "fake" Buck Custom that doesn't look like a fake.

This is why I never buy anything that's etched, BTW.

 

[BG42EDGE]

There's also a fairly recent thread, where Joe (or someone from Buck) stated that they didn't like stamping both sides of premium steels because it could cause fractures or something.

Well, maybe not all premium steels.

I think we could safely modify that to say they can't stamp S30V or other "powdered" steels on both sides because those steels have some odd weaknesses.

But we've already had the S30V discussion on this forum and agreed to disagree.

 

[xia63]

hi,guys

as you see my pics about 110(s30v), you can not read any "s30v" in certification card.
so try to think this: to order the custom 110, just use 420HC, then, laser etch the bos s30v on it........look, this was changed to custom 110 made from bos s30v.........

so, is it look like a fake now?

 

[Plumberdv]

hi,guys

as you see my pics about 110(s30v), you can not read any "s30v" in certification card.
so try to think this: to order the custom 110, just use 420HC, then, laser etch the bos s30v on it........look, this was changed to custom 110 made from bos s30v.........

so, is it look like a fake now?

Now there's a possibility that had not occured to me. It would probably be quick, easy and profitable to do for someone with the equipment.

 

[BG42EDGE]

Well, since S30V only costs $13.50 more than 420HC in the Custom Shop......it wouldn't make much difference.

All the Buck steel (including 420HC) gets that "BOS" heat treat anyway, and I don't think most people see S30V as anything real special (and the price proves it).

My concern goes far beyond the steel, because if someone can build a fake Custom 110 that looks that real--with perfect papers, etc., it undermines that whole market for Buck Custom Shop stuff--new, used, everything would be suspect.

I think the real question is this: is somebody in China making Bucks so perfect that you can't tell them from Bucks?

 

[Plumberdv]

hi,guys

as you see my pics about 110(s30v), you can not read any "s30v" in certification card.
so try to think this: to order the custom 110, just use 420HC, then, laser etch the bos s30v on it........look, this was changed to custom 110 made from bos s30v.........

so, is it look like a fake now?

That scenario could also explain the strange location of the Bos S30V etch on the blade. It would probably be a lot easier to put it there rather than right next to the bloster where the stamp is, with the blade already in the knife.

 

[BG42EDGE]

hi,guys

as you see my pics about 110(s30v), you can not read any "s30v" in certification card.
so try to think this: to order the custom 110, just use 420HC, then, laser etch the bos s30v on it........look, this was changed to custom 110 made from bos s30v.........

so, is it look like a fake now?

The placement of the etch spoils the deception.

Get that right and you'll have made the knife worth $13.50 more........(of course, you'll have to deduct your etching cost from the 13.50 profit).

And......since I don't think S30V is a great steel anyway.......I'd actually be LESS likely to buy the doctored up knife.

 

[xia63]

Now there's a possibility that had not occured to me. It would probably be quick, easy and profitable to do for someone with the equipment.

yeah, i agree.

in my mind, if must using laser etch technology, at least, BUCK should write all of detial feature and information in card to certifacate their products, for consumer protection. especially for BUCK fans.:thumbup:

 

[BG42EDGE]

Now........if they start adding fake BG-42 stamps along the top left side of the blade........

THEN I AM REALLY GOING TO GO BALLISTIC!!!!!!

 

[BG42EDGE]

in my mind, if must using laser etch technology, at least, BUCK should write all of detial feature and information in card to certifacate their products, for consumer protection. especially for BUCK fans.

Making up fake certificates is no great challenge, so that wouldn't help.

I ask again, why would anybody go to all the trouble of adding the S30V etch (even in the CORRECT place) to make a knife worth $13.50 more?

(Minus the cost of etching.)

Scammers want WAY bigger profits than that.

I certainly hope you weren't scammed into paying a lot more for that S30V etch.

I'd be far more concerned about the whole knife being counterfeit.

 

[xia63]

The placement of the etch spoils the deception.

Get that right and you'll have made the knife worth $13.50 more........(of course, you'll have to deduct your etching cost from the 13.50 profit).

And......since I don't think S30V is a great steel anyway.......I'd actually be LESS likely to buy the doctored up knife.

.....but, you are wrong......

in my mind , 110, admittedly is my favorite model from childhood, PAUL BOS is the expert who worth to remeber and respect, especially he will retire, S30V is the latest high-top steel using by BUCK.......so ,all of this reason, drive the price of custom 110(s30v) to higher in so many BUCK fans. even maybe beyond the regular 110le . should say, fraud is very profitable, so far $13.50 can match.....

another point, this is so rare in China, because custom edition whole using high-top steel is only comes from the BUCK custom shop , this gives the motivation to make fake.

 

[BG42EDGE]

Hmmmmm.......nobody ever told me I was WRONG before!!!



I see what you mean about the scarcity of Buck Customs in China making it profitable in China. I guess they believe all the hype about S30V in China, too.



So......I am now understanding that you think the 110 was a genuine item from the Buck Custom Shop.......and that only the S30V etch was fake.

Here's my heartfelt good advice to make you feel better: FIRST.......keep in mind that S30V is only $13.50 more in the Custom Shop.........THEN......get that knife to a good knifemaker and have him buff the etch off the blade.

Then you will have a legitimate Buck Custom in BOS treated 420HC and.......

THATS A KNIFE TO BE PROUD OF AT ANY PRICE!

Off topic......I'm sure the people here would enjoy hearing more about the knife market in China, especially the latest news on FAKE BUCKS which is always a topic of great interest here.

I'm curious as to where (city and factory) Buck gets it's legitimate China-manufactured Bucks made.

Perhaps you know?

Thanks for all your information......it's valuable.