Buck ànd Prototypes. .

bucksway

bucksway

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When I first started collecting in 2007 I day dreamed about finding THE prototype 112 and knew that the chance of ever having one was just that, a dream. I've been lucky enough find a few of the samples/prototype of a few 112's. I have a sample of the flag cutout and the 432 and treasure most a engineering test Ecolight made without the brass liner but a real,true example of the original 112....will be to me the Holy Grail knife I could add to my collection. I wanted to ask everyone here to share there experience with Buck prototypes of ANY model. How do they mark them as I've seen engraving on blades a few times or odd configurations of features? Once I seen white paint on a 700 series scale. The story behind prototypes and the development of new models ,how they become the final end product is got to be interesting! So please share what you feel you can because as time passes Buck lore and imformation is lost.
 
I have two 303s that are stamped "Prototype". One is a jigged redbone and the other is a yellow saw cut Delrin. Here is the yellow.

Bert

303 yellow sawcut Delrin 1987 Prototype.jpg
 
That's the first time I have seen that type of pad print. Is that 303 made by Buck in house? I'm not too familiar with Buck 300 series but your prototype is exactly what I was looking to see. Years ago I remember seeing a pic of a 'Proto' that really looked like the seller had took a cheep engraving tool and made his own prototype to justify the extremely high price he was asking.
 
Is that 303 made by Buck in house?
Click to expand...

To be honest, I don't know and I haven't really thought much about it. I have always been under the impression that the yellow saw cut knives were made by Camillus for Buck and for sale through Smoky Mountain. Both the red and yellow knives have a 1987 date stamp and by that time Buck was producing the 303. The yellow production version was from 1988 through 1990.

Maybe someone who has looked into this can add more.

Bert
 
Many collectors like and will value a prototype of the model they collect much higher than a regular example. Marketing samples with features never released to the public show us what might have been. Buck has always given its employees really cool rare knives.
 
Since I collect BuckTools I will start off with a BuckTool Prototype. This was a 360 that Buck tried etching on. As far as Buck knows it is one of two.



 
While we are on 300s these are 4 of the 302 Build Out (prototypes). The blade is stamped 301, not to special but I like them. I use one of the Derlin saw cut, single blade 301s as a user.







 
Most prototypes or salesman samples are not marked as such. Some do not have any stamping on the blade and some are not even sharpened.
Some have test handle scales or etchings and were never put into production and some are just considered one of a kinds or maybe one of just a few made.
Seems like the term prototype or sample is used loosely in these knives. One may be considered or possibly marked "Prototype" while another might be considered a sample depending on who you talk to with no rhyme or reason as to what one.
may be called. Some also are considered as a concept. Employees end up with quite a few knives with certain changes over the standard knife such as addition of a pocket clip or a barehead design.
You also have all the knives that Joe Houser puts together as one of a kinds or maybe just a few made. Very few are actually marked as "Prototype" I only have one which is a 691 Zipper with standard wood handle
but with an etched blade. It is either etched 1st production year in Idaho or last production year in California. I would have to get the knife out in order to make sure which it is.

The crosslock on the far right is considered a concept while the one next to it with the green wood scales is a prototype. Neither one is marked as such however.

S8whU7W.jpg


Here is a barehead 532 in pearl with pocket clip and a barehead stag 532 with pocket clip. Are these considered a concept, prototype, or samples? Or just a rare variation? Purchased from a retired 30 year employee.

NrbWQ8t.jpg


l5lowjM.jpg
 
I agree with gedlicks, most Buck things are most likely one off or some thing some one put together. I do have a 110 Bone Script that is designated as a Prototype as per the COA, it is not marked prototype.







This is what the final 110 looks like.
 
That's the prototype off a wooden handled 118.
When Joe H. saw this pictures he wrote he did not
knew Buck ever made a wooden handled 118. The
production started roundabout 30 years later.

Haebbie

A07E317C-017D-4ED0-A587-1E27810CDCE1_zpsiab2xr9h.jpg


B35C6D82-E82E-4480-B883-50B8B49C5F79_zpsmgo4ksxr.jpg
 
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I think gedlicks makes an important point; the term "prototype" is used pretty loosely. The two 303s I have marked "prototype" aren't really anything different other than having different scale materials. There are quite a few one-offs, but even those aren't what I would call a prototype. I think the term prototype should be reserved for something that represents a true structural change and later became a production model. I have a 317 with handle pins that was produced in very limited numbers in 1972, but I can't even think of that as a prototype. Sure, it was made in a very limited quantity and is generally called a "salesman sample" but it wasn't a prototype; the prototypes were similar knives made by Camillus and others. That knife just had the Buck name and characteristic slanted bolsters.

Nevertheless, it's fun to have something a little different that was made in limited numbers.

Bert
 
I have a photo of the first five BCCI 301s in BG42 made. None were marked prototype. The only difference were none were etched with BCCI logo. But, since half of the order ended up not being etched, they really can't be called anything but the first five made. They were assembled by the Custom shop for BCCI using both special and standard parts. I guess those five would just be the first five the custom shop got done but shown for approval before going forward with all of the order.

I agree with the astute statements made above. We, including me, have been loose calling knives salesman's samples and prototypes. As explained unless it comes in a box marked proto, or is etched on the blade, in the way Buck etches them then I would be suspect. Pad printing can happen other places, I would really be careful paying big money for a printed blade proto unless it has a correct history and comes from a established and connected Buck source. To my knowledge if a knife like Bert's above has a blade that is date stamped it is a Buck assembled knife. None of the knives made by Camillus have ever been date stamped, nor have any special ordered from Camillus by SMKWs that are stamped BUCK, Model number, U.S.A.. I would evaluate Bert's knife as a early production yellow. Or a prototype if it is marked on box or blade. Just as some of the early made Buck 300s were made in late 1985 with no date stamp. They will be undated but be made in the manner Buck made them not as Camillus made them. (i.e. small nail nic). It is a confusing area for collecting, I would recommend that someone who finds the subject interesting collect photo and written information where they can to back up their collection IDs.

I have only a couple that will fall into one of the categories. I will see if PhotoBucket will let me have a photo.
300
 
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I have learned a lot from this thread already! I hope all of you who have Buck samples/prototypes/concept knives share so we all have a better understanding of what the real thing looks like if we see one. There is so many fakes out in the market we all need to increase our knowledge base. This forum truly is the best resource for the history of the knives we love so muc and the company that makes them. Please tell the back story of your knife if you know and can share it.
 
Is the upper knife a prototype? Buck checked out the bear etching on a blade with a blood grove. Later the knife came in production without grove.

Haebbie

Buck119Dymondwoodrechts.jpg
 
Here is a 560, auto, I accquired some years ago here on this forum. I truly doubt that it is a Buck Prototype...but...it makes for interesting speculation and is an interesting piece. The blade has been polished, after the printing, I think, 'cause the lettering is weak. I wasn't able to get the lettering on the opposing side to show up, but what I can make out is C. M. K., spacing, E.K. Preston
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Seriously?? Now I gotta add another list of knives to look for in my collection.....this sickness is killing me. I'm gonna have to sell an organ at some point.....
 
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