Buck 102 Spa Question

M

Mr. Tettnanger

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Jul 14, 2012
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I've been on a bit of a Buck binge lately! I just got an older 102 in that has a blade that is in pretty rough shape. I've only ever sent folders in for the spa treatment, never a fixed. If I send this in, will they tidy up the blade to take all of the horrible grind marks and scratches out or merely sharpen the edge and clean it? I have also recently acquired 120, 119, and 103 that I might send in to get a proper edge on so that I have something to work with later.

Also, any ideas of the age or date of this ugly duckling? It appears to have two pins in the bottom pommel, and brown spacers.

Thank you!









 
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I've not seen one with 2 pins in the pommel. Yours looks like it does. The stamp and spacer material puts it's mfg. at 1968-1970. Even early 1971 is not out of it's range. Buck should have someone skilled with a hollow grind wheel and sisal buff. Who could take nearly all those marks out. You been hitting flea markets?
As you accumulating a number of beat up models. DM
 
USA was added to the tang stamp in 1967 and the spacers changed from fiber to micarta in 1969. That dates your knife 1967 to 1969. There are not two pins, the second larger plug fills a cosmetic defect in the pommel casting. Note that it is only on 1 side. Usually less noticible when the pommel is polished.

Looks like David typed faster than I did.... :)
Seems we disagree slightly on dating.
 
David Martin said:
I've not seen one with 2 pins in the pommel. Yours looks like it does. The stamp and spacer material puts it's mfg. at 1968-1970. Even early 1971 is not out of it's range. Buck should have someone skilled with a hollow grind wheel and sisal buff. Who could take nearly all those marks out. You been hitting flea markets?
As you accumulating a number of beat up models. DM
Click to expand...

Thank you for the help David!

I've gotten the 103, 119, and 120 in knife/gear trades. The 102 I picked up on the big bidding site. I was looking for an older model 102 to go with my older 103. Plus, the sheath had BOB stamped above the Buck logo and Bob being my first name, I threw a bid at it. I didn't realize that it was so beat up. The 119 is like new. The 120 is in pretty good condition but was missing the sheath and could use a proper sharpening. I did pick up a sheath for it.

Do you think that I should contact Joe Houser and see if he can be sure to get the proper worker on the case? He was very helpful with me in the past, but I hate to bug the guy.

Thanks again!
 
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Mr. Tettn, yes, I'd bug the guy. Give him a heads up it's coming. Tell him it's my fault. You're welcome. Think nothing of it. DM
 
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DeSo, you forced me to get my notes and read. Yes, the USA was added in 67 but we have 2 different stamps going that year, so I suspect later half. Yes, the spacer material was changed to micarta in 69. Still, with the model number not coming until 1972 or late 71 we have a sizeable blank area where his model 102 could fit. DM
 
David Martin said:
..... Yes, the USA was added in 67 but we have 2 different stamps going that year, so I suspect later half.
Click to expand...

Actually 3 different stamps. 1967 was a busy year for tang stamps, transitioning from BUCK to BUCK* to BUCK/USA.
I'm not following the rest Dave.
 
All I can say is Joe and the Krew do excellent work only had 2 Elusive's done as far as fixed blades and only question was the sharpie marks at end of blade's, which did wipe off







KEEP EM SHARP
 
I think that I remember reading here that when shipping to Buck, that some suggest using initials and not BUCK.

Is that correct and if so how to address? The box?
 
BKI inc. and usually attention Joe with an email as a heads up as most of the guys and gals here suggest
 
I have sent many knives back to the spa, and have always been well pleased.

Here is the only pic(pre-spa) of a 116 I sent back. It was basically in the same shape as yours, though my blade edge wasn't as bad as yours.


It came back like a brand new knife



 
I sent in my abused 119 and it came back in better quality than new. They even cleaned up the swedge which came rough from the factory and I didn't even mention it in my letter. They will take care of you.
 
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