Buck 106, information please

Misplaced Hillbilly

Misplaced Hillbilly

Joined
May 16, 2018
Messages
4,183
Hey guys, I normally hang out in the traditionals forum but I picked this Buck 106 up today. I know nothing about these so any information would be appreciate. It has a burgundy micarta handle and other than some minor scratches on the micarta and some leather scuffs looks unused.
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Thanks for looking :thumbsup:
 
the only thing i know about it is that it is a good lookin piece of steel! congratulations. now you need to add the rest of the 100 series to go with it.
 
There was quite recently a discussion on the Buck 106 and the sheath variations on this sub-forum. I can't find it now, may have been in one of the Sunday Pictures Show threads. That is a very good pickup. OH
 
Thanks for the input so far guys:thumbsup: I been doing some research as it were (google-fu) apparently the burgundy micarta 2 line is a rare-ish 106. I did some light duty chopping on some dry oak limbs and it seems to do pretty good. In my searching I found one on the bay going for about 6 times what I paid :eek:
I like it so far and it will probably find a home in my camping kit :D:thumbsup:
 
I have that exact same 106 hatchet in my collection. That sheath is correct. They are hard to come by. Dos centos is in the ballpark. Buck used maroon micarta on several models in the late 60's early 70's timeframe. The model 200 was one. The 500 series was another. The model 206 Windsor, the 401 Kalinga and the 124. Just to name some. Not a complete list. DM
 
If you are BCCI member, Joe Houser did a good review of the 106 in the March 04 Newsletter
Here is a brief summary, keep in mind that changes don't happen on January 1st so there are year overlaps.
Corrections welcomed.

1965 -1967 1-line phenolic handle, bone hard fiber spacers "HUNTERS AXE"
The earliest are chrome plated
1967 2-line (USA added)
1969 spacers change to micarta
1971 black micarta handle, earliest are rare full wrap around with hidden tang
1972 3-line (model number added)
about 1972-1973 some burgundy micarta was used
1983 handle changes to resin impregnated birch
1986 date codes begin
1993 last year in catalog..(for awhile)
1997-1998 reintroduced "CAMPERS AXE" 2" longer, birch handle
1999 black kydex handle, hang hole cutout
2000 black kydex handle, deer head cutout
2001 oak finish handle, deer head cutout (discontinued again until the Compadre version)

2-lines are generally considered consistent with an early 1972 or prior date. There are alot of changes going on with this model between 1969 and 1972 and with a low volume selling model such as the 106 and with midyear changes and new/old stock moving around the plant at the same time I expect we would see every combination/variation with no sharp delineation. Just to muddy the water, I have a 2-line with reddish micarta scales just like the OP's, the paperwork in the box has a 1/73 printers date which reinforces the use of the reddish or maroon micarta in this model about 1973. /Roger
 
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DeSoto, (not disagreeing) as that's what I have read 'in print'. But 72 is firmly a 3 line stamp. And 71 a 2 line stamp, w/ several models. However, most print says the black micarta use is earlier. Which I agree with because those have more squared cornered handles and the maroon micarta handles are more radiused. This I know...
As too many models express this pattern. Thus, I suspect the use of black micarta w/ square handles and 2 line stamp occurred in late 70 or early 71 and maroon micarta w/ radiused handles quickly followed later in 71. Joe has even admitted that the squared handled black micarta models are more rare. DM
 
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