Buck 111

[postfallsidaho]

Thank you Esav and Joe H. for your knowledge and contributions in this discussion . Even as well as Bill Keys and Richard's writings . DM

X2!!

Thank you Gentlemen!!! :thumbup:

 

[Buck_110]

That's the first Buck I ever owned. They came out in 1981 and I was given one by my Mother in Law for my Birthday. Buck later came out with the Classic II, III and IV which were the same thing based on the 500 slimline series. Below is from a 1989 BCCI newsletter.

"Classic 111- The original engraved aluminum handle, based on the 110 blade. Very early versions have a bright banner & 3 dot tang stamp. Later ones have a matte background banner, 4 dot stamp, discontinued in 1986."


Very classy looking knives, but beware. The aluminum handles are pretty soft and scratch and mar up easily.

This is post #4 in this thread, from 10/31/2009:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=687655&highlight=1986+111

If they were made through 1990, why does a 1989 BCCI newsletter state they were discontinued in 1986?

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Because the 1989 BCCI newsletter is referring to the Classic 111- The original engraved aluminum handle, based on the 110 blade, sold as a regular item. As Joe Houser just pointed out, the next two runs of 6,000 each were special orders for larger dealers.

In regards to the 111 Classic, the last Buck catalog that shows it was printed in 1983. From 1984 through 1990 we made over 12 thousand more 111 Classics. I remember when they were discontinued and I remembered that we kept making them for larger dealers that wanted them.

 

[BG42EDGE]

Let me get this story straight......

So that means that after the changeover to 425Mod steel.........from 1984 to 1990, Buck was putting more than 12,000 leftover 440C blades from the late 1970s to 1980 on these 111s? Or were some of them Four-Dot blades?

Just the notion that any company would be stuck with over 12,000 leftover blades is pretty amazing.

The story just keeps getting more and more bizarre.

Early in the thread, David Martin said,

The series was discontinued in 90 or 91 then brought back and discontinued again . An unusual model with sordid history .

So is there some evidence that it was brought back again post-90-91? With 10 to 15 year-old 440C blades or the new blades?

Why does Dave call it "sordid?"..... since "sordid" means:

1. Filthy or dirty; foul.
2. Depressingly squalid; wretched: sordid shantytowns.
3. Morally degraded: "The sordid details of his orgies stank under his very nostrils" (James Joyce). See Synonyms at mean2.
4. Exceedingly mercenary; grasping.

What part of the 111 history as "sordid?"

Is there even more to the story, David?

Things keep getting harder and harder to believe on this topic.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Only for those determined to disbelieve. NOBODY said 12000 blades were left over.
When they made the special runs, they used the same marking as the previous runs.

 

[BG42EDGE]

I'd appreciate it if you'd end this hostile categorizing of me, Esav.....I am not determined to disbelieve, even if I am more skeptical than many here.

I would like to understand what you are saying, and that's ALL. No need to take shots at me for wanting to figure this out.

From your last statement, it appears that you are saying that Buck stamped many thousands of 425MOD blades with stamps that are generally understood to indicate a 440C blade.

Not only would this be deceptive, but I can't think of any good reason why they would do it.

Any explanation for that?