Buck 120 question

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FriscoTx

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May 1, 2012
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I bought a Buck 120 "General" for my son about 15 years ago and have not been involved with following knives for a number of years due to a very heavy work load. I am now retired and have more time to follow hobbies but unfortunately not as much money to pursue them. I did not see it listed on the Buck site when I looked recently so I guess they are no longer made. When was the Buck 120 model discontinued and was it due to low sales?
 
Cabelas still has them ( or did recently). I would say their sales were slow compared to the smaller 119. It is a large knife!
 
The last standard model 120 was a catalog item in 2001 and disappeared after that. There have been some specials and limited editions since then. Slow sales would also be my guess as a reason.
 
Not in the catalog does not always mean discontinued. It was a catalog regular until 2001 and reappeared in the catalog in 2011 as the Boone and Crocket model which is currently available for about $70 to $75. In between, it seems Buck would run them to order, most notably for Cabelas under the Pro-Line logo. I have a 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2011 in my collection. I have seen 2004 and 2008. For limited editions, there was a cocobolo and brass model in 2005 and a stag handle in 2008. In very low quantity issues there are special projects listings for 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008. I wish Buck would stop making them, I'm going broke keeping up.....:o

1202002001crop.jpg
 
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Yes, that's exactly what I meant to say. Buck does that with several other "discontinued" models.

I have a few, a B&C 2011:

BandC120a.jpg


And a 2005 and 2008 which aren't marked either on the knife or on the box to indicate who they were made for. They came in standard boxes and not the black LE ones. I believe I have a ProLine model stashed somewhere also.

20052008Generalsa.jpg
 
DeSotoSky said:
I wish Buck would stop making them, I'm going broke keeping up.....:o

Roger, thats my sentiments exactly, thats why I only collect knives produced 1985 and earlier. I buy my share of newer models such as the Vantage but for collection purpose its all 1985 and back
Click to expand...
 
Yes, it does seem that Buck will make a limited run for anyone who orders enough, at least of certain models.

Whoever was wise enough to order the 2005 120s with the Idaho stamp was wise indeed, especially with the brass and Cocobola. There were 200 or 250 brass and Coco made (we never could nail that down for sure) and they were nice knives. No idea how many phenolic handled ones were made, but it couldn't have been a lot.

Knives with that unique Idaho stamp have become quite popular and sell quite well. I have a few 120s stashed away and I wish I had bought 50 at those good prices.

I honestly like the pre-2005s better because when Buck moved to Idaho they started doing the blood grooves in a different way. Many turn out kind of hashed up and some are horrible, with scarred steel and even obvious circles at the end of the groove. I managed to get good ones (and the Cocobolas were done better than the phenolics) but I wish they were exactly like the pre-2005s.

So, your older 120 may have some special charms and if you like them and want to start collecting them, there are some interesting variations mentioned above and I'm sure more will be coming along in the future.
 
I only have two 120s - an '05 "Pro Line" phenolic handle from Cabelas and an '07 BR version bought almost new, but no sheath. The blades look identical in bevels, edges, and longish blood grooves. They are fine examples of Buck's usual production.

Stainz
 
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