Buck 124: New vs. Old?

David, thanks for the links and information. I read Chris' post too quickly and didn't process the handle information. Sorry you had to re-route me.

jb, fantastic collection!
 
Think nothing of it. I kept looking for the time we discussed the steel on this model and haven't found it yet. It must be more years back than I thought. So, it's time we visited this again. DM
 
Thanks, John. Your a gem.
On the steel: 440C was used from 1967- 2nd quarter of 81. 425M was phased in.
425M was used from mid 1981 to 1994. 420HC was phased in.
420 was used until it was discontinued in 1997.
Notice these steels follow the knives of Buck's 100 series but the 122/124 had left and right hand stampings and micarta slabs and stainless pins and guards. Like the 107 and Empress Trio. So, only somewhat similar to the other knives in the 100 series.
Now, it's back in production with 420 steel. Did Buck do a run with D2 steel or was that only the 110? DM
 
According to an old post by an "expert" Plumberdv.
"When they were first introduced, they had a phenolic wrap around handle, but I don't think that lasted long. They changed to a micarta handle and used 440C steel. The handles changed to resin impregnated birch about 1983 and continued with the 440C steel until about 1981 when they changed to 425M. In 1992 they started phasing in 420HC steel and that's what they used today in the new re-introduced models.

Some will say that the 440C is a better steel than the 420HC, but that depends on what you want in your knife. The 425M is supposed to be about the equal of 420HC. The new ones have great looking micarta handles similar to the early models and I don't think there's any reason to think the old micarta is better than the new stuff."

The difference in steel is minute and undetectable. They all cut, slice, stab etc. and you can't tell the difference from steel to steel. The heat treat, spine thickness, grind etc will define a knife IMO.
 
gsea said:
According to an old post by an "expert" Plumberdv.
"The new ones have great looking micarta handles similar to the early models and I don't think there's any reason to think the old micarta is better than the new stuff."
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From photos, it appears that the black Micarta from the 70s is more "black" than the black Micarta on the post 2012 models. Is that true? Also, are the grind lines more defined on the post 2012 models?
 
Photos can be misleading. I've not held a new 124 in my hand to examine but I have held other new models and compared them with the old and the grind lines are more well defined with new models. The method the older models were made gave them a softer grind line look. Through the years micarta could have changed in the method of mfg. just slightly so the polished product looks different. DM
 
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Frontiersman arrived yesterday. First of all, I'm not sure if I'm manly enough to carry this knife. :D

Initial observations:

1) The knife is extremely well built with perfect fit, finish and balance. Honestly, I can't find anything wrong with it. It is literally "perfect"! The transition of the Micarta into the guard and pommel feels like one piece of material. The blade's satin finish is flawless.

2) The handle is amazingly comfortable. Nicely rounded and tapered. Gripping it, you get a sense that the handle was intentionally shaped and designed for extended use and to eliminate fatique or blisters. I didn't realize the handle has aluminum pins. Makes sense though that they match the other hardware.

3) It came with a decent sharp edge. It easily slices paper into smaller and smaller pieces.

4) The sheath is typical Buck quality. They just don't mess around with cheap sheaths. My only dissappointment is the belt loop rivet is so tight, it doesn't allow the sheath to swivel. Perhaps the rivet will loosen up over time.

Obviously, whoever designed this knife knew what they were doing. Blade profile and edge geometry make it a real working knife. I like that the top guard is short enough to allow for thumb placement on the spine. One feature I really like is the sensibly sized long handle. IMO, this is where many knives with double guards fall short. They don't allow enough room for different grips, but not with the 124. With its 5" handle, you certainly don't have to worry about hand cramps.

As for its appearance...well, what is there to say, the Frontiersman is a great looking knife. You can clearly see its roots as a 60s style diving knife, but because if its straight forward, no non-sense design, you can also see why it became so useful and popular with outdoorsmen. With its rugged construction and adventurous looks, I can only imagine that it has probably been used for everything from hunting and camping in the Northwoods to just laying in the passenger's seat of a Jeep while off-roading in the Utah canyonlands.

As always, great job Buck! :thumbup:
 
That is a very nice knife, I Kew u would like it. I just can't use mine yet. Its flawless. But so much potential! Its a Damn beast. Best bowie made imo.
 
TAH, I'm glad you like it. That's the way I think about my 124's. Had you said anything less, I'd wonder. Perhaps try using some leather oil, around that rivet. Like mink oil or Neets foot oil and see if this will allow it to swivel. DM
 
buckman110 said:
That is a very nice knife, I Kew u would like it. I just can't use mine yet. Its flawless. But so much potential! Its a Damn beast. Best bowie made imo.
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Just get more than one. I have one queen in the display, 1 in the vehicle (never know when you may have to pull over and cut something), 2 in the backpack (1 for base camp and 1 for the belt). Problem solved.
 
buckman110 said:
Best bowie made imo.
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The fit, finish and design of this knife easily rivals my Randall knives. You mentioned "Bowie" - in general terms, I agree, it's a Bowie, but it really doesn't have the typical Bowie blade. I'm not sure what I'd call it. I would be interested to know what others think.


David Martin said:
Perhaps try using some leather oil, around that rivet. Like mink oil or Neets foot oil and see if this will allow it to swivel. DM
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Thanks DM. I'll give it a try, but I don't think oil will loosen it. It doesn't move at all.
 
TAH said:
The fit, finish and design of this knife easily rivals my Randall knives. You mentioned "Bowie" - in general terms, I agree, it's a Bowie, but it really doesn't have the typical Bowie blade. I'm not sure what I'd call it. I would be interested to know what others think.
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I would just call it a "Frontiersman" ;)
One of the best camping, backpacking, wilderness invading knives ever :)
 
DesertChris said:
Here is some info I found on another forum, the guy said it came from Joe H :)
Still not finding an answer to the swinging sheath question from earlier.......
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Hello. The Buck 124 was originally designed as a diving knife and called a Nemo. It started its life somewhere around 1967. The original prototype, around 50 or so, had a hole centered in the pommel. They are extremely rare!!!

This was followed by a production model that was offered in 1967 with either a diving sheath (NEMO) or a flap leather sheath (FRONTIERSMAN). Both were the same knife, other than the sheath. They made roughly300-500 of these and they had black phenolic handles with white teflon spacers.

1967
Black Phenolic wrap around handle
Stamped BUCK, U.S.A.
Plain edge, no serrations
Stainless guard, varying thickness, one piece stainless butt, one visible rivet
Lanyard hole on end of bird’s beak pommel
Red “bone hard fiber” spacers
Plastic Nemo or leather sheath.
Larger 2 piece off white box for Nemo and Frontiersman.
1969 to 1970
Black Phenolic wrap around handle
Stamped BUCK, U.S.A.
Plain edge, no serrations
Stainless guard, varying thickness, one piece stainless butt, one visible rivet
Lanyard hole on end of bird’s beak pommel
Red “micarta” spacers
Plastic Nemo sheath or leather sheath.
Unknown box style.

1971*
122 temporarily discontinued late in this year
Grey/black “Buckarta” micarta, heavy grain slab style handle.
Upside down stamp. Buck, U.S.A.
Partially serrated blade.
Stainless guard and 2 piece butt with 2 visible butt rivets.
Lanyard hole
Swinging leather sheath.
Unknown box style.

1972
Grey/black “Buckarta” micarta, heavy grain slab style handle.
Upside down stamp. Buck, 124, U.S.A. 122 may exist with this stamp too although no 122 were made in 1972.
Partially serrated blade.
Stainless guard and 2 piece butt
Lanyard hole
Swinging leather sheath.
2 piece yellow box.

1973
Nemo back in production.
Grey/Black or just black “Buckarta” micarta handle.
Right side up stamp. Buck, 124, or 122, U.S.A.*
Partially serrated blade/122. 124/ plain blade.
Stainless guard and 2 piece butt/ 122. 124/ aluminum guard and butt.
Lanyard hole
Swinging leather sheath.
2 piece yellow box.

1973
Nemo discontinued for good.
Tight grain black or red micarta, blocky or squared handle shape.
Three line stamp, 124 only from here on.
Plain edge from here on.
Aluminum guard and 2 piece butt.
Lanyard hole.
Swinging leather sheath.
2 piece yellow box.

1973*
Black “Buckarta” micarta
Three line stamp.
Aluminum guard and 2 piece butt.
No lanyard hole from here on.
Swinging leather sheath or Snoopy style.
2 piece yellow box.

1980
Black Buckarta “micarta”
10,573 units sold

1981
Black Buckarta “micarta”
7293 units sold

1982*
December
Pakawood (impregnated birch) handle
4705 units sold

1983
3850 units sold

1984
4688 units sold

1985
5206 units sold

1986
Three line stamp, BUCK, 124<, U.S.A.*
Date code after model number from here on.
4724 units sold

1987
6143 units sold

1984 to 1987
Stag handle 124 was offered with a slab style tang, aluminum guard and butt, with a suggested list of $230.


Hope this helps. :-)
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I bought my 124 back I think in the early 80s but can't recall the exact date. I'm guessing it was made in 1982 because the handle material while micarta looking from a distance has wood grain when you look closely at it -- unless it is fake wood grain.

I'm not sure what you mean by "two piece pommel." Mine has a full tang and the aluminum pommel is two pieces, one piece fitting on each side of the tang. So I'm guessing that's what you mean. I never cared that much for the pommel because it became readily scratched on hikes.

I originally bought it as a hiking knife, but ended up not liking the swinging sheath. I'm still of that opinion but recently discovered some custom sheaths on eBay and I'm being tempted.

Lawrence
 
Lawrence Helm said:
I bought my 124 back I think in the early 80s but can't recall the exact date. I'm guessing it was made in 1982 because the handle material while micarta looking from a distance has wood grain when you look closely at it -- unless it is fake wood grain.

I'm not sure what you mean by "two piece pommel." Mine has a full tang and the aluminum pommel is two pieces, one piece fitting on each side of the tang. So I'm guessing that's what you mean. I never cared that much for the pommel because it became readily scratched on hikes.

I originally bought it as a hiking knife, but ended up not liking the swinging sheath. I'm still of that opinion but recently discovered some custom sheaths on eBay and I'm being tempted.

Lawrence
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Hi Lawrence, all that info was from Joe Houser at Buck Knives :)

Yes, your 124 is the 2 piece aluminum pommel with the exposed full tang.
The earliest ones were 1 piece pommels like the other "100 series" fixed blades.

My first 124 (given to my brother several years ago) was an early 70's version.
I ran a leather cord out of the hole in the end of the bottom of the sheath.
I tied a knot in the middle, then ran both ends through the hole.
That made a great tie down, to lash the end of the sheath to my leg.
So when hiking, it swiveled along with my leg, but didn't flop around freely :)
 
DesertChris said:
I would just call it a "Frontiersman" ;)
One of the best camping, backpacking, wilderness invading knives ever :)
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I think I'll just call it a Frontiersman too. :) How do you categorize "a rugged knife specially designed for heavy duty use both on land and underwater"? :D

Buck124BuckNemo.jpg
 
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