While strolling through Academy Sports, I noticed one of their "Game Winner" knives that looks like the little Buck 325 Colleague but with a black coated handle instead of brushed stainless. On closer inspection the knife carried Buck's name also! "Game Winner" has always meant bottom of the barrel to me, the opposite of Buck. What gives? Is this a knock off or did Buck in fact make these for Academy?
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Buck 325 Knockoff?
- Thread starter Bartleby
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Just curious, are "Game Winner" knives a store brand sold in Academy Sports stores, sorta like "Bushmaster" knives in Gander Mountains?
I'm not sure, I have not seen them elsewhere. Most of the line seems to be copied from familiar products from more established makers. The "Game Winner" that sticks out in my mind is a sodbuster (copy of Case sodbuster Jr.)I picked up a few years back on sale that was glued together. It literally fell apart while sharpening, when the glue failed. The knife was marked "manufactured in China, National Headquarters USA." It is a shame to see Buck's name associated with such trash. Buck's outsourced knives are really much better than others out there. I received a little 326 Scholar as a gift which has been a nice little knife.
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I was in a Shepard Hills Cutlery yesterday and found a bunch of these little Buck lockbacks, Scholar..etc. It very nice Collector Tins.
The also had Buck Diamondback fixed blades on sale for $12.98!
The also had Buck Diamondback fixed blades on sale for $12.98!
Thanks for having a look, TLC. Are these also in packaging marked with brand names other than Buck? The reason I'm confused is that the "Game Winner" knives I've seen at Academy Sports over the past several years have been based on the product lines of other makers (like the junk sodbuster jr. look alike I mentioned) without a direct connection to the brand name. I'll try and get back over there in a few days to see if one of the salespeople has any idea.
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Oh no, these were total Buck packaging, this particular store is a authorized dealer for:
Case
Buck
Leatherman
Victorinox
Pretty cool selections of each to, not a bad store to visit, if your ever near Eddyville, KY. It's in hte outlet mall there.
Turns out they are indeed made by Buck for Academy. Took a closer look at the packaging, even had Buck's warranty and address information. The knife looked much like the Scholar that I have, only differences I noticed were the finish and the use of a white nylon or plastic washer on one side of the blade instead of two brass washers. Hope the association with the older "Game Winner" designs doesn't carry over, as this knife should be a step above the other items as all of Buck's imports have been.
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I did a search in our computer and did not find a black bladed 325. Did you happen to get the catalogue number from the label when you were there? That would really nail it down. Of course, the 327 comes in a dark grey titanium finish as well as the standard.
Joe, it just so happens I wrote down some info., hoping to look it up on-line. The blade looked bead blasted matte, marked Buck as well as 325 with the lazy "T" year mark for last year. The packaging was marked PT#2325C (Academy's part number, I believe). The model was called "Intrigue." Academy Sports also carries the grey titanium 327 in regular Buck packaging. The "Game Winner" Intrigue had a black oxide finish on the stainless handle, there is no texturing around the blade pivot. Beneath "Game Winner Hunting Gear" in smaller print the package states: "Built By Buck." I'd like to know what you find out about them when you track it down. Thanks.
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This is a mystery still. I checked that number and it does not look like a Buck catalogue number for that knife. I am stumped but I know just who to ask. Hopefully I will have an answer for this one.