Buck 403 Big Sky?

O

ohen cepel

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I don't seem to hear or read much about these. Overall impressions? They look like a good design.

Does anyone have one they carry as a user?

Just curious about them since I was reading an older knife magazine and saw an ad for them. Are they still in production? If not, years produced?

Thanks!
 
I don't think they're in production any longer but I like that model . Good blade shape and ergo handle plus a lanyard hole . DM
 
Looks like they were new in 1999 and ran in standard catalogue production through 2002 and then last available in 2003 as a LE. That lanyard looks like the precursor of the Alpha Hunter and indeed 2002 the Alpha appeared and shared the stage with the 403 for 1 model year but then the Sky went dark.
 
If you check last Sundays picture show, post 14, you can see the one I have. I seriously doubt that anyone using one to carry hunting or for everyday use will like the sheath. I don't have a picture of the back of the sheath, but instead of a belt loop, it has a metal clip. It's an open invitation to lose the knife off of your belt.
 
Ima, I like the way you put that . Plumber, I knew there was something I'd forgotten about that model . DM
 
Good info, thanks all!

I think it was the sheath that killed it for me years ago, I know I had one in my hand and something stopped me from buying it. I think it was the sheath design that I didn't like IIRC.

Hope they get a better/smaller Paklite sheath out so that they don't meet the same fate.
 
Interesting information about the sheath. I have one I bought in the secondary market because it seemed like a nice knife, although I was not familiar with that model. It came with a custom pouch sheath (nothing fancy but well made) and I wondered about that, as it appears to be an unused knife.

Thanks for the info,
Peter
 
peterinct said:
Interesting information about the sheath. I have one I bought in the secondary market because it seemed like a nice knife, although I was not familiar with that model. It came with a custom pouch sheath (nothing fancy but well made) and I wondered about that, as it appears to be an unused knife.

Thanks for the info,
Peter
Click to expand...

Here are few few quick shots if the clip. I've never carried this one, but years back I found a great little fixed blade bird knife in a parking lot. It's sheath had a clip just like this one and I found that it was very insecure if you tried to carry it clipped on your belt. I'm sure that's how it ended up in the parking lot.

BigSkysheatha.jpg


BigSkysheathc.jpg


BigSkysheathb.jpg
 
Thanks for the pictures Plumb. I hadn't seen the proper sheath before.

That DOES look like an insecure clip for attaching to a belt. It would be quick and easy though.

If keeping it original is not an issue, i'm thinking it could be modified fairly easily: remove some stitches in the area of the metal clip, remove the metal hardware, and sew in a piece of leather to become the belt loop.

Peter
 
I always wanted one of those, just cant seem to find one for sale when I'm able to buy. I was thinking of having a kydex sheath made, maybe sharpen the top swedge.
 
I bought a Buck 403 Big Sky on ebay yesterday (Nov. 18, 2020) and this one comes with a nylon sheath. I'm not sure of the system used for belt attachment on the nylon sheath yet. The seller lives in Alaska and just mailed it today. Listing says it was made in October 2004. New in the box. Cost was $136.50. This was a For Bid auction. Most of these on ebay that are being sold Buy It Now are priced around $275.00 and up. I've admired this knife for a while, but never figured I would own one because of the price. I guess I got lucky this time.
 
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