Buck 500-Blade Play?

supernate1990 · Jan 21, 2016

I was recently at a sporting good store and came upon the Buck 500. I was really impressed with the knife and decided to order one directly from amazon. When I received the knife, it noticed that it had a fair amount of side-to-side blade play. I thought that this must be a lemon and ordered a replacement from amazon. Low and behold, the replacement had even more blade play! I own many Buck knives, and my Buck-112 does not have any play what so ever. Is this actually common in the Buck 500?

David Martin · Jan 21, 2016

There should be no blade play. Return it to Buck with a letter stating what you wish them to address. DM

Peter Parker · Jan 22, 2016

My 500 I got in the last couple of years has the best lock up of all my Bucks even slightly better then my CS 112!

afishhunter · Jan 22, 2016

I may be mistaken, but I don't think any of Buck's knives are designed to have side to side blade play, in either the open or closed position.

lukehalee · Jan 22, 2016

Supernate, I must have got the one you returned. Play in every direction. Sending in for a Dr appointment next week.

Bloefield · Jan 26, 2016

I just ordered a 500 from the same [Amazon] place, as I'm retiring this ole boy I've had since day one.
Not the slightest hint of blade play-still.
Hope the new one is up to their old standards.

CJ Buck · Jan 27, 2016

should be no blade play. have sent this thread to quality and engineering

J Hubbard · Jan 27, 2016

supernate1990 said:
I was recently at a sporting good store and came upon the Buck 500. I was really impressed with the knife and decided to order one directly from amazon. When I received the knife, it noticed that it had a fair amount of side-to-side blade play. I thought that this must be a lemon and ordered a replacement from amazon. Low and behold, the replacement had even more blade play! I own many Buck knives, and my Buck-112 does not have any play what so ever. Is this actually common in the Buck 500?

Can you give me a call here at buck 208.262.0500 ext 137 or drop me an e-mail @ jhubbard@buckknives.com so I can review this with you in more detail please?

Thanks

Jeff
QA Manager
Buck

lumberjack_jack · Jan 28, 2016

I have a 10 year old one that has a very very small amount. I just ordered a new 501, prob be in next week and we'll see.

TAH · Jan 28, 2016

CJ Buck said:
should be no blade play. have sent this thread to quality and engineering

J Hubbard said:
Can you give me a call here at buck 208.262.0500 ext 137 or drop me an e-mail @ jhubbard@buckknives.com so I can review this with you in more detail please?

Thanks

Jeff
QA Manager
Buck

CJ and Jeff,

We know what you're up to. Keep treating us like this and we'll become repeat customers. Please give us a reason to spend our knife money elsewhere. You're making it very difficult.

:thumbup:

dualhead · Jan 28, 2016

supernate1990 said:
I was recently at a sporting good store and came upon the Buck 500. I was really impressed with the knife and decided to order one directly from amazon. When I received the knife, it noticed that it had a fair amount of side-to-side blade play. I thought that this must be a lemon and ordered a replacement from amazon. Low and behold, the replacement had even more blade play! I own many Buck knives, and my Buck-112 does not have any play what so ever. Is this actually common in the Buck 500?

Man! I had to check that this wasn't a post I started! Same exact thing happened to me! Amazon seller, got two to make sure it wasn't just the one blade I got and lateral blade play. Plus both of the blades need a good polishing. I'm sending the second back to Buck to fix and returning the first to complete the exchange.

Bloefield · Jan 28, 2016

I just got my new 500 and I'm happy to say it's great.
Zero blade play in any direction. Locks up nice, Centered blade, smooth opening and closing.
Other than the wood[?] handle vs my old ones micarta scales and the block lettering, the new 500 is true to the original.
The sheath is quite similar too but the front isn't cut out like the old one.
The front flap of the sheath is stamped "Buck Knives" on the new vs just "Buck" on the old.
"Buck" 3x's on the new snap, once on the old.
About 30 plus years later, a job still well done Buck
ps I'll post a pic when I get a chance

dualhead · Jan 28, 2016

Bloefield said:
I just got my new 500 and I'm happy to say it's great.
Zero blade play in any direction. Locks up nice, Centered blade, smooth opening and closing.
Other than the wood[?] handle vs my old ones micarta scales and the block lettering, the new 500 is true to the original.
The sheath is quite similar too but the front isn't cut out like the old one.
The front flap of the sheath is stamped "Buck Knives" on the new vs just "Buck" on the old.
"Buck" 3x's on the new snap, once on the old.
About 30 plus years later, a job still well done Buck
ps I'll post a pic when I get a chance

Glad you got a good one. I love Buck knives, but I have had a couple issues. I had a QC problem with my Buck 110. Thankfully they are more than happy to make things right! I had no issues with my 102, 105, Buck Whittler (310/309?), Packlite Skinner. I use a Spirfire daily as my EDC and while it does have up/down play I was told by Buck customer service it is part of the mid-back lock design......

Bloefield · Jan 29, 2016

Here's the old and the new 500

lukehalee · Jan 29, 2016

Impressive to see Buck's staff on here. Kinda justifies my desire to buy more I don't really "need"!!!

Bloefield · Jan 29, 2016

lukehalee said:
Impressive to see Buck's staff on here. Kinda justifies my desire to buy more I don't really "need"!!!

Yes it is good to see Buck staff here.
I'm glad to hear them addressing quality control.
No company is perfect, but their knives and the kind of people they are, will keep me a loyal customer for life.

lumberjack_jack · Feb 12, 2016

My new one by the way has no blade play. Very tight. My 10 yo one, when I say it had some I should have qualified that statement better, it's very very little. It doesn't bother me in the least it's so minor. The blade has been sharpened so many times tho that it's lost about 1.5 -2 milimeters of its total width so time for a new one.

afishhunter · Feb 12, 2016

lumberjack_jack said:
My new one by the way has no blade play. Very tight. My 10 yo one, when I say it had some I should have qualified that statement better, it's very very little. It doesn't bother me in the least it's so minor. The blade has been sharpened so many times tho that it's lost about 1.5 -2 milimeters of its total width so time for a new one.

You could send the elder in for the SPA treatment?

David Martin · Feb 12, 2016

lumberjack, If you ask them, Buck may even replace your worn blade with a new one. For a small fee. DM

lumberjack_jack · Feb 12, 2016

David Martin said:
lumberjack, If you ask them, Buck may even replace your worn blade with a new one. For a small fee. DM

Ya you know I was actually wondering about that. It has more sentimental value to me than any other, I bought it the day this old dog of mine died so it's sort of a memorial to him. I'd like to be able to essentially make it new again.