Buck 501 spring not flush

STM said:
Well the 3rd time is the charm. The blade is nice and tight and the spring is flush the back of the knife when opened and closed.

And while I'm a very happy camper right now I'm still thinking that a custom 501 would be nice too. So just one more knife and then I'm done...
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Suuuuure your done. We have heard that before
 
That's awesome to hear. It's a nice feeling to get a knife you love that's done just right. I just got a 500 and a 302 from C&C and the 302 is perfect. The 500 has a lazy spring when closing but it's not bad. When you have to order something and wait for it, it's awesome when it finally gets to you and it's flawless...
 
I wish I could see a good photo of a 501 with the buckeye burl scales before I order. I'm a little worried that the 501 scales are too small to really show off the burl.
 
I had a buckeye burl 501 with the S30V blade, but I can't show you a picture because I no longer possess it. Mine did not have rivets but with or without rivets, to my eye, the buckeye burl compliments the size of the 501 quite well. I wouldn't worry about the grain pattern being too large for this size knife. Unfortunately, the knife I received had some serious issues, particularly for a custom. I sent it back to be corrected and the repaired knife came back with a few different but still glaring flaws. While Customer Service was polite and more than willing to assist, I finally gave-up on owning a custom 501 and stuck with my usual 112's. Too bad because the 501 is a perfectly sized traditional carry knife that all but disappears in your pocket until you need it.
 
Dang that sucks Morton. A 501 from the CS was on my list and it seems like there are problems with these coming from Buck. Maybe someone can add a good experience with one. Hopefully...
 
This thread came at a good time for me. I was about to order a custom shop 501 with elk covers and a S30v blade. I am now rethinking that idea.

I have a micarta handled 501 that was re-bladed at some point in its life. I think I will just keep using it until I hear that the QC at the custom shop has improved.
 
I haven't seen the issues.. I think you hear the bad experiences but the good ones don't get mentioned. The Sunday picture show is full of good ones.
 
I would not hesitate buying from the custom shop. They have the good stuff. Even if you have to send it back several times, at the end of the day it will be worth it. 501/Elk/s30v is a great combo, do it :thumbsup:
 
Let us know if you do and how it turns out. I've been thinking about the same combo...
 
BuckShack said:
Even if you have to send it back several times, at the end of the day it will be worth it. :thumbsup:
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Having been through the return process, I'm not sure I can agree with this. When my Custom Shop 501 first arrived after the normal 6-week lead time, the blade wobbled significantly when open, the locking bar was not flush by a considerable amount, there was zero blade-snap starting at about 1/2" from fully closed, and the burl wood scales were very wavy due to excessively hard polishing. I sent it back, and after another month or so, the replacement arrived with a flush lock bar, and different though somewhat better-polished scales. However, at fully closed, the blade wasn't simply a touch loose; it easily rattled if you shook it even slightly. Also, the disassembly and reassembly necessitated the re-polishing of the bolsters to match. This left them looking polished but obviously worked-on, rather than flat and smooth like the originals. What I still can't process in my mind is that someone at Buck worked on this knife and actually considered it acceptable. So at the end of the day (closer to 3 months), I sent it back again, this time for good, and got something else. That something else was a custom 112 in Dessert Ironwood, which arrived perfect. I was so happy with that ironwood 112, I ordered another 112 with Water Buffalo scales. Like the 501, the Buffalo horn 112 arrived with several significant issues. But this time, I just kept it rather than go through the whole return process again. I love Buck knives, especially the 112. I appreciate that they still make traditional knives with traditional materials. I also like that they're made here in the U.S. There are a few more customs I'd like to order right now. Several times, I've gotten as far in ordering, that all that was left was to confirm the order. However; each time I come close to hitting confirm, I stop and think about is some more.
 
I think it is awful that you have had these problems with Bucks custom shop.
Really for the price there should be no problem receiving a knife you can be proud to own.
I have three custom shop 112's and I'm happy with them, but it is obvious there is something
not quite right going on at the factory.
I can only hope that someone from Buck is trying to correct this before it affects their fan base and their bottom line
 
Wish we had the exact figures of every knife Buck makes and every single one returned but I just can't imagine that the number of custom shop returns would ever effect the bottom line. As others have mentioned most folks don't post about knives that don't have issues and believe it or not I bet less than 10% of the people that purchase a Buck or any brand of knife even know about Bladeforums let alone base their future purchases on what's listed here.

Not saying Buck shouldn't address QC issues but folks seem to think Buck is new to business and need constant guidance on how to keep their doors open. It's a wonder they stayed in business at all without this forum.
 
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