Buck 704

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i know very little about Buck knives and have just "won" a 704. searching here i see they were made from '82 to '84, but i cannot find mention of steel type. the pics. are poor, but the blade looks darkened, so i wonder if it is a carbon steel ? any other info of note on this knife would also be appreciated.
and, i see many Buck knives on ebay that sell for a v. low price. i assume these are made in China ? any advice on which USA models are the more collectable ? (besides the 110 and 112) thanks, roland
 
The steel used on the 700 series was 425M. This is a stainless steel.
Can't answer your other questions.
 
From what I have read and learned from Buck Knife authority, Larry Oden, the 704 was removed from the Buck calalog in 1999. I have a 704 with a Damascus blade, which is darker than other blades. Buck switched the blade steel in their knives to 420HC in 1994. I also have the model with stag handles, brass bolsters, and handle shields with both Buck in Block and Script lettering. The model is named Maverick.
 
thanks for the info. pics. of knife on ebay only show the side without the shield (seller seems not knife knowledgeable). but my winning bid was $9.99 and it includes a Buck 305 (minitool ?), so i'll accept what i get. if i post pics after it arrives, is there any way to discern app. year of manufacture and thereby steel type ? (often possible with Schrades, occasional minor variations). roland
 
If you go to the Buck Web Site, they have a page that lists the symbols used on the blade tang after the model number to show the date of manufacturer. Those symbols start in 1986 with a < and go thru 2007 with an arrow pointing down. Larry Oden wrote an excellent article on the 700 series, which includes the 704. He is coming out with an updated version of the article in a Fall issue of "Knife World". From 1980 to 1984-'85, the models used Script lettering on the Buck name on the blade tangs and handle shields.
 
Thanks Goose for listing the site. You're better at such things than I am. For what it's worth, I just ordered my first David Yellowhorse 704 from Larry Oden. I will make it a key feature of my 700's display at the Blade Show in Portland.
 
below are pics. of my 704 (Maverick). the shield has BUCK in script but it is largely worn off. the tang also has BUCK in script, and there is no date code.
so i believe that puts this knife as '80 to '84-85. and except for scratches on the bolsters and wear on shield, it's in very good shaoe. nice find for less than $10 for a Buck neophtye i think.
according to BRL the 700 series are higher quality than the contract made 300 series. in what ways is the quality better ? thanks for the help, roland
 
I use as my reference material for the Buck 700 series an article by Larry Oden, "The Buck 700 Series". An updated version of his article will come out soon in "Knife World". The 700 knives were designed by Buck to be upgraded replacements for the contract-made 300 series. Among the added features were:
1. New high-carbon, high chrome steel from Sweden for the blades
2. Hollow ground blades ground before heat-treat operation to insure no soft, burned edges
3. Heavier bolsters of stainless steel with stainless steel pins for added strength
4. Handle inserts of laminated wood/epoxy for long lasting wood-grain beauty and durability
The 704 was not featured in the 1982 catalog. The script style of lettering was discontinued in the 1984-85 time period. The 704 was discontinued in 1999 - it wasn't listed in the catalog.
As a personal note, I'm beginning to think of the 704 as a step child - a Maverick so to speak, as the name suggests. It was the only knife in the series that didn't feature an etched blade by Aurum; it's name applies to cattle more than horses, and it was the first one to be discontinued. However, it does have David Yellowhorse issues, and was put together with a stone and oil, 2 blocks of wood, and an instruction pamphlet as a 'whittling kit' in 1983-86, model 143.
Enjoy your knife.
 
Rusty; thanks for that great explanation; i really like to know as much as possible about every knife in my collection (lots of Schrade, Camillus, Remington, Case, Queen, Bulldog, Boker, F'R, etc), and now finally i am just starting to get to know Buck. i'll try to get a subscription to Knife World, it's not sold around here (so. int. B.C.) cheers, roland
 
HonkerRusty said:
From what I have read and learned from Buck Knife authority, Larry Oden, the 704 was removed from the Buck calalog in 1999. I have a 704 with a Damascus blade, which is darker than other blades. Buck switched the blade steel in their knives to 420HC in 1994. I also have the model with stag handles, brass bolsters, and handle shields with both Buck in Block and Script lettering. The model is named Maverick.
Click to expand...

HonkerRusty, out of curiosity, is your Damascus 704 one of the numbered ones with a G followed by 3 digits?
 
Scott: I'm in route to the Portland Blade Show and have the 704 Damascus packed away. When I get there, I will post and let you know. Off the top of my head, I'll say no.
 
Scott: Sorry to take so long to answer your question about my 704 Damascus. It's a G047. Just returned from the Blade Show in Portland. Great experience. Met several members. Also visited the Buck Plant in Post Falls on the same trip. Wow!
 
Rusty, sounds like it was a big weekend! The only reason I asked was I had recently read the November 1992 BCCI newsletter. Turns out, yours was 1 that was offered by Buck in that issue, from a stash they had found. 100 pieces were made in 1986 for John Gabrick, a Buck Sales Rep.
 
Scott: Thanks for reminding me where I had read about that blade issue. I was too shy to ask about the blade, and didn't want to show my ignorance. I had read about it, but couldn't remember where or when. Thanks for the "mental help"!!!
 
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