Buck Akonua

[ivan51]

Just got a unused Buck Akonua for $60 shipped to me did I do good?

 

[SaintlyBrees]

Just got a unused Buck Akonua for $60 shipped to me did I do good? ...

Yeah, I'd say so. Those seem to go for $150+, less if in poor condition. Looking at your pics, I'd say you got a great deal!

I've been looking for an Guitar Akonua for awhile - at the right price, of course.

Congrats on a nice buy!

Oh! Wait! No! Bad deal. Bad, bad deal. But being the nice guy that I am, I'll take it off of your hands and help you break even. Whatcha say?

 

[RickJ]

May be I am wrong but good is not the word, more like awesome, great and wow all together. Great find and a great lookin Buck, congrats.

 

[ivan51]

haha thanks guys funny I was no familiar with this model of buck but when I saw the micarta handle and how it reminded me of a kalinga I had to pop it

 

[Plumberdv]

It looks really good in the pictures. I thought you might be interested in this from Joe Houser.

"The 402 Akonua was introduced in about 1972. From
the few records that we have, it appears as though the
402 was started in 1971 but Buck did not actually
ship any until 1972. I have no evidence of a two line
Akonua and it is not very likely that one exists. The
first known variation of the 402 is the same as the
three line 401. It will be marked with an inverted
BUCK, AKONUA, U.S.A. and have the same wide
grained micarta handles. From this point on, both
models share the same path. The only difference is
that the 402 was never offered in a hinged box.
Sometime shortly after the introduction of the 402,
the stamp on both models was changed to the standard
3 line read with the tip pointed up. The handle
will now be the more familiar tight grained black
micarta. These minor changes probably occurred in
about 1973. This configuration went basically
unchanged on both models up until sometime in 1981
when the handle was changed to “Impregnated
Birch”.
The only exception to this would be the curious burgundy
micarta versions seen from time to time."

 

[ivan51]

thanks for the info :thumbup: anyone know what steel this knife has? thanks

 

[Plumberdv]

It's 440C. They changed to 425M about 1981 and that's the same time frame that they changed the handles to birch.

 

[ivan51]

Ah sweet I got the good stuff :thumbup: thanks

 

[David Martin]

That's one of the best models that rolled out Buck's doors. There's so much correct with it. Note, the stamp is on the left side in different lettering. Only the 401, 402, 107 and the Empress Trio were done in this fashion. All the rest of Buck's fixed blade models were stamped on the right side and had different sheaths. The 401 & 402 were Buck's first upgrade, fixed blade models for the early 70's. Glad you got one. DM

 

[ivan51]

Thanks David it feels really great in the hand

 

[Plumberdv]

They've also been used as the basis for a few Limited Editions and Special Projects knives. Here's some of mine:

 

[ivan51]

WOW those 3 are sweet! love the stag! :thumbup: Are they nickel hilts?

 

[David Martin]

Note the squared or non-pointed guard on Plumbers Akouna's. Buck went to that style guard with both models (401 & 402) after 1981. A sign it's 425 steel. That's the way you'll see them today. Not with the pointed guard like yours. Handsome 402's Plumber. DM

 

[SaintlyBrees]

They've also been used as the basis for a few Limited Editions and Special Projects knives. Here's some of mine:

And there is a pic of the Guitar Akonua that I would like to add to my collection one day.

 

[ivan51]

Note the squared or non-pointed guard on Plumbers Akouna's. Buck went to that style guard with both models (401 & 402) after 1981. A sign it's 425 steel. That's the way you'll see them today. Not with the pointed guard like yours. Handsome 402's Plumber. DM

oh wow I dident not catch that thanks!

 

[RickJ]

I am going to do some more Buck Dreaming and wish for an updated Akonua with S30V blade, NS Guard and Black Micarta with a heavy duty black leather sheath.

 

[Haebbie]

Yes, Ivan, you did a good job!
The Akonua is a great knife, especially with the Micarta handle.
I found three Akonua. The middle one has a custom made handle.
I couldn't find out who made it. does anybody of you knows more?

Haebbie

 

[Plumberdv]

Here's an odd one that I have. It came in a fitted (black velvet lined) wooden box with a glass top but no paperwork. It's different because of having only two rivets in the handle. It also has darker, solid wood (not a laminate) handles that I think are possibly walnut confused.

It has a mirror polished blade with the older, Buck/Custom/USA tang stamp, which I think has to date it prior to 2002. Any info about it would be appreciated. :thumbup:

 

[David Martin]

The guard indicates late 81 and after. The move to two pins was also done in 84 on the model 107. The custom shop went to that stamp in 82-83 and before numbering (still looking for the article). There may be some makers initials hidden on that Akouna. Plus, most of the custom shop models were polished and of 440C. A handsome model. DM

 

[Plumberdv]

Thanks David. Something that I failed to mention and that doesn't show up well in the photos is that there is the number 235 stamped in the blade just below the tang stamp. It's not "235 of xxx" or "235/xxx, just the number by itself. I wonder if it's one of a serialized special projects knife for some specific vendor? I've looked it over stem to stern and can't find any initials anywhere.

Was the production model ever changed to the two rivet design? Every illustration I could find in any of the catalogs showed the three rivets right up until they disappeared. They did use the same "picture" for the last few years, so I suppose it's possible that they were changed but the picture wasn't.