Buck blade stamp

B

bghorn

Joined
May 18, 2015
Messages
197
I was looking at the blade stamps on my Buck knives, mainly 100 series. Fixed blades have stamp on the right side and folders on the left side.

Any particular reason for the left vs right?
 
Good question. I know many custom knifemakers who stamp the blade on the right side of fixed blade knives, so the stamp is clearly visible when the knife is drawn from the sheath. Not sure if this is Buck's reasoning though.
 
Not all Buck fixed blades are stamped on the right......

MiniVanguards018_zpsd14f3131.jpg
 
bg, that's not correct. There are several Buck fixed blades that have the stamp on the left. The Scout model 107, the Empress Trio set model 200, the Windsor set model 206, the Kalinga model 401 and the Akouna model 402. These are merely some off the top of my head. There are more. DM
 
Thanks for the replies. Yes, I was aware of other fixed blades beyond 100 series with left side stamp. I thought it applies only to 100 series, but obviously not, according to DM.

So, does anybody know how they chose the side for any given model, or it is just random?
 
In traditional folding knife making, the "right side" is called the pile side. This is the side that is down and everything is built up, or piled, from there. The "left side" is called the mark side. That is where the maker's mark goes after building.
 
DocT said:
In traditional folding knife making, the "right side" is called the pile side. This is the side that is down and everything is built up, or piled, from there. The "left side" is called the mark side. That is where the maker's mark goes after building.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much. That makes a lot of sense.
 
OK, thanks to DocT and his terminology knowledge, I was able to google these terms and found that applies to fixed blades as well, ie they too have mark (aka left, front, obverse, die, display, decorative) and pile (aka right, back, reverse, undecorated) side.

So, mark side is always left side, for fixed and folding knives. At least traditionally...
 
I've never heard any reasons why knives are stamped on the mark side or pile side, but I have a preference.
I like them stamped on the mark side tang and read with the tip up. (I don't like large maker's marks...I think they distract from the beauty of the knife)
It's easy to see the maker's mark when holding the knife in my right hand.
I also prefer to display with the mark side of the knife showing.

I believe I see more customs stamped with the maker's mark on the mark side.

I know that the Buck 110 was marked on the pile side of three different versions or variations...the 1st/1st, 1st/2nd and the 3rd/9th.
 
Stumps, yes one has to actually read in traditional folders to uncover the ends and outs of blade stamping. Then come the exceptions as you point out. Some of these traditions have fallen by the way in today's market. You caused me to go look thru my 110's and I found one that is marked on the pile side. So, I don't think it is a hard fast rule. But an item of interst. DM
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top