Buck Custom Shop Questions

[RAZORBLADES]

If a knife is ordered and bilt to your specs,then that to me is a custom knife.The cost of a custom 110 is small in comparison to what other places charge for a upgraded or custom knife.Buck makes a fine knife,i`ve had some problems a few times as well,who hasn`t,the difference is Buck has a great group of folks working to make sure our problems get fixed,instead of giving you the run around like other companies.best of luck!

 

[Plumberdv]

I suppose it all depends on your definition of a "custom". I have an acquaintance here in town that's been a knife collector since he was in his teens and he's older than I am. In the last 25 or so years, he's concentrated on collecting "real" custom knives and scoffs (in a kind way) at calling what Buck produces "customs". He buys only one of a kind knives from custom bladesmiths that he's either had input into the design or ones from those artisans that strike his fancy.

He subscribes to the definition that is given by the famous A. G. Russell, that's quoted below.

"Custom Knife
A Custom Knife is one in which the customer has either designed all or part of the knife OR a knife in which the customer has specified the materials in a makers own design. Selecting one of the listed handle materials in a makers catalog to be put on a blade of the makers design does not make a custom knife."

I visited a knife store in Solvang, California a couple of years back that specializes in true customs and it was like visiting an art museum. The real customs are way out of my pay grade, so I guess I'm stuck with Bucks versions of "custom".

The upside of that, is that at least from Buck, we aren't on a year long (or longer) waiting list to get our "custom".

 

[peterinct]

I suppose it all depends on your definition of a "custom". I have an acquaintance here in town that's been a knife collector since he was in his teens and he's older than I am. In the last 25 or so years, he's concentrated on collecting "real" custom knives and scoffs (in a kind way) at calling what Buck produces "customs". He buys only one of a kind knives from custom bladesmiths that he's either had input into the design or ones from those artisans that strike his fancy.

He subscribes to the definition that is given by the famous A. G. Russell, that's quoted below.

"Custom Knife
A Custom Knife is one in which the customer has either designed all or part of the knife OR a knife in which the customer has specified the materials in a makers own design. Selecting one of the listed handle materials in a makers catalog to be put on a blade of the makers design does not make a custom knife."

I visited a knife store in Solvang, California a couple of years back that specializes in true customs and it was like visiting an art museum. The real customs are way out of my pay grade, so I guess I'm stuck with Bucks versions of "custom".

The upside of that, is that at least from Buck, we aren't on a year long waiting list to get our "custom".

At various times on the "Custom & Handmade" forum, there have been discussions (some heated) as to the definition of a "custom" knife. For anyone interested, doing a search on that forum would provide a lot of "food for thought".

Things like EDM, CNC and other processes have made an already difficult topic even moreso!

Seems what CAN be agreed upon, is as long as there is honesty and folks that source some processes say so, one absolute definition is not so important.

Peter

 

[110 Dave]

hum almost a lively discussion !
any way if I recall correctly
the customs and Limited Editions are made on a different line then the regular production lines
and it is a group that does them and
that line is not located in the same area as the others
I think it is in a different room but don't quote me as
it has been 5 years since I was there ..
I think since buck closed the original custom shop that they use the term to mean
a knife that is costumed ordered ...

there are knives that are made that are unique in the custom shop
which come/start from the laser cutting area
such as I posted in the SPS by ITE

 

[Plumberdv]

The idea that there's a separate assembly line for "customs" and Limited Editions makes much more sense to me than the idea that they are produced on the regular assembly line.

I can only imagine the holdups and slow downs caused by a regular assembly line worker having to suddenly switch gears and and find a certain blade, frame (Brass/NS, FG's/no FG's) and so on. I'm sure that would be a very inefficient way of producing both the "customs" or the standard knives.

 

[jb4570]

hum almost a lively discussion !
any way if I recall correctly
the customs and Limited Editions are made on a different line then the regular production lines
and it is a group that does them and
that line is not located in the same area as the others
I think it is in a different room but don't quote me as
it has been 5 years since I was there ..
I think since buck closed the original custom shop that they use the term to mean
a knife that is costumed ordered ...

there are knives that are made that are unique in the custom shop
which come/start from the laser cutting area
such as I posted in the SPS by ITE

Wow Dave,

So which one of your comments is correct the one above that you posted today 2013 or your comment below from a 2009 post?

ugh... well....
JB there is no custom "shop"
all customs are built on the production lines.
then only diff is they set up the bins with the custom stuff to pick from
that and any thing with out rivits gets clamped for 24 hrs before finishing
you are makeing a custom order..
one that would not ve done unless requested ..
the order can have notations on it..

there used to be a repair shop... and joe was the boss there
but that floor space is now some thing else
all repairs are made on the 'line' that made them new..

btw the only thing close is the moddleing location were they try
things out .. this is also were all build outs are thunk up and
tryed out..

it is not a location were the tour covers...

IMHO, the current Buck CS knives are like going to burgerKing and getting it your way. No other knife company offers this type of build a knife your way option. Thank you Buck!

jb4570

 

[Plumberdv]

John, (I shouldn't be answering for the other Dave , but....) I believe that he meant to say the same thing in both posts, he just didn't say "on a different line" back in 2009. At least that's the way I read them. Still a production line either way, just one dedicated to LE's and "Customs".