Buck Duke

T

tomcrx

Joined
Jun 7, 2007
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953
I had a Buck Duke for years that my father gave me one year at deer camp, around 1981. This year it grew legs while deer hunting. I went online to look for another and found it had been discontinued. I have 2 questions

1. Why did Buck stop production? Was it a poor seller?

2. Does Buck make any model close to it?..i.e. slimline, with drop point of similar size?

As you can tell I am not up to speed on the current Buck knives.

Thanks
 
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While they are not produced anymore, they are relatively easy to locate. I bought two in the last couple of months that were year specific...meaning I wanted two particular years of them and found them relatively easily.

Matter of fact, there is a nice camel bone model available on Buck's website under web specials if you're interested.
 
Tom, Glad to see a fellow New Mexician . Buck introduced the 500 Duke in 1978 and it has just recently been discontinued . So, its been around for like 30yrs.. Perhaps sales had something to do with it, the market changed and Buck moved its plant to ID.. But as Casey pointed out they're available and can be found at knife shows and auction sites . Plus, Buck brings that model back as a Limited Edition from time to time . Some can be had right now . So, your in luck . Just get one now as you still have a chance . There may be some left in the Heritage Series Buck made with S30V blade steel . I had to have one of those as I like the Duke too . That one is a real handsome knife . Good luck and let us know how it goes . DM
 
Fortunately there were a lot made and they are still relatively easy to find and in good shape. I'm not sure why Buck let this one slide. Personally I feel this entire line up from the Knight, to the Prince, to the Esquire now called the Squire after that little legal tangle with the magazine and the Duke are all among the best knives Buck has ever produced. I still carry and use my Esquire on many occasions and in the half century + that I've been on this planet a Buck Esquire/Squire has spent more time in my pocket than any other single model of knife with the only thing coming close being a old SAK I have.

I've always felt that with a little upgrade by Buck of a pocket clip and thumb stud on the Squire and Duke models that they would be among the best knives available to end line users and quite popular. Personally I'd have tried that with the Duke before discontinuing it because its the perfect size for a pocket clip equipped knife and once thats done there is no need for a belt sheath. Apparently many feel this way besides myself because I still average about 10 to 20 conversions of these Squire and Duke models per year to add thumb studs and clips to them for folks. In fact I was just contacted today by a customer wanting to buy one on ebay and checking with me first to see if I could convert it for him immediately upon his purchase, apparently getting my okay to do the upgrade before he hit the buy it now button. This is not the first time someone has done this either.

I don't know if Buck ever reads these threads here but if so I think you need to get one of my conversions and see for yourself just what you are missing. Someone at Buck give me an address and I'll ship you one of my Esquire upgraded models N/C and maybe then you'll get it. Your customers do! Then you can make them that way and sell the daylights out of them. :thumbup:

STR
 
I don't think I can add much to the comments above other than to say today I got my order from Buck. All specials and all superbly priced. One is a 500 in Camel Bone and it is an outstanding piece. Everyone should consider picking one up especially those that already know they love the 500!
 
Flatlander1963 said:
One is a 500 in Camel Bone and it is an outstanding piece.
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I've never held that knife. It looks small. The overal design and the pointy blade look ideal. A picture of it in your hand would speak volumes to me. Thank you kindly.
 
If the Duke had a pocket clip or thumb stud I wouldn't buy one . As I can't stand the feel of a knife w/ a pocket clip on it . They currently offer many other models that have those features . DM
 
David Martin said:
If the Duke had a pocket clip or thumb stud I wouldn't buy one . As I can't stand the feel of a knife w/ a pocket clip on it . They currently offer many other models that have those features . DM
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One can easily remove a pocket clip if it bothers them David and simply screw the screws back into the holes to fill them. Thumb studs are one of the best inventions to come around in our life time in my opinion and these can be removed also for that matter. Just because a thumb stud is there doesn't mean it has to be opened with one hand. The blade could still be opened in the traditional manner with or without a stud and for that matter the blade could still have both a nail nick and a stud or be sold either way.

All I'm saying is that the option should be available for end line users because it seems to me there is every bit the market for one with a stud and clip as there is without. I've lost track of how many I've actually had requests for on this for the Squire and Duke but when I add the Buck 110, 112 and 560 models as well as others the list could be very long. Anyway, thats my take on this. I think its a good idea and marketable at that.

STR
 
Very fine, theres room for another opinion on this . Do the remodels for those who wish . I like some models more traditional . I've installed thumb studs on some of those models myself . Even made different blades for some . Just not pocket clips as I said, they cause the knife to no longer feel right in my hand . So, I think Buck did get it right on the first try . DM
 
STR can you post a pick of one of your conversions?

I do agree that the 500 line were the best traditional lockbacks that Buck made.
 
David Martin said:
Very fine, theres room for another opinion on this . Do the remodels for those who wish . I like some models more traditional . I've installed thumb studs on some of those models myself . Even made different blades for some . Just not pocket clips as I said, they cause the knife to no longer feel right in my hand . So, I think Buck did get it right on the first try . DM
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I'm with you on this one David. Leave the 500 as is.:thumbup:
 
oregon said:
I've never held that knife. It looks small. The overal design and the pointy blade look ideal. A picture of it in your hand would speak volumes to me. Thank you kindly.
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The 500 is the best size knife for me in this series. It is one of my all time favorite knives. I have large hands but I don't find the knife to be to small but then I consider it a Gentleman's knife.

My KOA English Script 500
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With a 3-dot FG 112
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Flatlander1963 said:
The 500 is the best size knife for me in this series. It is one of my all time favorite knives. I have large hands but I don't find the knife to be to small but then I consider it a Gentleman's knife.
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Perfect photo for me to see the hand fit. Thank you kindly Flat. Man-o-man does that KOA present a feast for the eyes. Yes it does. Beautiful.
 
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