Great place to find 'experts'. The first knife-seller I quizzed re any available Bucks told me he wouldn't buy that 'junk' because the quality had suffered since they moved from Oregon! Oddly, he loved Gerbers - and had a few, too. He also had the usual PRC fantasy blades - and the obligatory Cases. Several more Bubba's with similar fare yielded similar results. Then, I found some Bucks...
The last guy had a bunch of tables - surrounding him - in the woods. Old display cases - crammed full of knives - rusty/ratty Marbles Fieldcraft/Woodcraft for $130-$200 - "You can't buy them like this no more!" he said. Yep. Then, the Bucks... 110's - a half dozen in one section - his cheapest $70 - highest - $175. Ratty shape would be an improvement - and no box or sheaths. He said "... and they make them in China now - not the same quality!?, as he pointed to the rattiest - and supposedly newest - with fg's - and darkened/chipped rosewood scales, a la, I suppose, the like new $14 tin boxed closeout from W-M I pulled from my pocket to show him... and show him the USA on the blade. He walked away while I was talking. I guess they live off the city yuppee's purchases. Buyer beware!
Stainz
The last guy had a bunch of tables - surrounding him - in the woods. Old display cases - crammed full of knives - rusty/ratty Marbles Fieldcraft/Woodcraft for $130-$200 - "You can't buy them like this no more!" he said. Yep. Then, the Bucks... 110's - a half dozen in one section - his cheapest $70 - highest - $175. Ratty shape would be an improvement - and no box or sheaths. He said "... and they make them in China now - not the same quality!?, as he pointed to the rattiest - and supposedly newest - with fg's - and darkened/chipped rosewood scales, a la, I suppose, the like new $14 tin boxed closeout from W-M I pulled from my pocket to show him... and show him the USA on the blade. He walked away while I was talking. I guess they live off the city yuppee's purchases. Buyer beware!
Stainz