Buck Kalinga model 401 & Akonua model 402

[Tim Smallwood]

Hello,
I am new to the forum, and would like some information on the Buck Kalinga 401 & the Akonua 402. I am interested in the early models with the pointed guard and the black micarta handles. If anyone could provide me with production dates, variations, etc, I would greatly appreciate it.

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[David Martin]

The 401 Kalinga came out in 1969 with a Buck USA inverted stamp, dressed in black micarta. Not many of this stamp are seen. In late 1970 perhaps early 71 the stamp changed to Buck Kalinga USA, inverted.
The stamp read point up came in 1973 (maybe earlier), now dressed in maroon micarta. Then back to black in 1974 and remained that way until 1981, where is was dressed in red Pakkawood up thru 97.
The 402 Akonua came out in 1971 with a inverted stamp, Buck Akonua USA and dressed in black micarta. In 1973 Buck turned the stamp to be read point up and gave it burgundy micarta handles. In 1974 it was back to black micarta handles that turned to red Pakkawood in 1981 thru 1997. DM

 

[DeSotoSky]

Welcome to the Buck forum. The only thing I would add to Davids answer is that the guard changed from the pointed to blunt version about the same time as the change to the wood handle (80-81). Generally the pointed guard is found with the micarta handles and the blunt guard is found with the wood handles. There was some overlap in the changes and wood handled knives may be found with the pointed guard for both the 401 and 402 as a scarce variation. I have not seen a micarta handle with a blunt guard. The steel changed form 440C to 425mod about 1981 also.