Buck knife date stamp question

M

Mxy

Joined
Jan 31, 2004
Messages
9
I have a limited edition Buck Model 500 lock back knife with a gold engraving of an eagle head profile and a flying eagle on the blade. Serial number indicates the edition was limited to 1000. The date stamp (<) would indicate 1986. In Levine's 5th edition there is a listing for a Buck Model 500 issued in a quantity of 1000 called the Flying Eagle but it is listed as being issued in 1987. Does anyone know what I might have if not the Flying Eagle?
A photo is here http://home.fuse.net/gallimaufry/Knife forum/Eagle-Box.jpg
Thanks, Mxy
 
Welcome Mxy.
I'm sure Joe Houser or one of the knowledgable Buck guys will be along soon but from what I know, Buck was famous for never wasting anything and using older blades. I think it's possible the knife was issued in 1987 but they used up a leftover blade from 1986.
 
Thanks for the quick reply. I have been told that may be the case. BTW any idea of the current value?

Mxy
 
MXY, glad you made it! Larry Oden has wrote several articles on the 500 and 300 series Bucks and Gypsy is usually around.
guy
 
Originally posted by lifter4Him
Buck was famous for never wasting anything and using older blades. I think it's possible the knife was issued in 1987 but they used up a leftover blade from 1986.
Click to expand...

lifter4Him was correct when he mentioned that BUCK was, and still is, famous for not wasting a blade. This is even more evident I have found, when they issue Limited Editions. I feel confident that the knife you have is the knife described in Levine's 5th. ;)

As for a current value, I yield to others with more experience pricing the knives. I know Larry Oden proably won't be around until Monday - you might want to ask Mr. Levine in his forum. :D

BTW - WELCOME to BF and the BUCK Forum - sit back and stay awhile....
 
Mxy,

Most etched bladed knives, including the 110s, 112s, and 500s average in the $100 to $175 range. The smaller the issue, the rarer the knife and therefore the higher price. The knives that are limited to 250 or less, usually go for $150 to $175. The knives that are limited to 500 - 1000 are in the $125 to $150 range. Editions limited to 1000 and higher will bring about $100. These are only average guidelines. Hope this helps.
 
Thanks for the information. Those are the guide lines I am looking for. Does year of issue have much affect? Say 1970s vs 1980s?

Mxy
 
Mxy,

Date of issue does play a role in the valuation. The knives from the 70s were all done by Aurum Etching. The blades are a deep black etch. Some of these knives will bring more than the ones from the 80s and 90s if they were done in small numbers. The Bicentennial knife doesn't bring much because there were so many made (over 7000.
 
Thanks for the insight. I do have a 703 Aurum Colt, issued 1978, but in a quantity of 5000. This has the dep black etching. But the Buck 500 I have is done in gold, I assume real gold plating. Is this too an Aurum knife?

Mxy
 
Mxy,

Aurum Etchings went out of business in the late 80s if I recall correctly. Buck then took over doing blade etchings in house. If your Duke is from before 1986 or so, I'd say that it is an Aurum etched blade. Should be no difference in pricing between and Aurum gold etch and a Buck in house gold etch.
 
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