Buck Knife Questions

D

dliske

Joined
Dec 11, 2000
Messages
9
I have some Buck knives that I bought approximately 20 years ago, and I was wondering if I could get some information on the knives, such as rarity (or commonality) and value.

Kalinga. I have looked at some of the past posts pertaining to these knives, and I think I have a good idea as to its history and value. The only thing I am not sure of is what a red micarta handle looks like. The handle on my knife appears to be wood. Does micarta have a grain?

Model 110 Stag. This knife came in a 13" long box with the knife wrapped separately from the sheath. The leather sheath is a very light tan (natural?) color, and has an open top (no snap cover). The sheath is stamped "Buck" on a reinforcing strap on the exposed side and "110 custom" on the backside. It also has a decorative leather "tassel".

Mustang model 701. This is an engraved knife with an image of two running horses on the largest blade. The knife is in a presentation case and is accompanied by a certificate indicating the knife is #2469 in a limited production (blade is also stamped with the number). Certificate also indicates "Blade etch by Aurum."

Again, I purchased these knives new about 20 years ago, and they have been in storage since...never been used or carried. Any information about the knives (including value) would be appreciated.

Thank you for your help.
 
It looks like we're going to play twenty questions!

Your Kalinga is one of the later models with a wood laminate handle (lots of resin, real tough} and yes, micarta (we called it Buckcarta!) has a "grain". It is actually layer upon layer of linen cloth. The red type (really maroon) was used for a long time in the 500 series. The very first prototype 422's were made with it also. Black micarta was used for many years in the Kalinga, Akonua, Frontiersman and the axe.

The sheath on the 110 stag is what was called the "Buscadero" sheath. Frankly, they were a total sales flop and they were used in special places to use them up. They were pushed through by an individual whose career at Buck didn't last too long. The tang stamp on your stag 110 is what you want to look at. I'll bet it has two dots before the 110 and two after it; if so you've got a nice knife worth ?? maybe $125, maybe more.

I'll get back on your last question if someone else doesn't jump in.

Vern Taylor
Buck rep #14 1967-92
Founder, Buck Collectors Club
 
Vern, I remember those sheaths. I was at Dan Honeycutt's knife store in Springfield,Mo. about 1994 and he showed me one that was made for the stag handled Duke I happened to be carrying. He put it in the sheath and I bet it took 30 minutes for him to get it out. Couldn't stop laughing, he's a big guy so that sheath was tight! Actually I liked the way the sheath looked, just wasn't a practical design.

------------------
Dave (Phil.4:13)
I Can Do All Things Through Him Who Strengthens Me
Lifter at work: www.profitness.com/Profiles/profileDaveAbramson
 
Vern, thanks for such a prompt and informative response thus far. You were right about the stag 110 - there are two dots before and after the 110 on the tang. As to the Mustang, I would have been more accurate in writing the blade is etched, not engraved, but I'm sure you already knew that.
smile.gif


I look forward to seeing any additional information you have, and thank you again for your help.
 
I have always liked the looks of those custom sheaths although, i have to admit, i never actually tried to use one. Now I'm glad i didn't put my Duke into one!

That 701, actually an 801 was first made in 1981. They were first called "Mustang" and the name was changed around 1982. The suggested list was about $94.00.

Hope this helps,

------------------
Joe Houser
Director of Consumer relations
Buck Collectors club Administrator and member #123
 
Joe, if I may...

I am a little confused (not hard to do) about what you wrote about the Mustang. You mentioned that my particular knife is actually a model 801. Was it originally a 701 (that is what is stamped on the tang) and was later changed to an 801? Also, do you know how many of my particular knife (as described above) were produced? Lastly, if I were to try and sell it, what is its approximate value today?

Thanks in advance.

David Liske
 
BTTT

Joe, still looking for a little clarification. Please see my last post. Thanks,

David Liske
 
David,
The 801 is a 701 with the engraving on the blade. They are still stamped 701. The suggested retail was $94 and we made just under 6000 of them. I have not seen any of them re-sell so i don't have a good feel for the current value. I would guess that they would be worth close to retail if not a little more.
Hope this helps,


------------------
Joe Houser
Director of Consumer relations
Buck Collectors club Administrator and member #123
 
Regarding the Etched Mustang. Yes, the catalog number was 801 and the blade stamp was 701. Buck made four knives like this; the 701, 703, 709 and 705. If dealers placed an order requesting a specific serial number thay could get each knife in the series with the same number, but very few did. Current value is around $100 because we made so darn many of them - 5500 of each one. If you look at the tang stamp closely you will notice that the BUCK is in script letters and that it only has 2 back springs.

Vern
 
Could someone please direct me to a FAQ or similar source of information where I might look at the steels used by Buck during the company's history? I'm mostly interested in models 112 and 110 and how to ID the blade steel of a given knife (as well as its vintage) based on blade stamp markings, etc.

Thanks!
 
This has been posted before, but I will answer again instead of searching for the previous post. The following information applies to standard production models except as noted.

Original 110s(and 112s)were 440c until the four dot models (..110..) which signified the switch to 425 modified steel. Then in about 1994, the blade steel was switched to the current 420hc. There has also been some other steels used for special knives such as damascus, ATS-34, BG-42. These steels were used for special limited issue projects, Pete's Custom Shoppe, etc. The ATS-34 and BG-42 blades are so marked and of course the damascus is self-evident.
Hope this helps.

Larry
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Larry Oden:


Original 110s(and 112s)were 440c until the four dot models (..110..) which signified the switch to 425 modified steel. Then in about 1994, the blade steel was switched to the current 420hc. There has also been some other steels used for special knives such as damascus, ATS-34, BG-42. These steels were used for special limited issue projects, Pete's Custom Shoppe, etc. The ATS-34 and BG-42 blades are so marked and of course the damascus is self-evident.

</font>
Click to expand...

Thank you very much! That helps me quite a bit.
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My 110 blade has .110. -- so that makes it 440C steel? I got it in 79-82 time frame(I think).


TIA,

Doug

[This message has been edited by Douglas Pettit (edited 01-05-2001).]
 
Doug,
Yes, all blades marked Buck, Buck/U.S.A,
Buck / 110 / U.S.A., (whether no dot, two dot or three dot) are 440C steel. Then the 4 dot models signify a switch to 425 modified steel. Sorry if I did not make this clear.
Larry
 
Does the "+" (e.g. 110+) marking indicate a knife made after the switch to 420HC?

 
rhino,
Doug is right and the steel at that time was 425 modified. I believe the switch to 420hc occured in about 1994.
 
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