Buck Knives and the Navajos

Thanks MELbcci. You take very nice photos as well. Good photography can really enhance a nice knife.

After owning horses for 49 years, if I were to buy a Yellowhorse knife, I think it would be this 112. It just whinnies to me. :)


$_57.JPG
 
unimogbert said:
Have been thinking about the original question and reminiscing a bit.

I recall seeing those beautiful Buck knives on display in the red velvet case on the counter at the Navy Exchange (PX for you non-squids) when I was a kid. The shiny blades, shiny black handles, and shiny aluminum but caps and guards made a big impression on me.

Dad was given a Skinner model as a going-away present from his squadron. What a great knife!

I saved my pennies and bought a 119 Special for about $18 with my own money when I was about 9. (late 1960's) Dad had my name engraved on the ricasso of my knife and my initials embossed on the sheath - just like his.

Later, when I was serving, the NEX had the same display case at Norfolk and a majority of sailors aboard my ship were carrying a Buck 110. And I joined them sometimes. Both the 119 and the 110 were stolen out of my house about 1982 when I was at sea.

I suspect that Buck's marketing department was effective at getting their product onto military bases.
Likely the closest store to that Navajo reservation has a red velvet display case for Buck knives.

(If any Buck collectors have an engraved/embossed 119 with my name on it - I'd like to buy it back for sentimental reasons.)
Click to expand...

Welcome and thank you for your service too!

I am sorry that you lost your knives due to a theft in your home.

Thank you for this post too. I remember some Buck knives in the Navy Exchange as a new bride during the Vietnam era too.

Cate
 
TAH said:
Welcome unimogbert. Good story, but with a sad ending. Hope you find your knives someday. I think many of us remember those red velvet display cases. Presentation is everything and Buck did it first class. Too bad those days are gone, but I'm glad I experienced them. Thanks again for your story and your service! :thumbup:

Last night, I took another photo of my 105. This time with a "new" 1960s Navajo sandcast belt buckle that I bought at a trading post in New Mexico. These old sandcast buckles are hard to find without turquoise stones. Been looking for years for the right one. On the second photo, I used the "Effects" feature on Photobucket and gave the photo a vintage look. That's a fun feature to play with if you haven't tried it.


IMG_7964_zps1tzoxcqt.jpg



15dffa57-5b68-40cc-a64e-5fa767b2e380_zpssx5cctog.jpg
Click to expand...

Very, very nice and thank you for your posts and pictures!

Cate
 
MELbcci said:
My I first say the Navajo land pictures are outstanding. Hope I can make it out west.
Cate,
Sorry for the delay, was out of town a while and didn't see the questions. I don't think the Buck book is still in publication, however I have to believe one could be found. Not sure if Buck still has any available or not. Mine I am proud to say was gifted to me by Chuck himself many years ago when the book was printed. There has been another Buck book printed since this one.

TAH, I love all Yellowhorse work. It's very impressive. I have watched him at show demonstrate the art many years ago. Just fell in love with his work. Can't say that I have a favorite, but the Night Chant above is I one them for sure. Never have used one really, I had been known to carry one on my belt at hunt camp, but just "fer looks".

UNIMIBERT, I too hope you are reunited somehow with those knives. That is a shame.

Thanks for the compliments, they belong to Dave himself.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the book information.

Take care.

Cate
 
TAH said:
Thanks MELbcci. You take very nice photos as well. Good photography can really enhance a nice knife.

After owning horses for 49 years, if I were to buy a Yellowhorse knife, I think it would be this 112. It just whinnies to me. :)


$_57.JPG
Click to expand...

Beautiful knife!

This is a great thread with all of the beautiful pictures.

Cate - A Buck Knife Lady
 
Sort of Off Topic:

TAH, your photos remind me of something from many, many years ago. I wasn't there for the beginning, but luckily I was there for the end. My wife-to-be was teaching at a BIA School near the south end of Monument Valley. Late one night during a really bad storm there was a knock on her door and she opened it to find a soaking-wet fellow who said, "I need some help." He was a pilot for the Indian Health Service who had just made a forced landing, in the dark, on the highway near the school. To make a long story short, my wife and others from the teacher's compound helped push the plane off the highway, drove the passenger, who was an older woman and who spoke no English, to the hospital in Monument Valley and then put the pilot up for the night. The next morning the whole school went out to the highway and watched while the plane took off. A couple of weeks later I happened to be there when the pilot called to say thanks and offered a gift of gratitude. He was one of the few pilots with low-level clearance to fly over Monument Valley. The result was that several of us had a flight at the level of the buttes, just at sunset. The buttes literally glowed. It was a magnificent experience.

Bert
 
What a wonderful story and experience, Bert. Thanks for sharing it. We were fortunate enough to visit Monument Valley last summer and again this summer. It's a special, powerful place for sure. This summer, we took a 3-hour private horseback ride through the valley and around left mitten. The sunrise was magnificent. I posted this photo from last summer's trip, but for those who missed it, it's kind of cool. From the balcony of our room...


IMG_6146_zps2c229f53.jpg
 
A great story and beautiful photos, gentlemen! Thank you for sharing. It has been a great thread.
 
It's so nice to see an interest in Buck knives from any community.

I hope the younger generations of the Native communities will continue to enjoy Buck knives and their great company.
 
Great thread. The pictures of Bucks are good, and It must be interesting to watch one of those custom Yellow Horse knives being made.

The pics of the country are awesome. Gorgeous.
 
bertl said:
Sort of Off Topic:

TAH, your photos remind me of something from many, many years ago. I wasn't there for the beginning, but luckily I was there for the end. My wife-to-be was teaching at a BIA School near the south end of Monument Valley. Late one night during a really bad storm there was a knock on her door and she opened it to find a soaking-wet fellow who said, "I need some help." He was a pilot for the Indian Health Service who had just made a forced landing, in the dark, on the highway near the school. To make a long story short, my wife and others from the teacher's compound helped push the plane off the highway, drove the passenger, who was an older woman and who spoke no English, to the hospital in Monument Valley and then put the pilot up for the night. The next morning the whole school went out to the highway and watched while the plane took off. A couple of weeks later I happened to be there when the pilot called to say thanks and offered a gift of gratitude. He was one of the few pilots with low-level clearance to fly over Monument Valley. The result was that several of us had a flight at the level of the buttes, just at sunset. The buttes literally glowed. It was a magnificent experience.

Bert
Click to expand...

Bert,

This was a great post to read.

Thank you.

Cate
 
David doesn't just inlay knives. Here is a belt buckle and money clip.

YellowhorseFancyBeltBuckle.jpg
$_35.JPG



Wild horses on the Navajo Reservation...

_DSC5099.jpg
 
David also does pistol grips...

KI-1302-POI-06.jpg



...and sometimes belt buckles and pistol grips. :thumbup:

NAA%20Cowboy%20by%20Yellowhorse.JPG



Betatakin House ruins, Navajo National Monument...

DSC04116.JPG
 
David Yellowhorse interview...:)

[video=youtube;yKl0zUgMV2E]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKl0zUgMV2E[/video]


Shiprock, Navajo Reservation, New Mexico...

616fe66bea408ca98a0a6b31dce6a694
 
John Wayne visited Navajoland a time or two. :) Apparently Buck teamed with The Franklin Mint on this project. Does anyone have one of these? Is this the only time Buck was involved in a John Wayne commemorative?


28109318_4_x.jpg


28109318_3_l.jpg





The Searchers, Monument Valley, 1956...

the-searchers-monument-valley-john-wayne-132872320.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top