Buck Knives article 1969

[Makael]

Reminds me of the atheist who was asking the preacher for proof that God exists. The preacher said, "You've got to have faith." The atheist said, "Why should I have faith when you can't prove that God exists." The preacher said, "You're right, I can't prove that God exists. But you can't prove He doesn't."

Exactly

 

[David Martin]

T tiguy7 , my point was the company founders were Hoyt, Al and Chuck. DM

 

[tiguy7]

I knew that. I just couldn’t figure out the Al Sr. And Jr.

 

[Der Verminator]

As a speculative fly on the wall, I would wonder why when testing a large quantity of knives for their ability to sever cold rolled steel bolts, why not make a fixture to hold the blade/knife perfectly vertical, feed wire from a roll under said blade, and use a hydraulic press to deliver a controlled pressure? Knuckle dragging hammer mechanics could ruin spines and edges.

And they would have ruined many, if this had actually been done as has been speculated here.

Hitting EVERY knife on the spine with a steel hammer to drive it through a steel bolt?

The losses would have been unacceptable (starting with the fact that every spine would have been marred).

The famous picture and trademark was a marketing strategy rather than a procedure that would be used as a standard test.

Anyway, it sure would be great if Buck had information as to exactly how testing was done and when.......with some actual documentation instead of fifty-year-old memories from the elderly.

Being quite elderly myself, I know how unreliable these fifty-year-old memories can be.

Those memories are often more fun than what actually happened.

As the doubting Thomas of the forum.......I'm glad that one can express an unpopular opinion here without getting pilloried and placed on ignore lists.

 

[bucklife301]

Now this thread will end up getting locked it was a good read for awhile

 

[Der Verminator]

Reminds me of the atheist who was asking the preacher for proof that God exists. The preacher said, "You've got to have faith." The atheist said, "Why should I have faith when you can't prove that God exists." The preacher said, "You're right, I can't prove that God exists. But you can't prove He doesn't."

Hebrews 11:v1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

A unique and fascinating discussion.

Speculation about the testing of knives leads us into philosophical thoughts on the existence of God.

What a wonderful forum.

 

[TAH]

Speculation about the testing of knives leads us into philosophical thoughts on the existence of God.

It seemed appropriate...

"God has been gracious to our company and our family throughout the years and I give God the glory." - Lori Buck, Owner & Director

 

[Der Verminator]

Indeed totally appropriate.

 

[Boru13]

Now this thread will end up getting locked it was a good read for awhile

No lock, just a block from the thread if necessary.

 

[J Hubbard]

The engineer (who I have known for 30+ years) started in 73. So we were still hitting the bolt then. We would give it a good smack on the spine and if the edge chipped, it was rejected. We didn't cut through the bolts. I'm sure bolts were re-used. I too think we stopped when we went to 425mod, but not sure on that.
Non-believers can poo-poo it all they want.

 

[Lesknife]

I’m just fascinated by the history and heritage of the Buck family business and the way they developed their process through the decades from the beginning to the iconic name brand they are today. I’m still learning more and it’s a vast amount of information I’m still sorting through. I enjoy these articles very much and I’d love to take a tour and see the factory and company store in Post Falls Idaho. It’s on my bucket list. Lol

 

[TAH]

The engineer (who I have known for 30+ years) started in 73. So we were still hitting the bolt then. We would give it a good smack on the spine and if the edge chipped, it was rejected. We didn't cut through the bolts. I'm sure bolts were re-used. I too think we stopped when we went to 425mod, but not sure on that.
Non-believers can poo-poo it all they want.

That's interesting, Jeff. Thanks for the additional information. And probably any marring of the blade could have been polished out before it left the shop.

 

[MaxCast]

The forum software has an ignore function.

• Mouse over your user name at the top of any page, and a popup will appear.
• Half way down the right column is "People you ignore".
• Click it and it will take you to a separate page.
• At the bottom is the add window. Type in the name of the user whose posts you no longer wish to see. (I shall refrain from making suggestions as to whom that might be.)
• Click Save.
• Blissful silence.

Recommended.

Ahhhhhh, Thank you.
I loved the article, TAH. Thanks for posting.

 

[STEELHEADBULLY]

The forum software has an ignore function.

• Mouse over your user name at the top of any page, and a popup will appear.
• Half way down the right column is "People you ignore".
• Click it and it will take you to a separate page.
• At the bottom is the add window. Type in the name of the user whose posts you no longer wish to see. (I shall refrain from making suggestions as to whom that might be.)
• Click Save.
• Blissful silence.

Recommended.

Why should we have to ignore/block a troll? Isn't that your job?

 

[DOGPOUND77]

.with some actual documentation instead of fifty-year-old memories from the elderly.

sounds familiar from the past????----same old stuff--same troll

 

[pinnah]

Actually back in 69 we did test every edge with a bolt. Not sure when we stopped, but I was chatting with one of our engineers who was in the shop back in those days and he verified this.

And people worry about batonning wood...

 

[Der Verminator]

The engineer (who I have known for 30+ years) started in 73. So we were still hitting the bolt then. We would give it a good smack on the spine and if the edge chipped, it was rejected. We didn't cut through the bolts. I'm sure bolts were re-used.

Thanks much for the additional info.

And this was done on every knife?

That's pretty amazing, Jeff.

Buck continues to amaze.

 

[bucklife301]

Why should we have to ignore/block a troll? Isn't that your job?

Cool it works Ahhhhh

 

[RAZORBLADES]

Der verminator,they did not say every knife was pounded completely through a bolt,read carefully and you will see each knife was tested on a bolt with one hit,if the edge didn't chip,out it was considered as a pass of their test.Every knife at one time was checked in this manner,I've rwad that many times over the years reading many many articles about the Buck Knife Co.

 

[pondoro]

OK, I believe Jeff. I'm an engineer who works with expensive metal products. Let me start by saying that engineers do not know everything. I am amazed and horrified at the idea of hitting every blade against a bolt. Just do it once and take a picture. I'm not saying that they didn't do it. My fear as an engineer would be that some knives develop invisible damage that would reduce their lives down the road. Modern engineers would never allow this. But it worked for Buck. A non-engineer started the company and developed a test that he liked. The test is impressive. It apparently did not cause invisible damage. The test was "indicative of a high level of testosterone." (I have self censored my original wording but I am sure you get the drift.) It established Buck's reputation. Thus the capitalistic system and a gutsy knife maker allowed a company to grow and thrive in an area where the customers would have been very unforgiving of bad knives. This is a great story: practical hands-on design skills, gutsy testing and an amazing belief in the product.