Buck Model 124 information please...

S

SrHanson

Joined
Aug 27, 1999
Messages
1
I have had a Buck model 124 since I was 6.
I was just curious what years this knife was in production, and any other relevant information (steel used, etc.)

There is nothing on the blade except:
Buck
124
U.S.A.

not neccesarily in that order.

Thanks
SrHanson
 
Srhanson,
The model 124 Frontiersman first came out in the early 60's. It had a twin called the Nemo, designed to be a dive knife. Your knife, with the blade stamp, is at least earlier than 1986 and later than 1968. The earliest ones had a black micarta handle and there are some out there with red micarta handles although the red ones are very rare.
The most common variation had Birchwood handles. The majority of 124's were made with 425mod i believe.
Hope this helps.

------------------
Joe Houser
Director of Quality, Buck Knives Inc.
Buck Collectors club Administrator
 
As an addition to Joe's post on the 124, the
Nemo (122) and later the Frontiersman (124)
debuted in the late 1960s ( approx 1966 - 67 for the Nemo). They were sold interchangeably
with Nemos having a plastic divers' sheath
and Frontiersman models being issued with a
leather sheath. Later, the 122 Nemo was
dropped but the 124 remained. Some 124s in
the 1970s were produced with maroon micarta
(not really a true red). Also, I had one in
white micarta (probably from the Buck custom shop) and still have a stag 124.
The earliest versions, by the way, were made
with the standard black phenolic. The first
versions did not have any serrations at all.
Later, the blade was partially serrated.
Phenolic models have no serration and a tang
stamp of BUCK / U.S.A. Micarta models are
stamped BUCK / MODEL # / U.S.A.
 
Mine has the standard Black Pheno. handle, no number on the tang stamp. The sheath is a pistol type sheath.
Very cool!!!
 
Since this thread first appeared in 1999, new info has come to light on this very popular Buck.
A couple years ago I came across one marked BUCK* no U.S.A. , just a dot after the BUCK.
The handle is the phenolic but it is shorter than a normal 122. It has the white teflon spacers at each end of the handle. The pommel had a few extra rivets holding it together. It may have been a prototype but I have since then heard unconfirmed rumors of another with the same stamping.
 
The 124 is a great knife typically going for over $100. on ebay for an un blemished one with proper sheath. More $'s for one with box and papers. I have two, a black, and micarta wood handled model. Quite a big knife for a 6 year old ! :-)
 
Hey, I've got one of that!

A birchwood handle one. Got it for camping during my scouting days but end up not using it due to its beauty.

I still have it on my shelf now!

Good clean knife!

Sean

Edit: Mine says

BUCK
124 \
U.S.A

What does the "\" means??
 
I saw a mint condition 124 yesterday at a shop, what a knife! Immediately I searched our forum here and found this thread.

The one I examined had an upside down U after the 124. What's that mean? I went to the Buck website and found the date code, but this code seems to indicate 1997, which seems to be too late for this model knife.

Has a black handle, black sheath (not the flap type) and wow, what a knife

Phil
 
textoothpk said:
I saw a mint condition 124 yesterday at a shop, what a knife! Immediately I searched our forum here and found this thread.

The one I examined had an upside down U after the 124. What's that mean? I went to the Buck website and found the date code, but this code seems to indicate 1997, which seems to be too late for this model knife.

Has a black handle, black sheath (not the flap type) and wow, what a knife

Phil
Click to expand...

Got me stumped on that one Phil. The earliest ones had the black phenolic handles, & then black micarta at some point. (70's & 80's) The last ones to be made had the birchwood handles, but don't remember when they stopped making them. If the one you saw was made in 97, perhaps it was either rehandled or a Limited run of some kind? Maybe Joe H. can find the answer. I've got a few of the 124's. It's a great knife. Picked up a NIB maroon micarta version last year on Ebay that's from the early 70's. Don't see that one very often....esp. NIB. There's also some good info on them here if you use the Search feature. Go grab that 124, even if you are a BIG Schrade fan! :D You won't regret it.
 
Thanks, Mick.

Not being up on Bucks and prices, I didn't buy it at the asking price... $80. I almost wish it were slightly used, as it looks like a great bowie-hunter to carry on my hunting treks in northern Michigan. Has the black phenolic handles, I'm sure I could tell that from Micarta. And I am sure about the upside down 'U'.

I'll buy the damn thing and research it later.

Phil
 
textoothpk said:
Thanks, Mick.

Not being up on Bucks and prices, I didn't buy it at the asking price... $80. I almost wish it were slightly used, as it looks like a great bowie-hunter to carry on my hunting treks in northern Michigan. Has the black phenolic handles, I'm sure I could tell that from Micarta. And I am sure about the upside down 'U'.

I'll buy the damn thing and research it later.

Phil
Click to expand...

Good decision. That's a fair price for a mint one like you describe. I'd grab it in a heartbeat. I'd email Joe Houser directly & ask him about the handles. I'm still thinking it's either rehandled or a limited run that year, since birchwood was the last production handles on the 124. He's a great guy to talk to & very helpful. If he doesn't have the answer, he'll get it for you. He's pretty busy with their move to Idaho, but he will get back to you. Good luck & enjoy that 124. JHouser@buckknives.com
 
OK Folks..... I am a newbie but let me tell you what I have:
A marked knife marked:
Buck
124
U.S.A.
*The marking on the blade at the hilt is reversed from any other 124 I have. (If you read the marking from the butt end it is upside down.)
*The blade is obviously a hollow ground blade.
*The handle is "black" phenolic, but actually is more grey than black.
*The rivets in the butt are angled to the right using the info from Joe Houser.
Now.... Here is a kicker to other info included in this thread......
*The blade has a partial serration.
*The sheath is a "folded" leather design with NO rivet at the top as in other sheaths I have & is in black.
*The top of the blade holding part of the sheath is "angled" toward the blade & the folded part is sewed entirely. This is where the other sheaths I have has a rivet securing the folded portion.
*The snap has "BUCK" engraved on it.
*There is NO "Buck" marked on the leather anywhere.
OK Gentlemen....... Just what do I have?
Thanks for the help!
Grady
 
Welcome to the forum.
If you can, post a picture,you'll be more apt to get exact anwers to your questions.
 
blgoode said:
mine has the standard black pheno. Handle, no number on the tang stamp. The sheath is a pistol type sheath.
Very cool!!!
Click to expand...

i wish someone could answer a question for mine mine has the real nice wood handle it says 124 buck and on the blade is stamped tifco industries on it does anyone know what that means thks for any info i can send pictures of knike if anyone knows about this knife thk you
 
I am only guessing but the Tifco Industries stamp on the blade is probably the name of a company who had the knife specially made with the Co. name to give as a gift or some sort of occasion. You once were able to contact Buck knives and request special stamps on the blade or handle. Companies did this to promote the Co. name or gave them away as gifts, such as retirement presents
 
MARTY MILLER said:
i wish someone could answer a question for mine mine has the real nice wood handle it says 124 buck and on the blade is stamped tifco industries on it does anyone know what that means thks for any info i can send pictures of knike if anyone knows about this knife thk you
Click to expand...

Does your's have a date stamp to the right of "124" on the tang? That might help pin it down. I can't find it in the Special Projects list that I have printed out, but it ends in 2005. A date for the knife would give me an idea where to start looking in the newer lists that are published yearly in the Buck Club newsletters. Pictures would help also.
 
Hmmmm, mine looks awfully new... Oh yeah, it was made last month! Sorry, still grinning over this one.

Wow, 12++ yr old thread!

Stainz
 
It always has been one of my favorites. Amazing how bigger knives are making a real comeback.
 
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