Buck Tang

[lespaul36]

This is probably a stupid question and may have already been asked somewhere (couldn't find a answer in the archives), but I have Buck 119, it has been more reliable than anything else I own. I was wondering what type of tang was used to hold the handle on. I am guessing a narrow tang or a blind tang, but am not sure. Perhaps some custom "Buck" tang?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Kdarmy]

On the old models they used a rat tail type, where you could look at the butt of the handle and see the nut holding it together.

The new ones have a narrow flat tang which runs the full lenght of the knife and is pinned on through the side of the end cap. Once these are polished it is almost impossible to see though.

Hope this makes sense...

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Keith D.Armacost
If The Women Don't Find You Handsome,
They Should At Least Find You Handy. R.G.

 

[Joe Houser]

Just to add a bit to Keith's explanation,

From way way back,up intil 1961, Buck would braze a bolt to the end of a file and either pin or thread the pommel to the end of the bolt. In 1961 they started using forgings but still brazed a small bolt to the end of the tang and used a barrel nut fastener which can be seen on the very end of the pommel. In about 1963 they stopped with the barrel nut and started pinning the pommel to the tang again. The tang design has remained vertually the same since. It is the same thickness as the blade and about 5/16ths to 7/16ths wide depending on the model.
Hope this is not too much more info than you wanted!

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Joe Houser
Director of Consumer relations
Buck Collectors club Administrator and member #123