Buck Warranty

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chuck172

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Apr 20, 2008
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I have an old buck 120. The black phenolic handle is cracked. I called buck to see if they would repair it under warranty. I was told it can't be repaired but would be replaced free of charge. I then said I don't want anything made in china and was told not to worry, it is made in the U.S.A.
Now I'm thinking, buck doesn't make the 120 anymore. Upon further reading of their warranty, they state they will replace it with that model knife, or one of equal value.
What model do you think I'm getting?
The 120 is going up in value, should I just keep this one with the cracked handle ?
 
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Buck will send you a new 120 made in USA.
A 120 with a cracked handle is worth nothing.
So it can't go up in value. I think it is better
to take the new 120.

Haebbie
 
Why don't you see if one of our forum knife manglers could put a nice handle of your choice on that knife? Might be the perfect time and some of them work pretty reasonable.

Otherwise, I'm sure Buck will give you a nice new 120 for it. They still make them and they're great knives.

No point in keeping it with a cracked handle.
 
chuck172 said:
Now I'm thinking, buck doesn't make the 120 anymore. Upon further reading of their warranty, they state they will replace it with that model knife, or one of equal value.
What model do you think I'm getting?
The 120 is going up in value, should I just keep this one with the cracked handle ?
Click to expand...

They still do runs of them at times for customers. I have 2 brand new one's made in 2005 and 2008. I don't know for sure who they produced them for, but they are still available although not in the catalog.

20052008Generalsa.jpg
 
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Chuck, Welcome . That model or any of Buck's 100 series fixed blades were never made in China . Your 120 fixed blade with the cracked handle is still worth a lot . A experienced knife maker can put you a stacked leather handle on it, making it good as new . Or purchase a new knife from Buck . Whats the stamping on your 120 ? DM
 
The number 120 isn't stamped on the knife. Just Buck USA
The sheath is a bit different though, it is a flap over design, it secures vertically not horizontally.
 
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Nice old one from the late sixties, then.

Get somebody to put a stag handle on it for you and you'll have a real treasure.

:)
 
I wouldn't trade it in,i'd buy a new one and have that one re-handled,you would be giving up a goosd piece of steel with that old blade.
 
Welcome to the Buck forum chuck.Sounds to me like a perfect excuse to have a Stag 120.:):thumbup:
 
Chuck, That models sheath never did secure horizontally nor any of the 100 Series knives . I think you should swap to someone for a newer 120 . Lets see if I have one . DM
 
The old buck is packed away in a box addressed to buck. Some here have said to keep it, others to trade it in. I don't want to let this one go to trade for a piece of junk. I don't think I will ever have it re-handled unless I do it myself. The blade is just way too big for any practical use. I'm not a collector, although I do like quality knives. Do knives like mine come up on ebay often? Are they sought after? If not maybe the best deal would be to get a new knife from buck, leave it new in the box up in a closet somewhere. I don't know!
 
First consider the merits of the current knife. It has better steel than a new one. You haven't mentioned the condition of the blade so that is a variable. Is it scratched, ground with a grinder, overly sharpened?---if so it probably is valuable only as a user and not of significant monetary value. If clean, you should contact some of the knifemakers on this site and determine the cost of rehandling it. You will probably wind up with a better knife either for sale or to keep. I understand that you are not a collector (YET!!!) but a classy 120 might change that. You certainly would recover the cost of rehandling it if you sold it (and probably significantly more). Your knife is almost 40 years old and the BUCK USA stamped knives show up rarely on EBAY and they are quite collectible. The rehandling could affect its value up or down depending upon the buyer and the rehandling material used.

If you turn it in, you will get a knife that is worth about $60 and, if you put it on a shelf for 10 years it will probably be worth $70, if that.

Your choice.........

Welcome to the forum.

Telechronos:):):)
 
A new Buck 120 certainly would'nt be junk.I happen to be quite fond of their 420HC.If you got a new General from them,it would be USA made for sure.But,I agree with everyone else,keep and rehandle that old one,priceless.
 
Very good advice. I'm not under any time restraint to send this knife back, so I think I'll just shove it back in the draw for now.
Thanks everyone!
 
chuck172 said:
I have an old buck 120. The black phenolic handle is cracked.
Click to expand...

Hi Chuck,

I am curious about the cracked handle. Have any pics of it?

We don't hear much about those handles cracking. Is always interesting to hear the story.
 
Well, Chuck, I repeal my statement. I would rehandle the old 120 too,
just because of the better steel. You wrote, the 120 is too large for you.
Buck has some other interesting knifes and they mustn't do a lot.
Do you like to sell the old one?

Haebbie
 
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Pics? How badly cracked? I am wondering about possibly filling it with something like Brownells Acra-Glass, dyed black. This is a very, very strong epoxy. Dyed black and worked carefully into the crack, then carefully finished flush, it might fill the crack and bond the phenolic. Just thinkin'... I have a 120 that my grandfather gave me for Christmas 1969, so I have some feeling for your dilemma. :)
 
Try contacting Leroy Remer at Triple R Knives. He used to work at Buck in the custom shop and if the handle can be repaired, he can do it. There is absolutely no way I'd trade a 30+ year old knife for a modern one. My vote is to keep it and maybe re-handle it.
 
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