Buck!!! What were you thinking?

T

TonyC

Joined
Jul 23, 2003
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89
A couople of weeks ago I ordered a Buck approach for one of my boys. I ordered it without actually handling one from an Internet site as where I live your lucky to find a shop that sells a pair of jeans let alone a resonable selsction of knives.

Anyway, within a couple of days the approach arrived, it looked quite nice, not my cup of tea, but not bad at all considering the money. And of course it was a Buck, a made in America knife, how could you go wrong.

On closer inspection I was to say the least shocked to find "taiwan" stamped on the blade, shocked and a little disappointed actually.

I have to say that there is nothing wrong with the knifes construction, I can't comment on it's performance yet as my son's birthday is not for another couple of weeks. I really just feel a little sad that the tradition seems to have leaked away a little.

A small quibble I know, call me sentimental but I wanted to buy my son a "real" American made Buck. I know it's my fault and that I should have checked it all out but it really never occured to me that this could happen.

Tony
 
That is good to know. I was thinking about getting a Buck/Whittaker Revolution XT. It seems to be the same "style" or "look" as the Approach. Does anyone know if the Revolution is built in Taiwan too? If it is, I think I'll pass.

I agree with you, Taiwan is OK, but I really want the best. And that would be a Buck knife built in America. :rolleyes:
 
I have a Buck DiamondBack fixed blade made in Taiwan. It was only $15. I wouldn't mind paying $25 for it made in USA. I wish companies like Streamlight (and now Buck) who are known for quality USA-made products would not go oversees. I wouldn't mind paying more.
 
One of the hopes, as I understand it, is that with the move to Idaho Buck would like to be able to bring the knives they are currently "outsourcing" back under the roof. I agree that "I" would pay a little more to have an American made Buck Diamondback, Revolution, Ecco, etc. but I offer the thought that those of us that would dig a little deeper into the pocketbook are in the minorty.:(
 
Originally posted by peter78
I agree with you, Taiwan is OK, but I really want the best. And that would be a Buck knife built in America. :rolleyes:
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Is that "best" based upon actual product quality or personal preference?

Taiwan actually has some of the best precision volume manufacturing plants in the world. They can make products that are just as good as anybody else's, including America.
 
I have found that, in my opinion, the best knives come from:
1.) U.S.A.
2.) Germany
3.) Spain

Of course you can find a bad knife maker in this bunch, but If you get a good quality knife, these countries can't be beat. Plus I feel a Countries history in making knives adds to the flavor. What kind of flavor do you get from Taiwan?

I have some good knives from Taiwan, but these are not the knives that I cherish and that stir my soul.
 
Although the Revolution has the same look as the Approach knives, it is actually made in the Buck plant in El Cajon, California. This knife was voted the most innovative American design at the 2003 Blade Show.
 
Thanks for the info, that is good to know. It looks like a interesting knife. I think I'll buy one.:)
 
I don't know about most people, but if I buy a Buck and it's stamped "Taiwan" on the blade, it would really bug me. Nothing against Taiwan, but to me that name means cheap quality, I know, it's probably a fine blade but still, I don't want "Taiwan" stamped on the blade. That just ruins the whole effect for me. At least stamp something else on the blade, maybe "International".

I would gladly pay double for it to be built in the USA.


fishbulb said:
Is that "best" based upon actual product quality or personal preference?

Taiwan actually has some of the best precision volume manufacturing plants in the world. They can make products that are just as good as anybody else's, including America.
Click to expand...
 
Now for some tidbits.. the Mini Mentor and it's larger brother were DQ'd for the Diamondbacks.Price difference,$5. The second run of Ecco was made in El Cajon. I have all of them.
 
Gary007,
I'm pretty sure it is the law that the actual country of origin has to be visible somewhere on the knife, in English, if it is made for import into the U.S.A. So there could be an "International" knife or series, as you suggested, but I think it's going to say Taiwan, or Germany, or whatever, by law.

Bill
 
I have to agree that it does not thrill me to see Taiwan stamped on a Buck knife. We are hoping to outsource fewer knives once we make the move to Idaho and bring our internal costs down. We have found out that quite a few people don't really care as long as the quality and warrantee is the same. The way I look at it is we can take care of those folks, which keeps up in business so we can still offer USA made Bucks to everyone else, like me.
Having said the above, I know it still offends those of us who only want to see U.S.A. on a Buck knife. I can only hope that they can accept this as an unpleasant, but unavoidable sign of the times. I know I'm trying! ;)
 
The vast majority of Buck knives are made in the USA, right here in El Cajon. We have pricepoint knives built in Taiwan that would be too costly for us to make here and would take away from our production of our higher end USA product. Our Taiwan factory is held very rigidly to the same quality standards as our factory is here.

For just about every model we make overseas we have the higher end USA version available, or something very comperable.

Personally I like Taiwan, cause they are flying the big middle finger at communist China.


Ever looked in your Ford or Chevy, how many parts are made elsewhere?
 
Gary007 said:
I wonder how true this would be for a Harley.
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I don't know, but they put their name on a bunch of stuff made overseas.

As long as a company does what it can to keep American workers employed, the company is all right with me.
 
Gary007 said:
I wonder how true this would be for a Harley.
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harley has so many parts on it from over sea's that it can only be listed as "put together in the USA" harley = international it is ... new motor designed by poursh...

if you want like buck used to be ie: designed in and parts made in and put together in USA - buy a HONDA aspencade/ valcury/ ect... get it ...ben hogan golf clubs are owned by japenise now and they will NOT sorce to japain for parts ... humm what do they know is in a name? ( i know as i worked there once)
i wander... what do the asians think of Buck Knives with out USA on them?

you have to realy LOOK HARD any more and can not A$$_U_ME any more ... so sad ....
i also sad when bought a buck with twian on it. felt sick...
i like twian also with finger in china's face...but... HAY could they be a 51 state? hummmm...
dave
 
I say as long as the product's quality is good, within a reasonable price and backed by an excellent customer service, I am all cool. Yup I like Taiwan too.
 
The vast majority of our stuff is made right here in El Cajon. In order to compete with our almost all overseas made competitors, we have to do what we can. For every knife we make, we build a better USA made version for a reasonable increase in price.

All of our Tactical Line is built in the USA.

-Josh

P.S. What's sad is that most consumers don't have that "Buy American" mentality they used to. I wish they could get it back.
 
"Personally I like Taiwan, cause they are flying the big middle finger at communist China."

You know, I never thought of it that way. You are right. :)
 
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