Bucklite Information? History?

J

JD Spydo

Joined
Nov 20, 2004
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Greetings: I have a couple of questions about 2 Buck knives I got for Christmas back in 1988. I vividly remember that Christmas for several reasons and I still think it was quite a coincidence that I would get the exact same present from 2 different people.

I am referring to the older "Bucklite" model 426. I still have both of those knives and I use one of them every hunting trip I go on. I was hoping that some of you Buck Experts could tell me something about those blades. First of all what blade steel did they use in that model? Second: we all know they have a plastic/polymer handle scales and I was wondering exactly what that handle material is. It has sort of a nylon feel to it but I'm not sure.

I'm mainly a Spyderco collector as my name would indicate but I have a few Buck knives and I've enjoyed them over the years. Oh by the way it has model # 426 with a backward slash after the number inscribed on the heel of the blade. Any information you guys/gals can come up with will be highly appreciated :)
 
JD, Welcome. THe handle material is Valox. a high grade material used is electric switches.Resistant to sun baking, cold, water many things except fire. But not much is resistant to that.The first 426"s came out w/ a drop pt. blade of 440C in 1985. After that Buck used a clip pt. year date blade of 425 until 1994 then 420.Your particular one is of 1993 date the last year of 425 use. A good user steel. I'd think it would preform well for you. DM
 
David Martin said:
JD, Welcome. THe handle material is Valox. a high grade material used is electric switches.Resistant to sun baking, cold, water many things except fire. But not much is resistant to that.The first 426"s came out w/ a drop pt. blade of 440C in 1985. After that Buck used a clip pt. year date blade of 425 until 1994 then 420.Your particular one is of 1993 date the last year of 425 use. A good user steel. I'd think it would preform well for you. DM
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Oh yes it's much better blade steel than you would expect out of that era. The blade steel is actually comparable to some of my 1990's Spyderco blades. I have a couple of Spyderco blades with 440C and it seems like a very good blade steel.

When did they delete the model 426 from their line? Also these knives came with very nice Cordura sheaths. Also the locking system on the knife seemed like a very good one. There's always been something about these Bucklite models that I've always wanted to keep. In spite of the fact that I heard a lot of bad talk about these models when they were still being manufactured. Are there any of these Bucklite models that are considered collectible?
 
JD, This model ran its course by 94-95,so about 10yrs.. By then Buck had move on to the V52 selector using the same frame and blade w/ modified features.Thus, yours is one of the last ones.Yes, they lock up very solid and I've found 425 compares directly with ATS34 in edge retention.So, with that in mind its really a first class knife.My wife has carried one exclusive for years and loves it.Yes, they are collectable. Many who write in this forum have them, collect them and post photos of them. Check previous posts.Happy New Year. DM
 
This thread made me get out my old "BUCKLITE" that I used as a teenager growing up in PA. It has a lot of fond hunting memories. I was very excited to get a "Buck". It gutted quite a few deer, and an untold number of squirrels. It's still in perfect shape, except for the very tip of the blade (clip point) which has a slight bend in it. I guess I did it dressing a deer, but I didn't notice it until after the fact. The blade is marked Buck 110 and 426. It came with a velcro, camo belt sheath which reads "BUCK".

I'm a little confused reading the info above. From what I gather above, the 426 refers to something other than blade material, while the 425 does refer to the blade material? I'm I misunderstanding something?
 
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It's just a Buck 110 marked blade in your knife (some came marked that way). The model is the 426.
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Thanks very much for the info.

I think I got it (used) around 87-88 (probably 87). Now that I think about it, my step-dad got it from a friend of his, and then passed it along to me after using it for a season. So I guess I'm technically the 3rd owner of this knife. It wasn't used (physically) until I got it though, and it may have changed hands pretty quickly after the original purchase. So, is the blade material 440C, or 425?
 
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Doug, Welcome. It there a ^ or > stamped on the blade?Should it have any of these stampings its 425 steel.DM
 
David,

Thanks for the welcome. I've been spending some time over on the traditional forums, and thought I'd surf over and check out the Buck page.

No it doesn't have those, or any other markings. Only the Buck 110, and 426.
 
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Funny this thread should pop up. I have had my old "Scoutlite" sitting up on top of the computer for awhile now. I don't remember putting it there but when I saw this thread I remembered it. I have the "Bucklite" too but the tip of the blade was broken off and I reground it. I still liked the stubby little reground blade.

Here is my "Scoutlite".

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SDS
 
Neat knife SDS,

I didn't know Buck made Scout knives. Neat history.

My pouch is just like yours, only in camo.
 
David Martin said:
Doug, Welcome. It there a ^ or > stamped on the blade?Should it have any of these stampings its 425 steel.DM
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My Bucklite model 426 does not have either one of those marks. It has the number 426 \ ~~~ The backward slash is the only other mark on mine. If that steel is 425 rather than 440C I find it hard to believe because that blade takes one helluva edge and it holds it quite a while.

Please don't misunderstand me because I'm not trying to be contentious but the steel in that blade is not an inferior blade steel at all. Also I do remember getting that knife in 1988. The one model 426 has a black handle. The other Bucklite I have which I can't locate for the moment has kind of a maroon colored handle.

as far as the Boy Scout knife goes ~~ that's the first I've ever heard of Buck making Boy Scout knives. Most of the Boy Scout knives I've ever seen were made by Camillus. I had an old High School buddy who collected Boy Scout blades and most of his were Camillus.
 
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JD,Buck made lots of Boy Scout knives like that and are still making special Eagle Scout knives which are striking.The stamping you speak of on your 426 is 1994 mfg.. Hence, that year Buck switched to 420 steel throughout their plant for all knives. It is posssible that a few blades of 425 steel were installed on the 1994 knives and made it out the door. But if your knife has a clip point blade it is 425 at best. For only the drop point blades of that model were of 440C.My wife has the maroon handle on her 426 as well and it had orginally a drop point blade. That steel looks and feels different than the 425 should you get them side by side.I agree w/ you, they cut nice.DM
 
Doug, Normally, those knives were stamped Buck 426 usa .I've not seen one stamped
Buck 110 426 .But I guess its possible. Does it have a clip point blade or drop point blade? DM
 
SDS, Perhaps, someone here could tell us the meaning of those 4dots on the blade of your 412. Sort of a different configuration than I've seen. DM
 
Yes, David you are correct. It is stamped exactly as you say, "Buck, 426, and U.S.A. No other symbols or anything like those mentioned above, though.
 
Doug, Thanks. Thats the only way I've seen them stamped.I guess the stamping Warrior is describing is possible on a factory reworked knife. I've just not seen one. Yes, the numbers are confusing, 425 is the steel type and 426 the model.Does yours have the clip or drop point blade? DM
 
Doug, Thanks. To be truthful I'm not sure of the steel type. I checked the Collectors site and it makes no mention of 440C ever being used on that model.But that site is not all updated yet.Still, I've held one in my hand and could see the difference and Leroy R.(a Buck employee) has told me the first ones were drop pt. of 440C stamped like yours.
The one you have is probably 425 steel but I'll check w/ Buck and get back to you on that.DM
 
Dave,

The information you've provided is very much appreciated. Please don't trouble yourself, but if you do happen to find out anything additional, I'd enjoying hearing about it.

Thanks,
Doug
 
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