BuckMaster 184

PocketKnifeJimmy said:
This is picture in the book that compares a first factory production Buckmaster 184 to the SEAL PROTOTYPE #1 it was based upon.
I must say, the Buck factory really did a great job at very closely following the Prototype pattern.

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The book lists my recently purchased specimen as a Buckmaster variation 6.1

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The following combination of features are what distinguish it as a 6.1 variation...

* Forged blade having the Buckmaster name forged into it's fuller.

* Low profile pommel cap.

* It still using the long anchor pins, (with later variations going to shorter pins).
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That's really interesting, now I have to go dig mine out and look at it! I can't remember which way it is....
 
Triton said:
That's really interesting, now I have to go dig mine out and look at it! I can't remember which way it is....
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The Buckmaster book has a great amount of photos, diagrams, and copies of all sorts of documentations.
The author did a great job of gathering so much information about these knives 👍

I believe that not only has the book been a big plus for the collectors of these knives, but also the information contained within it's pages has likely often been shared online, and has likely helped the knife even further gain desirability on the secondary market.
I truly recommend owning the Buckmaster book if you collect one or more of these knives.
 
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I have continued researching the Buck 'Buckmaster' 184.
Again, the book by Richard Neyman has been an awesome reference already, and I again think it makes for the perfect accessory for anyone that may already collect these knives, or are planning to.

The one thing I have combed the internet for, is it's more recent pricing, and what seems like almost a phenomenon in their rising in prices within the past three or so years.
They did hold their value and then some before that three year period, but the it's secondary value upswing seems to have been almost like a light switch being clicked on, where their prices really took off.
As is usually the case with most things, getting certain variations or finishes can make a difference in how much they'll cost. Also, they having all the original packaging and paperwork, can make them cost more, (which is obviously a long standing collector thing).
Of course one of the most obvious things that can make a big difference in their pricing, is the overall condition of the knife and it's sheath condition.
The more I research the past three or so years of sold Buckmaster 184 knives, the more I see that their conditions were often used, owner sharpened, noticeable scratches, and rust spots. They were made of Stainless Steel, but of course that really only means rust resistant.
So, while there are specimens of all sorts of Buckmaster 184 knives out there, the truly non used mint versions are much less common than the ones having had some noticeable use.
A lot of variables concerning why their prices can range quite a bit.

But, what still seems kind'a weird, is how the Buckmaster 184 desirability has seemingly spiked by quite a bit these past few years, at least if one bases that on how much money they are now commanding on the secondary market.

Btw, they are all now in the 22 to 36 years old range.
 
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PocketKnifeJimmy said:
But, what still seems kind'a weird, is how the Buckmaster 184 desirability has seemingly spiked by quite a bit these past few years, at least if one bases that on how much money they are now commanding on the secondary market.
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I think a lot can be explained on this front by the pandemic. Suddenyl people have found themselves with time to spare to research, some lucky people with money burning a hole in their pocket.
The combination would, I feel, lead people to rediscover those really rare treasures that might have slipped into relative obscurity. Similar thing has happened with scale aircraft modelling and I'm sure many other hobbies - the 'grail' from people's youth, the truly rare and hard to find suddenyl get a revival and the prices rise as their desirability increases.
 
Ruari said:
I think a lot can be explained on this front by the pandemic. Suddenyl people have found themselves with time to spare to research, some lucky people with money burning a hole in their pocket.
The combination would, I feel, lead people to rediscover those really rare treasures that might have slipped into relative obscurity. Similar thing has happened with scale aircraft modelling and I'm sure many other hobbies - the 'grail' from people's youth, the truly rare and hard to find suddenyl get a revival and the prices rise as their desirability increases.
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Yes, I definitely think you are on to something there, sir 👍
 
I sometimes get into a mode of constant research and nagging to get more information about the items that I add into my collection. Anyhow, I just found out about a few things that may not have been commonly known about the Buckmaster 184.
I was asking about what was done in house at Buck on the Buckmaster, and what was possibly contracted out.

Well, Joe Houser was kind enough to share the following information....

..."the pommel, handle, pins and forged blades were not done in house.
Buck received forged blanks and did many grinding finishing operations to turn it into a finished blade."

So, other than finishing up the final milling operations and sharpening of the forged blade blanks, the knife's hanguard seems to be the only thing Buck actually produced in house on the Buckmaster 184.
Well, of course the final assembly of the knives was the other major thing done in house by the Buck employees.
 
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timw1 said:
I had one, bought it in the PX when I was in the army. I traded it on this forum to SOFileworks SOFileworks without the screw on grappling hooks. I have since found the hooks and pouch but can't get in touch with SOFileworks SOFileworks to send them. It was a nice knife, used it a lot in the field. I don't remember the steel, but it was easy to sharpen. I should of kept it.
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I'm still alive buddy, just don't go online here much anymore. If you want to get rid of those spikes just let me know and I'll get you my address and stuff.
 
KenHash said:
There is a Japanese youtuber, Suzuki Kazumitsu (Wako) who is a hardcore knife guy/outdoorsman under the name "Virtuevoice".
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Slight correction that may help folks in a search: He posts under "virtuovice". (I've enjoyed quite a few of his vids...the cooking ones are always a hoot.)

Not sure the rules allow this, but there's a NIB 184 offered on German gun auction site egun.de (I am not the seller, nor do I have any relation with them). Only ships to EU countries it looks like, but there are always re-shippers...
 
Stelth said:
PK Jimmy: You mentioned your Buckmaster came from Japan. I have the Buckmaster 185 LT on alert on my eBay app. Most of the ones that come up for auction are from Japan. I wonder why so many Buckmaster variants are there?
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I was wondering if you had scored on getting a Buckmaster LT 185 survival knife?

I myself decided I wanted to add one to my collection to go along with my recent Buckmaster 184.

Just like my wanting to get a Buckmaster 184 in pristine/unused condition, I wanted any purchase I made of a Buckmaster LT 185 to be in that same condition.

Well, I did find a vendor online selling one that he had listed as being in mint condition with original sheath, box, and all factory paperwork. Based on the couple photos he had up, it seems as he described it, but I won't know for sure until I get it in hand.
The price was certainly not cheap, but if it truly is exactly as he had it listed, it was a fair deal, (when based on other current going sale prices of this model on the secondary market).

If you wound up getting one, please share pics of it here 👍😊👍
 
PocketKnifeJimmy said:
Got my Buckmaster knife today, straight from a knife vendor in Japan. This knife is just all kinds of awesome 👌

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I paid a pretty penny for it, but it's the forged blade variant that I wanted, and it's condition is pristine, which is really the condition I wanted it to be in 👍

Love the look of it's forged steel blade... Heck, love the look of the whole thing! 😁

In my opinion, this may be the absolute coolest knife I have ever owned 😁
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That thing is Altoids-level minty condition!

NOW TAKE IT OUTSIDE AND USE IT!
 
I think I'm going to spend most of the rest of the day kicking myself for not acquiring a Buckmaster while they were still in production. I'm running out of places on my a** to kick for all of my knife opportunities missed-based regrets.
 
rhino said:
That thing is Altoids-level minty condition!

NOW TAKE IT OUTSIDE AND USE IT!
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Yes, sir, it sure is 👌

As for using it... Nah, I simply enjoy collecting them 😊

I no longer try to explain why collecting brings me joy, but suffice to say that it indeed does do just that 👍
 
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