- Joined
- Sep 2, 2003
- Messages
- 1,577
Tomorrow will be the last time I'll ever have the opportunity to attend one of Buck Knives semi-annual factory sales. Their plant, which looks more like a hunting lodge than a world famous knife company, was established in 1902 and is located in El Cajon, just 15 miles from my home in San Diego. Because of enormously high taxes on businesses in California this great institution will pull up roots and move to Idaho Dec. 24th.For years, I've stopped by their tiny, semi-hidden outlet store located inside their factory at the far side of their lunch room. Although I know tours were run through there, I never saw more than 3 or 4 people at a time inside the quiet shop. Visiting was like belonging to a secret club. There in the display cases were all their makes and models. The beautiful 110's, Special Editions, dozens of glittering fixed and folding knives in all sizes and shapes. Even models you'd never see online. Plus Buck/Striders, Stag handled hunters, hundreds of sheaths to fit models past and present, and the smell of leather and oil.
The real finds were the "factory blemishes" and the discontinued models - (although I could never find the "blemishes" or figure out why a model had been discontinued). These were the 110's and other production knives that didn't pass Buck's QC standards or had been passed up by newer versions. They were greatly discounted to those fortunate enough to be able to "wander" in off the street and give them a home. Many are now living at my house and travel daily as my EDC's.
While you were at the store, you could also drop off your 110 to have a new blade put in (BG-42 was my favorite), have your knife refurbished, or order a custom job. Leave your number, the shop would call you in a week or two to come pick it up. Buck was efficient, using cutting-edge 21st century technology to make their knives, but the atmosphere was more small town - like San Diego of 1948. Friendly, quiet, personal.
At least twice a year though, Buck threw open it's doors to the locals and had a full blown SALE. It was really an experience. I wish everyone at these forums could have attended just once. Sort of like Christmas for knife knuts. Lines formed around the block to go inside the warehouse. There you could select almost any of their great knives displayed on simple fold-out picnic tables in long multiple lines. The prices would be, well, incredible. Waiting was never a problem because there were always several knife enthusiasts next to you to swap stories with. No one ever got excited because there was always enough to go around.
As you entered the warehouse you were handed a large cardboard box, a Buck product flyer and waved in with a smile. First time attendees usually didn't know what to expect and often didn't come prepared (not enough dough). Within 30 minutes or so most people had a box the size of an orange crate overflowing with knives, sharpening stones, and other essential knife knut stuff.
Outside, you could have your knives signed by one of the Bucks if you were willing to wait.
Today's sale had the largest attendence I've seen. Cars filled up the streets for blocks around the factory. The line to get into the sale stretched around the block. But things moved fast and smooth, everyone was polite and somehow I got through a block long line, found what I was looking for (a brand new "blemished" Buck/Strider Tarani folder), paid for it and was on my way in less time than it takes to buy detergent at Costco.
Tomorrow will be much more crowded and most of the conversation will be about how much Buck will be missed and how great their knives are. Personally, I think an era has passed. I know that Buck will flourish in Idaho, and I'll still look forward to their new products, but for a knife knut, well, it's like the Dodgers leaving Brooklyn.
