Photos Can i get a second opinion on my new Custom Buck? Am i overreacting?

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More “blue wood” scales. The 112 is almost silver. At one time they called it Indigo. They got a lot of complaints and switched to just blue.

The problem is the different layers take the dye differently. On a flat scale you only see one layer. So its a crap shoot. Blue seems to be the worst. But I have a custom shop Cherrywood knife that is almost black.

I’m not sure how Buck would handle the return. Your knife is pretty normal for blue wood
 
Well, you know woodworking and natural materials... Now imagine trying to apply a stained finish to a laminated, epoxy impregnated, wood(ish) product.

My opinion is that I don't see anything that would make me send the knife back. Buck stands behind their knives like nobody else in the business does. If you're unhappy I'd bet that they will make an effort to fix it.

'Zup to you.
 
As I have said before, buck could gain from updating the websites color tone. It is not uncommon to be surprised by the appearance of a newly arrived buck, for better or for worse. I often look here for pictures before buying, rather than relying on their site. My blue wood ranger showed up a few weeks ago. I was taken back by how black it was. It has grown on me and has become one of my favorite knives to use.
 
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Without an actual poll to decide I would say about half prefer matching scales and half prefer scales that do not match. It has me scatching my head but it's enlightening. Maybe that should be a selection in the ordering process.
 
Lets put this into perspective.

Even with engraving this was about $170. A true custom would be much more.

These knives are not true custom knives. The people making them are not artists. They are production knives, they just reach in a bin and pick the parts and assemble the knife.

By ordering a customized knife, from Bucks current custom shop, you are just telling them which bins to reach into.

“Blue wood” is not a premium handle material. There is no upcharge for blue wood. (It is very stable and almost indestructible.)

My wife’s saying applies here. “You get what you get and don’t get upset.”

I know that’s not what you want to hear. I really do think you are being too picky. Its a beautiful knife, I’d be happy to own it.

Unless they grabbed from the wrong bin, or there are actual defects in the material or assembly. As frustrating as it is. They did their part.

Start using it, it will work its way into your heart and become a favorite. It happened to me with a hideous stag 110.

A true custom with matching book end handpicked scales from an artist like Leroy Remer is a thing of beauty. If I was really unhappy with it. I’d contact him, and have him rescale it. Send him yours as a core.
 
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Dymalux or any laminated wood is going to look different after it is ground and finished. The layers are random in grain pattern and it’s the luck of the draw and the depth of the grain and staining that ends up to the outer finish. It would be very difficult to choose matching scales, it’s not like book matched exotic natural wood.

The colors are going to vary throughout but it seems some colors like blue, green or red are the most varied.

As for myself I dont mind the variations in the laminate dymalux wood. I look at it that it’s a durable material that stands up to rugged use and environment. It a working grade material in my thinking. Some complain it’s cheap plywood, lol. Uh no, it’s much different than plywood. Lol. Much tougher and it doesn’t soak up liquid like natural wood or plywood because of the resin is impregnated throughout the wood and saturated.
 
pjsjr said:
John, I believe there is custom and then there is 'custom'. JMHO

A custom knife is one where all parts are made for that knife, by a craftsman. A Buck 'custom' is made from production parts that are put together by a production worker.
I believe that the Buck 'custom' knives are made on the regular production floor.

Years ago they had a true custom shop where you could order a knife made to your specifications...a true custom. Then, not to many years ago they had a separate room and had more skilled workers put the knife together from production parts.

Here's one I ordered December, 2005...
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Here's the other side...
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Very nice 👍
 
eveled said:
Pretty sure the wood is died before it is finished laminated or impregnated.
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It really doesn't matter when it's dyed. The point is that it's a highly manipulated product that doesn't act like natural wood. Natural wood doesn't always dye uniformly for that matter. Look at the variation that happens in the ebony covers of the 110 and 112.
 
You’re the one who brought it up. I was agreeing with you, it would be hard or impossible to dye after it is impregnated with epoxy.

The Ebony is not dyed at all and yes it has natural streaks.

Since you brought up Ebony. Ebony is beyond a doubt a premium handle material. Possibly the best handle material ever offered on a 110 and its the standard handle. Thats pretty cool. Especially the old Macassar Ebony.
 
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eveled said:
You’re the one who brought it up. I was agreeing with you, it would be hard or impossible to dye after it is impregnated with epoxy.

The Ebony is not dyed at all and yes it has natural streaks.

Since you brought up Ebony. Ebony is beyond a doubt a premium handle material. Possibly the best handle material ever offered on a 110 and its the standard handle. Thats pretty cool. Especially the old Macassar Ebony.
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Not sure what your point is, but okay...
 
BuckShack said:
The standard Ebony 110 is a remarkable knife and a bargain. For $35 more you can get the exact same knife from the customizable shop for I guess no apparent reason.
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I would agree, but add that for that same $35 more, you can get the Web exclusive version with a S30V blade. Another bargain in my opinion. As for a reason to pay extra for the custom shop version. I was told once that they were going to use the lighter colored ebony in the custom shop. The ebony pictured in the custom knife builder, is definitely not the dark black, that is pictured for the standard line..

O.B.
 
fanofsteel said:
I personally would keep it, it now has a story, and is unique because there are many others but this one is yours, the marines have a saying about that, but that's besides the point. This may be a knife you get to pass down to someone someday and it will have a unique story to tell.
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Well yeah, that story being "I don't like it." Seems like something you'd not want to keep around. I'd send it back to Buck and ask them to sort it out.
 
I think you're being too picky, no offense. It is wood, so it takes dye however it takes dye. I actually think it looks really nice, and I do not like super uniform covers. Buck held up their end of the deal, and they cannot guarantee that you will like the exact colors. You pays your money and you takes your chances in my opinion. :confused: What looks good to you may not look good to someone else, variety is the spice of life. So if you hate it, I say resell it here in the Exchange.
Personally, I like it and if I didnt I would use it and see how it performs. I can overlook the color if the knife is really good otherwise. You may find that it grows on you.
 
My opinion: send it back to Buck for a refund. If you don't like, you don't like it. It's unlikely that the issue described can be easily remedied, so I think it's a better idea to cut losses and move on.

I won't do a "if it were me" scenario because I would not order blue anything, much less wooden scales dyed blue.
 
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