China Buck vs. USA Buck

All of my USA 110s, 112s, 119s, and 501s (from various generations) are awesome. The only Chicom bucks I have are a used nobleman and a diamondback guide. I have no problem with either and they too are great useable knives. Buck makes a great knife. I do respect that the bulk of their manufacturing is American. I actively only buy and use American made knives, but got my two Chicom knives for dirt cheap on the secondary market. They're serviceable tools. My appreciation of them does not Imply my approval of the murderous communist regime that China has embraced for over half a century. My two cents. I wonder if your “two piece” 119 is a counterfeit. As for the other ones, do post some pics. Buck’s customer service is awesome and I’m sure they will make it right.
 
phidz said:
https://imgur.com/a/U0lKGwK
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Interesting. I looked through all of my Pro series Bucks and see some similarities. I don't suspect that what you're seeing is two joined pieces but actually the definition of sanded areas during the final shaping process of the handle material. On my 118 the "flat spots", so to speak are not centered like yours but are certainly visible.

Perhaps they don't round off all of those ridges as part of their process?
 
All I can say is I have a Buck mid-size trapper from China (I forget the number) and a 301 stockman.

The trapper is okay. It's not great, the action was gritty (wore in nicely), one spring is weak, but it works. It cuts things, opens, closes, and carries nicely; looks good too.

The 301 is a great stockman, with good action, nice fit and finish, and fine grinds.
 
Jeff of the North said:
Interesting. I looked through all of my Pro series Bucks and see some similarities. I don't suspect that what you're seeing is two joined pieces but actually the definition of sanded areas during the final shaping process of the handle material. On my 118 the "flat spots", so to speak are not centered like yours but are certainly visible.

Perhaps they don't round off all of those ridges as part of their process?
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It feels like its molded, hollow inside. Doesnt have a sanded/crafted feel or weight but im also comparing it to a G10 handle on a benchmade. Wish there was a video showing how these pro bucks are made in the factory.
 
phidz said:
It feels like its molded, hollow inside. Doesnt have a sanded/crafted feel or weight but im also comparing it to a G10 handle on a benchmade. Wish there was a video showing how these pro bucks are made in the factory.
Click to expand...

This video shows the manufacturing process for phenolic handle Buck 119s. They probably use a very similar process on micarta handles.

 
VJwfcFI.gif
 
phidz said:
Wisdom had been provided. Not logic. Thanks for nothing.
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Wow ! You come on this Buck forum to make a statement that is only your opinion. Do you think none of us have seen or have any Buck knives ? Ha ha ! There are guys on here who have hundreds of Buck knives. I currently have around 70 myself and I’m a small time Buck collector/accumulator. None of my Bucks have the issues you are claiming. You must be the guy who always draws the short straw 😆
 
Remember the "Gerber troll" from awhile back?

I have hundreds of Bucks, and my only problem I've ever had is there have been a few folders that have been stiff when new, and I bought one Chinese made one as it had a built in carabiner that was flimsy....tho I still have it attached to my safety harness at work. It does take and hold a decent edge.

A friend wanted me to sharpen a knife for him.
Sure.
It turned out to be a Gerber and that knife wouldn't take an edge at all.

Anyways...

The OP needs to learn some manners.
Just because you're an unknown person hiding behind a fake name doesn't make it ok to act inappropriately.
Especially as a newbie.

If you want respect act like you're worthy of it.
 
phidz said:
Yeah, I could repost or search, but I want to see what others are experiencing with newer knives they have purchased. I just ordered a buck 303+ (made in USA) and a 373+(made in China) and damn, the 373 is tighter, higher quality and overall a better knife. I also ordered a buck 119+ professional with S35VN seel and the quality of the grind and handle is poor. I can only assume that Buck Knives is one shit company to work for. Forget the nostalgia, Buck sucks, they need to fix there shit and pay/train their workers. Gerber is making a comback with quality knives. #bucksucks.
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I don't have much time on BF myself but want to share my experience and respond. Only thing is I don't think I have a Chinese-made Buck so can't compare as I wanted specifically USA-made, and bought only USA-made so far. Also, I am a new member of BCCI and Buck Knives official site.

I generally understand your frustration with receiving a newer Buck knife, especially a higher end 119, and not getting a pristine knife, especially with many claiming their F&F is overall excellent (I understand that this is vague, but the idea that I've experienced in others sharing regarding Buck is there stuff may be gritty, blade centering may not be perfect, etc., but not much else is wrong or an occasional QC issue).

It's difficult to understand the lack of tact used in the second half of phidz frustrating expression and venting (lots of venting) without more context bc all I know is this is phidz first Buck...so I am unsure.

So I am attaching some pics of a large purchase I recently made directly from Buck. I am a details guy and have been in some form of QC or another for over 20 years...anyways my point is really two-fold since I am new to Buck:

1) Here are some pics to show the quality I received last week or so (I had an order with many knives and about 1/3 were not up to a good standard, I just have nothing to compare to personally)

2) What SHOULD quality control look like on Buck knives TODAY and THIS YEAR (What should the consumer EXPECT to receive)? Then perhaps there will be more accountability (if something is done wrong or lack of QC) and less headache from consumers expectations.

If there is a better place to post or address QC issues, please let me know as well. Also, I have already emailed support sometime last week and am awaiting a response for my many items with many issues.

Pics attached, I believe (I will follow up later as I am not by the items), are of a 119 Pro S35VN (0119GRS1-B) and a 110 Auto Elite (0110BKSA-B).20230810_061806.jpg

Looking for feedback on what yall think 🤔

Thanks,
JT
 

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I've never bought a Chinese Buck but I went on a knife buying spree over the past year.
Out of 32 purchases, I had to send two back: one for a very badly centered blade and one for the blade basically getting stuck about 3/4 of the way open.
If my math is correct that's under a 7% reject rate but one of them was a Custom Order Ranger so that was disappointing.

Watching videos on how they make the knives it seems that some of the jigs or stamping presses need to be replaced, refurbished or simply recalibrated.
I think Buck farms that part of it out. My family owned metal stamping businesses so I know that's a pretty big, very dangerous operation.
 
Eternal Edge said:
I don't have much time on BF myself but want to share my experience and respond. Only thing is I don't think I have a Chinese-made Buck so can't compare as I wanted specifically USA-made, and bought only USA-made so far. Also, I am a new member of BCCI and Buck Knives official site.

I generally understand your frustration with receiving a newer Buck knife, especially a higher end 119, and not getting a pristine knife, especially with many claiming their F&F is overall excellent (I understand that this is vague, but the idea that I've experienced in others sharing regarding Buck is there stuff may be gritty, blade centering may not be perfect, etc., but not much else is wrong or an occasional QC issue).

It's difficult to understand the lack of tact used in the second half of phidz frustrating expression and venting (lots of venting) without more context bc all I know is this is phidz first Buck...so I am unsure.

So I am attaching some pics of a large purchase I recently made directly from Buck. I am a details guy and have been in some form of QC or another for over 20 years...anyways my point is really two-fold since I am new to Buck:

1) Here are some pics to show the quality I received last week or so (I had an order with many knives and about 1/3 were not up to a good standard, I just have nothing to compare to personally)

2) What SHOULD quality control look like on Buck knives TODAY and THIS YEAR (What should the consumer EXPECT to receive)? Then perhaps there will be more accountability (if something is done wrong or lack of QC) and less headache from consumers expectations.

If there is a better place to post or address QC issues, please let me know as well. Also, I have already emailed support sometime last week and am awaiting a response for my many items with many issues.

Pics attached, I believe (I will follow up later as I am not by the items), are of a 119 Pro S35VN (0119GRS1-B) and a 110 Auto Elite (0110BKSA-B).View attachment 2284178

Looking for feedback on what yall think 🤔

Thanks,
JT
Click to expand...
Well, as a long time Buck customer, and member of the pro program (love to add that in!) I can say that I wouldn't be pleased with some of the stray grinder bumps and scale fastening problems displayed here. One of the pics shows light hairline scratches that are omnipresent on new knives and can come simply from wiping the knife before shipment. But others are issues I would honestly not be pleased with. Again, great knives when you get a good one. There is a high chance of getting a good one. But some with issues are just not addressed before they leave the shop.

Dear Buck, your QA process does need to improve.
 
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