customized Buck 112 Ranger

[silenthunterstudios]

Picked up a Buck 112 Ranger today at a farmers market. The seller, who claimed to be a knife maker, stated that Buck recently replaced the blade, with a new 440C blade. The bolsters are dirty and scuffed, used. He replaced the scales himself with elk horn stag, which is really pretty. It's not the best job, but still pretty damn good. The sheath flap is in bad shape, but the rest of it is fine. I got it primarily for the elk horn stag, and plan on sharpening for carry. The tip sticks a hair out of the handle when closed, but is not bothersome in the sheath. He said the re blade was recent, however, there are no markings referencing either the plant in California or Idaho. On the tang marking, there is an arrow facing up. This is the only marking on the blade. Like I said, this will be used, but could I verify the steel using this marking?

(my fingers crossed, hoping against hope for BG42 )

 

[JD Mandrell]

Arrow facing up is a 2008 blade, so it is not 440C it is 420HC.

If it were BG-42 it would have "BG-42" stamped along the spine.

 

[Flatlander1963]

customized Buck 112 Ranger

You should insert a pic of this knife. Replacement blades, say for a knife sent in with a broke tip would be current blade production I think. Now weather those replacement blades are unstamped as yours ... good question.

I beleive Joe Houser said that the old stock of 440c replacement blades is all gone. Thinking about it, the older 110's 1st - 4th version are not as beefy as the current 110. Makes me wonder if warranty work blades do not get the Buck USA stamp for a reason (like they are being ground in you know where).

Here is my 4th Version, 1st Variation compared to a 1994 110. What I see is a different (slight) shaped blade and a slimmer knife. Notice that the newer knife blade is seated closer to the front bolster and the edge protected.

It may be hard to see but the 1994's blade tip sits up higher than the older knife's blade.

Anyway, show us the knife I'd been interested to see it.

 

[110 Dave]

love the comparison picts of diff years.. thanks
i like the old two dot blades best..

 

[Flatlander1963]

That's a inverted 2 line 110. I really like the lines on that guy. It has never been used, carried or sharpened and I won't use it. If I can find a gently used one, I'll buy it and put it in the EDC rotation.

 

[JD Mandrell]

i like the old two dot blades best..

+1, there is something almost graceful about those older ones. :thumbup:

 

[silenthunterstudios]

The blade is stamped

Buck
112^
USA

Pics inbound.

Pics should be posted tonight, fingers crossed.

 

[JD Mandrell]

The blade is stamped

Buck
112^
USA

Pics inbound.

OK, then that's not the current 2008 arrow, that's a 1988 blade. In 1981 Buck switched to 425M.

This was a recent blade swap?

 

[Timstools]

Thanks for pointing out the differences, i enjoyed that, those photos you took are excellent for indoor photos, great detail.
Regards Tim

 

[silenthunterstudios]

OK, then that's not the current 2008 arrow, that's a 1988 blade. In 1981 Buck switched to 425M.

This was a recent blade swap?

I asked him what the blade steel was, he told me 440C. He said the knife was sent it for a new blade "recently". He was packing up to go home, and the knife was one of about four sitting on a table, unmarked. I asked him about the steels on the blades on the table, he seemed to know what he was talking about. Told me about several damascus blades he had sold earlier.

I've already sharpened it, and cleaned up the bolsters. I know thats a big no no, but I like it, and plan on carrying it.

 

[JD Mandrell]

but I like it, and plan on carrying it.

There you go!

To steal a phrase from the people at Case, "they are tools not jewels!"

 

[chickentrax]

To steal a phrase from the people at Case, "the're are tools not jewels!"

......334dave works at Case???...