Dating a Kalinga?

sassafrassdogs

sassafrassdogs

Joined
Jul 21, 2016
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I have a couple of Kalinga's and there are a couple on this weeks SPS. I have asked James about it. He did know about all of the variations but wasn't sure about the dates of manufacture. I was wondering if there was a way that you could look at one and know when was made?
 
I believe putting all the information on here on how to properly date the Kalinga is pretty lengthy and involved.
I also believe we are assuming sass is asking for the dating info on a particular Kalinga but what he is actually asking for is
all the information on dating the kalinga and not on any particular knife he owns. Although I may be wrong.
 
Been there, done that... my wife is from Kalinga... oh wait haha.

But seriously it is a beautiful place, is that how the knife got the name?
 
Getting back to topic, I am also interested in finding out how to date the Kalinga. I own this one that came in a horizontal leather bound box with velvet lining. I was told it was an early model, but I have seen a few different early models with different presentation boxes. No date code, just a three line stamp that reads BUCK, KALINGA, USA. I know the Kalinga first appeared in 1969. My guess is that mine is an early 70s model.

 
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RevolverGuy said:
Getting back to topic, I am also interested in finding out how to date the Kalinga. I own this one that came in a horizontal leather bound box with velvet lining. I was told it was an early model, but I have seen a few different early models with different presentation boxes. No date code, just a three line stamp that reads BUCK, KALINGA, USA. I know the Kalinga first appeared in 1969. My guess is that mine is an early 70s model.

Click to expand...
The shown knife is made between 1982 and 1986

Haebbie
 
Your knife is not an early 70's model because the handle is birch wood. The handle changed from micarta to birch in 1981. I would move Haebbie's age bracket down a year. The Kalinga box changed to the 2 piece (not hinged) box in 1985. So I would give the knife a "between" 1981 to 1985 bracket. As with all things Buck, +/- seems to apply so Haebbie's answer is valid also.
 
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Thanks. I didn't know it was birch. I always thought it was rosewood. I was wondering if the blade was 440C? It very much looks like the 440C steel Buck used in the 60s and 70s. Not sure if these extra pictures help date it better. The box is definitely hinged and in excellent condition.



 
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