Early Buck Custom Shop vs. today's Buck Custom Shop?

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

I believe the earlier Buck Custom Shop ran from the late 1970's to the early 1990's.
What differentiates the two?
What would be the biggest differences/changes that happened between the two Custom Shop era's?

Thanks in advance

 

[MT_Pokt]

The original custom shop had a catalog of knives to choose from that were different from the standard catalog offerings. You could still have a standard pattern customized as well, of course.

The best feature was that they would make a one-of-a-kind knife based on your drawing or specifications.

Today you can only customize a standard pattern with a selection of materials they offer.

Custom versus customize.

If you're a BCCI member, go to the Club site and look at the Custom catalogs from the 80s.

There's also a catalog of several of the spec built one of a kind knives.

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

The original custom shop had a catalog of knives to choose from that were different from the standard catalog offerings. You could still have a standard pattern customized as well, of course.

The best feature was that they would make a one-of-a-kind knife based on your drawing or specifications.

Today you can only customize a standard pattern with a selection of materials they offer.

Custom versus customize.

If you're a BCCI member, go to the Club site and look at the Custom catalogs from the 80s.

There's also a catalog of several of the spec built one of a kind knives.

Thank you!

No, I am not a Buck Collectors Club member.
I have a Buck/Harley Davidson 903 Bowie knife headed my way... So, based on it being a 1984 Buck Custom Shop made knife, does that mean that the 903 model was never offered through their standard catalog list of factory made knives?

Thanks again

 

[DeSotoSky]

The standard 903 WAS offered in the Buck catalog. The Harley Davidson knives were exclusive to HD and sold thru their outlets. As with all exclusives, they will not be found in a Buck catalog. Here is a clip from the 1989 buck catalog.

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

The standard 903 WAS offered in the Buck catalog. The Harley Davidson knives were exclusive to HD and sold thru their outlets. As with all exclusives, they will not be found in a Buck catalog. Here is a clip from the 1989 buck catalog.
View attachment 1859947

Very cool, thank you for sharing that information!
I wonder if the standard cataloged 903 Bowie knives were made in the Custom Shop too, or if those were produced in the factory as one of their standard knives?

 

[DeSotoSky]

I wonder if the standard cataloged 903 Bowie knives were made in the Custom Shop too, or if those were produced in the factory as one of their standard knives?

My expectation is that in the manufacturing environment work assignment is a bit fluid. Work assigned as resorces allow. The "Custom Shop" was not a strict isolated operation. People were put to best use to meet need.

 

[bucksway]

In the 'Old' Custom shop you could get Elephant Ivory as well as Mastodon and basically any model in Damascus. Some folks exclusively collect numbered Bucks and there was a really wide range of knives that was possible. Palm Skinner's yep Ray or sharkskin handles yes on that too. But accounting for inflation none were cheep. Buck had remarkable individuals working for the shop..Some are still alive and active today Leroy Reamer and Wild Bill Cody for example. But collecting that type of Buck is almost a club in itself. Trades are common and many are sold privately and NOT on Ebay but a few are found there occasionally. If this area of collecting interests you absolutely join the BCCI. Cost for a year is less than shipping for a nice knife and the knowledge on the BCCI website really is priceless. I've chased rare 112's since 2008 and I have only seen a handful of numbered 112's for sale but I did manage to find the last one sold in 1993 0136 in Mastodon. Since you obviously like the BIG knives Frank Buck made a few that show up. Good luck with the chase!