Early Duke 500 in 440C?

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pinnah

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Short version is this...

Were the early Duke 500s made with 440C and if so, in what years?

I'm digging around on the web and with the search mechanism on this forum. From what I understand, the Duke appeared in 78. As I understand it, the move from 440C to 425Mod took place around 81, at least with the 110.


What I can't find is any confirmation that:
a) the Duke really appeared in 78
b) the first Dukes used 440C and
c) what years of the Dukes used 440C.

If anybody has any pictures or information about 440C Dukes, I would really appreciate it. Particularly interested to learn about scale materials (micarta?) and tang stamps.

Thanks!
 
pinnah said:
Short version is this...

Were the early Duke 500s made with 440C and if so, in what years?

I'm digging around on the web and with the search mechanism on this forum. From what I understand, the Duke appeared in 78. As I understand it, the move from 440C to 425Mod took place around 81, at least with the 110.


What I can't find is any confirmation that:
a) the Duke really appeared in 78
b) the first Dukes used 440C and
c) what years of the Dukes used 440C.

If anybody has any pictures or information about 440C Dukes, I would really appreciate it. Particularly interested to learn about scale materials (micarta?) and tang stamps.

Thanks!
Click to expand...


There are four articles in past BCCI news letters that cover the Duke stem to stern. They are all available to read or download on the Club website.

Dec. 2002
Mar. 2004
Mar. 2008
Dec. 2009
 
Plumberdv said:
There are about three articles in past BCCI news letters that cover the Duke stem to stern. They are all available to read or download on the Club website.
Click to expand...

That's useful to know. Unfortunately, those articles are behind the BCCI pay wall.

You've referenced articles on the BCCI site before. Is your assumption that this forum is primarily for BCCI members?
 
pinnah said:
That's useful to know. Unfortunately, those articles are behind the BCCI pay wall.

You've referenced articles on the BCCI site before. Is your assumption that this forum is primarily for BCCI members?
Click to expand...

That's a great reason to join. I quit copying and pasting articles and info from the site, because I don't feel it's fair to the authors of those articles. Also to encourage Buck lovers and collectors to join.
 
As a matter of fact, the Vanguard info came from my hard copy library of original Buck catalogs that I aquired about three years or so ago and not from the BCCI website.
 
It appears that the 500 was first listed in the catalog in 1979 but shipping of them actually began in July of 1978. The blades were 440C and although Buck started the transition to 425M about 1982 there's no record of or any way to prove that the 500 changed at the same time as say, the 110. The original scales were micarta and changed to resin impregnated birch in 1981.
 
Dave, this is extraordinarily helpful. Thank you.

Am I correct in understanding that micarta did NOT get used after 81 (with possible exception of specials)?

That is, micarta & no date stamp probably suggests 440C?
 
If it has micarta scales and the script lettering as opposed to the block style, I'd be assured that it is 440C. I have quite a few LE's and SP's and don't recall any with micarta scales except for the ones with the script lettering.
 
Plumberdv said:
It appears that the 500 was first listed in the catalog in 1979 but shipping of them actually began in July of 1978. The blades were 440C and although Buck started the transition to 425M about 1982 there's no record of or any way to prove that the 500 changed at the same time as say, the 110. The original scales were micarta and changed to resin impregnated birch in 1981.
Click to expand...

+1 on Dave's info. It's also backed up on page 511 in "Blades Guide to Knives and Their Values", 2005 issue.

jb4570
 
Hey, guys can purchase those reference books too and build up a library for their own research. They're cost is higher than the Buck membership but your call. Plus, they hold the benefit of not having to ask us. DM
 
Dave, Your just a more up to date sort of guy. What can I say... I would not doubt that its the same article. DM
 
David Martin said:
Dave, Your just a more up to date sort of guy. What can I say... I would not doubt that its the same article. DM
Click to expand...

Nawww, I was just a little late to the party and didn't buy my copy until last year so I got a later edition. The article is probably the same as in the other editions, they've just added pages in front of it covering some of the other "off brands". :)
 
Pinnah, Here is a picture of my recently acquired Buck 500 - it has the "Olde English" style block letters and micarta grip panels. I've been slowly acquiring one each of the 500 series with micarta and Olde English stamps. Already have the 500 & 501, a 503 is on the way, now need to find a 505. OH

Buck_500.jpg
 
pinnah said:
That's useful to know. Unfortunately, those articles are behind the BCCI pay wall.
Click to expand...

Plumberdv said:
That's a great reason to join. I quit copying and pasting articles and info from the site, because I don't feel it's fair to the authors of those articles. Also to encourage Buck lovers and collectors to join.
Click to expand...

Same can be said for those of us who have paid to become members of the BCCI.
I was hesitant to for a long time then went ahead with the lifetime membership. I'd say it's well worth it.
 
st8yd said:
Same can be said for those of us who have paid to become members of the BCCI.
I was hesitant to for a long time then went ahead with the lifetime membership. I'd say it's well worth it.
Click to expand...

Good point. My Life Membership is something that I've never regreted spending the money on for even one second.
 
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