Early Model Buck Knives

[TheFishman]

I saw this knife up on the auction site last week and thought that someone had put a crude handle on an old Buck blade. I was searching something else yesterday and stumbled upon this post and photo showing that what I thought was a homemade handle was actually a Buck handle. I assume this knife is from the early 1950s and the handle is made from lignum vitae. I have not been able to find out a whole lot about dating knives this old. Anyone know approximately when the knife was made? Is it correct to assume that an old file was used to make the blade? The blade is 4" long. I know blade length varied back then, but the shape leads me to believe this is a 118. Is that correct? This knife looks like it has been there, done that, and would have some interesting stories to tell. I am kicking myself for not bidding on it since it only sold for $72, but I am not sure what I would do with it. I am more of an accumulator of knives that I like to use and not a collector.

 

[bertl]

Someone will come along who knows more than I. However, based on the handle material and the tang stamp, my guess is it dates from about 1954-1955. The sheath is not the original.

Bert

 

[bucksway]

The older Bucks are truly fansanating...and rare. You really have to do your research and network because the serious collector base is small. As far as value on them it's a real crapshoot! Many are bought for just a few cents on the dollar..

 

[mauser9]

Looks like that poor thing was sharpened a few hundred times. Ridden hard and put away wet.

 

[TheFishman]

Looks like that poor thing was sharpened a few hundred times. Ridden hard and put away wet.

It has definitely lost some steel. If you look at the linked photo though, I assume this model is the same on as the second one from the left. The blade on that knife looks to be in good condition but is also fairly thin. Maybe that is the way they were made?

There are a few threads over the past 25 years that had photos of these older knives, but most of the photos do not show up now. A lot of people tend to let the photo do the talking and don't discuss all of the details. It really makes it hard to research when the photos are gone.

 

[TheFishman]

The older Bucks are truly fansanating...and rare. You really have to do your research and network because the serious collector base is small. As far as value on them it's a real crapshoot! Many are bought for just a few cents on the dollar..

That brings up a good question. Is the collector base small or are there just not many Buck knives from the early 1950s out there? I haven't seen any sales figures, probably because there wasn't even a company then, but how many knives did Buck produce during the early days?

If anyone has photos of these older knives, please post them. Again, I thought that handle was something someone had put on the knife themselves until I stumbled upon the linked photo when researching the early, fixed blade 110.

 

[SoDak81]

I bet that was a beaut when it was new. That's really cool, I'll bet Al or Hoyt Buck knew that would be a good user when they made it. Cool piece of history.

 

[SoDak81]

Looks like that poor thing was sharpened a few hundred times. Ridden hard and put away wet.

Definitely got their money's worth out of that one!

 

[DeSotoSky]

It is an early 50's 118, say '51-'54, possibly a year more either way. Some of them did have pretty slim blades in that time period, not as much blade loss as you might think. I have several in my collection like it. Lignum Vitae switched to Ebony about '55 or so because of LV's propensity to crack. I find the cracking issue odd as LV is supposed to be one of the densest and strong woods.

Fun Fact: Lignum Vitae is so dense it does not float.

The original 106, a hunting/fishing knife with scaler on the spine, and the same Lignum Vitae handle.

 

[DeSotoSky]

I'll bet Al or Hoyt Buck knew that would be a good user when they made it. Cool piece of history.

That would be Al, Hoyt moved about '47 and died in '49. Stomach cancer I think.
Someone fact check me.

 

[DeSotoSky]

The 109 Ranger Twin Set paired a 105 with the smaller 107.
Buck would pair any two knives of your choosing into a twin set for $1 less than the individual knife costs.

 

[bertl]

The original 106, a hunting/fishing knife with scaler on the spine, and the same Lignum Vitae handle.

Here is an early 106/107from about 1946. The difference between the two was blade length. Handle is Masonite with copper spacers.

Bert

 

[DeSotoSky]

bertl That I is one beautiful knife.
The Masonite handles didn't hold up well so your's is a true survivor.

 

[mauser9]

Very interesting actually to see those old timers especially from Buck. Only vintage ones I have seen lately were Marble's with the leather handle/grips. Probably more carbon blades back then. The old bone handle P.I.C. from W. Germany I owned was nice looking but the hunting blades from Buck and Puma seem far superior with choices of blade length and style.

 

[riversidedep]

Send that in to Buck for their spa treatment! I can't wait to see the before and after comparison!

 

[bertl]

Here is a 114 with translucent red Lucite that I like.

 

[TheFishman]

Here is a 114 with translucent red Lucite that I like.View attachment 2648856

Hard to believe that beautiful knife is as old as it is and that it was once a file. I believe the lucite handle knives are older than the lignum vitae knives. Does anyone know why Buck changed the pommels? Why did they switch from the bird head pommel on the lucite knife to the rounded pommel on lignum vitae knife? The lucite knives appear much more refined/elegant than the lignum vitae knives.

 

[bertl]

I believe the lucite handle knives are older than the lignum vitae knives. Does anyone know why Buck changed the pommels? Why did they switch from the bird head pommel on the lucite knife to the rounded pommel on lignum vitae knife?

Here is my take for some of your questions. Lucite was used before the lignum vitae handles, which were introduced in about 1951. However, lucite continued until about 1955. In the 1950s, both the rounded and beaked pommels occurred until about 1955-1956.

Bert