Evolution of the 122/124?

TAH

TAH

Joined
Jul 3, 2001
Messages
6,135
When the Nemo 122 was first introduced, it had a Phenolic handle with a hidden tang. At some point, I believe I read that the 122 was discontinued due to rust problems and eventually, the 122 became the Frontiersman 124 full time. With that said, I have two questions. 1) Was Buck not able to resolve the rust problem to allow the 122 to remain in the line up as a diver's knife? 2) With the rest of the 100 Series knives having Phenolic handles with hidden tangs, why did Buck change the handle material and construction of the 122/124 to Micarta with a full tang? Did that change happen as a result of trying to resolve the rust problem or did Buck just decide to take this knife to the next level?
 
Thanks Bad. So is it safe to say that the change in construction, to a full exposed tang, was a result of trying to resolve the hidden tang rust problem?
 
TAH, Your working to think up topics. I wish I could think up stuff like that. Most of the time I think on keeping a kid in college and how to put food on the table.
It was discovered the handle on the 122 allowed sea water to seep in and cause rust under the handle. Still, it was made from 1967-71 with the hidden tang design. Discontinued in 72 and brought back in 73 for a short run. With micarta handles. Now, we have the same 2 knives with different model numbers.?? This was not needed. So, the 'Divers knife' was discontinued and the Frontiersman continued. Even with micarta handles it would be hard to keep sea water from damaging it under the handles... This could have been the thinking. Bad, that was a good thought on posting Scott's comments as he was hitting at this. DM
 
David Martin said:
TAH, Your working to think up topics. I wish I could think up stuff like that. Most of the time I think on keeping a kid in college and how to put food on the table.
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David, you make that sound like a bad thing. Don't worry, like you, I have plenty of other more important stuff to think about too, but this place is a nice escape from the responsibilities of life and I was sincerely curious as to why the construction was changed when it started out like the rest of the 100 Series line up.
 
No, don't go that direction. We need all sorts of topics thought up. When I can I try to contribute. When I can't I let it go and read about it. DM
 
No worries, David. My fault for misunderstanding you. It's the little details that fascinate me and keep me interested, as I'm sure it is with you. Thanks for the rest of your reply in post 4 and all your other contributions. :thumbup:
 
TAH said:
When the Nemo 122 was first introduced, it had a Phenolic handle with a hidden tang. At some point, I believe I read that the 122 was discontinued due to rust problems and eventually, the 122 became the Frontiersman 124 full time. With that said, I have two questions. 1) Was Buck not able to resolve the rust problem to allow the 122 to remain in the line up as a diver's knife? 2) With the rest of the 100 Series knives having Phenolic handles with hidden tangs, why did Buck change the handle material and construction of the 122/124 to Micarta with a full tang? Did that change happen as a result of trying to resolve the rust problem or did Buck just decide to take this knife to the next level?
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Well let me help with some facts on this subject. The first phenolic Nemo's and phenolic Frontiersman's were the exact same knife all issued at the same time. The only difference between the two were the sheath's. The phenolic Nemo came with the plastic diver sheath, and the Frontiersman came with a flap over leather sheath. This knife was just stamped Buck, USA.




TAH go to the DEC 2006 issue of the BCCI news letter and read it.
jb4570
 
Here is a post from TAH in an old thread

TAH said:
I think I'll just call it a Frontiersman too. :) How do you categorize "a rugged knife specially designed for heavy duty use both on land and underwater"? :D

Buck124BuckNemo.jpg
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jb4570
 
jb4570 said:
Well let me help with some facts on this subject. The first phenolic Nemo's and phenolic Frontiersman's were the exact same knife all issued at the same time. The only difference between the two were the sheath's. The phenolic Nemo came with the plastic diver sheath, and the Frontiersman came with a flap over leather sheath. This knife was just stamped Buck, USA.
Click to expand...


Thanks jb. I am familiar with the 122/124 history. I was specifically curious about why and how the change in construction came to be. It sounds like Buck switched to a fully exposed tang in an effort to eliminate water from being trapped inside the handle and rusting the tang.
 
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