FIRST VERSIONS

bertl

bertl

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FIRST VERSIONS—Over its many years in business BUCK has produced a wide variety of knives. Some models appeared for a short time and others have lasted for decades with minor changes over the years. If you have a first version of a model, show it here and give whatever information you have about the knife. If someone has already shown a first version and you have the same knife, it doesn’t matter—show yours.
 
305 Lancer—With a closed length of about 2 5/8 inches, the 305 is one of the smaller knives ever produced by Buck. The first version was a Camillus contract knife produced 1968-1971. The main characteristics of the first version are: handle pins, tang stamp of BUCK/Made in USA, no model number, and an EZ open notch. The EZ open notch may be either large or small. The knife in the photo has a small notch.305 1st Version copy.jpeg305 1st Version.jpeg
 
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The Buck 301 Stockman that was the first knife of the 300 series was made by Schrade for Buck in 1966. There were three variations of the Schrade built Buck 301, but only the first version had threaded bolsters. This is my only one, shown just before going to the Buck Spa a few years ago, and again just after it returned. Buck really did a nice job cleaning up and sharpening my old 301. OH
Buck-301-Schrade-1st-variation.jpg

Buck_301_-_Schrade_1st_variation_after_SPA.jpg
 
The Buck 117 is a very recent knife and was a complete surprise to me when it was introduced. I bought one in the standard issue style; Phenolic handle and 420HC Stainless Steel blade. It is a downsized copy of the famous Buck 119 Special (or an upsize of the diminutive Buck 102 Woodsman). However you look at it, the size is just right for general outdoorsman use or as a big game knife. OH
Buck_117_-_MFG_2017.jpg

Buck_117_-_cleaning_deer.jpg
 
Old Hunter said:
The Buck 117 is a very recent knife and was a complete surprise to me when it was introduced. I bought one in the standard issue style; Phenolic handle and 420HC Stainless Steel blade. It is a downsized copy of the famous Buck 119 Special (or an upsize of the diminutive Buck 102 Woodsman). However you look at it, the size is just right for general outdoorsman use or as a big game knife. OH
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I think it's a great model. I wish Buck would quit fooling around and make it a permanent part of the inventory.

Bert
 
Great idea for a new thread Bert. I have a few that I believe are 1st versions. If I am wrong on any of them please someone let me know.

I will add others during the week.

Here is a 317 as well as a 315. 1st model 317 has the 3 handle pins and "BUCK MADE IN USA" stamped blade. 1st model 315 with the "BUCK MADE IN USA" blade stamp.

wP020hs.jpg
 
Old Hunter said:
The Buck 117 is a very recent knife and was a complete surprise to me when it was introduced. I bought one in the standard issue style; Phenolic handle and 420HC Stainless Steel blade. It is a downsized copy of the famous Buck 119 Special (or an upsize of the diminutive Buck 102 Woodsman). However you look at it, the size is just right for general outdoorsman use or as a big game knife. OH
Click to expand...

I'm curious when it was introduced? Anyone know and care to save me a trip through the files of catalogs? No, I DO enjoy going through old catalogs, but every time I do I end up with another list of things to look for on the big auction site. :rolleyes:
 
gedlicks said:
1st model 317 has the 3 handle pins and "BUCK MADE IN USA" stamped blade.
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It also has the model number on the pile side. James, what is your guess for the number of these knives? I think it is more than was thought in the past but probably isn't more than a couple dozen, more or less.

Bert
 
bertl said:
It also has the model number on the pile side. James, what is your guess for the number of these knives? I think it is more than was thought in the past but probably isn't more than a couple dozen, more or less.

Bert
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That's correct Bert. Forgot about the model number on the other side of the knife. Thanks for mentioning that.

I have no idea on how many were made. I have never really researched it. I have only seen a few but never thought it was that few. It took me quite awhile to find the one I have I know that. Thanks.
 
I'll play Bert. A Buck 121 with horizontal stamp. This would be the earliest, 1964 I think. I would have thought that this knife would have had a keeper strap sheath originally, but in 1964 holster style sheaths were being introduced, I wonder if with was available optionally or is this just a replacement sheath. Regardless, it's the sheath it came with.
121.Horizontal.012015 3_zpshnzv0zl5.jpg 121.Horizontal.012015 1_zpsgppj9u9a.jpg 121.Horizontal.012015 2_zpszmpraqrn.jpg
 
Wow, how sweet! I felt lucky just to have one and you've got it boxed!
I have a single line inverted 121 that came to me with a double strap. Again, no box so originality not known.
 
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Here is the whole gang for the first year....1991.
The (too) small guthook on the Quest was redesigned larger in 1992 and renamed Zipper.
1991 is a tough year to find as the knife hit the market late that year.
The small guthook QUEST is an even tougher find. I think the story is CJ discovered the poor function of the hook while trying out the new knife on a hunting trip and production was halted.

191.Quest.1991.jpg 192.Vanguard.1991.jpg 691.Quest.1991.jpg 692.Vanguard.1991.jpg
 
IDhorace said:
I'm curious when it was introduced? Anyone know and care to save me a trip through the files of catalogs? No, I DO enjoy going through old catalogs, but every time I do I end up with another list of things to look for on the big auction site. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
The Buck 117 was introduced in 2017 as a limited edition (SFO). I think it is still an SFO knife. OH
 
The Bucklock 532 was introduced in 1991. This is a 1991 model and is marked "PAT. PEND." I understand* that the first 1100 pieces shipped had misaligned filework and the birchwood covers were cut differently so that the laminations were not obvious, so this is not one from that batch. Still, it is a first year of issue.

*Someone posted a quote from BCCI about this somewhere on BF. I made a copy of the text for my files but no longer have the link.

50577690007_a71293659e_b.jpg
 
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