Got a Buck 119 from my dad, from vietnam era?

I should have just quit when you posted. Oh well, I'll learn sooner or later.

Have you applied for your Guru certification from Buck???

:D
 
They tell me that they only give out one as one gets turned in and I think you still have yours...
 
I had to use my abacus on this one but yes, late 1969 when we changed to micarta and again sometime in 1969 when Buck started making their own sheaths without the tooling lines on the belt loop.
One thing to keep in mind... I dont have a lot of data but what I have suggests that some of what we know about the 119 does not necesarily apply to all other 100 series fixed bladed knives. It almost seems like each model had its own path through history.
 
Thanks Joe, I think what we all have to realize is that although information is in print, doesn't always mean that is the rule and things were never subject to change. So we need to take things with a grain of salt and realize if we are close the info is still accurite to within a small varience.
 
Joe Houser said:
I had to use my abacus on this one but yes, late 1969 when we changed to micarta and again sometime in 1969 when Buck started making their own sheaths without the tooling lines on the belt loop.
One thing to keep in mind... I dont have a lot of data but what I have suggests that some of what we know about the 119 does not necesarily apply to all other 100 series fixed bladed knives. It almost seems like each model had its own path through history.
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Thanks Joe, I've noticed this more with the 116, 121 and 124. The others 'seemed' more normal . Yet here we have another exception. DM
 
Dave, there's no exception according to my notes, but if you know of one I'd like to make note of it, and I'm sure others would like to do the same.

Thanks.
 
BG42EDGE said:
Dave, there's no exception according to my notes, but if you know of one I'd like to make note of it, and I'm sure others would like to do the same.

I don't purport to speak for David, but I suspect that he was referring to the comment by Joe as follows: "... I dont have a lot of data but what I have suggests that some of what we know about the 119 does not necesarily apply to all other 100 series fixed bladed knives."

Telechronos:):):)
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Oh, ok......I thought he was referring to this knife as an exception and it seemed normal to me.

Thanks for the help.

:)
 
Well, one of the exceptions to the rules that generally apply with most of the 100 series that differs with tthe 119 and 120 is that the time frame that usually applies to the change in the number of spacers. I think that Buck went to the 3 spacer version sooner than they were supposed to. This made the 3 line 119 and 120 with four spacers harder to come by.
 
Excuse me I've been reading other threads. Yes, It was Joe's comment; 'it seems EACH model has IT'S own path thru history'. This lead me to think, O boy, they're not like in a group but more individuals. Now, we must try to research EACH one as they all have exceptions! That is what lead me to this thinking. Now, I think he may have not meant it that way. DM
 
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MBJ, I don't think so as Joe wrote in his notes that not all models got the 3 spacers. Of Group 3 Only the 119, 120, 121 and 118 got this spacer configuration (one micarta space in the finger guard and 2 in the pommel). The rest skipped this configuration and went straight to the 1-1 spacer display. So, if you should find the other model fixed blades with the 1 finger guard spacers and 2 in the pommel, Joe would like to know. DM
 
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DM
I wasn't refering to just finger guard spacers, I was talking about the total number of red micarta spacers being changed from 4 to 3, this configuration would look like 1 spacer under the hilt or finger guard and 2 spacers on the pommel. Buck changed from 4 micarta spacers in the 119s and 120s to 3 mircarta spacers early and this made finding one of these knives difficult.
The reduction in spacers was for two reasons, to reducer cost and most importantly because they weren't needed any more. spacers were shims and only used to TRUE up the knives, not for looks.
 
actually BUCK didn't go from 4 micarta spacers to 3 spacers until 1973 when the model number stamp was tip up.

Here are five 120s: From top to bottom, 1) barrel nut 120; 2) pinned pommel BUCK 120; BUCK USA 120; BUCK 120 USA Tip down [1972] all with four spacers. Number 5 is the tip up BUCK 120 USA with three spacers.

The BUCK USA is a sorry example but I was too lazy to find a better example.

IMG_1579a.jpg


Telechronos:):):)
 
Tele,
From the information I have there are 4 spacer 119 and 120 with the three line stamp( read with the tip turned up). These are hard to find but they are out there. This is because Buck went to the tip up blade stamp early when they hadn't removed the fourth spacer yet.
 
mbjannusch said:
Tele,
From the information I have there are 4 spacer 119 and 120 with the three line stamp( read with the tip turned up). These are hard to find but they are out there. This is because Buck went to the tip up blade stamp early when they hadn't removed the fourth spacer yet.
Click to expand...

I apparently misread your prior statement. Apparently, you have narrowed the category to the 1973 three liners. I personally have not encountered a 4 spacered 1973 120 and would love to see a picture of one.

Telechronos:):):)
 
Buck's Group 2 1973-1980 is what we are talking about. Which is exactly what I was talking about "the total number of spacers" . The hilt is not the finger guard, its the total handle. So, to not confuse lets use the terms finger guard and pommel which is where these spacers are . The models I stated that have this number of spacers 2 & 2 (2 micarta spacers in the finger guard and 2 micarta spacers in the pommel) which is exactly what I was saying. From Joe's writing these models do exist in this configuration (2&2) with up right 3 line stamp. I have a seen a 119 and 120 with this spacer pattern and I have a witness, Skyhorse at the Nov. Las Cruces Gun and Knife Show. I own a 121 and 103 with this pattern. I may have others I'll have to check. DM
 
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