Help on the Buck Selector???

[Slufstuff]

I picked up an excellent condition Buck Selector knife at the gunshow this weekend. I have some questions. First, the one I bought has a "rescue" type blade and a 110 style blade. The rescue blade locks open, the larger 110 blade does not. Why was the smaller rescue blade made to lock, and not the large blade? This seems out of whack since the 110 type blade would seem to be more likely to be used and more dangerous in an accidental closure situation. Second, when were these made? Third, it is curious that the handles are finger grooved, yet the grooves are useless since the closed blade not in use prevents the fingers from resting in the grooves. Was this a design flaw or was the same basic mould used for different knives? Appreciate any other feedback on this interesting knife.

 

[Gossman Knives]

I got one of those in a trade. I emailed Joe Houser about mine and he said that they stopped making the two blade version and went to a single blade only selector. The rescue blade you are referring to is probably the gutting blade. The blade that locks is removeable. Open to 90 degrees and press down on the rocker bar and pull the blade straight out. There was a series of extra blades available. They stopped making the double blade selector because of safety issues. I think they were made in the early nineties.
Scott

 

[Joe Houser]

When the 428 Selector first came out it was the version you described. The 110 style blade did not lock open and there were a variety of blades that could be substituted into the other slot.
This version of the knife debuted in our 1990 catalogue. The finger grooves were not super practical for the reasons you mentioned but i think they added them because it did help a little and it looked better. <-my opinion.
In the 1991 catalogue the knife had already been redesigned into the one bladed version.

 

[Slufstuff]

Thanks guys! It is interesting that the "guthook" blade so much resembles what is now commonly called a rescue blade, with the blunt round tip and straight sharp edge.