help with possible buck 124 frontiersman purchase

1

1911Pistolsmith

Joined
Dec 2, 2014
Messages
4
Hello Gentleman,
Thus will be my first post with your community. I have been reading up on the 124 frontiersman and am looking for a daily carry knife. I just moved to AZ whhooohoo no knife laws!! I have found one on the forum here for purchase. I will include pictures. I am leaning tword the older frontiersman due to the 440c steel, micarta scales, better sheath, lanyard hole, and steel guard/pomel instead of the modern aluminum. I am looking to be able to jand this thing down when i die. With proper knife and sheath care i believe the knife will work for that. My question is basically what time period is this knife from, is it 440c steel, and does it have stainless or aluminum guard/pomel.
Thanks for yoir replies. I am looking forward to burning many hours with you guys from here on out on this website.

http://rs1374.pbsrc.com/albums/ag42...72713a6b9c11b7faf41d7_zps2277e0b0.jpg~320x480

http://rs1374.pbsrc.com/albums/ag42...e8b177dad6024ecc0bf98_zpsd9f2fc5c.jpg~320x480

http://rs1374.pbsrc.com/albums/ag42...81500f82dcd0e3c789483_zpsba4f2147.jpg~320x480

Those are the links to the knife i am considering purchasing. Hopefully they work.
 
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Welcome to Bladeforums!
I moved this to the Buck forum for a bit more expertise. :)

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Welcome 1911Pistolsmith. Nothing wrong with the older model 124. For stainless steel hardware you will need to find one made between 1967-71. That would also get you 440C steel as that was used from 1967-81. At least that's the info I could find. I'm pretty sure Buck started stamping the model number on the blade around 1973 so if you are looking at one that just has Buck over U.S.A. then I think are looking at one that might fit you needs/wants.
 
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I have 3 Buck 124's. 1 is an older 440C 1973 model, 1 from the early 80's, and a stag custom shop model. IMO the newer knives are just as good as the older models and quite a bit cheaper. the 2012 models are very nice knives and can be found in the $100-$125 range. I also think the newer sheaths are better than the pre 1973 sheaths IMO. However, I would go for a 120 or 119 for an EDC knife. Here are 2 of mine:
9i8sGl.jpg
 
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To the OP. Based on the photos and the knife you are interested in having the model # stamped on the blade I would think it was made in 1973 or later. If I am correct in my earlier post in that Buck used 440C until 1981 then this knife have that steel. If Buck did stop using stainless steel for the hardware in 1971, before the model was stamped then your knife has aluminum pommel and guard. HTH
 
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For the 124, the switch from 440C to 425M took place in April 1981. The change from micarta handles to laminated Birch took place at the same time. Ignoring the possibility of minor changeover overlap, any early micarta will be 440C and Birch handles will be 425M.

The guard changed from stainless to aluminum in 1973.
425M gives way to 420HC in 1994.
 
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Thank you all so very much for the insight and knowledge. I will go ahead with the older frontiersman and start saving up for the new one also. There are some mods i want to do and i would much rather do them to a newer production knife
 
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