How did you first learn about BUCK?

M

Mitch W.

Joined
Aug 11, 2010
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Here's an interesting thought process. How did you first learn about BUCK knives and what made you buy your first? Personally, I needed a knife where I worked to cut plastic pipe and went to KMart (no wally worlds then) after looking at what they had to offer (not much then either), I decided to buy the one with the black handle. I used the crap out of it till it grew legs and I had to replace it. That's right, I bought another BUCK 119. At the time, I didn't know squat about BUCK Knives or any other brand for that fact. I simply like the knife and it never has let me down. I now have Kershaws, SOG,s, CASE, a couple of Cold Steel ( nice knives if you have a tactical use for them), plus various other brands. The brand I personally have gotten the best use out of is BUCK, that's why I buy and collect them, also why I carry one on my belt (05 279 ALPHA HUNTER) and will always do so.
 
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My girl friend bought me one for my birthday back in 1971. I liked it so much it peaked my interest and I've had one or another Buck ever since (today its the 112).
 
As a kid all my adult male family members carried and used Buck knives. My Gran-dad carried a 307, my uncle Kenny a 303. My favorite uncle, uncle Blackie carried a 112 and my dad used a 102. Using Buck knives is just a family thing I guess. Today I am carrying a fingergrooved 112.
Jim
 
My wife bought me the first Buck knife I have ever owned. I was given a '94 Buck 112, for Christmas of the first year we were married. The knife has lasted and is in my possession today, and so is she... I have sense retired the 112 and it now sits among the collection knives. I didn't really start collecting at that point, or at least I didn't think I started collecting at that point. It wasn't till about 10 years ago, I bought a few old straight razor blades, the kind you used to be able to get a shave with back in the good days, before all the medication resistant viruses and deseases. I thought they were a dead and fading item and I wanted to have a collection of them. But with everything there are reproductions and cheaply made knock offs. So, ginding the old ones, that were in good condition was as hard as finding the old Buck in good condition. I didn't have much knoledge on the subject, only a book or two.. I didn't have much money, nor do I now( some thing don't change). So, needless to say, I had a few nice ones and alot of junk. I gave up looking to find the diamond in the rough and saw a 301 Stockman in an antique store. I picked it up and opened it and sure enough it was a Buck. I thought I didn't know Buck made these. I remembered the 112 my wife gave me and I thought these are neat. I bought it ( $15) and fell in love. I started buying as many Buck knives as I could find. I bought them everwhere I went. It didn't matter what they were. Only just a few years ago a good friend said to me, " You need to pick a direction for your collection" and of course I did... THANKS 300Bucks, I picked the 300 series and have sense cleared out almost all of the non 300s (with the exception of a few, more like several!!!), some I just cant get rid of. Thats my story, hope I didn't Bore anybody....
 
My father bought me a 102 sheath knife back in the late 50's for scout camping trips. Later, as an adult, I bought a 112 in 1972 for use when I was with San Diego Police. I used it for eight years and I still have it. I loved that knife and started buying up Buck knives after I retired. I've always been sort of a "knife nut."
 
My Dad had a green handled 105 that I inherited and still own, of course. I bought my own 105 for my first "legal" deer hunting trip with him in 1960. Owned and used Buck knives ever since. Latest was a 124 with some cosmetic issues for $50 at a gun show.
 
I'd always heard about BUCK. Where I'm from, when ever you hear someone taking about any sort of hunting knife, sheath knife, or traditional lockblade they always refer to it as a "Buck knife" -- even if it isn't. Curiously, none of my family, friends, or I myself ever actually owned a BUCK.

Last year I saw a pic of some BUCK fixed blades on this forum and was drawn to the 116 Caper, which both looked like the perfect knife for my needs and was within the 3.5" blade length restrictions here. It is a great little knife, very useful, and with the belt sheath tucked into my back pocket it just looks like a folder. This is my new favorite knife.
 
It was when I was a kid and an avid trout fisherman. Field and Stream magazine did a write-up on various knives and rated the Buck as the best. I had used various knives but then set my sights on a Buck.

It must have been in the early 60's. I remember a write-up in one of the magazines when the folding 110 first came out. It was a big deal being a folding hunter. Hunters up to that time were all fixed blades. There was a write up the next year when they offered the 110 again, slightly modified from the first year's production.

Buck was regarded by Field and Stream as the best on the market. Most anywhere I went for years following, Buck knives were generally regarded as "One of the Best." I heard that exact phrase from a knife dealer in Vancouver, B.C. from fellow students in Los Angeles, and in any sporting goods shop or hardware shop I'd visit at home in New England.
 
I hadnt bought a decent knife since I was a kid when I had bought a stag handled Case of some sort(long lost and forgotten). I had been buying cheap **s knives and breaking them at work one after the other. My mom wanted to know what I wanted for Christmas and I told her a good knife. Turns out my new stepdad's brother was a Buck rep and they got me a Duke. I knew about Buck but didnt know how good they were. Needless to say, I do now:D 20 some years later, I dont think I have bought another brand, though have won, found or been given other brands.:)
 
wolfdog said:
Buck was regarded by Field and Stream as the best on the market. Most anywhere I went for years following, Buck knives were generally regarded as "One of the Best." I heard that exact phrase from a knife dealer in Vancouver, B.C. from fellow students in Los Angeles, and in any sporting goods shop or hardware shop I'd visit at home in New England.
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That really surprises me when I hear it. After all, the fixed blades tend to be 440C blades with plastic handles and aluminum hardware. Then I tried buying a vintage 116 off eBay and saw these twenty dollar knives selling for over a hundred bucks, used. After a couple of months I finally got a fair deal and got a nice one with a 118 sheath that had been resharpened about fifty times . . . guy offered "Buy it now" for $45 with free shipping and I am very happy with it. I carry it everywhere. The other day I was at a show looking at a table of custom knives and the fellow didn't know the blade length of a piece I was interested in and didn't have a ruler so I pulled out my 116 to compare blade lengths, and this guy with all his high dollar custom knives says, "Wow, is that a BUCK?" You don't see the nice vintage BUCKs for sale very often, and when you do they usually want way too much for them. If that wasn't the case I'd own several. I seldom see used 116s sell for under $75, and that is without a sheath.
 
For as long as I can remember my Dad carried a 110 on his hunting adventures. He doesn't hunt anymore and is always trying to give me his knife. I tell him I won't take it...not now. Maybe he will need it again.
 
Dang, guys I like this. Yes, Tyr, the early 116's don't go cheap. I had been hearing about Buck being a quality knife in the 70's. So, in 1976 I bought my first, a 107 Scout with stag handles. I've used that knife field dressing deer in several states and on a ton of fish and small game. It was also Buck's first pouch style sheath which I like. Three years later I purchased a model 120, a good quartering knife and knew I'd found the knife I was sticking with. Just these two knives was all the knives I used for the next 20yrs.. Then I began to collect this brand. DM
 
I can't remember not wanting a Buck knife. When I was growing up a buck was the envy of any kid.
I always had hand-me-downs which were cases or cheap knives. Was about 19 when I got my first buck, a 501.
 
Hi form Russia!

I have always been fascinated with knives. I have knives from different companies (Benchmade, SOG, Leatherman and other). On knives Buck I've heard a lot but do not take them seriously.

In May 2009 I first came to America. I was at the IBM conference in Las Vegas. There, I called the Basspro store and bought my first Buck 110 with steel CPM154. It was a wonderful knife. I realized that I do not want to release it from my hands. It is a pleasure to feel its weight in my hands.
After the end of a working trip, I drove to his brother in Alaska. There, he present me Buck 110 and Buck Vanguard 192 Alaskan Guide from Cabelas. And now it's two of my favorite knife. Buck 110 is always on my belt. Buck 192 I always take with me on long trips (hunting, fishing).
Now I collect knives Buck. I am particularly interested in 110,112 and 113. I've been following the news of the company Buck, and buy those knives that I like.
So this my short story. Sorry for my English
 
My Dad was always a fan and collector/user of Buck fixed blade knives. My parents bought me my first one, a 102 in 1986. I have been hooked ever since! Although, I tend to prefer the folders, I finally got my Dad to get a 110 about 5 years back. His first Buck folder :D
 
I think my third Buck knife was, the model V52 Selector, a gift from a friend. I thought this was a cool knife and I started making different blades for it. I still enjoy using this model, its light and you can put what ever blade in it the job requires. DM
 
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Word of mouth. I was given my first Buck knife, from my father, when I was 9 or 10. I was given a Swiss Army knife way earlier though. I must have had 5 or 6 before I recieved the Buck.
 
Can't say exactly when but I remember their advertising claim to fame was that you could hammer one through a bolt. I'm guessing early to mid 60's? Anybody else old enough to remember those ads in Field & Stream and Sports Afield?? I've owned a truckload of knives over the years, including a few Bucks. In the last 6 months I have been bemoaning the fact that you can't seem to buy a decent American made knife any more. Certainly it ain't as easy to find one as it used to be. Since January I've picked up 10 Bucks, new and used. I have sent a few to the factory to get spiffed up. I know I am on a roll here, and have a few set aside to give to my son for his 20th birthday. Don't know if I'm a collector, accumulator, hoarder, user, or what?
 
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