is it really a buck?

M

mjsizzle

Joined
Apr 27, 2008
Messages
15
i have just aquired a buck 531^ the ^ has a period under it then it says usa,this is all stamped (for lack of a better word) longways on the blade instead of across like most buck knives. on the other side of the blade it says pat.no.4,604,803
its the approximate size of a buck 110 only much thinner,but to unlock the blade you push down on the rear of the blade and fold (not my favorite design there) but all in all it was a good looking knife so i bought it,
can someone tell me a little about it?
 
no i dont have my camera with me but i will try to post some later, it has wood handles and the ends are silver
 
Welcome to the Blade Forums!!

It sounds, mjsizzle, that you have found one of the rare 531 with the sawby lock (or as it has to be spelled). That's an absolute lucky find. The delivery of the knife was stopped before it already started. And a few number (250?) were sold to the BCCI members. The knife was not sold official, because the lock was not sure enough. Last time I saw one at ebay and it was sold for roundabout 250 ... 300 USD.

Gratulations for digging that out. Isn't it possible to see some pictures?

Best,
Haebbie
 
WHAT? there is a buck i havenot seen!!!
picts picts we need picts jest like trax said... it is not fair to tease us...!
 
i am honestly ashamed to show pics because of the fool who hurt this knife but its still a buck and i like bucks so i'll give it a good home for the rest of its life i guess
 
it is neither of those, the second is the closest but it has what looks like a release for the blade on the bottom or back of the handle, mine has the sawby lock on the blade
also the buck 531^ usa is stamped across the blade and mine is stamped longways
pics on the way folks
 
Here are the photos

1002021ny8.jpg


1002020wm9.jpg


1002031fl8.jpg


1002026kb4.jpg
 
man my camera sux, i'm gonna try to get something better

well i tried my camera in different light and even my scanner and that didnt work either so i guess those pics are as good as it will get
thanks for posting the pics morestag!!
 
well i got then guy and was ready to post but some one did it aleady!
i think you have an early verson...



 
i read the patent for the sawby and that is what it is
i just wish the fool that had it had not ground the blade on a grinder, does buck do any restorations?
if so would they restore back to origional or would they convert it to the lock on the handle? anyone know?
 
You should send it in to Joe Houser and let them do whatever they can for the knife. I am sure it will be an improvement on what you got. I have a 531 Bucklock and it is a real nice knife so this one should be all the nicer. Does anybody know why the Sawby lock was not adopted in the end?
 
Barb, I too would like to know more about the "Sawby". I've heard some about it and its locking mechanism but have yet to examine one, perhaps at the Buck 20yr. Reunion. I agree that knife looks just like my 531 Bucklock except w/ a different locking mechanism. Both these knives were offered as Club Knives early on 1988-1990. So, I feel lucky just having one. DM
 
Here's a few pictures of the Sawby 531. There were actually two stamps on the knives. One with a ^with a dot under it and a V. The one with a dot was the first BUCK Collector's Club Knife. I'm not sure with one is the rarest, but there is not too many of either one.




 
WilltheBarb said:
Does anybody know why the Sawby lock was not adopted in the end?
Click to expand...

Two issues as I recall. One was that the lock-up was not deemed to be strong as someone, somewhere, would have liked, and secondly, Buck apparently had some liability concerns about having to get your fingers down there next to the blade to release the locking mechanism.
 
I don't remember the lock strength being the issue. But, I could be wrong!:o

I do remember the issue of concern about people closing it on their fingers due to releasing the lock.

I have never had any problems with the Sawby lock on either account. I have one Sawby Combat Folder and a Bradshaw using the mechanism.
 
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