Just received my custom501! Minor caveat (?)

S

short

Joined
Mar 14, 2012
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31
Hi buckcommunity
this is infact my first post on bladeforum, though I am nowhere to be called new as I have roamed this forum extensively
I have seen images like oreguns 501 and immediately fell in love:
12-11-2011Buck501backspringopenclosed009.jpg

(Note, this is a photo of oreguns knife. Not mine as I currently in no possession of a digital camera)

Before realizing, I ordered myself a customshop 501 with S30v blade and oak handles. And it finaly arrived this week!
It's a great knife and it's size is about perfect for my hands. It's simply stunning. One can really tell it's manufacted by hand, adding to the value.

However, it's also one of my first knives from buck (in general, I owned SAKs knives only up to so far) and I kinda confused with the following issues:
  • Is it normal for it to be delivered in a black box saying "Limited Edition", instead of the usual yellow/black box?
  • I know the used wood is natural and unique on it's own. However the oak is fairly bright and unsubtle compared to oreguns custom501... And not looking anything like it
  • ... In that sense, If I were to replace the oak inlays: Would I void warranty?

Aside from that, I want to thank buckknives for their awesome knives and extend my thanks to Richard who crafted my knife and Paul Farner HTs as well as all involved in the manufacturing of my new-lifelong-companion-to-be
 
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Hi Short,

Yes if you change out the scales it will void the warranty.

All of the CS knives I have ordered in the past came in the yellow & black box. The Black LE box is an up-grade in my opinion, so that should not be an issue. The question is did you get the COA that proves it's a CS knife?

You paid $80 + shipping for your knife. If the scales do not meet your expectations, contact BKI Via Joe Houser and let him know. He can and will fix it for you so that it meets your vision/expectations. This knife is going to be your companion for the rest of your life....make sure it is what you want it to be! I just sent back a new LE that did not meet my expectations and Joe H. took care of it for me, you should do the same.
jb4570
 
Hi Short and welcome to the forum. I went back and looked at the other pictures of oregon's custom 501 and in my opinion, the wood in it is darker than other oak from the custom shop I've seen. If yours is more like the 110 below then I believe that it's what it should be. I have several 110's with oak scales and they all look just about the same as this one as far as grain and color is concerned. Oregon's looks more like walnut to me than oak.

I also feel that the black LE box is an upgrade. I was disappointed with my first custom (silly reason I know) because it came in a standard yellow and black box.

Is this more like what the wood in yours looks like?

Custom110sc.jpg


OakNS420HCc.jpg
 
Oak is typically a light colored wood. The picture you posted of oregons knife doesn't appear to be typical of oak.
 
Yeah the colour is about like in your 110, just not as smooth and with pores/pockets filled with black greenish wax(?). I guess thats natural and unique, all right. Thanks for the comparison pictures plumber!
I guess you are right about the inlays of oreguns knife being of walnut. Thats pretty stupid of me as I have ordered my 501 with OAK, basing on a post that was made in this thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/906683-Custom-501

Jb: I have the small card-sized certificate right here; Richards name written in blocktype with a red ink roller. A warranty card of about the same size and another card about natural markings.
I really would like to contact Houser to buy and swap the inlays for walnut. As I am temporarily living in europe however, it will have to wait t'ill I either return to US or send it in for a spa to make it worth the time.
Thanks for the advice
 
st8yd said:
Oak is typically a light colored wood. The picture you posted of oregons knife doesn't appear to be typical of oak.
Click to expand...

Yes, I just thought oreguns dark inlays were a side-effect of the plastic-treatment. They are fine structurgrained and this beautiful contrast of golden orange reflecting woodstrands with the darker wood is what made me drool.
Now I am itching to know what wood this is. Waiting for confirmation on either walnut or another wood.

12-11-2011Buck501backspringopenclosed005.jpg

(Oreguns 501)
 
The color of the wood in oregon's pictures could be a side effect of the lighting also.
 
jb4570 said:
Oregon is very clear in these threads that this knife is Oak!
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/921458-Custom-Buck-500-Questions?highlight=501
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/906683-Custom-501?highlight=501
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...unday-Picture-Show-(12-11-2011)?highlight=501

I'm sure he will chime in when he see's this thread.
jb4570
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, I'm not saying that it's anything else, just that it's darker than your typical oak, and more the color of walnut.
 
Each piece of wood should be different because per the card Buck sends it is a natural material.
 
Plumberdv said:
I also feel that the black LE box is an upgrade. I was disappointed with my first custom (silly reason I know) because it came in a standard yellow and black box.

Is this more like what the wood in yours looks like?
Custom110sc.jpg
Click to expand...

Funny Dave, I also was disapointed that my $$$$$ custom came in a yellow/black box. But, the knife inside was just fine;).

I only have one Buck in my pile that has Oak scales. It is darker than Dave's above (not darker I guess but a little redder), But not as dark as Oregon's Oak scales.
IMG_2221.jpg


After seeing your photo's below, I do have a few more as I also have the Wild Bill & Earp 110's.
100_1844.jpg


I have never seen the Eagle & Feather Oakie before.....very cool!
jb4570
 
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I have a few and I've found that with mine at least, the oak is all pretty uniform in color and grain.

TOT110c.jpg


PICT0308.jpg


SanDiego110b.jpg


threenew110s.jpg


2002cutoutc.jpg
 
Custom Comparo:

Buck Oak 110 vs Buck Oak 501:


03-15-2012Buck110OAKv501OAKcomparo007.jpg


03-15-2012BuckOak110v501comparo003.jpg


I've examined the scales of both knives with a magnifying & illuminating loupe.

501: I see alot more pores, like you would in wood cut across the grain. Dark colored isn't it.

110: I see fewer pores, like you would expect in wood cut with the grain. There is some green color to a very few of the grains. Much lighter colored,

I don't know that my observations lead to any conclusions. However, I can speculate: Polishing darkened the stabilized Oak wood of the 501 more than it did to the stabilized Oak of the 110.

The two knives were made years apart. Perhaps the polishing compounds used are different and react differently with the wood.

Both knives are wonderful examples of gifted craftsmanship that humble me by the fact they are in my possession. I have pride in ownership and feel the need to improve myself simply because of their proximity.
 
Oak is normally very porous.
polishing it will not make it darker nor will it have any effect on the wood other than being polished.
The green you see in the 110 is either polishing compound in the pores or fungus in the wood prior to stabilization.
 
Oregun, glad you chimed in: Previously a SAK was enough but your photos caused my craving for a buck501. You are lucky to have such a dark coloured one!

Thanks for the advice, I scrubbed the greenstuff off yesterday and it looks much better now. The pouches previously filled with the compound now actually add to the grip!
And the S30V is simply awesome as it has gone through two old tv boxes without losing it's factory sharpness. Even after an hour of carving and whittling, the blade is still hairscraping sharp - It's definitely going to be my edc for a long time.
Fit and finish is without to say, flawless. And about the bright wood colour... Well, one cannot have everything :)

Thanks Buckknives and community, you guys have indeed exceeded my expectations!


... Now that my caveat is nill, I am a happy man with a reliable S30V companion in my pockets.
 
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short said:
Fit and finish is without to say, flawless. And about the bright wood colour... Well, one cannot have everything :)
Click to expand...


Ahhh but you can simply place an order for the 501 with the walnut and the s30v and you will have a dark one and a light one.:)
 
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