Little more info on a vintage 119 and introduction.

[AurevoirGopher]

First of all, I've been enjoying this forum for awhile and thought I'd take the plunge and join.

Just acquired the above 119. I'm a relative newby with Buck, so I was wondering if this was a 440C version or what. Did they ever make carbon steel versions? I captured the images from the seller. Normally I take my own. The knife was exactly as described and has the original edge.

Also have a 110 that I love. Carry it in my back pocket.

Thanks in advance for any info and I look forward to hanging around here.

Ciao,
Tomaso

 

[Plumberdv]

Welcome to the forum! I'll give your question a shot.

Buck added "U.S.A." to their blade stamp in 1967 and added the model number sometime in '72. The earlier 2 line models had bone hard spacers, not micarta like yours, so I'd place yours from '70, '71 or '72. Someone may be able to date more accurately the year that the spacers were changed. It would be 440C.

From those pictures, it looks to be in terrific shape. Congratulations.

 

[David Martin]

Plumber, I think thats a good date for this 2 line, without pictures of the sheath. Good purchase Gopher. DM

 

[mbjannusch]

Buck began using micarta spacers in 1969, with the Buck USA stamp. The first two line stamp was used in 1967, like Dave has already said. The two line stamp was used from 1967-1971/72. In 1969 Buck changed spacer material from Bone Hard Fiber to Micarta. In 1972 the model # was added and the stamp was inverted, so the stamp needed to be read with the blade pointed down. In 1973 this was changed to be read with the blade pointed up and ran from 1973-1981 when they began removing spacers.