Looking for a specific Buck boating knife

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

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Saw a Buck boating knife at a local gun show on Saturday, couldn't pick it up then, mainly because it wasn't on my want list, although now it is! Number 2 reason is that I'm broke as a joke! I wrote the model number on the vendors business card, but I lost it :( . It looks like a sailors knife, it has a big sheepsfoot blade, a spike for ropes. Resembles the Camillus marlin spike, but beefier and wood handles, looks like silver bolsters, just a great looking blade. Still mad that I didn't get it, but I got bills to pay. Guy said it was discontinued, but after a show vendor told me that they had discontinued the 110's, I have a hard time believing any gun show vendor! Thanks for your help, my email is silenthunterstudios@hotmail.com.
 
Both were made by Camillus. The early version is probably what you were looking at. It has NS bolsters, a hefty sheep foot and a locking marlinspike. I don’t have one with wood scales but that doesn’t mean anything. They certainly could exist. It is a beefy knife for sure. The later version does not have the NS bolsters and, though it has the same profile as the earlier, it does not feel quite so beefy. I have not seen another Buck with a marlinspike. If there were one it would be a very rare knife indeed.
 
Just for contemplation - there are three versions of the NS bolstered 315.
Blade tang marked BUCK, 315, USA; Blade tang marked BUCK, Made in USA, 315 on opposite side and the very rare (and I want) white melamine scaled version...I would be interested to know if any were handled in wood from factory.
 
I do not know of any in wood from the factory although the Buck Custom Shop could have done some. I have a stag handled set of the 300 series and have seen burgundy micarta.
The white 315s were ivory micarta, not melamine. I do not know how many were made but they were apparently a special project for the America's Cup in San Diego sometime in the 1980s. Those that did not get the America's Cup scrimwork were eventually distributed and at the BCCI 15 year celebration in El Cajon (July 2003), club members were able to purchase the last 20 or so ivory micarta 315s.
 
Here's my two cents:

Place a posting under the "Wanted" section of Blade Forums (and the 'other' forums, too).

I was looking for a Buck 119 made with stacked leather washer handles and placed a post under the Wanted section. (The leather handle 119 is a rare model made for a short period of time exclusively for the Cutlery Shoppe.) Within a few days of the posting, I was able to buy a minty one from a guy willing to sell his to me. And, it was one of the best transactions I've had in the 'knife world'.

Also, try a Google search or two. Might find one with a retailer out there or even find one on e-bay.

It's worth a try.

Regards,
Mike
 
A 119 with a leather handle? If you are able, would you post a pic please? I'd love to see it.
 
I am pretty sure that Larry is correct in that Buck never produced a wood handled 315.
There are also 2 versions (I think its only 2) of the 315 without bolsters. The sides of the knife are relatively parrallel to each other, flat as a board.
Hey 300Bucks, welcome!! :D
 
I knew I was talking with short information but I figured someone would wade in and set the record straight...I have kicked myself a hundred times for not going to the 15th BCCI. Now I have another reason. I also now have to add a couple of need-to-finds to the 315 list. I have seen a picture of one stag handle but nothing on red.

On the non-bolstered 315, what are the differences to look for.
 
300BUCKS,
On the non-bolstered (barehead) 315s, there exist a very few with hidden rivets. The overwhelming majority have two exposed rivets more or less centered at the bottom of the composition slab sides.
 
BlueSky,
Don't have any immediate pics of the leather handled 119, but I'll see if I can take some over the next week or two and post them for all to see.

Joe,
You noted that you are pretty sure that Buck never produced a wood handled 315. And, you also mentioned that there are 2 versions of the 315 without bolsters.

I saw this on e-bay and was wondering if it isn't a 315, then what is it??? Can you tell if the handles are wood? (Maybe the handles look like wood due to the intense lighting in the pic?)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63792&item=6533826594&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Thanks and regards,
Mike
 
Mike,
I believe the flash is washing out the black composition handle inlays making them look brown. I have never seen a wood handled 315 and again, if any exist, they are aftermarket alterations or from the Buck Custom Shop.
Larry
 
I have a 315 made in the Buck custom shop with desert ironwood handles with hidden rivets. This one is a one of a kind. The custom shop log book shows only five 315s were customized. I don't know what handle materials were used on the others. In all likelihood, there were probably a few more than the five listed customized.

John
 
Thanks Larry for the description. The hidden rivets are added to my search list. Just when I think I am down to just a few unfounds, the list grows again.
I am just glad I have strength to control my quest to the 300's, my wife is I am sure. :eek:
 
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