I haven't bought a new Buck in about 20-some years, but I found a nice one today. I stopped at a small sporting goods store today and had a stroke of good luck on Friday the 13th. They had a nice display of Buck knives and while checking through it, I spotted a 319 Rancher stockman with a punch. I knew that these haven't been made in a while, so I asked to take a look at it. It was a knife that had been on display for a while, the black scales were discolored fron sun exposure. I was considering asking the clerk for a discount, but asked instead if they had anymore in stock. He took a look and, lo and behold, there was another one in the display, all nice and minty. Its mine now and I like it, I'm a sucker for a stockman with a punch.
I have a couple of questions for the buck-a-holics here about my knife:
What years of prodution did the 319 run?
What type of steel are the blades made of ? (I know its stainless, but what kind)
There are no dots or any other markings on the tang to help, but there was a small difference between the 2 knives that may help date it. The display model I didn't buy had a tapered punch with notches on the blade and the one I have has a smooth, straight punch blade. Maybe that will help narrow the date of production some. Might have to go back there for one of those Duke lockbacks soon, another Buck I've always liked but never bought.
I have a couple of questions for the buck-a-holics here about my knife:
What years of prodution did the 319 run?
What type of steel are the blades made of ? (I know its stainless, but what kind)
There are no dots or any other markings on the tang to help, but there was a small difference between the 2 knives that may help date it. The display model I didn't buy had a tapered punch with notches on the blade and the one I have has a smooth, straight punch blade. Maybe that will help narrow the date of production some. Might have to go back there for one of those Duke lockbacks soon, another Buck I've always liked but never bought.
