Thank you very much Stumps!
I also found this, apparently, from Joe Houser:
Information on California Prop 65
There have been some questions recently regarding the California Proposition 65 (CA Prop 65) warning labels we have begun placing on all of our products. That is understandable and I will try to answer the questions of “what is this and what does it mean?”
First of all, CA Prop 65 is nothing new; it was enacted in California only, in 1986. It is essentially a regulation designed to inform the California consumer as part of California’s “Right to Know”. Under CA Prop 65, a list of various chemicals and substances was created that the state of California determined MIGHT, cause birth defects, cancer, etc if a person ingested, inhaled or absorbed enough of one of the items. So, as part of California’s Right to Know, any/all products that contain one of the items on their list must have that warning label on it so the consumer can see it before he or she buys it. This doesn’t mean all companies apply the label to products even if they should.
The warning appears on products sold across the country even though the label is only a California requirement. That’s because companies like Buck Knives do not always know where their products will be sold so it is easier and less expensive to label all of their products.
Most people have seen this warning more times than they can count and don’t realize it any longer. It is on most gas pumps, including those in states outside of California, virtually all fishing gear (especially lead sinkers), all ammunition and thousands of other products; it is even on all standard garden hoses and some dishes.
Our products are no different now than they were 30 years ago; but, because Buck Knives wants to continue to be a responsible manufacturer and continue to do the right thing, we have decided to include the warning label on our product packaging. Examples of things that have one or more of the items on California’s list are; brass, all brass contains lead and always has; stainless steel contains chromium. Both lead and chromium are on California’s list.
Joe Houser
Director of Consumer relations Buck Knives Inc.
Buck Collectors club Liaison, Member #123
