My first Idaho Buck

P

Psychopomp

Joined
Feb 21, 2005
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2,662
Well, I found myself with about $150 that I didn't know I was going to have this morning and the 110 bug has been nibbling at my bum ever since I gave a nice cleaning and oiling to my collection. I even EDC'd one of them each day of the week last week (I've got seven of them) and I want a new one.

All of them, save one from 1995, were made in the early 70s (no dot) to the mid-80s (two dot and beyond). So I've never had a new 110. Down the road from my house is a farm supply store and I'd never been in so I decided to check it out... see what all was to be seen. I went in without thinking about buying a knife, I didn't even know they had knives.

Then I saw the display of Bucks and I smiled a little. I went to the counter and asked to see a 110. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful knife, perfect fit and finish, no blade play at all, and the Idaho tang stamp. "How much?" $25.95. I couldn't say no.

I further inspected the knife when I got home. Perfect in everyway but one. The factory edge was dull. I ran my fingertips along it and not even the hint of a cut (granted I have fairly tough finger tips, comes from 16+ years of playing violin and guitar). That was a little disappointing, becuase I've always known Buck to put razor edges on their knives. But the absolute beauty of this knife made the ten minutes I spent on the Sharpmaker worth it.

I'm also a little saddened by the nylon sheath, but that's ok... when I send one of my two-dotters in for a new blade in the next week or two, I'll order a sheath for both of them, because a knife like this really needs a leather sheath.

I've never really been so amazed by the beauty of a knife. I've always thought the 110 was a piece of art, but this one just stands out for some reason... maybe because it's my first new one. My grandfather gave me my first 110 when I was six, and maybe if I ever have a grandson I can give him this one when he turns six.

Despite the dull edge and bad sheath, I give this thing a 10 out of 10. Buck makes one hell of a knife.
 
Makes me wonder if someone played with that one in the store. New one I got that was manufactured 11/04 would cleanly cut very thin strips of paper. Sales kid said it was "new" and since I was purchasing it in April 05, I ASSumed it would have the Idaho. But it didn't. didn't discover the mfg date on the clampack till later.

What it did have tho was one of the brown leather sheaths with the curved bottom. :D

So I wuz happy. I gotta get a sharpmaker.....

So, Phycso, what ya do with the rest of the $150? Could have a fun knife hunting expedition with that. :eek:
 
Well... I did the smart thing with the rest of the money... went to the bank on my way to work.

I took the knife on vacation this week and used it some. It's held up well and will still shave hair, although I'll touch it up on the Sharpmaker when I get a chance.

I still intend to get a leather sheath for it, I really don't like this nylon thing.
 
Leather sheaths pop up on ebay all the time. Might check there.

A couple of the 560's I have, came with the nylon sheaths that you can carry either vertical or horizontal.. Am anxious to try one of them this fall during hunting season.

One thing about the nylon. It won't put the green patina on th ebrass bolsters like the leather sheath will. That is if you store it in leather.
 
You know I always shook my head at those nylon sheaths till I got one for my 112 . I like the look of the leather sheath better but the nylon one " at least for my 112 " carries better and the brass stays shiny alot longer .
Congrats on the new 110 by the way . I would like to have one with the Idaho tang stamp . Maybe a finger grooved one . My first 110 was finger grooved . I loved that knife....gotta go I'm feeling misty .
 
Psychopomp,

Might you want to sell that nylon sheath? I have the leather one, but I actually prefer nylon/cordura.

Send me an email if you want to get rid of it: mikemck@gmail.com

TIA
 
I can send you. I have had it for several years. I had a Buck 110 YEARS ago, well, I lost it and have had this sheath sitting around. So, if you want it holler at me!
 
My Buck/Strider SBMF has the outline of the state of Idaho on the blade. I guess it was made at their new facility.

SP
 
Yup it was,,,, 2005 with the Idaho is the only year we will see the Idaho. It goes away in 2006.
 
The State of Idaho stamp is a transitional stamp. Here's the thread where it's talked about with Mr. Houser.

The first knives with the Idaho stamp were produced at El Cajon to cover the transition period of the move to Idaho. I have a 110 with the Idaho outline and that box is stamped 10-22-04. I also have a 119 with the Idaho stamp and that box's date is 11-23-04.

I've really grown to like the outline of Idaho stamped into my Bucks. I'm kinda wondering if Buck might leave the Idaho stamp on all of their knives, after the move, and just add the year stamp, in addition. They could re-use the same series of date stamps as they've used since 1986, but they would all have the State of Idaho stamp, too. That would allow the year stamps to fall into pre-Idaho and post-Idaho series.

Hope this helps,
GeoThorn
 
Sorry, I need to correct myself. I saw Stu_Hert's reply in the "Idaho Logo" thread, then I checked the Buck Knives' web site to look at the date stamp page. Sure enough, the State of Idaho outline has been officially designated the 2005 year stamp.

But.... Ah well, I'm not a collector, so the date stamps aren't that important to me as they are to some.

GeoThorn
 
Just one addition... The regular 2005 is also used. I believe it is used on Buck imports. At least some of the first production runs from Idaho are using 2004 marked blades. (see my thread for Joe) The 2005 is a 'T' with the top to the left side.
 
The off-shore knives do not use the Idaho outline.. but the normal 2005 year stamp


Jeff
 
J Hubbard said:
The off-shore knives do not use the Idaho outline.. but the normal 2005 year stamp


Jeff
Click to expand...
Sorry if I sound confused, but the date stamp page on the Buck Knives web site indicates that the outline of Idaho is the 2005 year stamp. What is the "normal" 2005 date stamp?

GeoThorn
 
It is a "T" with the downstroke pointed to the right as though the "T" was rotated 90 degrees in a counter-clockwise direction.
 
Just acquired my first Idaho Buck - a 55 :D Been wanting one of these since they came out, but didn't want to go stateside. Smaller than I envisioned, but it's still a gem :) When I got my first "real" 110, I was also amazed at how well built it was. That was only three years ago or so and I have a "few" Bucks now :) My 112/Ranger is probably my used one. I still add to my Buck stuff now and then. Last one was a Buck/Strider 887SBT Police Advocate a couple or three weeks ago - tang stamp was not totally Buck, though - it had a Strider logo(I think) on the blade - Strider above the logo, Buck below it. The 887SBT intriqued me enough, that I will probably acquire one of the new SBMF's - Dorado is also on the list, but I want to pick one up and play first. Wouldn't mind getting an Idaho 110, but I would probably get in trouble if I did that ;) For me, this is knife purchase #6 since Friday, so I should be good to "play" for a few weeks anyway :D

- gord
 
Thanks, Larry Oden and Guy G. Sometimes I need to be told something a couple/few times before it sinks in. :) A definite difficulty in being hard-headed. So, the 2005 stamp for U.S.-made Bucks is the State of Idaho outline and a "T" that's falling towards the left for the 'offshore' Bucks. Ok, I've got it now. Thanks again!

GeoThorn
 
gordonk said:
--- 8<----- 8< ---

Wouldn't mind getting an Idaho 110, but I would probably get in trouble if I did that ;)

--- 8<----- 8< ---
Click to expand...
If/when you finally feel comfortable in seeking-out that Idaho 110, see if you can get a look at the store's Buck boxes. The earliest box date that I personally have for an Idaho stamped 110 is 10/22/04, so, if you can get access to looking at their boxed Bucks, try looking for that date and later. It may save the salesman/saleswoman from opening-up all of the boxes looking for a 110 with an Idaho stamp.

Hope this helps,
GeoThorn
 
Ok - many thx. I'll probably get one in one of those weak moments where I want something new to play with and there isn't just anything that catches my eye immediately :) There are a few that I'm probably going to acquire before that though. I happened to notice that one of the sporting goods stores on my way home is carrying a Buck/Mayo TNT Cutback...I just may have to take a "peek" :D

- gord
 
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