New 2017 Bucks--Pictures, Descriptions,...and Some Disappointment

These low ball 110 and 112 with all the options aren't helping. They really should be more than they are. The big w isn't helping either at 28 buck for a 110.
 
^could you elaborate, not sure i'm following? i see a drop in sales, but didn't mention drop in profits, so hard to tell what this means actually.

i can't see how cheaper 110s and 112s would help in dropping sales numbers. i would assume those models are a volume gig and at lower selling points would give bigger sales numbers due to volume same with walmart sales.....but maybe i'm assuming wrong.
 
Makael said:
These low ball 110 and 112 with all the options aren't helping. They really should be more than they are. The big w isn't helping either at 28 buck for a 110.
Click to expand...

The current 110 with Dymondwood and 420HC isn't really the same as the old Ebony and 440C version. As a user, I like the newer version but it's a cheaper knife both in terms of materials and due to automation. In today's market, its a $35, give or take.

I think this thread would follow a different path if was happening in the General or Traditional forums. This forum is more populated by Buck fans and heavily biased towards collectors.

In the Traditional forum, I think you would here that the 110/112 are just too thick and heavy to be competitive. Sheath carry just isn't an option for today's market, no matter how popular it is among Buck collectors/fans. In particular, the 112 variants get almost zero discussion compared to the thinner GEC 72/73s. IMO, if Buck wants to compete with GEC, they need to thin both the 110 and 112. IMO, the 110 should be reduced to the thickness of a large Case Sodbuster and offered with aluminum bolsters. The 112 should be thinned to match the 500. Keep offering variants.

In the General forum, the US made knives that get consistent raves are Benchmade and Spyderco. IMO, the question is why isn't a Buck model mentioned as a competitive any time the Griptillian and Paramilitary are mentioned? I think the Vantage, Spitfire and Bantams are all competitive in terms of aesthetic design (not true of all Bucks) but Buck is earning a reputation for being a cheap budget knife in comparison. IMO, they need to simply eliminate out of the box QC issues like blade centering and lock rock, offer upgraded scales and steels in all of these models and offer full flat grind options in all three of these lines. Really, there's no reason why both the Vantage and Bantam shouldn't be better knives than the Griptillian nor why the Spitfire shouldn't displace the Paramilitary.

Buck needs to make fewer knives better, not more imported truck-stop CRKTs
 
Pinnah, bravo.

We love the Buck company, and your counsel would indeed work.

On all points. Additionally, keep the traditional 110/112 in production too, but also provide thinner versions as you said.

Bravo.
 
IMHO Buck has always been a more traditional knife maker geared toward the outdoorsman/working man. Their bred and butter has been and continues to be quality, affordable knives that folks buy and use. Those knives have paid the bills for a long time. Along the way they did things like the custom shop, limited editions, build-outs, etc., that appeal to the collectors as well as pursuing some more tactical models and autos. I'd wager that for every BF member that finds Bucks product line lacking because it doesn't offer the kind of models that BM or Spyderco does there are 10 guys and gals who don't post on internet forums that are perfectly happy with Bucks product line and don't want, need or even know about high end steels, flippers, carbon fiber this or that, etc.

As far as QC goes I believe Buck is pretty much like everyone else. They make great knives most of the time but not all the time. I doubt you can find one manufacturers forum on this board that doesn't have a QC issue of one kind or another posted weekly if not daily. People seem inclined to post when they have an issue but not so much when everything is good to go. Just human nature.
 
Last edited:
Badhammer said:
I'd wager that for every BF member that finds Bucks product line lacking because it doesn't offer the kind of models that BM or Spyderco does there are 10 guys and gals who don't post on internet forums that are perfectly happy with Bucks product line and don't want, need or even know about high end steels, flippers, carbon fiber this or that, etc.
Click to expand...

I think this is very true. Most people who want a new knife probably just stroll into their local sporting goods store or wally world and see the Buck/CRKT/Smith & Wesson brand knives and grab a buck knife because of the name brand recognition. Out of the three brands I mentioned, Buck is the only that offers 'made in America' knives at the entry level price point at my local brick and mortar stores.
 
Badhammer, when I was a kid in the 70s, the Buck 110 was the best production locking folder you could buy, and was priced accordingly. The lower tier high value brand was Schrade, particularly the Old Timer line. And then, of course, there was Kabar and Craftsman.

Seems to me that Buck is filling the lower end more. I wish it was still the aspirational knife.
 
revnewk said:
In case you have not seen them yet, Buck Knives has released their new 2017 model specs to Knife Center for pre-order. Here is the link: https://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/...&c=&locktype=&style=&min_blade=0&max_blade=50

I was directed to this link by the the Knife News post and commentary on Buck's 2017 offerings. Here is the link: http://knifenews.com/buck-new-for-2017-knives/

I was sad to read this paragraph in the Knife News post: "2016 was a down year for the 114-year-old company. According to data compiled by SSI Data, which tracks the sales of guns, ammunition, accessories, and knives across multiple channels, Buck saw a 10-20% drop in dollar sales over the last 12-months."

Buck is my number one favorite Knife company. Benchmade is my second favorite, but ultimately my loyalties lie with Buck. No third favorite company.

But I am disappointed over a few observations regarding the new 2017 offerings:

  • There are no new offerings in the USA-made 300 series. There hasn't been for several years now.
  • There are no new offerings in the popular Vantage and Vantage Force series. As a matter of fact, the inventories on most Vantage variations seem to be dwindling.
  • Continued import presence in the economy edc models.

I hope that their gamble on 110 variations will pay off in 2017, but I have my doubts.

Please take the above observations as my own personal opinions about a company I love. I have been looking forward to the new 2017 models.

I just don't see anything that interests me.
Click to expand...

Before we get down on Buck specifically, read this from the same sources.

Year of the Gun Derails Knife Sales
http://knifenews.com/knife-industry-statistics/

"2016 is an election year with conditions that have sales of guns and ammunition skyrocketing at the expense of gun accessory sales and especially knife sales. “Even gun accessories like hearing and eye protection are down. All the growth we are seeing is in the sale of guns and ammunition,” says Odie Tucker of SSI Data, the company that tracks the sales of guns, accessories, and knives across multiple channels. “Knife sales in the first quarter of 2016 are down significantly versus a year ago. There are many more losers than winners in the knife category,” he says."

If someone can provide comparative financial data between Buck and the other knife companies mentioned in this thread, I would like to see it.
 
what hammer said, A mans knife. nothing wrong with some light weight super steel, bravo Tango alpha carbon fiber super blade. Buck has and always will make a knife geared towards the outdoorsman/blue collar working man that uses his knives. Not the internet ninja who carries an 'EDC' yet doesnt cut anything with it...
 
Maybe Buck is just having some brand identity issues or is in a transitional stage.

They are a high quality working man's knife, but now that there are so many brands and custom knives available, people may just save a bit more and buy something else than a 110... especially if they are partial to a smaller/lighter knife, tactical or other non-traditional looks, more fancy, different steels, etc. So Buck starts offering more custom options for the loyal customers willing to shell out a few bucks as well as cheaper options for the big box store crowd.

Chris Reeve knives are expensive but they have a well-defined brand targeting a certain niche. It would be hard for a brand like Buck to go that route, so they are trying to go in both directions. Can a brand go both directions and still maintain an identity and fanbase? Time will tell. I'd prefer more traditional and minimalist designs instead of the tactical or gaudy designs I'm seeing more and more of, but if the latter keeps them going and they still make a few knives I like, that's great too.

Recently I bought a couple of the Made In China Buck knives because I found them at a very good price: Buck Bones and (as of today) the Buck Nobleman (carbon fiber graphic overlay). I'm happy with both knives and there is absolutely no play or lock issues - they are very solid, at least so far. I like the size of them and aside for the tacky carbon fiber overlay and tiger stripes, they are nice and I will use the Bones as a beater for prying and cutting into wood and the Nobleman for eating lunch or delicate work. However, I picked them up for a fraction of the MSRP and would not have considered purchasing them at their full price.
 
An auto 110 is blasphemy imo. I am not against autos. I have other Buck autos but the 110 should never be an auto.
 
pinnah said:
The current 110 with Dymondwood and 420HC isn't really the same as the old Ebony and 440C version. As a user, I like the newer version but it's a cheaper knife both in terms of materials and due to automation. In today's market, its a $35, give or take.

I think this thread would follow a different path if was happening in the General or Traditional forums. This forum is more populated by Buck fans and heavily biased towards collectors.

In the Traditional forum, I think you would here that the 110/112 are just too thick and heavy to be competitive. Sheath carry just isn't an option for today's market, no matter how popular it is among Buck collectors/fans. In particular, the 112 variants get almost zero discussion compared to the thinner GEC 72/73s. IMO, if Buck wants to compete with GEC, they need to thin both the 110 and 112. IMO, the 110 should be reduced to the thickness of a large Case Sodbuster and offered with aluminum bolsters. The 112 should be thinned to match the 500. Keep offering variants.

In the General forum, the US made knives that get consistent raves are Benchmade and Spyderco. IMO, the question is why isn't a Buck model mentioned as a competitive any time the Griptillian and Paramilitary are mentioned? I think the Vantage, Spitfire and Bantams are all competitive in terms of aesthetic design (not true of all Bucks) but Buck is earning a reputation for being a cheap budget knife in comparison. IMO, they need to simply eliminate out of the box QC issues like blade centering and lock rock, offer upgraded scales and steels in all of these models and offer full flat grind options in all three of these lines. Really, there's no reason why both the Vantage and Bantam shouldn't be better knives than the Griptillian nor why the Spitfire shouldn't displace the Paramilitary.

Buck needs to make fewer knives better, not more imported truck-stop CRKTs
Click to expand...
I agree on QC issues from a company perspective if you got them you need to eliminate them asap. Poor QC will eventually take the best of company out of the game. Without it you have nothing for sure. 😉
 
Just preordered the 829 Marksman, I'm not really into many Buck offerings, but I really like the marksman.
 
pinnah said:
The current 110 with Dymondwood and 420HC isn't really the same as the old Ebony and 440C version. As a user, I like the newer version but it's a cheaper knife both in terms of materials and due to automation. In today's market, its a $35, give or take.

I think this thread would follow a different path if was happening in the General or Traditional forums. This forum is more populated by Buck fans and heavily biased towards collectors.

In the Traditional forum, I think you would here that the 110/112 are just too thick and heavy to be competitive. Sheath carry just isn't an option for today's market, no matter how popular it is among Buck collectors/fans. In particular, the 112 variants get almost zero discussion compared to the thinner GEC 72/73s. IMO, if Buck wants to compete with GEC, they need to thin both the 110 and 112. IMO, the 110 should be reduced to the thickness of a large Case Sodbuster and offered with aluminum bolsters. The 112 should be thinned to match the 500. Keep offering variants.

In the General forum, the US made knives that get consistent raves are Benchmade and Spyderco. IMO, the question is why isn't a Buck model mentioned as a competitive any time the Griptillian and Paramilitary are mentioned? I think the Vantage, Spitfire and Bantams are all competitive in terms of aesthetic design (not true of all Bucks) but Buck is earning a reputation for being a cheap budget knife in comparison. IMO, they need to simply eliminate out of the box QC issues like blade centering and lock rock, offer upgraded scales and steels in all of these models and offer full flat grind options in all three of these lines. Really, there's no reason why both the Vantage and Bantam shouldn't be better knives than the Griptillian nor why the Spitfire shouldn't displace the Paramilitary.

Buck needs to make fewer knives better, not more imported truck-stop CRKTs
Click to expand...

Amen, I wish they would offer thinner 110 and 112 with a thumb stud and a lanyard loop! Those would be amazing!
 
Doug_86 said:
what hammer said, A mans knife. nothing wrong with some light weight super steel, bravo Tango alpha carbon fiber super blade. Buck has and always will make a knife geared towards the outdoorsman/blue collar working man that uses his knives. Not the internet ninja who carries an 'EDC' yet doesnt cut anything with it...
Click to expand...

All my hunting knives are buck. I personally find the 420 HC just fine for what they are intended to do. I just wish they tweaked their classic designs just a tad. I agree that some of the emphasis in the market lately seems heavy on technical steel aspects and abilities that most purchasers have to go out of their way to make relevant to their activities. My 102 is capable of anything a hunter would need to do in my neck of the woods. My 501 is capable of most everything else, I just wish it had a thumb screw and lanyard hole to make it easier when I am holding a fishing pole in the other hand.
 
My take has always been if you want a high end Buck go to the custom shop, for me I stopped buying off the shelf 110's.
 
The auto 110 is on my short list for sure! Will have to ride over to my local dealer once they are on the street.
 
The new rivals appear to be the new line comparable to the bantams. I will be grabbing one of each as I did each of the bantam sizes. Great price point on American made blades.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top