New to me Buck 112

B

BusyDad

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Mar 30, 2016
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This past weekend I was at a local Flea Market with some family. As we're walking around my son spots the unmistakable Buck sheath. Turns out to be a custom shop Buck 112 with an asking price less than the cost of a new one.

We didn't buy it right then, because we wanted to see what else was available. Ended up going back to get it. He was able to talk they guy down a little more and then after exchanging money for knife, he hands it to me and says "Belated Happy Father's day".

Since then, I've been reading and trying to figure out when it was made to see if I can figure out what steel it is. I'm working on getting pictures, but keep running short on time.

The blade is stamped with old English print Buck Custom U.S.A.. The blade has no stamping about what type of steel it is. The sheath it came with is black and the snap has BUCK 3 times in a circle the same as my 1992 Buck 110 (not sure if that is relevant).

If anyone can give me a timeframe when it might have been made and what kind of steel may have been offered at the time, I would greatly appreciate the info.
 
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Yes MT_Pokt that is the stamp.

Here are a couple quick pic's of the 112...
ENLMEHX.jpg

 
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Good pictures.

It appears to have a mirror polished blade and brass frame.Other than that, there are no distinguishing features.It's not an early model,at least not prior to 1980,because the frame is rounded.I'm going to guess that you could order from the custom shop and just specify a mirror polished blade on an otherwise stock knife.

No worries,as there are some very knowledgeable members here who will help you further.

Good luck.
 
It appears to me to be a modern frame (Idaho) with an older blade (CA).

I don’t know whether the Script Custom stamp was used on anything other than 440c or perhaps 425m.

It could be a recent Build Out like the one in my photo. I’m not in a position to rummage through the lists right now, but they might have been shared on this forum. Try searching this forum for “112 Build Out”.

I’m no 110/112 specialist but there are a few here who could probably help.

Consider this a $0.02 bump. ;)
 
Thank you both for the information. I'll be looking for the "112 Build Out" info.

The comment about an older 440c blade is interesting. When I compared the blade to a couple 110's I have the 112 blade was more like the 2-dot 110 than it was the double-dash 110. By that, I mean where it transitions from the hollow grind to the spine is a smoother transition like the 2-dot. That place on the double-dash is a much "crisper" line. That had me thinking that maybe it was 440c blade.
 
If you think the sheath is original to the knife then you are well past the 440C era. The 3 Buck snap happens late 80's, about 1989 or so. The 440C era ends about 1982. If it is a Franken knife as MT_Pokt suggests then who knows.
 
Who knows, but that is a nice knife and a great gift.

Are those scales real ebony rather than laminated? If so, that is an even better find.
 
Yes, the scales are real ebony. It is a very nice knife. There is no wobble at all in the lock, not even side to side.

Whatever steel the blade is made of, the knife is priceless simply for the way I received it. I'm just curious.
 
Busy, Buck's Custom shop opened in Jan. 1981 and worked knives for 12 years. Some they built were All custom others were merely a standard knife taken off the production line and customized. The later is yours. The first ones were mirror polished
blades. Yours is not. That script stamp was used until around 1985. Buck began to radius the handles on a 112 in 1981. Which yours has. The blade steel used in 81 was 440C and then Buck switched to 425M in 82. I suspect yours is the later. Buck began to more fully hollow grind the blade in 82. Which your's has. That sheath is well after a early 80's date. So, I wonder if it is that knife's original sheath. They put initials on the early knives, later numbers. Look closely in the blade well and lock bar, you may find some. Your 112 looks to be 1982-84. A nice find. DM
 
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David Martin said:
Busy, Buck's Custom shop opened in Jan. 1981 and worked knives for 12 years. Some they built were All custom others were merely a standard knife taken off the production line and customized. The later is yours. The first ones were mirror polished
blades. Yours is not. That script stamp was used until around 1985. Buck began to radius the handles on a 112 in 1981. Which yours has. The blade steel used in 81 was 440C and then Buck switched to 425M in 82. I suspect yours is the later. That sheath is well after a early 80's date. So, I wonder if it is that knife's original sheath. They put initials on the early knives, later numbers. Look closely in the blade well and lock bar, you may find some. Your 112 looks to be 1982-84. A nice find. DM
Click to expand...

David, you need to write a book. :thumbsup:
 
It could also be a employees knife too..It's not too uncommon to find a Buck with non standard features as back then employees could and would build oddballs for each other during lunch hours. I've heard stories about odd ones made up for birthdays, repairs and reblades , unofficial bonuses and as 'lunchbox' knives that were basically stolen and snuck out of the factory. It IS a nice 112 !
 
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Nice Buck 112 and what a great way to receive it - sounds like you have a squared away son. OH
 
Thank you all for the information you've provided about the knife. The person my son bought it from had no clue about the knife

David Martin, thank you for that detailed information. I agree with TAH, you need to write a book. With your dating, I agree the sheath is not likely the original. It looks like the sheath that came with my 1992 110 which was purchased new at that time. I'll be,checking the 112 for a number or initials.

Old Hunter - thanks for the comments. My son enjoys knives in general as much as I do and enjoys Bucks almost as much. As a senior in High School he is very squared away and makes me proud.
 
Dad, your welcome and that is good to have an offspring like that. That date of 1992 is the time-frame I noticed the 3 word
snap appearing on sheaths. Same year as the steel change. DM
 
Some flea market and gun show dealers will intentionly break up knives and sheaths to make a more marketable package. I've questioned a sheath/knife combo before and been offered the original sheath from under the table :)
 
The same thing has happened to me at a show. The vendor had One knife from the Empress Trio set displayed on his table.
When I saw it and began to examine it, I commented that this knife was one in a set of 3 kitchen knives. He then pulled out the others and said here. Are you interested? I ended up buying them all. DM
 
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