Nickle-Silver bolster question

relodr36

relodr36

Joined
Oct 26, 2005
Messages
491
I have a few Buck knives,but I don't know much about their construction.
I was under the impression that the bolsters on the special edition knives,like the Master Series were solid
nickle-silver and not plated.
If that is true,how does a factory defect like this,occur?

110rbd.jpg
[/IMG]

It sure looks like a bad plating job.
Here's the other side:

110rbf.jpg


This was on a 110 MSU,that I recently sold on eBay for a friend.He had 3 of these Master Series knives that
were still NIB.The 110 was the only one that had a defect like this.

Even though I pointed this out in the ad and had good pictures showing this condition and a light scratch,there was a fair amount of bids.This led me to wonder if Buck would stand behind their warranty
and correct a condition like this?
Ron
 
They are not plated and yes, Buck stands behind their warranty.
 
That could have been caused from the tanning chemicals in the leather sheath. If so, a metal polish like Flitz takes it right off. DM
 
Nickel silver, is a copper alloy with nickel and often zinc. The usual formulation is 60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc.[6] Nickel silver is named for its silvery appearance, but it contains no elemental silver. I with Dave on this one, I think it was caused by the tanning in the leather. YOu should never store your knives in the Sheaths. Those chemicals are horrible on metal.
 
The knife was stored as it came from the factory - in the factory plastic bag,in the sheath.

110sho.jpg






Thanks for the replies,fellows!
 
Plastic doesn't stop the chemical reaction called verdigris from happening when you leave your knife stored for extended periods in the leather sheath.
 
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Buck ships them in foam sleeves not plastic bags, at least the last few hundred or so knives I've bought. Including NIB Master series knives. I guess they may have only used the foam on knives sent to me;)
jb4570
 
This is one of those questions it will take Joe or someone at Buck to really answer. As per the other folks here, after viewing several hundred of all different models, at least, over the last few years come out of boxes at various BCCI functions, I have only seen knives in foam sleeves.

But, if you watch this forum closely over time you see all kind of things that are odd. Sometimes associated with a odd factory action and sometimes with a unusual 'after-market' action.

Its getting to the point that I am thinking if you don't get a purchase handed to you from a well known store, or mail order from a national chain or the Buck factory store, I might wonder what I was going to receive in the end. Everyone use common sense, if the deal seems too good it could likely have issues in the end.

300
 
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Now back to the OP's original question/concern, the "defect" does indeed look like a loss of plating in the photo although I certainly agree that the bolsters are solid nickel silver so that makes no sense. In addition, the area in question (junction of the bolsters and scales) would be a very odd place for corrosion due to storage in a leather sheath to occur. Most of us have seen verdigris buildup on brass bolstered 110's that were stored in leather sheaths and it is rarely in the area pictured. I wonder if perhaps, the "defect" might be excess epoxy, used to attach the scales, that oozed out of the gap between the bolsters and scales.
 
I second the nomination. Look carefully it extends down the scale edge next to the blade well liner.... And to answer the OPs last question. Buck in all likelihood would be glad to clean the excess epoxy off the bolster/linwe and buff it up as a warranty claim.....300
 
It's not uncommon to plate NS. Nobody thought the old 106's were plated until they were found out to be.
 
I have to apologise to you fellows!!:foot:
I talked to the owner of these 3 knives,this morning.I asked him about the plastic bags,specifically.
He said that he put the knives in plastic bags,when he originally stored them in his safe.He thought that it
would preseve the condition of the knives.
Sorry about that!
BTW - the buyer of the 110 lives in China.:rolleyes::confused:

Ron
 
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