Now that's what I'm talking about! (New old Buck)

V

VTer

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I just received in the mail a beautiful old script Buck 500 in 440C with micarta scales that I snagged on the auction site for $62. It's in great condition (hardly a scratch on it and a bit dull but showing no evidence that it's ever been sharpened). I love this knife and I hate to say it, but it's everything I had hoped my CKS 501 Squire would be. I'm a bit sad that my 501 has already been superseded in my heart. But, without further ado, pictures (please forgive the poor quality and lighting; I'm recovering from surgery and can't get out to take photos right now):


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440-C It's the stuff they used to do the nail cutting demonstration with. The nails were made of 420 HC (JK).
 
As for the steel, I haven't had a chance to compare. I'm not a great afficianado of steels, though I did Spring for S30V on my CKS 501. My 110 has 420HC and I find it prone to rolling. After I've used the new ones a while I might get a better feel for the difference. I want someone with more experience than me to put an edge on the 500; I might send it in to Buck or try to find someone on here to sharpen it.

As an aside, the pictures don't do it justice, but the micarta is just gorgeous. Wonderful grain exposed when it was contoured, and it feels great in the hand.
 
tiguy's comment about the metal the nails were made of should be taken with tongue in cheek. VT you have a very well built, handsome, upper grade folder. Did the sheath come with it? DM
 
Yes, the sheath came with it, but I didn't get any photos yet because I'm conditioning the leather (which was very dry). My guess is that the knife's been stored in its sheath in a drawer for about three decades. Perhaps it was discovered as part of an estate.

And I knew tiguy's comments weren't serious, but I still thought it worth mentioning that I'm not particularly knowledgable about steels.
 
Great find and purchase! Looks really nice. I'm hoping your CKS 501 Squire comes back soon and in good working order too. I'm sure both will get some carry time.
 
Oh, I got my 501 back last week. It's a beautiful knife and I have no doubt it'll get carried, especially where the Duke might be considered a bit too big. But this 500 has clicked with me in a way that's hard to put into words and which the 501 just didn't.

More pics:













 
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VTer, so happy you were able to find one. I like my 501 sized Schrade for dress up events as it carries better in dress slacks. But as you know, I like the 500 as an EDC knife. I agree with you about how pretty the Micarta is!!

Regarding sharpening, I can't offer advice but can tell my story. I never cracked the code with hand sharpening and at the advice of an office mate, got a Lansky guided rod system. After using it for a couple of years, I learned the feel of raising a burr and removing it. From there, I was able to transition to sharpening by hand. I still use the Lansky for reprofling a blade but I now do regular touch ups by hand. For my 500 (and most EDC knives), I thin the edge with a 17 DPS back bevel and a 20 DPS primary bevel. After touching up by hand, this turns into a convex edge pretty fast. For Buck's 440C, I prefer using a diamond Lansky or diamond DMT credit card sharpener.

BTW, was up in Belvidere hunting this past weekend. Lots of sign but no deer. Grrrr... Pretty country though. Always good to be with family. Gave my cousin a new 110.
 
What a coincidence! I grew up in Belvidere, and most of my family is still there. If you've got family in Belvidere, we're probably related.

My plan right now is to send my 500 out to get it reprofiled and sharpened by someone who knows what he's doing. I'll practice on my 110 for now, then when I'm comfortable I'll try giving the 500 a touch-up.
 
Wow. Small world. My family is from Waterville originally. I grew up out of state but spent summers there (or in South Hero). Hunting camp is up in Belvidere though.

Speaking of Waterville, here is a knife made in Waterville around the turn of the century...
G H Mann knives by Pinnah, on Flickr

BTW, I got skunked on deer but came back with a 2' section of aluminum from that cargo plane that broke up in '91.
http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19910918-0

I was carrying this knife with me.
Buck 110 by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
That plane crashed right behind my house. My family and I were out for a late evening walk and saw (well heard, mostly) it break up mid-air. I remember running for my life while pieces of the plane fell from the air. It sounded like the end of the world. My mom almost got hit by a propeller tip. The wing section landed about 500' behind our house. When it was over everything was covered in jet fuel. Our house basically became center of operations for the rescue effort that night. that was a crazy night.

That's a cool knife. Awesone but if local history. I assume the maker was related to the late Dr. Mann and the surviving Manns still in Waterville. Very cool.
 
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