Odyssey question

Grateful

Grateful

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2002
Messages
4,527
Hey guys, can someone tell me the difference between a 181 and a 186 Odyssey? Looking at the pics I can't see the difference. Thanks.

Jim
 
A bit of early Odyssey history courtesy of Jeff Hubbard:

"Jeff Hubbard

06-14-1999, 09:51 PM

All, here is a short history of the Odyssey series and the changes it has gone through from 98-99
The 98 Odyssey started as a 2 model series...
1. 181-fl/fx -- ATS-34 with a plastic side and single liner (linerlock)This knife had a plasitc backbone, and came in serrated and non. early models had a chamfer, but was later dropped.
2. 182-fl/fx -- ATS-34 with G-10 and single liner (early protos were of Micarta) This knife had a steel backbone. This was available in serrated or non and had a chamfer on backbone(less than 3000 made)

Changes for 99 are this..
We now have three in the series (so far)
Major changes to the whole series include - Full steel backbone and double liners on all models. We found that by adding the second liner, the knife had better action and less handle flex that could contribute to lock failure. We also decided not to carry the 181 in serrated and not serrated both, just serrated.
1 - Model 186-fl -- designed as a price point for the consumer that likes the Odyssey series but needs to save money or doesn't care about specialty steel (mostly mass merchant type customers who shop by price.) This model has a full steel backbone and no blade chamfer. unserrated only
2 - Model 181-fx -- ATS-34 steel serrated blade. Plastic handles. This model also has a steel backbone with two liners also. No blade chamfer.
3 - Model 182-fxCF -- Ats-34 with chamfer and serrations. Carbon Fiber scales and double liner with steel backbone.

I hope this helps ID the changes we've made.

Jeff"

You can find several blade steels on the Odyssey: ATS-34, SV12C27M and 420HC. And many different handles: micarta, plastic, paperstone, carbon fiber and G10 with bead blast finish.

Collector's note: The original 182, with the bead blast G10 handle (not the familiar peel ply), has "ATS-34" etched on the blade and not stamped.
 
Here's a model number 182 Odyssey manufactured in 1998 with etched steel information "ATS-34" and single liner:

n5im.jpg


udlt.jpg


pfxu.jpg


jivq.jpg


bo8r.jpg


9dt4.jpg
 
For comparison, here's a 181 mfg 2010 using 420HC blade steel, note the double liner and paperstone handle and no false edge on the upper edge of the blade, rivet construction and open back:

jkmu.jpg


o85x.jpg


l79l.jpg
 
Thanks oregon for all that information!!

I want to add that the Odyssey is my younger brother's favorite Buck knife to carry.

I gave him two…he keeps one on him all the time and when it's time to resharpen, he sets it aside until he sees me and starts using the other one.
I'll take the one home and clean it up, 3M the scratches out of the blade and put a new edge on it, then give it back to him when I see him in the next few weeks.
That way he is never without a good sharp Odyssey and it gives me a way of helping out.

He uses them hard in construction and has never had one fail.
 
Wow Oregon , thank you for all the info and pics. You have really given me a education on the Odyssey. :thumbup:. Happy Holidays to all. It's a good bunch of folks that hang out in the Buck forum.

Jim
 
And I take from your information Oregon that there is no 186 Odyssey. Is this correct?

Jim
 
The 186 Odyssey exists, but shouldn't using the one-year-wonder Mickey Finn design titanium folder's model number, and I've only seen it with 420HC blade steel. It is the big box store's Odyssey with a lower price point that allows economic entry into this pattern of Buck folder. Perhaps someone with a camera has one on the ready line and can post a photo. :)
 
Entirely my pleasure.

Special thanks to Desert Dave for unearthing, obtaining and sending me that el supremo Odyssey shown above. Dang you have a good eye Dave and a giant heart, not to mention enormous one-arm coyote hoisting strength. Yes, it is all true.
 
what is the model number of the Buck knife that resembles the odyssey but is only 3-7/16" closed and a total open length of 5-3/4"? I have 2 with no model numbers on the knife anywhere.
 
Oregon, thank You for the great info on the Odyssey. One of my all time favorite knives :thumbup:





Above are my 186 variants. I picked these up as spares/beaters when I realized that they were disco'ed. My intro to the Odyssey is a bit ironic to the OP's question. Many years ago, while driving the delivery truck for the hardware distributor I was working for, I went to cut the shrink wrap off of a pallet with my 186 Ti framed Buck. Before I left, the store owner said..."hold on, I got something for you",and he handed me a brand new 181 ATS34 Odyssey! :D He said put your good knife away and use this one, tell me what you think...
That knife quickly became my one and only EDC knife. For eight or more years it was the only knife I carried every single day, except when I sent it in to get a new blade, then it went right back into the pocket. A couple years ago after building my shed, I looked at the tired, stubby remnant of a blade, and sent it in again for a new blade . Buck Informed me that they were out of 181 blades so they put a 182 ATS34 blade in it. :thumbup: Someday I hope to find an ATS34 blade Odyssey without serrations...I would be a happy camper on that day.
 
Here is a picture of a few knives Including a couple Odyssey's I picked up from a retired Buck employee last year. The top one is an oddity which has textured carbon fiber scales and an etched ATS-34 blade which I have never seen before. I brought it to the BCCI 25th and showed it to Joe Houser and if I remember right he said he has never seen one like it either. The 2nd from the top has polished carbon fiber scales with a stamped ATS-34 blade and engraved along the edge of the blade is "NEW PRODUCTS 1999". The 2 bottom knives I would like someone to let me know what model number they may be. The top one has wooden scales with no blade stampings and the bottom one has a satin type finish carbon fiber scales with only "BUCK USA" tang stamp. They have solid backsprings with only the single liner locking liner.

8FJVTvY.jpg
 
Thanks for showing those two gedlicks! Never seen any like that before. You may have to ask Joe or Jeff about those, I went through all of the years catalogs where the Odysseys appear and no mention of them. Hopefully someone else has seen these, looks like you have a couple of pretty rare Buck's right there :thumbup:
 
Get a pillow for your head. Ready...

You have the only two prototypes of the mini Odyssey known to exist. Buck messed with them but never went into production. Bravo on an outstanding find and many thanks for sharing them. Pretty please, for the history books, more photos. You are my new hero. Yup. Hero! :)

QUOTE=gedlicks;13005285]Here is a picture of a few knives Including a couple Odyssey's I picked up from a retired Buck employee last year. The top one is an oddity which has textured carbon fiber scales and an etched ATS-34 blade which I have never seen before. I brought it to the BCCI 25th and showed it to Joe Houser and if I remember right he said he has never seen one like it either. The 2nd from the top has polished carbon fiber scales with a stamped ATS-34 blade and engraved along the edge of the blade is "NEW PRODUCTS 1999". The 2 bottom knives I would like someone to let me know what model number they may be. The top one has wooden scales with no blade stampings and the bottom one has a satin type finish carbon fiber scales with only "BUCK USA" tang stamp. They have solid backsprings with only the single liner locking liner.

8FJVTvY.jpg
[/QUOTE]
 
I can send more photo's later. I have quite a few other Buck knives that I received from the retired Buck employee that may be one of a kinds. I will start putting some up on the Sunday Picture show to also see if anyone has any info on any of them. I purchased everything Buck related he had and for quite an unbelievable price. He said many were prototypes or knives in process that were made and pitched to the powers that be to see if they were something that may make it into production. Thank you for your interest and information oregon2.
 
Oregon, No need to thank me. When I attend Gun & Knife shows, I try to remember what some of the collectors look for and keep an eye out for those models. I just got lucky for you. Still, several collectors have at times remembered me as well thru the years and I thank them. We just try to be friendly like that. Thanks for your kind words. Enjoy, DM
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top