oh the disappointment.

kyhunt

kyhunt

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:foot: I was at a big box store yesterday. I was walking past the sporting goods and out of the corner of my eyes I seen BUCK gift tins. From a distance the pretty shiney knives caught my eyes. I thought wow those look nice. Then I noticed the price was only $20 and my heart sunk.I knew then it was an import. But man they sure looked nice. I think they were maybe scholar and collegue but not sure.One might of been a nobleman. Man I wish buck made one of those as a non-import.
 
If you're worried about the quality I don't think you have to. I bought a gift set last year with a canoe and another model and both were spot on. If the problem is where they are made then I think you're missing out but that's another story.
 
No reason to be disappointed, you just saw an offering that was not to your tastes. Many folks will snap those up as gifts and or keepers and be plenty happy with them. I have been pleasantly surprised with every single imported Buck that I have gotten so far.
 
I don't have a problem with quality. Being a veteran I always try to support the US with US made products which by the way are nearly extinct.
My main problem buying China made Bucks is the simple fact that they will no longer be a collector in years to come. Current day Bucks made in the USA (IMHO) will continue to be collectors in the future.

ChicoMike

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One day when Buck brings the whole line home for good, the off shore models will be a collector memory of the past when Buck needed to do what they had to do to stay in the game. Collecting isn't just things with USA stamped on it, it a reminder of the years gone by and a piece of history. The history is what we are all trying to remember by collecting.
 
While many argue for or against the china made bucks, its still a usable, good knife. Just make sure you check out the workmanship and make sure its up to YOUR personal standards before buying, so you don't end up with something you aren't happy with.
 
mbjannusch said:
One day when Buck brings the whole line home for good, the off shore models will be a collector memory of the past when Buck needed to do what they had to do to stay in the game. Collecting isn't just things with USA stamped on it, it a reminder of the years gone by and a piece of history. The history is what we are all trying to remember by collecting.
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Well put Matt, that's the best I've ever heard it said.
 
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Saw them today at my local store, the 325 and 327 set with the stainless steel handles looked cool, and the 373 and 379 set with the exotic looking wood scales were to, but I passed, mainly just because none of those models really interest me. Sure would like to see a set with a 301/371 in it. :)
 
ChicoMike said:
I don't have a problem with quality. Being a veteran I always try to support the US with US made products which by the way are nearly extinct.
My main problem buying China made Bucks is the simple fact that they will no longer be a collector in years to come. Current day Bucks made in the USA (IMHO) will continue to be collectors in the future.

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I agree with you ChicoMike.

I collect made in USA Craftsman hand tools in my shop. Not the current China junk one Sears is selling now. I do not care about the Sears warranty. I just buy used like new online if I want another Craftsman hand tool. I do buy a few other brands like made in Germany Knipex tools (BTY, best in the World) which even makes a few Craftsman hand tools. I will never buy a China Craftsman. I can say the same with knives.
 
This falls into the "miscellaneous FYI" category, so feel free to ignore (especially as I can't produce documentation).

However, it's my strong suspicion that the Buck Colleague, Scholar, and Nobleman are all rebadged knives made by Sanrenmu. Check a certain auction site for the Sanrenmu 611 and 723 and compare — I think the lineage is clear. And if an issue of who-copied-whom arises, I had my 611 and 723 from Sanrenmu for more than a year before the Buck versions appeared on the market.
 
kyhunt,

I am with you on this one. I think those are fine looking knives, but have passed on them as well due to the import issue. You are perfectly entitled to vote with your wallet the way you like.
 
Please don't misunderstand me guys. I'm not really complaining against Bucks. I just wish personally they weren't the imports.
 
It would be nice if there were no Buck knives made overseas. Heck, it would be nice if everything we bought here in the States was made here, but we all know that will never happen....

Buck has made great strides to return all their knife production to Idaho. That is a very commendable move, and goes against the grain for most common business practices these days. I have a couple non-U.S Bucks, and they are outstanding. Even though the knives you looked at were made elsewhere, it is still a Buck product, and the company has money invested in those. So the purchase of those knives will still benefit the company.

I have no doubt that the Buck family wishes they could go back in time, and have never outsourced their knives overseas. If that move temporarily helped a multi-generational, family owned knife company keep the doors open here, and continue to grow, then it was well worth it IMHO.

I would suggest going back to the store, and buying one of the Gift Tin sets. It won't cost much, and it might just surprise you. If you still don' like them, you can always pass them on to someone else.
 
I've bought enough American 300 series over the years that I don't feel too guilty about snapping up an import model when I see one I like. In fact, going to find the gift tins is a holiday tradition for me. I bought the 373/379 set today, and they are very nice. Pretty wood, no gaps, no wobble, very sharp. I dare say, as good fit and finish as any knife I've bought from Buck or Case.
 
A long time ago I received my only slap on the hand from a moderator because I was verbally trashing overseas made knives. You guys are doing a good job keeping the comments correct and the subject about the knives and not the politics. Lets hope no trolls jump in here to trash non-USA offerings using bad language.

I have had two opposite ended trappers and have two stockmen that are Bucks in everyway I can see except for the country of origin stamp and a slight yellowish tint to the nickel silver bolsters. The first trapper I got had excellent bone scales the second were less good looking. I gave the second one away to a Scout who was happy to have it.. I have a wood handled 303 sized stockman and the very first off-shore model which had a model stamp of 303. That one is my collectors piece. 300Bucks
 
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I have two Buck 389s (the Canoe), both made in China. I have to say my experience with them is that these are as good as any US made Buck model. Yes, the nickel-silver bolsters tend toward yellowish if the knife doesn't get pocket time or a polish. But that's OK with me.

The takeaway message for me is that if quality specs are insisted upon and manufacturing gets good quality checking, a Chinese made knife is as good as any made anywhere.

One of my interests is seeing original Chinese designs that do not follow traditional patterns. It's worth keeping an eye on companies/brands such as Sanrenmu, Enlan, Bee, Navy, etc. (Some clarity here regarding companies and commercial relationships would be much appreciated.) But Buck clearly thought it was worth adopting the Colleague, Nobleman, and Scholar from Sanrenmu. I hope they're successful.
 
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