PHOTOS-Help indentifying dates a BUCK 118 pre-86

[gladiator5322]

I recenctly came across a buck 118 3-line nib and the paperwork date is 1/73 and it has four spacers. I also have a different one that is also a 3-line pre-86 with 2 spacers. My question is when did they change. I also think the steel is different. Thank you for the help!

 

[David Martin]

Gladiator, Your bottom 118 was mfg. between 1973-80 and has a blade of 440C. Your top 118 looks to be mfg. in 1981. Which was the year Buck switched to that number of micarta spacers. But tell me how many micarta spacers are in the pommel then I can be more sure? Nice photos. DM

 

[BG42EDGE]

Here you go, buddy. This should take care of most of your questions. Copy it into your word processing program if you intend to do more collecting or accumulating of the great Buck fixed blade knives.

Group 1 1972- Blade stamped BUCK, XXX, U.S.A. Stamp is upside down or inverted, read with the point down, Guard has two micarta spacers and two aluminum spacers. Pommel has two micarta spacers and one aluminum spacer. A holster style, or Flap over sheath was used and the knife came in a two piece yellow bow.

Group 2 1973-1980 Blade stamped BUCK, XXX, U.S.A. Stamp is right side up, read with the point up, as it is on today's knives. Guard has two micarta and two aluminum spacers. Pommel has two micarta spacers and one aluminum spacer. Holster style, or Flap over sheath still used and the knife originally came in a two piece yellow bow but the switch to a one piece yellow box probably started around 1978.

Group 3 1981 Blade stamped BUCK, XXX, U.S.A. and is oriented the same as the previous group. Guard has one micarta and two aluminum spacers. Pommel has two micarta spacers and one aluminum spacer. I should note that I have only seen the 119, 120, a couple 121s, and one 118 in this configuration and it is likely that the other models skipped this and went straight to the next version. Holster style sheath still possible but also wrap around the handle type is introduced. The belt loop on the 120 swivels. Same one piece yellow box as previous.

Group 4 1981-1986 Blade stamp is still the same as the previous group. Guard has one micarta spacer and two aluminum spacers. Pommel has one micarta and one aluminum spacer. Holster style sheath is still in use on some models. Just about every type of sheath is found in this group. Still the same one piece yellow box as previous.

Group 5 1986- Blades now have a date code following the model number and are stamped BUCK, XXX<, U.S.A. This is the only difference between this group and the one previous. Sheath styles used are probably the same as the group above. Although the logo on the box may have changed slightly, it is still a one piece yellow construction. Over the next many years the boxes used were one piece Black with white letters, then green and tan, category boxes, and now the present orange and black.

It's a great idea to watch for useful info on the forum here and copy and paste it into your word processing program so you can look it up when you need it.