Question about 503-SP1

D

ddsmith

Joined
Feb 2, 2006
Messages
4
Hi,

I just bought a 503-SP1, which was manufactured in 2001. This is a limited edition (500 run) "Prince" model with stag handles.

Does anyone know the type of material used in the handles? In particular, is this sambar stag or something different? I have done some searching, but haven't been able to confirm.
 
ddsmith,

Wecome to the forum. Did you get the box and paperwork? I ask because usually there is a certificate in the box which tells about the knife and the materials.

Pictures would help.

I would say sambar stag would be most likely unless you can find where Buck has used elk stag on a 503. Preston
 
Hi Preston,

Thanks for the welcome, and for the quick reply. Yes, I did get the box and all the paperwork including the Certificate of Authenticity. It doesn't mention the materials used, but says:

"Limited Edition 2001
Certificate of Authenticity
Model 503SP1

Buck Knives, Inc hereby certifies this genuine Model 503 Prince is a Limited Edition Production model created exclusively for Ellett Brothers. Each knife has been individually engraved with its own Limited Edition registry number. This certificate serves as a permanent record and documentation of ownership."

I looked up Ellett Brothers and it seems they are an outdoors sporting goods distributer, so it would appear that Buck made 500 of these knives for them in 2001.

Unfortunately I don't seem to have the necessary privilege to post a picture attachment, but the knife looks exactly like my everyday 503 with the following exceptions:

a) On one side of the blade is etched "384 / 500"

b) On the other side of the blade is a picture of antlers, presumably sambar stag antlers.

c) The handles are made of the (sambar) material.

I suspect that you are right, and that the material used is sambar stag. The main reason for my question is that I know there was some type of past restriction on this material, but I wasn't sure of the timeframes.

I haven't owned a knife with this type of handle material before, and noticed a couple of things about them:

1) The stag handles are quite a bit thicker than the wood handles on my everyday 503.

2) One of the handles is noticeably thicker than the other one, something on the order of twice as thick.

I suspect that (1) is because the antler material is not as strong/dense as wood. Not sure about why one handle is so much thicker than the other, unless it is related to the natural variation of the material.

Thanks again for the info.
Darrell
 
ddsmith,

Even us low life non-paying members can post pictures...we just have to host the pics on another website. Imageshack, http://imageshack.us/ for instance, there are others, just register and load the photos you want.

Chickentrax, who posts here wrote a thread about posting pics...find it and follow the directions and you too can post pic:D.

Lets see that 503. Preston
 
Hi ddsmith, The BCCI web site has a list of the limited edition knive's put out by Buck, if you are not yet a member I would suggest you join. This is what the list has to say about your knife. It's known as "Antlers on blade", stag, COA. The handle material is listed as Stag, so it is sambar stag. The current value is listed as $100.00. As Preston has asked, please post a pic. I collect mostly limited edition Buck's and would like to see your knife. Welcome to the fourm.

jb4570
BCCI
1253
 
Ok, let's give this a try. The pictures include my "standard" 503 for comparison.

img08331ol.jpg


img08321ti.jpg


img08314ri.jpg
 
Ya know, the more I look at 'em the more I like the drop point and overall lines on that knife. Thanks for the great pics. Crystal clear...Good job!!
Me.
BCCI 1190
 
ddsmith,

Good job with the pics:), only thing I would do is click in the box that says to resize pics, then they will fit on the screen.

I'm not sure about those scales being sambar, I have both elk and sambar and yours look to me more like the elk. I'll go and compare what I have, there will be others to come along and give there opinions. Preston

Edit to add photos:

[IMG[/IMG]

The top shows 110s in elk on the left and sambar stag on the right. Below is a 503 with sambar stag.

img00120ef.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
ddsmith,

You can see that the elk has a whitness to it, while the sambar has a light cream/orange cast. Added to that the sambar has darker darks and a texture that is rougher("groovey-er"). I'm sure that there are varients in all...and that the size of the scales would make a difference in the appearence.

What say you others? Preston
 
Scott,

Thanks, maybe Joe or CJ will happen upon this thread...they would be able to tell for sure, for sure.

The more I look at ddsmith's the more I think elk...see the peppering around the bolsters, isn't that more common in elk? It's more porous that sambar and develops that grain. Preston
 
Trax,

I did qualify it to say "more common in elk"(hedge,hedge):o. I think someone from Buck will have to say for sure...my bet is for elk:D. Preston
 
ddsmith and others...

I was at a gun show today, just got back...a vendor there had a 503 that appeared to be the same as this one we're(OK me) speculating about.

Had the etch of antlers on the blade, even the uneven thickness of the scales. Had it taken out of the case for a close inspection...these were sambar stag, one side was much whiter, with peppering, the other, dark and creamy.

He didn't have the box or paperwork...$150.00. Preston

ps Nice knife but...it's still there.
 
Thanks everyone, for the assistance in helping to identify the handle material for this knife. I noticed that in the pictures I posted earlier the handle material looks more white than it does in real life, at least on my monitor. I calibrated the color balance on my camera and took another photo against a white background, which seems to be a bit more accurate representation.

img08418lv.jpg


$150 sounds pretty steep. I bought this one new at a knife dealer in the San Diego area for $93 plus tax. Has box and all paperwork including the certificate (serial numbers on box, certificate, and knife all match.)

Thanks again to the group. You guys clearly know your stuff.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top