Question about the Buck Ecco

Cosmic Superchunk · Sep 24, 2001

I purchased a Buck Ecco (smaller version model 274) over the weekend, which I really, really like. I had seen one a retailer some time ago which had a Japan stamp on the blade, however, the one I bought has U.S.A. stamped on it and the box it came in also reads: Made in USA. I remember that on the the Japanese model, I noticed that the edge was not very sharp, but on my U.S.A. model it's very sharp. Are there any other noticable differences between the Japanese made and American made models? Also, on my model, (on the handle) there is the image of a Katana with the word "Sekiden" below the Buck name. What does Sekiden mean? This was on the Japanese model so I assumed that it was probably made in Seki, Japan, but it is also on my US made model.
Anyone?

Joe Houser · Sep 24, 2001

Hello,
I will forward this one on to our engineers. I have not been following this one closely.
I will check on this thread later to make sure you got an answer.

Take care,

Cosmic Superchunk · Sep 24, 2001

Thank Joe. The Ecco is a great little folder and everyone I've shown it to likes it. My wife liked it so much that she tried twice to snatch it way from me. No worries though, she now has her own.

peteq · Sep 24, 2001

El,

It seems that you own an Ecco made right here at Buck. (I think)

The Eccos started out as a joint collaboration between Buck and Sakai. We designed the knife and they built them. The ones made by Sakai are stampted "Made in Japan".

After more than a few problems with shipments we were faced with having to make those puppies ourselves. Those are stamped Buck.

Why do they say Sekiden? To answer this I turned to my ex-boss and VP of Marketing and New Products, Steve Hull. And he said .....

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The Ecco's were originally manufactured in Seki City, Japan by Sakai, Japan's largest knife company. The Seki region is renowned for cutlery manufacturing, especially knives and swords. When Buck entered into this arrangement we met with the mayor of Seki City and during that meeting he told us that the word used for the traditional craftsmanship used in the Seki area is "sekiden". The mayor gave us permission to use the name on our knives to reflect the craftsmanship that was used on these knives. Since then we have decided that the quality in Japan is no match for the American craftsmanship at Buck's factory and we have moved these products into our factory. We have left the name on the products to reflect their history.

Steve
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Cosmic Superchunk · Sep 24, 2001

Wow, that's great info Pete. Thank you very very much. My model has the Buck name and the USA stamp along with the date indicator on the main blade (drop point), so it has to be one of the American made models. This is a well thought out knife and it's solid. Great job Buck Knives!

CJ Buck · Sep 27, 2001

Sakai showed us the first functional design of a two bladed locking liner pocket folder. We completely redesigned the look and feel of the knife and dramatically improved the functionality over the initial prototype so this was a joint development project.

We were having more delivery issues then quality issues.

You do get spoiled when you are used to walking down into your own facility and saying lets get this done today...and lo and behold it gets done...

In order to guarantee deliveries we pulled the ecco inhouse.

Sourcing product lets us tap into the R&D departments of other companies and you never know where that next home run will come from.

Bottom line remains though that if it has the "Buck" name on it it has to perform. period. The warranty is the same and it just does not pay to sell medium quality if you guarantee it for life.

Joe S · Sep 29, 2001

Any chance on getting a clip on an Ecco, even as an option, perhaps through the custom shop? Please?

Joe S.

fisherking73 · Sep 30, 2011

Dang so is it better to have japan made because of the novelty of the story line or USA made because of the quality? I have 3 japan mades, that I was thinking of selling 2 of. I could not find much info on the knives, until I found this forum. Anyways, that little knife has a very curious story.