Question and advice needed on a Buck 503

SPXTrader

SPXTrader

Joined
Dec 26, 2006
Messages
10,795
Back in the late 70's I believe, I bought a Buck 503. I carried it for years. A few years later, a friend, now departed, gave me one for my birthday.

Well, I just saw a pic of one in another forum, and it started me to thinking. These two knives have been sharpened to where the tip of the blade is above the nest. I can cut paper with the knives closed. So I don't carry them anymore.

Normally I'd throw them away and get another (they're great little folders!) but I can't tell them apart! The last thing I want to do is to throw away a gift.

Since I'm not sure which one was the gift, I'd like to see if there is anything Buck could do to fix one of them - well, put a new blade in it.

From your experiences with Buck, how receptive do you think they would be to this idea, and who would be the best person to contact there?

Thanks in advance for any help!
 
Manife is right. Buck has the best warranty I have ever heard of so send both and get both rebladed. I bet you a coffee it won’t cost more than the shipping.
Exactly what does it say on the two tangs? If they are not identical we might be able to tell you which one is older and maybe you could figure out which is which that way. Anyway, give Buck a chance to impress. You will be surprised.
 
Thanks for the info! It's good to know Buck will stand behind it.

Is there a certain number I should call to get directly to the right person, or just look the number up on the website?

Thanks again!
 
As for telling the gift knife from the first one, if your dates are right, the first one will have a Micarta inlay handle and the gift knife will most likely have a dark brown stained birch inlayed handle. The Micarta will look like it has cloth in it and will be of uniform color. The birch will have a grain like all woods do.
 
I suggest that you send them directly to me at the Buck plant. If you want, I will let you know the vintage of each.
I am pretty sure we would be able to reblade each knife for you and basically clean them up. We will do the work under the warranty so you only need to pay to ship them here. You can get the address on our website but make sure you put my name on the outside of the box, in big bold letters, so that it comes directly to me...saves time that way. Also, just plain worn out blades sometimes incure a blade replacement fee and sending them to me will make sure that does not happen.
 
Joe Houser said:
I suggest that you send them directly to me at the Buck plant. If you want, I will let you know the vintage of each.
I am pretty sure we would be able to reblade each knife for you and basically clean them up. We will do the work under the warranty so you only need to pay to ship them here. You can get the address on our website but make sure you put my name on the outside of the box, in big bold letters, so that it comes directly to me...saves time that way. Also, just plain worn out blades sometimes incure a blade replacement fee and sending them to me will make sure that does not happen.
Click to expand...

Woah! I didn't expect this!

Thanks so much Joe! I'll get them packed up and sent your way!

Thanks again!!!
 
Back in the 1980's I carried a 501 in my dress pants for a number of years. Great little knife.

Paul
 
I love it when someone from a company says, "Send it to me and I'll take care of it." This is one of the reasons I like Buck so much. Nice work Joe!
 
Well thanks for the compliments but I have to say, I'm just doing what Chuck tells me. :D He is a real class act. And you know my comments are sincere because he does not use the computer much at all so he wont be reading this thread.
Good guy to work for. :)
 
Tell Chuck thanks for me! :thumbup: I'm almost ashamed to send it in...it looks like its spent a week in a tumbler half full of rocks! :o

I checked the blade, and all it says is Buck 503 USA. This is on the side with the nail nick. No markings on the flip side. This is the knife that was a gift. I put it in the gun safe for, well, safekeeping. The inserts are micarta, I think. As I said, I believe it dates to 1977 or thereabouts.

Thanks again, and I'll get it sent off next week!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top