Question on Buck 110 (0110BRS5)

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Happy Hippo

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I purchased this knife from Altamont. They have 4 in the series of 110s that they modified with engraving [btw - they give a small discount to BCCI members]. I chose the Woodsman because it was one of the least expensive ones and I liked the neutral design. I didn't spring for the whole set because a) I'd rather collect 112s, b) one of the knives in the set has a high price (albeit, very elaborate engraving), c) the display box isn't discounted and costs a lot. Incidentally, the knife in hand looks even better in person than on the site. My question is, why is the part number 0110BRS5 on the box? I assumed that the company just took ordinary 110s and modified them. If so, the box should just be 0110BRS. I think maybe Altamont got the original parts from Buck, modified them, sent them back to Buck, and then Buck assembled them. That would make for a less damaging assembly process. Or did Altamont specify the design, make a SFO and Buck did the engraving? This is doubtful because Altamont is an engraving company. Any other reason why the part number is what it is? I think the actual materials are standard. I don't know why I worry about these things but I am insanely curious about things.

Edit: So I checked back at BCCI site for SFO lists in 2018/2019 - the catalog number of 12496 is not on the list. But I guess I'm making this more complicated than it is. Altamont requested a SFO with parts modified by them and Buck assembled it, just like any other SFO. Right? One weird thing is that I see on Worthpoint, someone sold a 110 that they got directly from Buck with the 0110BRS5 part number and it didn't look any different that any other Buck 110. And also, the part number seems to remain to be 0110BRS5 regardless of which of the 4 designs are chosen.
0110BRS5-2018-S1-20230413132519_IMG_0792.JPG0110BRS5-2018-S2-20230413132533_IMG_0793.JPG
 
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I think the engraving can easily be done on a fully assembled knife. The only Buck I know of that was shipped 'incomplete' is David Yellowhorse runs of 112's shipped with no handles. There is companies other than Buck who offer 'Customs' like Safety award and advertising knives. I'm fairly sure they just buy how many they need to fill a particular order.
 
bucksway said:
I think the engraving can easily be done on a fully assembled knife. The only Buck I know of that was shipped 'incomplete' is David Yellowhorse runs of 112's shipped with no handles. There is companies other than Buck who offer 'Customs' like Safety award and advertising knives. I'm fairly sure they just buy how many they need to fill a particular order.
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But why is the part number like it is? And the basket weave pattern looks like it could be under the pins.
 
Laser cut engraving is very exact and accurate and can cut very close to a pin or other piece so that it looks as if it were done un-assembled and then assembled after engraving.

I think they probably get an order of knives selected for consistent wood grain and a part number is issued for those knives. then they do their engraving and put them back in the boxes.

My brother does laser engraving and it is very accurate depending on the computer program and how it is setup. He has done a lot of different materials and jobs big and small over the last 15-20 years. He can even take a picture you have and transfer it to the wood, ceramic tiles, glass or whatever material you want it on. It’s a really cool process but you have to know how to set it up for placement.
 
I always liked that jungle one, I call it. think they call it a safari hunter or something like that. kinda want it but not willing to plop down that much for a display knife. rest are neat too. I'd think they are done assembled. but have no idear. ya'd have to ask.....
 
There are now 5 versions of Altamont Knives. New one has a deer on the front bolster. Check it out. They want $130 for it.
 
Abe Stevens said:
There are now 5 versions of Altamont Knives. New one has a deer on the front bolster. Check it out. They want $130 for it.
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I don't see it on their site. Where are you looking? Maybe their fleabay store? That Safari one looks really good but it is too expensive for my blood.

Edit: yes, I see it on their fleabay store. It looks nice. It has oak leaves on the other side. Probably would have gotten that one instead. But didn't see it.
 
jbmonkey said:
I always liked that jungle one, I call it. think they call it a safari hunter or something like that. kinda want it but not willing to plop down that much for a display knife. rest are neat too. I'd think they are done assembled. but have no idear. ya'd have to ask.....
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Altamont responded to my email about their 110's saying, "They are engraved already assembled." It's pretty amazing that they can engrave the wood so close to the bolsters and pins without actually touching them.
 
plb said:
Altamont responded to my email about their 110's saying, "They are engraved already assembled." It's pretty amazing that they can engrave the wood so close to the bolsters and pins without actually touching them.
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yeah it makes sense. disassembling would be a mess. I'd guess auto tooling they have can get down to fractions of micrometers of accuracy. long as placed right and program is setup right.
 
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Happy Hippo said:
So then, I don't understand why the part number is different than just regular 110s.
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Altamont shaped the 110 Dymondwood handles for 24 years. I'm guessing the 112s and other models as well? Now Buck offers solid ebony on the standard 110, CNC'd in house, I believe. Maybe Altamont orders 110's from Buck with the old stabilized handle material, which might engrave better than the solid ebony. The 5 in the part number could signify a non-standard handle material. Just a guess. I'll bet Altamont felt some pain when they stopped producing handles for Buck.

 
plb said:
Altamont shaped the 110 Dymondwood handles for 24 years. I'm guessing the 112s and other models as well? Now Buck offers solid ebony on the standard 110, CNC'd in house, I believe. Maybe Altamont orders 110's from Buck with the old stabilized handle material, which might engrave better than the solid ebony. The 5 in the part number could signify a non-standard handle material. Just a guess. I'll bet Altamont felt some pain when they stopped producing handles for Buck.

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So the modern knives are just pure Ebony? I always thought it was also stabilized from their Crelicam Ebony supplier. Maybe, since these knives are supposed to be honoring their founder, they special-ordered the Ebony Dymondwood handles to be historically accurate.
 
Happy Hippo said:
So the modern knives are just pure Ebony? I always thought it was also stabilized from their Crelicam Ebony supplier. Maybe, since these knives are supposed to be honoring their founder, they special-ordered the Ebony Dymondwood handles to be historically accurate.
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Yes, is seems plausible that Altamont wants stabilized wood to engrave. Buck used to use Dymondwood made by Rutland Plywood until a fire destroyed the factory in 2014. They then started using a similar product called DymaLux from a different supplier. There are still a few models using it. Dymondwood and DymaLux are both stabilized, resin infused dyed laminate wood. The partnership with Taylor Guitars now provides solid, non resin treated, natural Cremlicam ebony for the 110, 112 and several other models.
 
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