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bj264

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Mar 10, 2012
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Did I hear or read correctly that Buck is trying to move all operations back to the U.S.
 
You heard correct. I'm unsure how long this move may take. (The mfg. of all models). DM
 
Thanks for the quick reply. I have recently (re)discovered Buck. Im digging the Vantage and the thought of them eventually being all U.S. made, well Im all in.
 
I guess I wasn't real clear. I meant all models. I realize the Vantage is U.S. made. But I think its awesome they are going to make all their knives here. I see several of the newer models in my future.
 
bj264 said:
Did I hear or read correctly that Buck is trying to move all operations back to the U.S.
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I want to put a slightly different slant to the answer for this question. Buck is and always was a USA knife manufacturer. People who talk about coming back to Buck because Buck is coming back to the USA really don't understand the full equation. Buck never moved the manufacture of any USA made knife from the USA to China so in that sense there is nothing to bring "back". If it was made in the USA, it is still is made in the USA. The reverse is actually true as some import line models have been brought to the US for manufacture. What Buck did do was create a lower cost import line to supplement their USA made products. The 300 series slipjoint knives are somewhat duplicated but the China versions have different model numbers and are clearly marked as to country of origin. I don't believe the import line ever exceeded 20-25% of the total production at the peak about 2004-2005 when Buck was in the process of leaving the poor small business climate in California and building a new plant in Idaho. At present I think the import line is less than 10% of total production. The reality of todays global economy is that you need price point products for Walmart and other box stores. My local Walmart has always carried the USA made 110 and 119 as well as some of the ChinaBucks. All that said, all the import stuff I've examined have been of pretty good quality so I think Buck has done a good job of balancing the 2 needs while still retaining identity as a primarily USA manufacturer.

I may have some of the percentages wrong but I bet I'm close.
 
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At the BCCI 25th class I remember CEO CJ Buck saying Buck will let the China contracts run their course and go 100% USA one day. He also said all new Bucks will be USA made.

The Vantage Pro are great and 100% US made. In the factory tour I saw the handles being made.
 
David Martin said:
One of the last few American made cutlery companies. DM
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There are still many American made cutlery companies and this is not all of them:
ESEE, Idaho (100% USA)
W.R. Case (100% USA) *largest collector club at 19,000
Ka-Bar, NY (95% USA)
Ontario, NY (95% USA)
Becker, NY (95% USA)
Spyderco, CO (Native, military lines are USA made)
Gerber, OR (Military supplied Knives/Multi-tools are all USA)
Leatherman (almost all Portland, made)
Benchmade, OR
Kershaw Knives, OR (Blur is Portland and highly collected)
Randall, FL (famous World wide)
Strider (aka also some Buck/Striders)
Stone River -- Ceramic knives
TOPS Knives
Microtech Knives
Pro-tech Knives
Warther Cutlery
Busse
Chris Reeve
Kirby Lambert
Swamp Rat
Dexter-Russel
 
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