Reblading a 501?

CSG

CSG

Joined
Dec 15, 2007
Messages
1,420
I have two 501's. Thanks to Plumberdv, I got an approximate age of my early one which I don't carry any more and sits in my safe. It's only been sharpened a few times and the blade appears 100%.

However, my 2000 era 501 has suffered slightly for sharpening practice's sake. Along the edge of the main body of the blade there is some material loss although fairly slight. Just sort of concaves into the blade enough to bug me as the profile has been slightly altered. It is otherwise completely functional and is shaving sharp.

Buck will replace the blade for a ten spot but, of course, I lose the date code on the knife. Also, seems like there are more complaints about quality control issues coming from Post Falls than prior to the move. So I'm wondering if I shouldn't just live with the current blade or retire the knife and get another or have the blade replaced. Some of you guys deal with Buck more regularly than I do and your opinions would be welcome.
 
I would say that it's a personal choice.

I do have a couple 501's that I purchased after they were re-bladed. I've never sent one in to Buck myself, so I can't comment on that part. Mine are exceptional as they work perfectly. I actually am quite happy these were re-bladed even though one is the older Micarta 501.
 
@CSG

The blade on my pre date-stamped 501 had developed a bit of side-to-side play so I sent it back to Buck for warranty work and told them it was a keepsake (something that they give you the option to do). It even had "Keepsake!!!" printed by them on their return paperwork. I had a fondness for the knife and wanted to pass it along to one of my sons.

When I got the knife back it was in beautiful condition, better condition than what you get from the box. They had done a wonderful job on it. But they had changed the blade and now the knife has a 2013 blade on it.

Moral of the story...if the blade has meaning to you, I would not send it in. But if you want a knife that is in better-than-new condition then run, don't walk, to the nearest Post Office and send it in. They do great work and the knife is now back in my EDC pile. But it is no longer a keepsake. I'll pass something else along to the kids.
 
SaintlyBrees said:
@CSG

The blade on my pre date-stamped 501 had developed a bit of side-to-side play so I sent it back to Buck for warranty work and told them it was a keepsake (something that they give you the option to do). It even had "Keepsake!!!" printed by them on their return paperwork. I had a fondness for the knife and wanted to pass it along to one of my sons.

When I got the knife back it was in beautiful condition, better condition than what you get from the box. They had done a wonderful job on it. But they had changed the blade and now the knife has a 2013 blade on it.

Moral of the story...if the blade has meaning to you, I would not send it in. But if you want a knife that is in better-than-new condition then run, don't walk, to the nearest Post Office and send it in. They do great work and the knife is now back in my EDC pile. But it is no longer a keepsake. I'll pass something else along to the kids.
Click to expand...

You might want to call and speak to Joe Houser before sending a knife in. I recently sent in a 303 that my wife purchased for me at the Buck factory store back when they were still in El Cajon, CA. It had developed blade play on the main blade. I let Joe know that I would like the blade play fixed an a spa treatment but if they could not fix the blade play that a clean up and sharpening was all I wanted as the knife had sentimental value to me and I didn't want Buck to replace the knife. Joe sent it back in perfect condition and still all original.

Now maybe my experience was the exception, I hope not.
 
Last edited:
What is it about the date code on your 501 that makes it special? I have a couple, the 2005 Idaho stamp in paricular, and in a small way, the 2002 Anvil stamp.
 
Plumberdv, if you're asking me about the date code on my 2000 era 501, it has no meaning on that one. My original that you helped me rough date the other day with the script logo is sitting safely in my safe and I wouldn't change anything on that one.

I'll probably leave this one alone and just get another. I looked at a couple at Sportsman's today and they seemed fine to me as far as fit and finish and decent looking scales.
 
CSG said:
Plumberdv, if you're asking me about the date code on my 2000 era 501, it has no meaning on that one. My original that you helped me rough date the other day with the script logo is sitting safely in my safe and I wouldn't change anything on that one.

I'll probably leave this one alone and just get another. I looked at a couple at Sportsman's today and they seemed fine to me as far as fit and finish and decent looking scales.
Click to expand...

I was just curious because of this statement, "Buck will replace the blade for a ten spot but, of course, I lose the date code on the knife." It appeared to me that you had some attachment to that particular mark.
 
No, no attachment other than it becoming a mixed breed knife with a 2013 blade and 2000 handle assembly. After I get the incoming 500 I'll decide whether to send this one in or simply get a new one. For under $35 shipped 2 days from Amazon, they are certainly inexpensive enough.

Then again, the CS 501 with an S30V blade sounds interesting...

:D
 
I sent in a 501 for the spa treatment that sounds to have been in similar shape to yours. I just asked them to do what they could with it since the prior owner had really tossed the thing around, it appeared. They managed to get the worst of the dings and dents out of the bolsters. The blade had also been sharpened a fair deal (and not well) and was butterknife sharp when I got it. They sent it back with the famous Buck edge restored. There are still some scratches on the blade from the original owner, but what I got back was a far cry from what I sent it. For a quality knife that I'm not afraid to use, it's perfect.

IMHO, I'd see if they could spa it back into a condition that makes you happy. You'd only be out a few dollars and a few weeks.
 
I've decided to pretty much retire it (back to the picnic bag for occasional use). I don't mind the honest wear on the bolsters and scales (or blade). I was just miffed that I overdid it a little on sharpening and removed a little belly from the main part of the blade. I still might send it back one of these days as it doesn't have the sentimental value my original one has.

I succumbed to ordering a new one from Amazon for under $35 shipped. It arrives today so I'll see how this example looks. If it's OK I'll carry it in rotation with a couple other pocket knives. If not, I'll send it back and reconsider sending the one that's the subject of this thread back to Buck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top