Rigid Knives (the original) "Black Feather" - Connection to Buck?

rhino

rhino

Joined
Dec 30, 2000
Messages
3,795
Hi all,

I have a knife made by the old Rigid Knives (before the name was resurrected by United Cutlery) called "Black Feather." I think it was made some time in the early or mid 1980s.

The blade looks exactly like the blade on a Buck 112 Ranger (of that approximate vintage) with the same grind lines and such. The grip is made of black Micarta with no bolsters or liners. It's a very slick, well made little knife.

My question is, is the similarity to the Buck 112 just a coincidence, or is there some connection between Buck and that original incarnation of Rigid?

Also, if anyone knows any details about the Black Feather, I'd love to hear them such as what the blade steel might be and how common they are.

Thanks!
smile.gif


 
I was once told that a former Buck employee started Rigid knives. If that is so, it would explain the similarity you have noticed. Can anyone verify or add to this?
 
The guy who started Rigid used to work for us at Buck. This was way back, before i started in 1985. It was my understanding that he just loved to make knives and often did, on company time. Chuck finally told him he had to choose between his hobby or his job and the rest is history.


------------------
Joe Houser
Director of Consumer relations
Buck Collectors club Administrator and member #123
 
Joe is right; but keep in mind that Chuck is about the most forgiving and the most gracious man I know (he learned it from his dad). I can't tell "the rest of the story" on an open forum. Suffice it to say that your knife might actually have a BUCK blade in it. I WAS there in '75 (and '65).

Vern Taylor
 
Thank you for the information so far, guys.

Can you recommend another Forum where I might pose the same question and get some more input?

Thanks!
 
I picked one up at Smokey Mountain Knife Works in the 80's. It sure was neat living next to a place like that! I think I paid 16 bucks or so for it, it is a neat little knife, and smooth as silk to open. As I recall, the blade looked exactly like it should have been on a 112. I would be interested in learning more about it as well. I definitely thought Rigid made a nicer line of back then.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by OMCHamlin:
I picked one up at Smokey Mountain Knife Works in the 80's. It sure was neat living next to a place like that! I think I paid 16 bucks or so for it, it is a neat little knife, and smooth as silk to open. As I recall, the blade looked exactly like it should have been on a 112. I would be interested in learning more about it as well. I definitely thought Rigid made a nicer line of back then.</font>
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I agree on how smoothe it is to open and close! Whoever made it did an excellent job.

It's also interesting in that it was one of the earliest "lightweights" without liners or bolsters that I saw on the market ... contemporary with the first Gerber LST knives. And it's micarta instead of zytel or some other plastic.

Was yours a good using knife? I admit that I though mine was so pretty that I left it in the box!
 
I have carried this knife for years and it is one of my favorite knives. I bought 3 of them before Rigid sold out. I was even able to purchase a nice open top leather belt sheath for it.One day while cutting the grass (2acres) I realized that night it had fallen out of my pocket from shallow pocket shorts. I searched in vain the following day. I was devastated! I finally borrowed a friends metal detector and was able to locate it. It is so special to me that I have retired it except for a few days here and there. The only other folder that is as silky smooth as it is a Boye micarta. Rigid also made a large Hunter with walnut grips with the same blade design.It was alot bulkier, however, than a 110. For all of those who own the Black Feather, you have a very special knife. I paid $10 each for mine but they are my FAVORITES!!
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by DDS:
I paid $10 each for mine but they are my FAVORITES!!</font>
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$10!!!
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I'd have bought a bag full of them for $10! That's what I call a closeout sale!

Thanks for the response and additional information!
 
Rigid did have a pre closeout sale and I bought about $300 worth of all the various models including their fixed blades. They also made a very nice small folder with white(yellow patina) micarta which was super smooth. I believe they used bronze bushings in the pivot area. If you really want more info I will try to locate the original catalog from the early 80's. Let me know!

Dave
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by DDS:
Rigid did have a pre closeout sale and I bought about $300 worth of all the various models including their fixed blades. They also made a very nice small folder with white(yellow patina) micarta which was super smooth. I believe they used bronze bushings in the pivot area. If you really want more info I will try to locate the original catalog from the early 80's. Let me know!

Dave</font>
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Thanks, Dave! Maybe you could scan that catalog and upload some of the better stuff?


 
Rhino: Rigid Knives was origanley started by Bill Duff and Don Colaman formally of Buck Knives, Don passed away several years ago, But bill is still making knives up in Virginia City Nv. Address is P.O. Box 694 Verginia City Nv. 89440 Ph.# 702-847-0566. Area code could have changed? Paul.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Paul Bos:
Rhino: Rigid Knives was origanley started by Bill Duff and Don Colaman formally of Buck Knives, Don passed away several years ago, But bill is still making knives up in Virginia City Nv. Address is P.O. Box 694 Verginia City Nv. 89440 Ph.# 702-847-0566. Area code could have changed? Paul.</font>
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Thank you for the additional information, Paul!
 
Big lockback folder (looked like a 110 on steriods) called the R9. Had heavy brass bolsters,440c,w/fingercuts in a walnut handle (Stag also available) and you can see the Rc dot in the blades which were well profiled and hollow ground. Available in clip and drop point (SMKW had the drop point for sale for $25 10 years ago made by some bubba in his garage from parts when they went out of business. Originals had more rounded scales in walnut than the rework from SMKW and you can tell side by side) Originaly made in Santee, Ca. (San Diego Co.)in the 1960's? moved down to Arkansas and went out of business. Also a fixed blade with a drop point and another that had a sweeping skinner blade like the old Buck Arkona (spl) with walnut handles. Also made a large and small lockback folder, linerless with micarta frame in black and white. Made do it yourself kits for the fixed blades also (walnut handle). I picked up 5-6 over the years in mint condition for $25-$30 including two R9's (one walnut and one stag nib box with papers.) Usually supplied with a nice oiled brown leather sheath with a swoopy looking R stamped on it. Excellent heavy duty using knives from the old school that included the Kershaw and Gerber folders and hunters of the 60's-70's but made in the US of A. Back in the old days when men were men and knives were KNIVES, blah,blah..Weldonk
 
Bill Duff,
1840 Lousetown Road,
P.O.Box 694
Virginia City, NV 89440

AREA CODE CHANGE (775) 847-0566
 
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