Shouldn't Be II: The Knife That Shouldn't Be's Brother!

Rocinante · Apr 9, 2007

Just arrived at my house.

The second (and this one in good shape) Idaho stamped 120 with black phenolic handle.

Joe, can your magic computer tell me how many of these are out there?

I surely intend to see if I can corral a whole family of these.

Maverick4546 · Apr 9, 2007

pics???? plz

Rocinante · Apr 9, 2007

Here you go......

And this one, unlike the other, has an acceptable blood groove......although it still ain't perfect.

Joe Houser · Apr 9, 2007

I posted this response in your other thread too:

Ok, I took the catalog number and tried to figure out how many 120's we made since 2004. About 1300 and they went to a handful of retailers. I don't know if there was a special arrangement or what but they were not in the catalog. Its not an exact science on the quantity but this should be a ball park figure. Once I find out when we switched the blood groove process, I might be able to nail that figure down some more.
Hope this helps,

By the way, the range of acceptability on the blood groove is pretty broad. This is because we figured that since its actual functionality is suspect, folks would not want to pay the extra it would cost to make it look more acceptable. Take a look at an older 119 or 120 blood groove, it will be full of heavy grind marks left by the abrasive belt.
Others, from when we used forgings, will have the "as forged" finish in the blood groove.
One of your pictures showed that the end of the groove tailed off just a bit. I would say that that type of variance is still within range, although not by much!
I hope this helps.

Rocinante · Apr 9, 2007

Yes, it does, and thanks. I left you a couple of things I'm still curious about on the other thread.

I commented on the blood groove on the other thread, it does have a distinct circular punchmark at the end of the groove, but maybe some other buyer will accept it.

I may send you the BR with the lopsided pommel, though.

Thanks for all your research.

Rocinante · Apr 10, 2007

Here's a final question. Are special order phenolic handled 120s (other than Cabela's) still being made now in 2007, and can you give us an estimate of how many per year?

Since some sellers are pushing this model as "Discontinued" and thus extra desirable (a highly questionable, maybe unethical, practice, in my view) it would be nice to know how many new post-2003s are really out there on the market.....and if they will continue to be made even though not in the catalogue.

Joe Houser · Apr 10, 2007

I did not see any others being made but that can change tomorrow if someone orders a batch.
When a knife is no longer in our catalog, you would think that maybe that automatically makes it collectible. Only the market knows for sure. If enough sellers say it is so, it may effect enough buyers to make it so. I agree that it can be misleading. If you consider the fact that Buck made zillions of the 120's before it was discontinued, it is not really rare is it? At least not the production version. Special runs, such as the one you have, might be more sought after to a collector of 120's due to the low number made.

I see the word rare used a lot on auctions and having spoken to many many people on the phone, I know where it comes from at least some of the time...Over and over I hear folks tell me, "this knife must be rare, I have never seen another like it". I bite my tongue when I hear that. I want to say something like, "well then you aint looking very hard, we made 50k a year for 30 years!"

Bottom line is it pays to be an informed buyer. Dont believe everything you see in an auction. If in doubt, ask before you bid.

Rocinante · Apr 10, 2007

Yes, and even if they actually ARE rare......somebody has to WANT the darn thing!!

I've seen some pretty rare items that were pretty worthless because very few were the folks that were interested.

On the other hand, the 120 is not rare for the most part, but the interest is great.

When I complain about the sellers I'm primarily talking (not about e-Bay) but about the retailers who know better and still sell while calling the knife discontinued (which may be technically correct, but is still misleading the buyers).

Many of the people on e-Bay, I'm certain, actually think all production of 120s has stopped.

So the Generals have been selling well on e-Bay and there seems to be no end of interest.

Part of that, you know, is simply because a large high-quality knife usually costs about $150 these days.

The $80 120s on e-Bay are a bargain in that context.

Thanks again.

DarrylS · Apr 10, 2007

Rocinante said:
Yes, and even if they actually ARE rare......somebody has to WANT the darn thing!!

...True so True...I have what has to be the ONLY true BCCI fundraiser 110 made that has NO FINGER GROOVES...I would call it rare...but I like it...but I think I'm the only one who wants it too...LMBO...

Rocinante · Apr 10, 2007

That's a beautiful knife. I think most guys (and some girls) would want it.

110 Dave · Apr 12, 2007

DarrylS said:
...True so True...I have what has to be the ONLY true BCCI fundraiser 110 made that has NO FINGER GROOVES...I would call it rare...but I like it...but I think I'm the only one who wants it too...LMBO...

hummm i dont recall seeing this at your house?

hade it stashed away right?

and you are not the only one that likes it!!!
i am looking for one still as i heard there was another one!!!

Buckaholic · Apr 12, 2007

334dave said:
hummm i dont recall seeing this at your house?
hade it stashed away right?
and you are not the only one that likes it!!!
i am looking for one still as i heard there was another one!!!

LOL. I bet there was plenty of stuff that D would hide if any of us Buck Whores came over for a visit!!!

chickentrax · Apr 12, 2007

334dave said:
hummm i dont recall seeing this at your house?

DarrylS posted a whole long thread about it...At first, he was steamed that he got a "defective" BCCI drop-point...

...but I hear he got one with fingergrooves, too...

DarrylS · Apr 12, 2007

chickentrax said:
DarrylS posted a whole long thread about it...At first, he was steamed that he got a "defective" BCCI drop-point... ...but I hear he got one with fingergrooves, too...

...Trax has a great memory and hit this one right on the head...I had a deep dislike for the scales on my initial BCCI 110 and sent it back for a bit of "rejuvenation"...I received this one in return...I never noticed that there were no finger grooves as the scales themselves were gorgeous and that is what I had the issue with. When I noticed the lack of finger grooves I was mortified...remember, I ain't a collector and the thought of a "one of one" never entered my mind...I was ready to toss it in an envelope and send it on it's way. The more I looked at it though the more I liked that stag...After numerous members told me I needed to have a lobotomy

if I got rid of it, I decided to keep it as I didn't want to push my luck on the scales. Now I had to have a "normal" BCCI 110 to go with the "non-typical" one I had...A few of the members did not care for the new drop point blade shape and I was able to find one of those distinguished members who volunteered to part with the knife he had received as an enormous favor to me. What a great group we have huh?...LOL...