Spacer Identification and clarification. Buck 120

T

tonythetech

Joined
Aug 23, 2013
Messages
16
In a post dated 08/11/2013 by Member 2113 . I had noted the identification list for Buck 120 General knives. The list goes as follows.
1961-1962/63 Leather Spacer barrel nut configuration.
1963 hard fiber barrel nut configuration.
1963-1966 Single Line.
1967 Buck* blade stamp.
1967-1969 Buck USA with Hard fiber spacers.
1969-1971 Buck USA with micarta spacers.
1972 Buck 119 USA (Inverted blade pointed down)
1973-1980 Buck 119 USA 4 micarta handle spacers (reverted blade pointed up)
1981 early Buck 119 USA 3micarta handle spacers.
1981 late to 1995 Buck 119 USA, 2 micarta handle spacers.

Assuming that the above rules also apply to Buck General 120 my Question is just for clarification on the wording which I find may be confusing.
When you say " 4 micarta handle spacers or 3 micarta handle spacers" Does this also include the spacers in the Guard?
The reason I ask is because I'm not sure if I have a 1981 or later Buck 120 General. Sorry I don't know how to post pictures yet!
Any input would be much appreciated Thanx Tony..
 
The spacers are counted both in the finger guard and pommel. Older knives, (Pre 1981) had two spacers in the finger guard and two in the pommel, making it a four spacer configuration. Some of those configurations were micarta (post 1969) and some were Hard fiber (pre 1969).

To asnwer your question you count all spacers. That means all red lines...

Matt
 
Lets see if a picture helps. These 4 spacers are red fiber and easy to see. Later micarta spacers are darker and sometimes blend in with the handle. In 1981 the spacer between the handle and guard was eliminated and in 1982 the spacer between the handle and pommel was removed leaving 1 spacer sandwiched in aluminum at each end.

4spacers_zpsd72ccada.jpg
 
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I Take it then I have a Early 1981 with 1 micarta spacer in the Pomel and 1 micarta spacer which is very dark in color and hard to see which sits between the pommel and handle along with 1 micarta spacer in the guard. Does this sound about right?
 
Here are two pictures of a three spacer 119. As you can see
the second spacer at the pommel is hard to see.

Haebbie

Buck119threespacer.jpg


Buck119threespacerPommel.jpg
 
tonythetech said:
I Take it then I have a Early 1981 with 1 micarta spacer in the Pomel and 1 micarta spacer which is very dark in color and hard to see which sits between the pommel and handle along with 1 micarta spacer in the guard. Does this sound about right?
Click to expand...

That sounds right, It would be counted as two in the pommel and one in the in the guard (makes things easier). Its odd, there are a few knives that are a bit more rare than others. The 3 spacer 1981, 119 and 120 is a hard one to find, and maybe just because the second spacer in the pommel hides so well. But there is another that is very difficult to locate. The 4 spacer 1973, 119 and 120 with the blade stamp read blade pointed up. Its been talked about several times but for those who are new to collecting, this is the one to or one's to look for...
 
Thanks again guys for helping me with my Questions. I have a few Buck 120 that now I can properly identify. I just received my Buck collectors club membership Today. Even though I have collected Buck 120 for some time now I am still quite new when it comes to identifying what I got. Along with your help and the new information from the Buck Collectors club I am sure that collecting 120 Buck knives will become much more enjoyable. Thanks Again Tony.... Member # 2642
 
tonythetech said:
Thanks again guys for helping me with my Questions. I have a few Buck 120 that now I can properly identify. I just received my Buck collectors club membership Today. Even though I have collected Buck 120 for some time now I am still quite new when it comes to identifying what I got. Along with your help and the new information from the Buck Collectors club I am sure that collecting 120 Buck knives will become much more enjoyable. Thanks Again Tony.... Member # 2642
Click to expand...


Just when you can identify the knives then the chalange is making sure you have the correct sheath. The sheath has its own identifiers that make it right or wrong for a particular year knife.
 
I can see how this can come into play. How is it that a person could tell the difference between say 1963 to 1966 (single line) or Say 1961 to 1962/1963 Leather spacaer Barrel nut construction knife as I have not seen any info posted for these years which could help me?
 
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