Strange Buck Knife

[Loneland Joe]

I bought a Buck folding knife on EBay. The strange thing it is it said BUCK USA on the blade with the 2000 year mark but no model number on the tang. It took me a while to find out it was a model 281 made in 2000. Is it common to have a knife without a model number?

 

[oregon]

Blade steel: 420HC
Blade length: 2.75" (7.50 cm)
Handle: glass-reinforced nylon base with over-mold of Dynaflex rubber
Overall length open: 6.75" (16.50 cm)
Length closed: 4" (10.50 cm)
Lock mechanism: locking liner
Weight: 2.0 oz (58 g)
Warranty: Limited lifetime

Backpacker Magazine
Gear Lab Winner
Selected as the sharpest mini-knife for a survival kit. Criteria were: locking blade, cost less than $50, and weighed less than 2 oz. Tests included usage on blade-dulling materials such as wood, aluminum, leather, rope, plastic and vegetables.
After testing, the Buck NXT I-TS "carved the thinnest, smoothest wedge of tomato" and earned praised for "a grippy, ergonomic rubber handle, which ensured a secure grip even with sweaty hands."
Bacpacker Magazine: October 2006, pg 100



Buck's modern folders usually carry a model number. However, early (Pre-1986) Buck knives could have nothing, Buck, Buck USA or Buck USA date code on their tangs (1986 added date codes). I've never handled a 281 and I don't have too many liner locks. How do you like it?

 

[375dave]

All the "2002" Buck knives I have with the Anvil for a date mark do not have a model number Just BUCK/ Anvil/ USA, I like to include them in my group just because they are different.
I am assuming this has the anvil date mark.

 

[Loneland Joe]

No Anvil Just BUCK USA with a backward C If I read the Buck date codes correctly I'd say it is a 2000. It is different and in the collection just never seen an unmarked tang except for a very old 110 that just has BUCK one the tang but even that can be dated now thanks to Joe.

 

[oregon]

Your particular knife probably left the maker's factory with the model number stamp due to an oversite. Other model 281s have the model number stamp, at least the ones available to me online.

Presently, the 50th Anniversary 110 first release didn't have the word "Buck" on the knife anywhere. They were changed to include the Buck name. Stuff happens.