Surprise News at Buck ?

Fixall said:
I guess I'll be the negative Nancy. Please keep in mind I am a huge fan of Buck and want nothing more than for them to suceed.

I gotta be honest, I don't know how to feel about this but I am pretty uneasy. I kind of figured something was up when the BCCI had the huge leadership shuffle (for a while it looked like the future of the club was in jeopardy). John Foresman and Larry Oden stepping down from BCCI was huge. As was the departure of Mr. Cooper from Buck. :(
Which Mr. Cooper left? Was it Ed or Caleb?
I can't say that I was a fan of Mr. Tobiassen's previous company Crimson Trace. I personally think they make gimmicky garbage. I also can't say that I'm a fan of Smith & Wesson Knives considering they're all made in China and that didn't change when Smith & Wesson bought the division from Taylor. He was also one of the head honchos for Danner boots after Lacrosse purchased the company... Right about the time Danner boots had a huge dip in quality. I imagine this has been in the works for quite some time since Mr. Tobiassen dumped all his Smith & Wesson stock back in June of 2020. I certainly hope Mr. Tobiassen hasn't had anything to do with the recent changes, because frankly I don't agree with them.

No longer producing exclusive knives, leaving companies like Copper & Clad and SKBlades in the cold. I understand Covid had played a role in this.
Selling limited production, exclusive BotM knives... And then selling that same knife in the custom shop... For a cheaper price.
Selling excess SKBlades 104 blanks as BotM knives.
The cleavers, which look exactly like any number of cleavers from several companies.
Moving from TDLC on the AG knives to Cerakote.
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That would be Caleb. He was in charge of all the special projects like the SKBlades exclusives. I know Ed is a big part of the Buck Collector's Club (I believe he's basically head honcho until a new President and VP are voted on), but I didn't know he was worked with Buck also...
 
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Fixall said:
That would be Caleb. He was in charge of all the special projects like the SKBlades exclusives. I know Ed is a big part of the Buck Collector's Club (I believe he's basically head honcho until a new President and VP are voted on), but I didn't know he was worked with Buck also...
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Thanks, my confusion is compounded by my dotage.
 
Fixall said:
I guess I'll be the negative Nancy. Please keep in mind I am a huge fan of Buck and want nothing more than for them to suceed.

I gotta be honest, I don't know how to feel about this but I am pretty uneasy. I kind of figured something was up when the BCCI had the huge leadership shuffle (for a while it looked like the future of the club was in jeopardy). John Foresman and Larry Oden stepping down from BCCI was huge. As was the departure of Mr. Cooper from Buck. :(

I can't say that I was a fan of Mr. Tobiassen's previous company Crimson Trace. I personally think they make gimmicky garbage. I also can't say that I'm a fan of Smith & Wesson Knives considering they're all made in China and that didn't change when Smith & Wesson bought the division from Taylor. He was also one of the head honchos for Danner boots after Lacrosse purchased the company... Right about the time Danner boots had a huge dip in quality. I imagine this has been in the works for quite some time since Mr. Tobiassen dumped all his Smith & Wesson stock back in June of 2020. I certainly hope Mr. Tobiassen hasn't had anything to do with the recent changes, because frankly I don't agree with them.

No longer producing exclusive knives, leaving companies like Copper & Clad and SKBlades in the cold. I understand Covid had played a role in this.
Selling limited production, exclusive BotM knives... And then selling that same knife in the custom shop... For a cheaper price.
Selling excess SKBlades 104 blanks as BotM knives.
The cleavers, which look exactly like any number of cleavers from several companies.
Moving from TDLC on the AG knives to Cerakote.
Click to expand...

I share your uneasiness as well, especially with the recent announcement of Joe Houser's retirement coming on the heels of this change.

I'm wishing Joe the best in his retirement... but I don't mind saying that it makes me a bit nervous in the timing of it and the announcement of the new President.

Having worked in corporate America for 40 years, I've seen way too many "retirement" announcements of key people after a major change in management, that were actually "I'm getting the heck out of here now, because I don't like what I'm seeing/heard about the way things are heading or planned for the future".

People are saying that Bucks new president's resume is impressive, to me it reads "fixer". Hired on by one corporation after another to "set things right", and then move on to the next gig when they've finished.
 
Some Nervous, yes. Maybe he's a house cleaner... Who knows? But Joe worked for Buck 36 yrs. and that's a long time. As I mentioned earlier Joe likes turkey hunting. He gave them his best years and perhaps he doesn't want to give them all his years.
Here Spring turkey season opens in 2 weeks. He may need some down time. DM
 
caquino said:
I share your uneasiness as well, especially with the recent announcement of Joe Houser's retirement coming on the heels of this change.

I'm wishing Joe the best in his retirement... but I don't mind saying that it makes me a bit nervous in the timing of it and the announcement of the new President.

Having worked in corporate America for 40 years, I've seen way too many "retirement" announcements of key people after a major change in management, that were actually "I'm getting the heck out of here now, because I don't like what I'm seeing/heard about the way things are heading or planned for the future".

People are saying that Bucks new president's resume is impressive, to me it reads "fixer". Hired on by one corporation after another to "set things right", and then move on to the next gig when they've finished.
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I personally think you nailed it. I’m just going to try to do my best to stay optimistic, and if worse comes to worst, at least I already have a good little collection of fantastic Buck knives.
 
TAH said:
I don’t think CJ brought him in to ruin the company.
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I know for a fact CJ wouldn't, and didn't.

But I think he will anyways. The guy REEKS of the kind of suit that flits from brand to brand, hollows them out, then moves on and leaves behind an empty shell of what once was. Look at how often he moves around.

I hope to God I'm wrong, but I've not had much reason to be positive these days, and things are only getting worse.
 
Raylas said:
I know for a fact CJ wouldn't, and didn't.

But I think he will anyways. The guy REEKS of the kind of suit that flits from brand to brand, hollows them out, then moves on and leaves behind an empty shell of what once was. Look at how often he moves around.

I hope to God I'm wrong, but I've not had much reason to be positive these days, and things are only getting worse.
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I don't think empty shells, but a "realignment" of the company and an exploitation of "efficiencies".... can you tell by my corporate speak that I've been through this... a lot.

The change reminds me very much of when Smith & Wesson went from being a family owned/operated company to "outsiders". Now, the Buck family (just like the Wesson's were) have been in it for a long time, if there are no heir apparent interested in talking the reins from CJ, then this move makes complete sense to start making inroads to a transition.

Just like Joe, I imagine that CJ will want to merge into the "slow lane" at some point.
 
I'm a little surprised we have not yet heard from our moderator Mr Hubbard. If anything, as the factory representative here he would be expected to chime in and provide a calming and "great things to come" message.
 
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caquino said:
I don't think empty shells, but a "realignment" of the company and an exploitation of "efficiencies".... can you tell by my corporate speak that I've been through this... a lot.

The change reminds me very much of when Smith & Wesson went from being a family owned/operated company to "outsiders". Now, the Buck family (just like the Wesson's were) have been in it for a long time, if there are no heir apparent interested in talking the reins from CJ, then this move makes complete sense to start making inroads to a transition.

Just like Joe, I imagine that CJ will want to merge into the "slow lane" at some point.
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Meaning made in China.

Like I said.... Totally screwed.

RIP Buck.
 
Warning with points for inappropriate language
To all you anxious and paranoid folks, I provide the following public service announcement.

Regards to this and CS changeover, no successful long standing business intentionally makes decisions to make the business worse into the future.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. So chill the fuck out

.......having said that I have diverted all my spare cash into my favourite CS models just in case things go shit up and I am going to start buying my favourite Buck models to last what's left of my life in case Buck goes shit up.
 
Without divulging too much information... I've worked for 30 years at the Canadian division of a very large and very well known American company. Not all that long ago they were the 800lb gorilla on Wall Street.

We've been through this more times than I care to remember. Another new leader with most of the same ideas that they picked up from the same colleges as their predecessors. We just went through another large shake-up but so far so good.

I'm certain that Buck will come out the other side just fine. There may be some bumps and bruises along the way but we'll still be spending our hard-earned cash on Buck treasures in the future.
 
Since he was CEO of Smith & Wesson, I have one question.....

Why didn’t you get rid of those terrible “locks” on the revolvers?

I plan to buy a few extra made in the USA Bucks in the near future because it seems pretty clear this new guy doesn’t build up American industry.

I am not optimistic he is a good fit. I think I would make a better CEO of Buck.
 
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