The Elusive 119

nutoknives

nutoknives

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Mar 27, 2011
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This came up a while ago just wondering why you all referred to this 119 as the Elusive 119 believe it is from 1973. It has the 4 spacers with the inscription read blade pointing up is it lack of production, or a mistake going through the boxes of bucks and ran across another one so now I have 2 any info appreciated

Buck1193Liner003.jpg
 
It could be as early as '73 and up through '80. See the Group 2 description below. Hope this helps.

"1. Group 1 1972- Blade stamped BUCK, XXX, U.S.A. Stamp is upside down or inverted, read with the point down, Guard has two micarta spacers and two aluminum spacers. Pommel has two micarta spacers and one aluminum spacer. A holster style, or Flap over sheath was used and the knife came in a two piece yellow bow.

Group 2 1973-1980 Blade stamped BUCK, XXX, U.S.A. Stamp is right side up, read with the point up, as it is on today's knives. Guard has two micarta and two aluminum spacers. Pommel has two micarta spacers and one aluminum spacer. Holster style, or Flap over sheath still used and the knife originally came in a two piece yellow bow but the switch to a one piece yellow box probably started around 1978.

Group 3 1981 Blade stamped BUCK, XXX, U.S.A. and is oriented the same as the previous group. Guard has one micarta and two aluminum spacers. Pommel has two micarta spacers and one aluminum spacer. I should note that I have only seen the 119, 120, a couple 121s, and one 118 in this configuration and it is likely that the other models skipped this and went straight to the next version. Holster style sheath still possible but also wrap around the handle type is introduced. The belt loop on the 120 swivels. Same one piece yellow box as previous.

Group 4 1981-1986 Blade stamp is still the same as the previous group. Guard has one micarta spacer and two aluminum spacers. Pommel has one micarta and one aluminum spacer. Holster style sheath is still in use on some models. Just about every type of sheath is found in this group. Still the same one piece yellow box as previous.

Group 5 1986- Blades now have a date code following the model number and are stamped BUCK, XXX<, U.S.A. This is the only difference between this group and the one previous. Sheath styles used are probably the same as the group above. Although the logo on the box may have changed slightly, it is still a one piece yellow construction. Over the next many years the boxes used were one piece Black with white letters, then green and tan, category boxes, and now the present orange and black."
 
Thanks PlumberDv are they that uncommon or is everyone holding onto as I have not seen any on the bay or a couple other sites and thanks for the help

Here is one box the 119 towards the middle
bucksandfriends017.jpg
 
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nutoknives said:
Thanks PlumberDv are they that uncommon or is everyone holding onto as I have not seen any on the bay or a couple other sites and thanks for the help
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You're welcome. :) That one you have in the picture looks to be in very nice condition. Did you get a sheath and box with it?

Uncommon? I'd never given it that much thought. I have a couple of them myself, so perhaps it's because I've not been looking for one.
 
Sheath yes box no most knives were my cousins so many knives,he threw most of the boxes out, as I have found as many as 4 knives in a single box Thanks for the help just trying to reduce amount of knives will be letting go of the duplicates first and then scale down to a 100 or so Enjoy your weekend
 
The knife in the picture is definitely hard to find. The 119 and 120 didn't follow the normal date guide lines. I believe these knives were only made for a short time or in low numbers. I challenge you to find one on the bay. If you are thinking of getting rid of I know Desotosky is hunting for one with no luck. I would be interested in one as well.
 
Will try to get one on the bucks for sale will take awhile as I am sending a bunch to the spa as I like to have the knives in tip top shape when I let go, hopefully the turn around wont take so long thanks for the info as am learning but still fairly new to knives as far as knowledge and collecting
 
The Elusive 119 they are refering to is the one in Group 1 of Plumber's post. The one with a 3 line inverted stamp (read with the point down) mfg. for a short time in 1972. DM
 
David Martin said:
The Elusive 119 they are refering to is the one in Group 1 of Plumber's post. The one with a 3 line inverted stamp (read with the point down) mfg. for a short time in 1972. DM
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We knew which one it was, Nutoknives was just wondering why it was "elusive" or hard to find. The 3 line stamp read tip up would mean 1973-80.
 
No, thats not what I saw reading his post as he was describing a different era 119. DM
 
nutoknives said:
This came up a while ago just wondering why you all referred to this 119 as the Elusive 119 believe it is from 1973. It has the 4 spacers with the inscription read blade pointing up


This is the OP, so what is he really talking about dave. The op explains the knife, so what knife did you think he was explaining???
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I am confused, what is the differance between the 119 above and the one on the bay with 3days and some hours to go other then condition, is the main thing to watch for is the inverted stamp. I have so much to learn and enjoy
 
I've looked at every 119 that comes up on eBay for a good while now. 3 line inverted 119's are relatively common, I see them regularly. There are 3 on the bay right now.

I just realized...this was my 500th post. I've been on this forum a little over a year. I must be spending too much time here. :rolleyes:
 
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David Martin said:
The 'Elusive 119' to me would be the Group 1 knife. Hence, my response. DM
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DM there isn't anything "elusive" about a 1972 inverted stamp 119. They are very common and have nothing to do with this thread.


Desotosky, Congrats on the 500th post. The time flies when your having fun...
 
I went to a knife show in Pasadena, CA in March and next to the table that Plumber was displaying his Buck Knife Collection was a couple selling knives who had a lot of Buck Knives. On that table they had two of the 119's pictured in Nut's photo and I've seen others at different shows. The inverted 119 I've seen only one at shows in the last 5yrs.. Since, I only buy at shows and don't look on Ebay we're in different worlds. Doesn't mean ones more rare than the other it's just different perspective from what we see. So, I'm sure your right... DM
 
I'd agree that MBJ is right.

It's not too late to start looking at e-Bay, Dave. It does provide an incredible amount of useful information.

:)
 
Very interesting info on the 119. I bought mine at Camp Irwin, CA in 1977 during summer (spring) camp. According to the data provided on this site mine has both Group 2 and Group 3 features. The pommel has 1 aluminum and 2 micarta spacers (excluding the aluminum pommel end piece), the guard features 1 micarta and 2 aluminum spacers. I see no evidence of a second micarta spacer. Sheath is wrap around style with swivel belt loop. The box is gone but I remember it was the traditional light yellow two-piece. Overall, a very sturdy and practical knife.

-sevensix
 
Seven and Haebbie, I think the 119 your describing is of a different year than the one Nut mentions. Buck went to that spacer configuration in late 1981 and the swivel sheath in 82. I have one of these in my collection. DM
 
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