The Pathfinder Club - Members Only!

[TAH]

I want my members only jacket.

I want that knife.

ETD: skyler, thanks for posting this photo. That knife is beyond awesome. Would you mind sharing how you acquired it?

 

[TAH]

I also want everyone to vote on what year they think the "Pathfinder" was introduced or risk being removed from the Christmas card list.

 

[caine]

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[gunstockjack]

I believe the Pathfinder as we now know it was first commercially made in 1961 when Buck first incorporated and no longer made knives from files. My favorites are the one and two liners as the grind is more gracefully curved.

 

[TAH]

Welcome to the club, caine!


Pathfinder Club List of Members:

Hoyt Buck - Honorary Chair
TAH - Founder, President, and all-round Pathfinder enthusiast, who is taking this club a little too seriously.

David Martin
pjsjr
sportingspecialist
jbmonkey
skylercstevens
DOGPOUND77
MT_Pokt
sassafrassdogs3
imafritz
Old Hunter
DeSotoSky
Haebbie
kyhunt
iamjethro
Wicked Sharp
BuckShack
Luke73
C roddy
The Fort
gunstockjack
caine
eveled

Members: 24
Pending: 0
Membership goal: 105

 

[TAH]

On my mid 70s Pathfinder, the Micarta spacers are dark burgundy in color. Looking at caine's new Pathfinder, did Buck switch to a different color of Micarta or is it just the lighting?

 

[pjsjr]

Tom, just IMHO, Buck and vendors change things up over the years, change is inevitable. So I'm thinking it's just the nature of things. HTH. Preston

 

[TAH]

Makes sense, Preston. Thanks!

 

[caine]

On my mid 70s Pathfinder, the Micarta spacers are dark burgundy in color. Looking at caine's new Pathfinder, did Buck switch to a different color of Micarta or is it just the lighting?

Look like natural micarta

 

[gunstockjack]

Before and after 1972:

 

[TAH]

Is the spacer material on the top one leather, fiber, or Micarta?

 

[Haebbie]

The change from bone hard fiber to micarta was in the time of the two line stamp between 1968 and 1970. So the spacers can be made of fiber or micarta. But for me it looks like bone hard fiber.

Haebbie

 

[TAH]

Were they ever leather?

 

[gunstockjack]

Looks to be fiber to me.

 

[sassafrassdogs]

The real early ones had leather I do believe...

 

[Haebbie]

Were they ever leather?

Yes, TAH, as Sassa stated: Buck used leather in the early sixties.

Haebbie

Here’s a leather spacer 105

 

[Hornbill]

I just started a Buck 100 series collection, and my first Buck is the Pathfinder. I’ve since picked up a Woodsman, and while it’s a nice knife I’m already favoring the Pathfinder. It just fits my hand better and I like the weight.

I have family in North Idaho. It’s nice to support a great company from that area.

 

[pjsjr]

Welcome Hornbill, we like pictures! The 100 series is a great group of knives. I can tell you are suffering from Buck fever already. Preston

 

[TAH]

I just started a Buck 100 series collection, and my first Buck is the Pathfinder. I’ve since picked up a Woodsman, and while it’s a nice knife I’m already favoring the Pathfinder. It just fits my hand better and I like the weight.

Welcome to BladeForums and the Pathfinder Club, Hornbill! It's hard to beat the Pathfinder for general use, but give the Woodsman a chance. My adult son loves his 102 for backpacking.

Pathfinder Club List of Members:

Hoyt Buck - Honorary Chair
TAH - Founder, President, and all-round Pathfinder enthusiast, who is taking this club a little too seriously.

David Martin
pjsjr
sportingspecialist
jbmonkey
skylercstevens
DOGPOUND77
MT_Pokt
sassafrassdogs3
imafritz
Old Hunter
DeSotoSky
Haebbie
kyhunt
iamjethro
Wicked Sharp
BuckShack
Luke73
C roddy
The Fort
gunstockjack
caine
eveled
Hornbill

Members: 25
Pending: 0
Membership goal: 105

 

[TAH]

Okay, so this leads to our first club vote. If we were create a slogan for the Pathfinder and wanted to use a start date and an image of the knife, which date and image would you choose?

A) 1948 - 105 "All Purpose Knife" with Lucite handle
B) 1956 - 105 "Pathfinder" with ebony wood handle
C) 1961 - 105 "Pathfinder" with Phenolic handle, as we know it today and is easily recognized

Please vote everyone!

Since, we had a lousy turnout at the poles - must be the cold weather - I have decided to go with my original idea...


BUCK 105 PATHFINDER

"Finding Paths Since 1961"


I went with 1961 because it was the year Buck incorporated and the Pathfinder took form to what most people would recognize today. Add some vintage Buck artwork and that's that. Now I just need to find a t-shirt maker who will make just one shirt.