Thread dedicated to Joe Houser custom made knives

[Tecate]

I thought I would start a thread that showed the great work Joe Houser did crafting custom knives. I have many, many of his creations. I will post a few here and there to show off his work. I know others have purchased his custom-made knives in the past, please share some pictures of his work.

Starting off with a 188 blade with 184 Copper Guard (1 of 20 copper guards made @ buck)/Pins (originally came with standard pins but had someone fabricate copper pins to match guard), Sambar Stag handle from India, 188 blade with Australian Army "Broad Arrow" mark and Joe Houser Cross/Idaho logo stamp on guard.

Other information about the knife provided by DeSotoSky (thanks for the info): "Australian "Broad Arrow" Department of Defense logo. Buck filled a contract to Australia for about 20,000 bayonets. These were over runs with the Australian marking that made it into the US retail market."

 

[GPyro]

Great idea!
That's an awesome example of his talent.
I love that stag!


edit:

And copper...?
wow, that is cool!

 

[GPyro]

Here's a 124.
Blue Dymondwood w/ Paua shell handle.

View attachment 1757007View attachment 1757006View attachment 1757005

 

[Tecate]

Here's a 124.
Blue Dymondwood w/ Paua shell handle.

View attachment 1757007View attachment 1757006View attachment 1757005

That is one sweet knife. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Tecate]

This one is a little over the top, but still a fun knife to have.

184 Buckmaster with custom 425M stainless steel blade. Has Joe Houser stamp on guard (tried to get a good shot of it). Last picture shows the blade compared to standard polished 184.

 

[timbits588]

Wow, definitely some nice knives! I would love to add one of his creations to my collection some day.

 

[pjsjr]

Great idea for a thread...
A Joe Houser 192, DLC blade and elk stag.

 

[GPyro]

Man I'm glad I got into collecting Buck knives while Joe's stuff was more readily available.

Is it safe to assume a knife is a Houser Custom with just the "card" that routinely came with LE's, does it require the letter for COA....?
I know he started using his stamp as shown here. But I know there are others.....

.....just wondering.

 

[Tecate]

Man I'm glad I got into collecting Buck knives while Joe's stuff was more readily available.

Is it safe to assume that a knife is a Houser Custom with just the "card" that routinely came with LE's, does it require the letter for COA....?
I know he started using his stamp as shown here. But I know there are others.....

.....just wondering.

I would say the ones with the "card" are fair game.

 

[DOGPOUND77]

the low number of knives that were released on the web blasts -that were done a couple times a year -- with the coa card--all of those knives were handmade by joe houser.. so yes i would classify those as houser customs...

 

[DOGPOUND77]

couple of vanguards joe built that i will never part with---somehow gonna take em with me..ha!!!!!

 

[jbmonkey]

great thread idear.....great stuff so far....

how about a return one he modified into something else. but didn't finish up......that count?

 

[GPyro]

couple of vanguards joe built that i will never part with---somehow gonna take em with me..ha!!!!!

I'll show up to make sure it does! lol

Yeah, those are cool.

 

[Your Name Goes Here]

This one is a little over the top, but still a fun knife to have.

184 Buckmaster with custom polished 425M stainless steel blade. Has Joe Houser stamp on guard (tried to get a good shot of it). Last picture shows the blade compared to standard polished 184.

Over the top in all the right ways !

 

[GPyro]

Here's a micarta and nickel handled Gen5 with a quail etching on the blade.

I really like this knife.

View attachment 1757572View attachment 1757573View attachment 1757574View attachment 1757575

 

[Chilebrown]

I met Joe at the 2018 BCCI conference. I have corresponded with him ever since asking him numerous question about 110s. He always graciously replied. I also asked/nagged him to make a custom Buck 110 for me. His retirement date loomed near and I asked one last time. This is his wonderful creation. It also is one of the last custom Buck 110s he made as an employee at Buck Knives Inc.

 

[pjsjr]

I met Joe at the 2018 BCCI conference.

I have a story about the same as yours.

Joe was working in the factory store one of those days and I asked him about a stacked leather 192 and said I would buy one or two or three. He said that he had made them. About three hours later he saw me and told me my knife was in the store and I could go pick it up.

He is a such a wonderful person, dedicated to all things Buck. I hope his retirement is everything he hoped it would be.

Here it is...Letter of Authenticity is in the box I'm not digging it out.

 

[Your Name Goes Here]

I have a story about the same as yours.

Joe was working in the factory store one of those days and I asked him about a stacked leather 192 and said I would buy one or two or three. He said that he had made them. About three hours later he saw me and told me my knife was in the store and I could go pick it up.

He is a such a wonderful person, dedicated to all things Buck. I hope his retirement is everything he hoped it would be.

Here it is...Letter of Authenticity is in the box I'm not digging it out.

Got to love that knife ! I wish they would do a BOTM with stacked leather; maybe a 124.

 

[coolbreezy37]

So many amazing knives on here. Especially that Vanguard with the extended blade!

 

[Tecate]

Joe Houser custom 119 Brahma with grill handle comprised of Copper/Brass/Aluminum/Nickel Silver. This knife weighs in at 23 ounces.