Unclear on availability of the 500 Duke

What puzzles me is how these differences come about. Especially with very limited editions such as the Heritage 500's. The differences in the new 124's also, I just wonder if it occurs when the blades are hand sharpened at Buck.

I have however, measured a bunch of 500's (9 of them) from back in the "3 1/8 in. era" in the catalog and without fail, they ALL measured within 1/64" of 3", not 3 1/8".
 
I checked my catalogs all the way back form 1985 forward to 1996 about the time this model was discontinued. Which it never was it was only a special edition. I found the majority of the cataloges stated the 500 to have a 3 1/8" blade. One stated a 3 3/8" blade which is generous. Looking at it there is room in the well for 3 1/8" perhaps even 3 3/16" but no more. So, ... DM
 
I just got two in the mail today from Buck, love the 500 Duke. I have one to use and one as a standby.
 
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RickJ said:
I just got two on the mail today from Buck, love the 500 Duke. I have one to use and one as a standby.
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I'll be getting one myself as soon as one of my favorite retailers gets them in stock. These are the only 500 series knives I have at the moment. I won't carry the scrimshaw models but have been tempted to carry the King Charles. A nice, new 500 would be a nice addition to my EDC lineup.

500.jpg
 
Mine showed up today and it's damn near perfect. Absolutely tight lock up with no discernible blade play. Just a helluva deal for $30 + shipping. I am very, very pleased with the 500 and it's a great tweener size between the 501 and 110.

BTW, the blade is *exactly* 3" from tip to bolster.
 
CSG said:
Mine showed up today and it's damn near perfect. Absolutely tight lock up with no discernible blade play. Just a helluva deal for $30 + shipping. I am very, very pleased with the 500 and it's a great tweener size between the 501 and 110.

BTW, the blade is *exactly* 3" from tip to bolster.
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Glad it arrived in great shape, I think the 500 is a very nice knife, I like it alot and I have mine on my belt and will
carry it to work tonight.
 
hammer, What's the handle material on the bottom Duke? A handsome set in a well done photo. Glad you gents are liking your Dukes. DM
 
David Martin said:
hammer, What's the handle material on the bottom Duke? A handsome set in a well done photo. Glad you gents are liking your Dukes. DM
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Thank you for the compliment David. I don't know what the handle is made of. Did some searches but haven't come u with anything. Some kind of laminate wood I presume. Looks a little like what you see on a lot of Frost Cutlery knives but a little less garish.
 
Ok, thanks. I like the looks of the Duke with no rear bolster. Plus, it would cause it to be somewhat lighter. Like the club paperstone models. DM
 
Based on the comments in this thread I orderded two of these 500 Duke knives today. I'm thinking I'll pocket carry it.

It wasn't mentioned on the dealer's site or in this thread but do these knives come with a sheath just in case I find it not pocketable?
 
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Modoc ED said:
Based on the comments in this thread I orderded two of these 500 Duke knives today. I'm thinking I'll pocket carry it.

It wasn't mentioned on the dealer's site or in this thread but do these knives come with a sheath just in case I find it not pocketable?
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Yes they come with a nice black leather sheath but the knife is nice for pocket carry too!
 
It's a bit big for pocket carry for me. I'd rather carry a 501 that way. But I carried the 500 on my belt tonight to my SAR meeting. The sheath is fine but they are nowhere near as nice as what they made in the past. Also, the blade doesn't have much of a polish like the old ones did. Still, it's a heckuva knife for its pricepoint.
 
I had my user 500 out tonight, had to cut some 550 cord for work boot laces because the actual ones went Tango Uniform on me. So I set the 500 on my table in the garage while I burned the ends on the 550 cord and looked down at the knife and the SS was shining and looking so good, glad I got me some 500. Yes for the price point they can not be beat, and they cut so darn good too.
 
Easily my favorite production Buck.

For my purposes (wood, brush, vegetables, general food prep), I find Buck's hollow grind to be not as good as a flatter grind. I put mine to the stone to thin and flatten it the transition from the hollow to the shoulder of the spine. Noticeably improved the cutting with wood and most vegetables.

In terms of pocket carry it's not a light knife but it sits nice and flat and (for me and my pants) it carries great. I just can't make the move to something in the 501 range. Where's the blade?


Buck 500 by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
I've really enjoyed mine for the past few days. It's fun to carry a belt sheath again after years of not doing so.
 
CSG, Buck changed the finish on the Duke way back. It no longer comes polished. I carry mine in my watch pocket and it fits comfortable. This size knife is a good fit for my needs. Just the way I roll. DM
 
Ok I'm horrible judge knife size by just the given dimensions. Does anyone have a picture next to a 301 or 307? Also I don't know if I can ask this or not, but where are you folks finding them? Every time I do a search for them online I come up with the older collectable ones at steep prices.


Maybe I was looking in wrong places just found some on the bay.
 
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