User or collector

S

Silverdagger

Joined
Dec 18, 2006
Messages
633
I just picked up what appears to be a mint or very near mint 118 for $25 at a pawn shop that I have frequented for at least 10 years. The only scratches are barely noticable and appear to be sheath scratches more than anything, and even then, you have to strain your eyes. I have yet to find a scratch on the blade or sheath. Oh yes, the only noticable flaw is on the button that says Buck. It appears to have a drop of black paint probably from the factory. I'm scared to scratch it off for fear of scratching the button. Otherwise it is perfect and looks brand spanking new. It appearst to have 4 micarta spacers, if I'm looking at it right. They are slightly red.

The blade is stamped:

Buck
U.S.A.
118



I have two questions"

1. Does anyone know the age of this knife? I know it is pre 86 and that is it.

2. Would you use it or collect it? If you say use it, I likely will give it to my 8 year old boy who loves knifes, guns, hunting and fishing. If it is over $50, I probably will just collect it. He and I have never owned a fixed BUCK of any make.

Any help would be appreciated. Sorry I have no pictures. I don't know how to post them and am somewhat computer illiterate.
 
The tang stamp should be Buck, 118, USA. If it is really stamped the other way you have a very rare knife. The normal three line stamp was used for about 14 years so it will be hard to date. If you can tell us what kind of sheath and box you have that may narrow it down some more.
 
Richard, thank you so much for you help.

You are indeed right. I made an error. Thank you for having the expertise to notice and point that out. It actually reads:

Buck
118
U.S.A.


As far as the sheath goes, it is a foldover type sheath, if that is the right term. The handle is entirely covered by a flap of leather, if that makes sense. Unfortunately there is no box.

She is a beauty, and I'm trying to decide whether it is valuable enough to collect, as it pretty much is in mint condition, or whether to give it to my 8 year old son, who loves outdoors, hunting and fishing and such. Maybe it not having a box makes it a user, rather than a collector? :confused:

One more bit of information. The steel looks more uniform than my 4 dot Buck 110. My 4 dot Buck 110 has 425 steel. The steel appears a bit hazy. The steel on the Buck 118 is very crisp and shiny looking with no haze whatsoever. Could it be 440C? I'm not sure what that looks like.
 
If the knife has two red (micarta) spacers at each end of the handle, it was made between 1972 -1980 and the steel is 440C. in 1981 we dropped one of the spacers in the guard.
If the blade stamp is read with the tip pointed down at the floor, it was made in 1972 and is somewhat hard to find and therefore more collectible.
The diferences in the blade finish between the 118 and 110 could be a variety of things not related to the steel type.
 
Thank you all very much. I'm pretty sure that I have a 1973-1980 Buck 118 in 440C. It is near mint. Would you all make it a user or collector. Ace of blades has mentioned making it a collector. I appreciate his advice. Joe Houser, who I also appreciate responding mentions the 1972 model is more of a collectable.

So anybody else want to weigh in? Would you collect or use a 1973-1980, 440C Buck 118 in near mint condition? I will say this, I am leaning heavily towards putting it up as a collector, unless some of you talk me out of it. Maybe it's dime a dozen. Thanks again.
 
I think it depends on you and your son more than it depends on the knife. You have a rare old Buck but not a super rare old Buck. They do show up on the bay so if you just had to have one you could get it without a mortgage. If you are a collector I would say collect it. If I had it I would put it in my collection were it would sit peacefully with a bunch of other Bucks but if I wasn’t a Buck collector I would use it for sure. The Personal has a really nice blade design. 440c is really good steel. Your son might just carry it for the rest of his hunting life. The knife is that nice.
 
Will, thank you for a similar but different opinion. I'm just about to die to go and cut something with that thing. It's killing me. I've pulled out a bunch of other knives and cut stuff to relieve the tension. But that blade design just seems to be almost perfect. No wonder the 118 is Hoyt Bucks favorite. It has a very thin area, blade to spine, but the spine is thick. It seems almost thin enough to fillet a fish, but thick enough to dress a deer or elk handily.

Thanks again for a similar but differnt different thought or opinion. Like I say, I'm dying to use it a little and give it to him. He is a real hunter, as an 8 year old. He sat in front of hunting shows last night and thumbed through Cabelas for at least 1 hour if not two. If anyone would appreciate such a knife it would be him. My little boy is varmit control of his grandfathers neighborhood. Squirels are overunning peoples gardens and digging in their yards. He's killed dozens of the rodents with his .177 Diasy and Benjamin air rifles and the neighbors are thankful, but there seems to be an endless supply. His grandfather always uses his very own 118 on the squirel tails and keeps them for him. He has also used his old 118 on chipmunk tails, and groundhog tails that the boy has killed and a few deer tails he has legally havested. So the 118 may be more special to him than any run of the mill 119, 105 or 102.

On the other hand, these guys telling me to go and buy a 119 or 105 seem to be giving good advice too. Ouch, I'm torn. Thanks for the info on buying another knife on ebay.
 
I dont want to seem as though I'm pushing this. But I would consider just getting him a 119 because, boys will be boys sure I bet he will be responsible with it but lets say he is in the woods with his buds, okay so he lends it to a friend for a moment said friend stabs tree twists the knife out BAM broken tip. Now you have to send it to buck and have the risk of them replacing it. I'm just saying. But do what you want
 
Silverdagger said:
If anyone would appreciate such a knife it would be him. My little boy is varmit control of his grandfathers neighborhood. His grandfather always uses his very own 118 on the squirel tails and keeps them for him. He has also used his old 118 on chipmunk tails, and groundhog tails that the boy has killed and a few deer tails he has legally havested. So the 118 may be more special to him than any run of the mill 119, 105 or 102.
Click to expand...

This is all the info I need right here.
IF I were you, I would give it to him and let him use it. If its the same as his grandpas and you think he would really appreciate it, I wouldn't even ask this question on a forum ;)
It would be his user to cherish and make memories along the way with grandpa. For what you spent on this knife, you wont lose a ton of money, and even used you can sell it for what you paid probably. It is very hard to hurt or ruin a Buck Knife. Tell him not to let his buddies use it to twist off into a tree trunk, and DO NOT Batton with it ;) LOL
A gift like that I think most people are very careful to take care of and be respectful of, but I could be wrong ;)
As in Willthe barbs last post- he is spot on (IMHO)
If your son is responsible enough for a knife, (under supervision?) it sounds to me like you have the perfect knife for him. The 440C blade will last him a lifetime also. Good luck with your decision. :thumbup:
 
[This is all the info I need right here.
IF I were you, I would give it to him and let him use it. If its the same as his grandpas and you think he would really appreciate it, I wouldn't even ask this question on a forum /QUOTE]
Well spoken, Sir! Jim nailed it for my opinion too. Although, it is nice of you to post on this forum asking our thoughts. I still have some sporting good items from about the age of eight and that is just about the right time in your young man's life to teach him of respecting equiptment and devoloping skills with quality tools! My personal effects from youth are very sentimental for me and each and every "character line" a memory of the time the marks came about. My early knives and assorted emphemera are still fully fuctional, still very good looking, and especially NOT for sale!
I rest my case-
Click to expand...
 
It seems as if it is a great knife, but not a particularly rare knife. Therefore, if I want to collect it, I can do so, or give it to him as a user, and do so. I'm going to give it some careful discussion and talk to him. I've done so a bit, and he's telling me it is too pretty to use and get scratched. That said, I think it would be a perfect knife for him, something he could be 100% satisfied with, for the rest of his life, and use it on his own grandkids varmits and wild game one day 50 or so years from now.

Tough call still. I knew a guy that when he bought a new bass boat, he would take a rock or knife and scratch it, so he woudn't worry about it anymore. I think I see why.

I appreciate you alls help. I'm gun shy, because I have used a Browning Auto 5 I inherited that was nearly 100 years old with a serial number less than 500. That was foolish. I did not want to make a similar bad decision. Joe mentions I have a great knife, but not as collectable as one with an upside down stamp.

Any more input is appreciated and will be considered.
 
I have two older 118s that are my elk and deer butchering knives. They are not barrel nuts but one is upside down and both have flap over sheaths. They are like a November sunset, "perfect" for their task. They will continue to be sharpened to the best of my skill. The will be cleaned and lightly rubbed with some simichrome polish at the end of the season. And when I can no longer 'go to the woods' or when my ashes are tossed into the river they will go to my only nephew and male relative. He will have hopefully have held one of the bloody handles and had me show him how to touch up the edge to finish the job. Then every scratch on the dull black handle will mean something to him when he wraps his man hands around it. Put it up on the shelf if you think your son would appreciate it only as art or collectable, use it if you intend to pass on the tradition that wild food is a gift of life and good knife to deal with it is a gift from above.... :thumbup:
 
Well if you think he would like it then give it to him. It is not our knife. If it gets broken well, its only a knife afterall.
 
I've faced my mortality - and what would become of my 'collections'... my grandsons have HA disorder(s)... my daughter-in-law has absolutely no appreciation for 'sentimental' items. My 'collections', be they edged, revolvers, model trains, tools, etc - are for me. I don't have the money or room to have a museum... anything I get must 'work' - it certainly will be 'tested'. I cherish the small knife my Dad cleaned his pipe with - and the KaBar he had in the S. Pacific in WWII - but they have little or no meaning beyond me. I guess I am the wrong person to ask, because I would say, as others have, that you should use it - or give it to your son and enjoy watching him use, and, possibly, abuse it. You know what to do without anyone's help - but how nice of you to have asked - and shared your decision with us!


Stainz
 
Silverdagger said:
I'm gun shy, because I have used a Browning Auto 5 I inherited that was nearly 100 years old with a serial number less than 500. That was foolish. I did not want to make a similar bad decision.
Click to expand...


Why was that foolish?? Did you enjoy shooting it?
An item being worth something, doesnt suck all of the fun out of it!
I recently bought an Ionfusion 110 for a user. They are discontinued and hard to find, it was more than I wanted to pay, but it is a great knife and I enjoy the heck out of using it on rabbits, doves, ducks, and anything else I need to cut. It is still one of my best purchases...
 
Silverdagger said:
I just picked up what appears to be a mint or very near mint 118 for $25 at a pawn shop that I have frequented for at least 10 years. The only scratches are barely noticable and appear to be sheath scratches more than anything, and even then, you have to strain your eyes. I have yet to find a scratch on the blade or sheath......
Click to expand...

well i seem to differ i guess... once i would have said give it to him to use it ..
now ..
SAVE IT!
i have talked with thoes that used a mint gift knife when young and wish they had not now....
as you did not use it there is no semental value in its use by him as following your use... irf it was some thing you had used the by all means he should use it also...
as it is a found, rare & mint... save it as a looker ... once he is older say 30 he may want it as a looker also!!!
rember once used and or abused it cant ever be mint again...
my vote save it...
 
Silver, it's a tough call. My mother recently gave me a knife my grandfather carried everyday-he passed away before I was born. I was tempted to carry it myself (it's a small folder that I can't get any info on) but I'd be very upset if I lost it so it's in the safe. In that regard I can understand you wanting to keep it safe.

However, I bought a Buck Collector's Club Member's knife and have pretty much regretted it ever since. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful 110 with stag handles, my member number, etc. But it's "too nice" to use. So, it sits in it's display box on my shelf. I'll never buy another knife I won't use for it's intended purpose. In fact, that 110 may just come out of it's display case once in while and do what's it made for, cutting stuff.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
That 118 will go up in value as a collector. I am sure you can find other newer 118's that could be users if you want your son to have one like Grandpa's, which I think would be cool.

Silverdagger,,,,,drope me an email, yours is set to not receive email.
 
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