Vintage Buck 119 info?

This ^120 looks to have the thick edge. My 1981-- 120 has the same number of spaces but with the hollow ground edge. Mine is probably 425M steel. DM
 
David Martin said:
This ^120 looks to have the thick edge. My 1981-- 120 has the same number of spaces but with the hollow ground edge. Mine is probably 425M steel. DM
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There are two 120s in that thread and they both have a thick edge, 3 spacers and 1/73 paperwork. More than likely, both sets are original. Here's a better photo of the second knife.


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nutoknives said:
The Elusive 119 as explained by Matt
Read Blade pointing up 3 Line 2 Spacer Micarta or fiber at pommel 2 spacer Micarta or Fiber at Guard
Matt seems to have a lot of Knowledge and some of the oldest bucks I have seen on the Forum's

Here are 2 of the above described Elusive 119's after the Spa at Buck



KEEP EM SHARP
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I guess my question is, why are these 119s with 4 spacers and stamp read tip up so rare if 4 spacer 119s/120s were supposedly around until the late 70s? There would have been roughly 6 years of production (1973-1979?) for these knives, but they are rarely seen. That's pretty good evidence that the knives above were transitional knives made for a very short time in 1973.
 
While we're on the subject, are there any known examples of a 120 with 4 spacers and a stamp read tip up?
 
I don't think this configuration is so rare as I have several and have recently seen several. I know a guy who will be at the next show who has several for sale. With no box or papers, just knife and sheath. I think they are becoming harder to come-by with box and papers. Because of their age. People bought them and used them and didn't save the box. A good example of Buck history. DM
 
Thanks David. It sounded like that configuration was extremely rare. Regardless, it's a blast trying to figure out these old 119s and 120s.
 
I don't mind you rethinking this era of knives toward dating purposes. Who knows what will come out of it. A good friend of mine and Buck Collector, Dave Hallmark always told me; when buying a knife always buy it in it's original box with papers. That way you procure more data with it for future reference. I can find those configured knives for $$. But if it is new with box and papers it's double the other price. So, to All us collectors the box with papers greatly impacts
the value of the package. Still, if you run across a one line 110 in decent shape for a good price.(just knife and sheath). For Heaven sake don't pass it up. As those are very hard to find. DM
 
David, is this an unusual variation? 3 liner, upright, with a shorter 4th spacer that is mostly seen on inverted 1 and 2 liners. It seems that by the time they went to inverted 3 liners, the 4th spacer ran entire length of the guard.


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I've seen them like that. Then I've seen them with the spacer extended out an 1/8" down the guard. Then I've seen them with the spacer all the way to near the end of the guard. DM
 
Buck moved into their plant on 6588 Federal Boulevard in 1964. Then in 1969 moved to 1717 Magnolia Ave.. The 119 above must have come out of the Federal plant location late in the era. Like 1967, because the flap over sheaths did not come into use until 1967. Then the stamp is not the asterisk stamp. Third the snap has Buck on it. Another 1967 mfg. detail. All of these details are possible for 1967 as much transition was going on that year. I have a 105 that came out of that plant and it has the asterisk stamp, flap over sheath and NO Buck on the snap. Strange stuff happens. DM
 
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Thanks for the Info David.
I also have a boxed 105 with flapover with "Buck" ,buck stamp (no asterisk) Federal paperwork
and my 121 has open double "buck" clasp sheath and blade one line no asterisk. Federal paperwork
So all from 1967. 1967 was a good year for Buck I think.
 
survivaledge said:
I also have a boxed 105 with flapover with "Buck" ,buck stamp (no asterisk) Federal paperwork
and my 121 has open double "buck" clasp sheath and blade one line no asterisk. Federal paperwork
So all from 1967. 1967 was a good year for Buck I think.
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Keith,

Keep taunting us and we'll demand to see a group photo. :D :thumbup:
 
Speaking of vintage 119s, here's an oldie in case anyone missed it on eBay. According to the seller, here are Joe Houser's comments...

"It was made before Buck incorporated in late 1961. That style of knife was made from the mid 1950’s into about 1961. So that 119 was made between about 1955-1960 based on the date on the sheath."


VINTAGE BUCK 119 KNIFE 1 LINE 1950-60's STAG HANDLE ORIGINAL LEATHER SHEATH
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Just adding some more clues and evidence that the swivel sheath was used from 1977 to 1980 and maybe later. Both examples from eBay.

This one was professionally engraved. Not absolute evidence, but hard to imagine not accurate.

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This one has the original sales receipt from 1980.

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TAH said:
VINTAGE BUCK 119 KNIFE 1 LINE 1950-60's STAG HANDLE ORIGINAL LEATHER SHEATH
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I had missed this post.

That looks like a (flat) sabre grind, not a hollow grind. That would be consistent with the Schrades and Westerns (and Marbles) I've seen from that time period.

I think the kids in Cali say, "Super-cool!" In New England, we would say, "Wicked pissah!"
 
Still doing a little research on the 119. Does anyone have a 119, with a full hollow grind (425M), that came in a swivel sheath?
 
I jumped back into this thread not realizing that it went so long. I disagree with dave on the availability of the 4 spacer version (micarta spacer) 119 and 120. The 119 and 120 didn't follow the same manufacturing time line as the other fixed blades. Anybody can pull up old threads discussing this topic, but its been talked about over and over. None the less, both the 119 and 120 are difficult to find in the 4 Micarta spacer with the tip up. Less knives were produced in these two models in '83, prior to the first spacer being removed. I'm not the only person that has found this. Why we are still arguing this is beyond me.
If they are so plentiful, I think you should look for one, find one and buy one. I think somebody is mistaken...
 
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