What are the secrets of Buck's success?

golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
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Buck's success story is a story often told. In the face of keen competition in modern times, and the mushrooming of newer, bolder knife companies, Buck seems to stand on its own.

So this begs the question, what is it that separates Buck Knives from the rest of the pack?

At first glance, Buck knives are about the same as most of the other knives in the market. In fact, some of the others are prettier. But somehow, customers worldwide tend to favour Buck. Perhaps it is due to sentimentality, or perhaps the customer know quality when they see it.

The years have not lowered the respectability that is associated with Buck knives. Could it be that old fashioned policies of honesty, integrity and plain good old quality? I suppose so. It seems to work all the time, everytime.

Congratulations, Buck. You have come a long way. :)
 
Yes. You can't go wrong with Buck. The knives or the people. (Just make the tip on the Odyssey a little less pointy).
 
I think I would be interested in what you all think before I share my philosophies...
 
Being from southern California and having purchased my first Buck in 1974.(still have it), I believe its the service to the consumer that has had the biggest effect.
I firmly believe the words of Al and Chuck that God has never failed to give them guidence.
That has led to Philosophy of Buck Knives.No other knife company has this dedication to doing it right.
Buck has never failed to make a problem right for myself and many others here.
guy
 
I don´t think that Bucks are like most others, in fact I think they are quite unique, I´m more into traditionals than tacticals and that may be the cause of my point of view.

Over the years I´ve had 112, 422, 105, 119 and 701, I´ve had their three basic steels (440C, 425M, 420HC), I consider each of those knives special and different from the general trend, all of them great quality and innovative at the time they came out, prices are very competitive and fortunately for me easier to find in Mexico than other American brands. The 112 and 422 in particular I´ve used and abused and am very satisfied with their performance, my old 112 was stolen in the early 90´s but I still have and use the others.

I wouldn´t know about customer service, never needed it, never used it, only heard it´s great.

Edited because I forgot to mention my 475 mini mentor, cute little knife.
 
I think it has to do with Buck putting quality first. They are also willing to try out new ideas, but they continue to go with what they know works. And as far as I am concerned, there is not a better company in the business when it comes to taking care of the customer.
 
I can sum it up simply, quality and the best customer service in the business.'Nuff said...:D
 
Quality, reputation & U.S. of A. on the blade do it for me!;) Good to know the service is there if & when needed!
 
>"Buck's success story is a story often told. In the face of keen competition in modern times, and the mushrooming of newer, bolder knife companies, Buck seems to stand on its own."

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Not to rain on the parade, but frankly I'm a little less optimistic than you regarding the state of our favorite knife company. Trimming back the work force, moving some assembly operations to Mexico, and picking up and moving the company from El Cajon up to Idaho don't seem like good signs to me. :( I hope I'm wrong. I really hope I'm wrong.
 
The tree of economics needs to be pruned from time to time.If Buck moves and is followed by other high profile companies then maybe the leaders of the state will make changes or the voters will make changes.
Lacking the changes, California has made their bed and those who make individual changes will benefit.
I feel the move will work well. Also I've had no problem with my Cadet that was assembled in Mexico. Cant tell the difference with my El Cajon poly pearl Cadet.
guy
 
>"... I've had no problem with my Cadet that was assembled in Mexico. Cant tell the difference with my El Cajon poly pearl Cadet."

================================

I'm sure not - Buck has a strong commitment to quality, as we all know. However, I bet the displaced American worker who used to make those Cadets feels there's a difference. I bet Pete Quintanilla feels there's a difference.

Your point about the tree of economics needing to be pruned from time to time, is well taken. And as I indicated in my first post, I hope that is all there is to it. Long live Buck!
 
With so many American brand knives made in the orient, why should it be wrong to come to Mexico ? (ok, being Mexican I accept I´m biased).

I didn´t know they were here, perhaps now I´ll find some at less than double the price in the U.S.
 
Since I only own a 110, I'm probably the least qualified to talk about Buck, but will anyway! :D

I am very impressed with this company's reputation. I am also impressed with my 110, which has seen some pretty hard use, and so far, only required steeling to bring it back to scary sharp...

Mnblade, I understand what you are saying, but I really think in the long run, those foreigners, whether they are Mexican, Asian, whatever, will eventually get enough money to start buying US goods and stimulate OUR economy. I am a believer in free markets, and think that in the long run, it makes things better. I do acknowledge that there may be some short term pain. I also admit to some bias, I don't speak a word of Spanish, but I think it's the prettiest language that I've ever heard, especially when a dark haired Seniorita is talking... :eek: I blame it on watching too many episodes of "Big Valley" as a kid...

Back to the topic, I think that companies that focus on long term values tend to weather the storms of time. Companies that focus on short term "values de jour" tend to get press, but lose sight of the goal, and lack staying power. Obviously Buck does NOT lack staying power.

Just my $0.02.

PS - Hey C.J. Since you are watching this thread, have you guys ever heard of sun dogs? You will, heh heh heh... Good luck in the northlands!
 
mnblade, good point on the displaced workers. My comment was geared toward the quality and ignored the human factor. My apology.
And with moving this compounds that issue.
guy
 
I think Buck's success is a combination of good products, wide availability and recognition, and world-class customer service. Any company would do well to earn two of these, when you have all three success is inevitable.

With that said, I am a bit wary of the direction that Buck is taking recently. In my mind some of their new stuff looks and feels quite cheap, even if it works just fine. When you are a company that is built upon your reputation for quality and start producing inferior goods, the public will notice, and this will bite you in the end. Just ask Cadillac.

Likewise, I hope I'm wrong.
 
It seems to me that staying in California would force Buck to increase prices or lower quality and they don´t want to do either. If moving to Idaho and doing assembly in Mexico helps keep their quality and price I think they are doing right.

As a Mexican I´d rather buy Mexican when price and quality are the same, and I agree that Americans should prefer U.S. products, but when a foreign product is in some way better I´ll go for it, the free market system works and free commerce is good for all.

By the way, I have a gallon of fine homemade Mezcal from Guerrero that I might be willing to trade for a Buck 112, preferibly an old one in 440C (just kidding).
 
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