What happened to Buck Knives?

[LG&M]

I like Buck. As groove said the Vantage rocks. One of my favorite folders. Also the one I picked for my son.

 

[Kbrasmodeler]

Actually, that's not true. I just recently ordered 5 Vantages (2 Selects, 2 Avids, and 1 Pro) and one Avid had a blade so off centered it was useless. I sent it back. The online dealer I buy from said the Vantage knives are still hit or miss. In fact, they said they had just received 8 more Avids and they had to immediately send two back because of the same problems. I will say, when you get one that doesn't have any qc problems, it's a great knife.

Can you explain to me how the blade being off-centered rendered it useless? Did it somehow lose it's ability to cut? Was it unable to be opened, perhaps? I don't get this strange fascination with blades needing to be perfectly centered when closed.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

I think they have long since switched to making most of their knives over seas rather than here in the U.S.

I have a 110 from the 90s and it is amazing! However just the other day I saw a new 110 and Wal-Mart and I was so disappointed at how the quality has changed in them.

This would a "falsehood error" in your data.

I get to field one of these just about every month.

Buck Knives, who have their factory less than 15 miles from my house, make more than 85% of their product domestically, meaning right here in Post Falls, Idaho.

At one point there was a significant percentage of their production that was done overseas, but a) the classics have always been made here, and b) they are gradually bringing production home again.

They borrowed some production techniques from the Toyota school, something called Lean Enterprise, and have found ways to produce components locally for less than the same component can be delivered from China.

The Buck family have actually gone the extra mile to recover their domestic production. They recently brought another couple of models home (I was over at the factory and picked up what I thought was an import and was pleased to see it said USA on it).

A little at a time, you will see some of the currently-made-in-China models discontinued to be replaced by either very similar or essentially the same model made here, though the actual model number may not stay the same.

They still make the classics.

And they've brought in some new classics -- have you seen the Buck 113 Ranger Skinner? Awesome knife. How about the recent Gen5 hunter/skinner? Their new PakLite line? The EcoLite versions of the 110 and 112? All made here.

And the Buck Vantage line? All new, great design, all domestic. Their even newer Paradigm assisted opener? I'm certainly lovin' mine. Made right here.

Buck is alive and well.

They've spent years climbing out of a hole not of their own manufacture. The business climate in Southern California was suffocating them, and they couldn't get a break from the local government. Fees and taxes were killing them.

They finally solved it by moving the entire operation -- including many of the employees -- to North Idaho. (Ironically, once the commitment had been made to move, suddenly the local dot-gov was "sure we can work something out." Too late, though.)

Yes, economics drove some of their production offshore, but by moving out of the oppressive Californian business climate to a region that's a lot more business friendly, they were able to stabilize and repatriate many of their designs.

It's a work in progress, but most of the ones you're going to want are already made here now.

Seriously. Check out their web site. Check out the online stores of those outfits that sell Buck's knives.

I'm sure you will find something there that you like.

 

[newknife]

Can you explain to me how the blade being off-centered rendered it useless? Did it somehow lose it's ability to cut? Was it unable to be opened, perhaps? I don't get this strange fascination with blades needing to be perfectly centered when closed.

Sorry, I should clarify. It wasn't just off centered. It was heavily rubbing the liner, so much that it was very difficult to open. When you adjusted the pivot to center the blade it just made it even more difficult to open. It made the flipper useless.

I don't mind an off centered blade, but it shouldn't be rubbing the liner, i.e. metal on metal. I would say that's a qc issue and not someone just being picky.

 

[Nostimos]

yeah, it hasnt been very business friendly in cali for a while.
they did the right thing to move (reminds me of reagans "vote with yer feet" quote).
i guess the next thing they did was fire all the fancy MBA suits that told them it would be better to move more and more of your manufaturing base overseas (china).
good for them if they truly plan to make buck 100% USA again.

i have a few of the older stuff:
-70's micarta 501 (esquire?) MINT in BOX.
-1994 424 (plastic handled 501 style).
-1990 112.
-560 (titanium handled 110) converted to auto, from the late 80's or early 90's i believe.
-new (2011?) heritage series 532 with canvas micarta scales, boss ht s30v blade.

the US made 110/112 line (especially the customs and limited editions with better steel) have always been great sellers.
same with the 532, which i believe was discontinued as a plain wood version after only a few years since its introduction in the early 90's, but has tons of higher end / custom variations available every year.

you just have to be into that style to know how great they're doing in sales.
if you compare buck to the tactical "flavor of the month" companies, i could see how one would think they fell off the face of the earth. but the tradtional lockback will always be compared to a buck.

 

[dogstar]

I own 3 Buck products (309, 444, 340) and I like them very much. These knives are made in the USA with good materials and solid construction, at prices comparable with imports. It is just short of amazing and I commend them for it.

They might not be so fashionable with online knife forum members, but I think they are doing just fine with the average American knife user. I believe Buck is the top seller of knives in the U.S.

 

[Zookie]

Buck is actually still quite popular, if not the most arguably. Check out the Buck Vantage, incredible EDC folder.

 

[Joshua J.]

You don't see much talk of Buck around here lately because they haven't done a super high end folder in a while (as far as I know the Buck Mayo is still their only folder in the $200 price range).

I'm sure they are more popular than ever in terms of overall sales and brand recognition.

 

[Stainz]

The 110 you find at WallyWorld is sold there for < half it's MSRP - ie, less than dealer's cost. It is the same quality as the one your locally owned hardware/knife store carries at possibly list price. It is available in clamshell pack or boxed; Mexican leather holster or PRC-made nylon sheath. The 'plywood handles' are actually dimensionally stable layers of resin-impregnated/dyed hardwoods - a la the commercial product 'Dymondwood'. The neat patterns/grain of real wood - and the stability of epoxy resin. Fit and finish is generally exemplary - certainly the Bos heat treated 420HC is far better at taking & keeping an edge than many other blade metals. The long bevel makes them a slicer - and the sharpness out of the box is legendary, whether production or custom - a great value. You can still get a custom made 110 from the Buck Custom Shop, too - check their site.

My finest Buck is a custom 110 in flaming Koa wood, nickel silver, and teardrop Damascus blade - it was $175 delivered a few years back.

My finest production Buck is my 172 Mayo TNT - a Ti framelock/S30V blade - last listed at over $300 - the CF version was more. Oddly, you could order a Vantage Pro in S30V for ~$60 - and have that same fine S30V blade.

I have a CRK small Sebenza - great knife... that Buck 172, often heralded as a 'Poor Man's Sebbie' and discounted in price, is closer in quality than you'd expect. Yeah, current Bucks are pretty nice - checkout their recent fixed blades - 408 Kalinga Pro and 895 Simonich Legacy, both in S30V, and the new designs by the late Ron Hood, the 060 Hoodlum and 065 Punk. Pretty neat. Of course, the 119 Special really is that, too!

Stainz

 

[Humppa]

I own a Buck 110 and a 301. Next to a Buck Hartsook neckknife. The steel is great, the 420HC is propably the best you can get. Great HT. I like the F&F very much. No gaps or bladeplay.

Here in Germany, they are not really wellknown. But to knifenuts they are.

I like the jobs they do on their knives... Buck Knife :thumbup:

Kind regards

 

[Sword and Shield]

I don't really see that Buck has dropped off at all. I've a 1996 Buck 450 that's been through hell and back, and is as good today as when it was made. The 112- the heavy version of it- I bought for myself in 2007 is just as good. They're rock solid work knives. If you want fancy stuff with the lock of the moment and the latest steel, look elsewhere, but if you want a knife proven for decades, grab a Buck.

 

[garddogg56]

I work in the heavy construction field and the Buck 110 is very much alive and well .TOUGH .It's one knife that last for years.I've EDC at work for years along with a 112 I've had since 1975. I also use an assist knife that I have had since 2010 it's a Quickfire always clipped in my LFP.

 

[knarfeng]

What happened to Buck Knives?

I dunno. Considering that 3 of the last 5 knives I purchased were made by Buck, I guess I figure they are alive and well. IMO, their 300 series knives are the best value around for traditional pocket knives. Their primary focus has always been hunting knives. Those aren't as popular on most of the forums. So, they don't get much talk.

That being said, while I have Spydercos and Benchmades, my Buck Vantage Pro is likely my most frequently carried one-hand opener. I like the wider, hand-filling handle and deep carry clip; the Paul Bos heat treat of the S30V is as good as it gets for that alloy; and the blade geometry is just excellent. Really an amazing knife, especially at that price.

I think they have long since switched to making most of their knives over seas rather than here in the U.S.

You should try to get your facts straight before you post. That statement is absolutely not true.

 

[bobusx]

I have had pretty bad luck with Buck over the last few years. Every Buck I have purchased, both USA made and chinese, has had fit and finish issues. The Buck Vantage select I had had a blade that heavily rubbed the liners, the only knife I have owned that has done so. Others had mismatched liners, blade grinds that were horribly mismatched ( in one case, it ran over the top of the blade). I have not given up on them yet due to reputation, but I will never buy one online again. If I cannot inspect it in person prior to purchase, it is a definite no on Buck for me.

 

[SOLEIL]

I picked up 2 Vantage Pro's last year. One was perfect, the other was slightly rubbing the frame. The fix was easy. Just disassemble the knife, all of it, then reassemble leaving the frame screws a little loose. Centered the blade and firmed it up and it was perfect. I have done this with folders from just about every knife manufacturer that I own multiple blades from. I have also had to reset the bevels on many knives, custom and production. I own hundreds of them so it is well worth the time, money and effort to be able to make minor fixes on any knife I own.

 

[newknife]

I picked up 2 Vantage Pro's last year. One was perfect, the other was slightly rubbing the frame. The fix was easy. Just disassemble the knife, all of it, then reassemble leaving the frame screws a little loose. Centered the blade and firmed it up and it was perfect.

That's a good fix, but you shouldn't have to do that. Imagine if Buck advertised, "our knives are great, but because our qc sucks so you're gonna have to adjust the knife yourself to get it working right."

Now don't get me wrong, I love Buck knives. However their Vantage line is really hit or miss.

 

[Mr. Bob]

I have a 55 with a badly uncentered blade, just too-much blade play, and a lousy edge. I also have a Bantam (? can't remember the model now) that just sucks. Shouldn't have bought that one. At least my VICTORINOX saves the Bantam name.

 

[rdg]

I own a lot of Buck's. I also own a number of higher priced, supposedly higher end knives. I tried carrying the "higher end" ones but I always came back to my roots. Now, (and for a quite a while now) I just carry one of my 110's. I have no interest in carrying anything else. The Buck knives are very well made, if you do have a problem, the company will take of you. What more can you ask for?
Bob

 

[SOLEIL]

That's a good fix, but you shouldn't have to do that. Imagine if Buck advertised, "our knives are great, but because our qc sucks so you're gonna have to adjust the knife yourself to get it working right."

Now don't get me wrong, I love Buck knives. However their Vantage line is really hit or miss.

Nothing is perfect. If you don't have the skills or tools for easy fixes then send it back in. They will take care of it. And as stated, I have done this with all the best known and popular brands.

 

[Planetcat]

I recently went "back to Buck" after my Bladeforums OCD blade steel phase. I think you would be hard pressed to find a better made, quality knife that can go head to head for the same price. They come razor sharp out of the box, folders lock up solid, and the heat treat on the steel makes it a durable blade. Try a 110 or Vantage. They are great knives for the price.