What makes a Buck a Buck?

[Happy Hippo]

I collect Remington-Buck knives. I have all of them except three. There are about 60, including gift tins. I consider them Buck knives. They are labelled with the factory address and have the usual Buck warranty. Buck had the licensing agreement in about the 2017 to 2020 time frame. But I can see why people would not consider them Buck knives, since Remington is stamped on them. The Remington Bullet knives were made for 3 years at the Buck Idaho factory. I wonder if the Remington experience was a good memory for the Buck family. I suspect not, since it isn't talked about too much and it didn't last that long. CJ did mention in a BCCI newsletter that he was going to try a Remington rifle on a hunting trip, due to the connections they had. I feel that the Remington era is part of the Buck knife history. Maybe I should make a display with all my knives and freak everyone out at a knife show. Are Edy's and Dreyer's the same company? Yes. Are Buck and Remington Knives the same company? Yes, in 2017 to about 2020.

 

[Happy Hippo]

I don't consider SwissBuck and UltraBlade knives to be Bucks, despite both being in the catalog with model and cat. numbers.

I do, even more so than the Remington because they are in the same catalog. I think you had to have a Remington Cutlery catalog to see Remington-Buck - not 100% sure but they for sure are not in the Buck catalog.

 

[plb]

In the UltraBlade ad, it says, "No, these are not Buck Knives. But they are the knives at price points you need for many of your customers." Buck, speaking to Dealers, has several times turned to other manufacturers to fill niches that their USA made Buck catalog is lacking. This might not be popular with diehard Buck fans, but this is what Buck did back in the '60's before they were able to make slip joints and contracted with Schrade and Camillus to fill the void in their lineup. I don't really consider the early 300 series to be Buck knives, since the same knife could be had with the Camillus brand markings.

Fast forward to more recent times, Buck has been getting a large number (not percentage of models) of knives from foreign sources, mainly China, to be able to supply the demand for high value budget knives at low price points for dealers like Walmart and others.

I have many, many Buck brand knives in my collection that were not made at the Buck Factory. In all fairness, something that isn't discussed much on this forum, is that Buck has likely played a key roll in conceiving and designing many of the contract models. They have to finance, market, promote, warehouse and distribute these knives as well. Some knives are very successful and for that they should be commended. If this helps keep the doors open in Post Falls, I support this business model.

I've seen many comments about the Selkirk line and how if they were made in the US, Buck collectors would be more willing to buy them. I have a couple and think they are well-designed and well-built, regardless of being made in a Chinese factory.

I'm interested in Ruckus and Stinger models soon to be released (made in China):

 

[Buck Knives Inc.]

Lets find out.
Buck Knives Inc.

Thanks Matt.

The Remington knives that were produced and sold by Buck Knives when we partnered with Remington will be covered under the same Buck Knives Forever Warranty. The bullet knives produced during that time are stamped "Remington" not BUCK but were made in the Post Falls factory. Buck Knives does not own a factory in China but contract with them to produce knives for us with our design and specifications. If you were to ship a Remington knife that was produced during that time to Idaho we would warranty and or sharpen it. If the knife was not repairable you would receive a BUCK knife that is comparable.

When the Selkirk was originally designed and released we did not have the capability to produce that model in Post Falls and keep it to a certain price point. The 104 Camp knife is a great example of what a similar model made in the Post Falls would cost.

 

[Lesknife]

My opinion might be a bit harsh for some but I’m a craftsman and have designed and manufactured some various goods over the years both professionally and for personal use . If my name is on it or attached in some manner then I can stand by it.

My thoughts are that to be an honest Buck knife it should be designed and manufactured by Buck in their factory with their standards and oversight to quality and service. If it has been contracted out to another manufacturer by the standards and exact specifications to the Buck design and materials just the same as if it were made in Bucks factory to be branded with the Buck logo then I think it passes to be called a Buck.

If the knives are contracted and produced by another manufacturer that doesn’t adhere to Bucks standards , specifications and materials even if it is a Buck design I don’t consider it to be a Buck just because it has Buck on it. That would be no different than a knock off fake made by who knows. I’ve seen some knives in the big stores that are imported and have Buck on it and look similar to a Buck design but the steel is some odd stuff that doesn’t have any known specifications to the heat treatment or processing. I also notice the fit and finish is more crude like mass production instead of hand finished. These absolutely disgust me and I think it is bad for the brand name. I know I wouldn’t want my name on it.

 

[GPyro]

The Remington knives that were produced and sold by Buck Knives when we partnered with Remington will be covered under the same Buck Knives Forever Warranty. The bullet knives produced during that time are stamped "Remington" not BUCK but were made in the Post Falls factory. Buck Knives does not own a factory in China but contract with them to produce knives for us with our design and specifications. If you were to ship a Remington knife that was produced during that time to Idaho we would warranty and or sharpen it. If the knife was not repairable you would receive a BUCK knife that is comparable.

When the Selkirk was originally designed and released we did not have the capability to produce that model in Post Falls and keep it to a certain price point. The 104 Camp knife is a great example of what a similar model made in the Post Falls would cost.

Thanks Matt!

 

[Happy Hippo]

The Remington knives that were produced and sold by Buck Knives when we partnered with Remington will be covered under the same Buck Knives Forever Warranty. The bullet knives produced during that time are stamped "Remington" not BUCK but were made in the Post Falls factory. Buck Knives does not own a factory in China but contract with them to produce knives for us with our design and specifications. If you were to ship a Remington knife that was produced during that time to Idaho we would warranty and or sharpen it. If the knife was not repairable you would receive a BUCK knife that is comparable.

When the Selkirk was originally designed and released we did not have the capability to produce that model in Post Falls and keep it to a certain price point. The 104 Camp knife is a great example of what a similar model made in the Post Falls would cost.

I love it when someone in the know makes the definitive comment and ends all the speculation I like anything Buck and so I started to collect the Remington-Buck ones as well. One reason is that they are not that expensive now and relatively easy to find.