what makes this a prototype??

[Plumberdv]

I've asked the seller, but haven't received a reply. Looks just like one I have, so a prototype??

Listing:
BUCK LOCK-BACK SLIM-LINE FOLDING HUNTER PROTOTYPE KNIFE, NEVER RELEASED ON THE MARKET, BLADE IS MARKED "BUCK 531X U.S.A. PAT PEND"

 

[imafritz]

My guess is misinformation. The X I'd say is a 1990 code and the 1st time Bucklocks show up is 1991. Just an early made 531 and because it says patent pending, the seller figgers prototype. Look at all the 184s that have patent pending on the tang, they arent prototypes. Just my guess of course.

 

[postfallsidaho]

My guess is misinformation. The X I'd say is a 1990 code and the 1st time Bucklocks show up is 1991. Just an early made 531 and because it says patent pending, the seller figgers prototype. Look at all the 184s that have patent pending on the tang, they arent prototypes. Just my guess of course.

Thats my guess also

 

[110 Dave]

normally i would so say so ...mostly i like others have kind of given up correcting miss-info..
my experience- if it is honest mistake and
he is sent correct info he would change it
however if some one sent him correct information
and he dont change it
then that seller is jest .. well misrepresenting to get higher bids ...

 

[imafritz]

I saw this on a popular auction site with this write up

This 4 3/8" Buck USA BuckLocker mint in the box 1991 knife has not been used and carried. It is catalog number 1203 and has filework on the liners.

check the tang-must be a prototype

only difference is 1991 date stamp-and being a 532 of course

 

[Scott Hartman]

My guess is misinformation. The X I'd say is a 1990 code and the 1st time Bucklocks show up is 1991. Just an early made 531 and because it says patent pending, the seller figgers prototype. Look at all the 184s that have patent pending on the tang, they arent prototypes. Just my guess of course.

These first 531s & 532s had the "patent pending", because Buck had moved away from the Sawby style lock on these models. The Sawby's failed the "spine-wack" test, so Buck developed the mid-lock frame...and the patent was pending as they hit the market. This info is from memory, and could contain errors

 

[Plumberdv]

The seller finally responded and said that he had bought a small collection a few years ago and had been told that the knife was a prototype that never went into production. He never researched it himself and just went with what he had been told.

If it doesn't sell for the $160 delivered, BIN only price, it will be interesting to see how he relists it (if he does). I did show him a new one I picked up yesterday just like it for $70.

 

[imafritz]

The seller finally responded and said that he had bought a small collection a few years ago and had been told that the knife was a prototype that never went into production. He never researched it himself and just went with what he had been told.

If it doesn't sell for the $160 delivered, BIN only price, it will be interesting to see how he relists it (if he does). I did show him a new one I picked up yesterday just like it for $70.

yeah but was yours a prototype?

 

[Bill Keys]

Nope, not a prototype. Most Buck prototypes will have some unique feature(s) or be missing some very specific things; i.e. no model number, or if it is only, an etched model number,as when we introduced the original 181 Odyssey, electro etched the model number on the SHOT Show samples, but we also put two small dots on the bottom of the hilt area- the blades were made from 420HC while the actual production knives were ATS34. As i have a number of prototypes and samples from the projects I have done, I can say there is usually somehting unusual looking about the prototypes that will identify them as such- hey, sometimes they even look like cheap Chinese knockoffs- but those are the real rough protos.

Bill Keys
Director of Manufacturing & Engineering
Buck Knives, Inc

 

[Plumberdv]

Nope, not a prototype. Most Buck prototypes will have some unique feature(s) or be missing some very specific things; i.e. no model number, or if it is only, an etched model number,as when we introduced the original 181 Odyssey, electro etched the model number on the SHOT Show samples, but we also put two small dots on the bottom of the hilt area- the blades were made from 420HC while the actual production knives were ATS34. As i have a number of prototypes and samples from the projects I have done, I can say there is usually somehting unusual looking about the prototypes that will identify them as such- hey, sometimes they even look like cheap Chinese knockoffs- but those are the real rough protos.

Bill Keys
Director of Manufacturing & Engineering
Buck Knives, Inc

Thanks Bill, I've sent a copy of your post to the seller in case he doesn't believe me.

 

[110 Dave]

well there you have it-
if he changes the listing
he is honest if not
then he is not and looking for a kuick buck