What the Buck is This??

Will Power

Will Power

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
33,576
Today I got from the postman(girl actually) a Buck Alpha Hunter with Rosewood handles. The knife I am very impressed with:opening action,superb lock-up,a weighty character too. I got this from a reputable e-bayer as I live in the EU and Buck knives are scarcer here(WHY since the dollar has such a favourable exchange with sterling and the euro???). Problem is the knife arrived in its box and wrapping,sheath etc but I saw that the varnish or lacquer on one handle was already chipped and flaking. Rubbing a light fingernail on this tore off the rest of the varnish, on the other side the same thing! SURELY this finish should be more durable than rubbing off with thumb-nail?? I don't think this should be the case or should it be sold on like this or?

Thing is, it is a risk and drag to return it to the seller, takes time,costs and I've paid for it worse luck. What to do? Would the Buck knife moderator care to comment? Also one of the scales moves a bit,again surely not? I don't have a torx key to tighten it or take it off and I feel a brand new knife should not require this anyway.

How can I or should I try to re varnish this as I want to use it outdoors? I'm rather annoyed by this as otherwise it WOULD be an American knife to be proud to own. Any others had the same trouble? Any suggestions? :grumpy:
 
Could you post a pic?

It sucks to have a problem with a new knife. Rather than return it, perhaps the seller would be willing to give you some money back since it is damaged? You could also get replacement scales for it.
 
Hi willgoy,
Sorry to hear about the condition of you new Alpha. If I were you; I'd contact the ebay seller and let them know about this issue and ask for them to provide you with a replacement. I know that Buck will do what they can for you Via warranty work....But...shipping cost and time bloody suck mate. Can you post a photo for all of us at the Buck forum to see? I have a few Buck Alphas and all of the handle material is tops with no issues.

jb4570
 
Pix I'm crap with..have to ask my girl-friend she does that. As I'm in the EU I don't want to get involved with posting back stuff(WHY CAN'T SELLERS CHECK FIRST?OR BUCK control the quality more tightly?)

New scales could very well be the answer, good idea thanks! Such a good knife otherwise,ruined by negligence, fume!
 
willgoy said:
Today I got from the postman(girl actually) a Buck Alpha Hunter with Rosewood handles. The knife I am very impressed with:opening action,superb lock-up,a weighty character too. I got this from a reputable e-bayer as I live in the EU and Buck knives are scarcer here(WHY since the dollar has such a favourable exchange with sterling and the euro???). Problem is the knife arrived in its box and wrapping,sheath etc but I saw that the varnish or lacquer on one handle was already chipped and flaking. Rubbing a light fingernail on this tore off the rest of the varnish, on the other side the same thing! SURELY this finish should be more durable than rubbing off with thumb-nail?? I don't think this should be the case or should it be sold on like this or?

Thing is, it is a risk and drag to return it to the seller, takes time,costs and I've paid for it worse luck. What to do? Would the Buck knife moderator care to comment? Also one of the scales moves a bit,again surely not? I don't have a torx key to tighten it or take it off and I feel a brand new knife should not require this anyway.

How can I or should I try to re varnish this as I want to use it outdoors? I'm rather annoyed by this as otherwise it WOULD be an American knife to be proud to own. Any others had the same trouble? Any suggestions? :grumpy:
Click to expand...

...Hi willgoy and welcome to the Buck forum...It would be kinda hard to take a shot at Buck when you bought the knife from an "e-bayer" and it's always possible that the knife was used even if slightly...I have a few of the Alpha Hunters with the Rosewood and the "varnish" finish and in all honesty I have actually taken the "varnish" off myself and hand rubbed the scales with linseed oil and a cotton cloth...I like it much better than the finish it came with. As for the looseness of the scale or scales...They are made to be removed or replaced with the torx drivers and replacement scales made of rubber for a more secure grip are available on that "Bay" place and possibly even from Buck. That's a great knife and I would invest in the torx driver to either "tinker" with the scales or maybe you'll want to replace 'em one day...Enjoy yer Alpha Hunter...:D :cool:
 
willgoy said:
Pix I'm crap with..have to ask my girl-friend she does that. As I'm in the EU I don't want to get involved with posting back stuff(WHY CAN'T SELLERS CHECK FIRST?OR BUCK control the quality more tightly?)

New scales could very well be the answer, good idea thanks! Such a good knife otherwise,ruined by negligence, fume!
Click to expand...

I wonder if the seller replaced those handles with some home made items. The handles on stock Alpha's are resin impregnated and almost like plastic....this stuff is tuff. I've never heard of the coating flaking:confused: .
we need to see a photo.

Thanks
jb4570
 
jb4570 said:
I wonder if the seller replaced those handles with some home made items. The handles on stock Alpha's are resin impregnated and almost like plastic....this stuff is tuff. I've never heard of the coating flaking:confused: .
we need to see a photo.

Thanks
jb4570
Click to expand...

...Good point JB...That shiny finish took quite a bit of sanding to remove and it sure wasn't about to flake off...I'm never surprized by anything I get from that "Bay" joint and and always expect to have to "tinker" a bit to bring 'em up to "snuff"...
 
I remember seeing a folding Alpha on the evil E a few weeks ago from the desert southwest. The seller said he found if outside and the scales were weathered from the desert sun. It looked new other than that. Could it be the same knife paired with a box re-sold as new??
 
mmmh I know what you think of excrement-bay but largely I've found it to be good. You are lucky in the US that you have a vast choice,here in Scandinavia e-bay is the only way of buying American knives.

The seller in N.Carolina had a near 100% feedback score, the knife does not appear used,it's all shiny and very sharp,no scratches,came in the box with papers manuf Jully 06. but 2 minutes of finger nail scratching took off nearly all the varnish! It actually does look better in matte so I might just linseed it.The other scale is partly de-scratched, I'll leave it for now.The torx screws are in no way chewed so it doesn't look like the scales have been changed. Like I say, the knife is otherwise mint and a very good handler indeed,really LIKE it just like I am very keen on its little sibling the Alpha dorado also a fine knife,excellent size and feel. Still think Buck could offer me a deal on the scales though, a lot of my friends have been asking after the knife,don't want to show it to them like this, could raise prejudice!
 
willgoy said:
The seller in N.Carolina had a near 100% feedback score, the knife does not appear used,it's all shiny and very sharp,no scratches,came in the box with papers manuf Jully 06. but 2 minutes of finger nail scratching took off nearly all the varnish! It actually does look better in matte so I might just linseed it.The other scale is partly de-scratched, I'll leave it for now.The torx screws are in no way chewed so it doesn't look like the scales have been changed. Like I say, the knife is otherwise mint and a very good handler indeed,really LIKE it just like I am very keen on its little sibling the Alpha dorado also a fine knife,excellent size and feel. Still think Buck could offer me a deal on the scales though, a lot of my friends have been asking after the knife,don't want to show it to them like this, could raise prejudice!
Click to expand...

Near 100% feedback doesn't constitute a new knife. If you bought it off Ebay it is/could be used.
IF you had bought it from a buck retailer then it would be new.
Maybe the guy you bought it from never did cut anything with the knife BUT, refinished it or coated the scales with something??? Maybe it layed in water in his tackle box for a month but never cut anything? I have, well, a few Bucks, and have never seen or heard of this sort of thing on a "new" Buck knife. Just my .02 of course :D
The seller did something is my guess... Bucks finish on their handles is darn near bullet proof :D
 
Sold as new and this is a knife&hunting outfit with more on sale.

As I say, there are NO Buck dealers in my country so the poo-bay is what I'm forced to use,otherwise no knives!

On waking up this the morning THE WOLE BUSINESS REALLY ANNOYS ME!!
I will never buy a knife again! (that might last a day)

How much do new scales cost from Buck sigh!
 
willgoy said:
Sold as new and this is a knife&hunting outfit with more on sale.
Click to expand...


Could you please email me or post a link to the auction # that you won? :D

You have to be VERY careful on Feebay, people can sell anything they want AS NEW OR NEW (if someone were dishonest) ! That doesnt make it new though...
Better email the seller before blaming Buck! Good luck.


http://www.buckknives.com/catalog/detail/479/223 - this is the best I could do for now. I have not found the rosewood replacement grips yet though. Hope this helps.
 
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21463_IMG0323.jpg.html

21464_IMG0329.jpg.html


Er, first attempt at posting pix so be patient...
Both scales were varnished, on the left side one or two scufs very smallI was then able to strip the scale using my thumbnail in 2 mins.
Other side I have begun to scratch it off again only using my thumb.
the knife has no scuffs or scratches on the metal, blade is A1 it came with its box,paper wrapping,Buck guarantee and un used leather sheath ,manufactured July 2006

What varnish should I use to repair the scales? Looks OK in matte though...Otherwise the knife is excellent.
 
Willgoy: Thanks for posting the link to your picture. Now I see what you are dealing with. The scales are definately not up to par.

I can't speak for Buck, but you may want to ask if they would be willing to send you a set of replacement scales. Explain your plight and see what happens.
 
Messersmith said:
Willgoy: Thanks for posting the link to your picture. Now I see what you are dealing with. The scales are definately not up to par.

I can't speak for Buck, but you may want to ask if they would be willing to send you a set of replacement scales. Explain your plight and see what happens.
Click to expand...

What Messy said.
That blows. :barf:
 
That does look crappy but given the difficulty of sending the knife back I would consider talking matters into your own hands and fixing it yourself. I don’t know what the sellers story was but that knife is not new or even like new. It is actually a really good thing that you can take the scales off cause they will be much easier to refinish if they are removed from the knife. The wood looks really nice under the bad finish so get a sheet of medium weight wet/dry sandpaper and a sheet of fine grain wet/dry. Take the old finish off with the medium weight and smooth it out with the fine. Once you have the old finish off and have the scales nice and smooth you have lots of options to refinish the wood. If you want a high gloss and you want to do it simply go to a hobby shop and get a can of clear spray lacquer. Be sure to do the underside first so you do the exposed side last. Lacquer appears to dry quickly but let it stand over night if you want to be sure to avoid finger prints. Good luck. Let us see how you make out.
 
...I'd have to agree with Will and reinterate what Buckaholic said...I couldn't get mine to scratch off like that when I wanted it to...Work it over like Will said going to finer grits of paper...I ended up with 1500 grit wet/dry and finished with 0000 steel wool...It loved the linseed oil...
 
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