What's the proper sheath for this 124

Looking at JB's four sheath types, it makes me wonder why the changes. Buck stuck with the flapover as the standard issue sheath into the 80.

Why was the flapover dropped in favor of the swing?
Why was the swing sheath dropped in favor of the snoopy?

To me the snoopy would be the sturdiest sheath of the three but I would be interested in everyone's thoughts on why the rapid transition from flapover to snoopy.

The obvious is each succeeding sheath was producable at a lower cost. But I suspect Buck was tinkering with its flagship fixed blade.
 
Flatlander1963 said:
Looking at JB's four sheath types, it makes me wonder why the changes. Buck stuck with the flapover as the standard issue sheath into the 80.

Why was the flapover dropped in favor of the swing?
Why was the swing sheath dropped in favor of the snoopy?

To me the snoopy would be the sturdiest sheath of the three but I would be interested in everyone's thoughts on why the rapid transition from flapover to snoopy.

The obvious is each succeeding sheath was producable at a lower cost. But I suspect Buck was tinkering with its flagship fixed blade.
Click to expand...

It is just speculation on my part but I suspect that the 124 flapover sheath was abandoned early because of its horrendous bulk. As I said above, it really should have had a trailer hitch rather than a belt loop. Thus the transition to the much more manageable swing sheath. Looking at the snoopy, I suspect that it is a much easier sheath to produce as opposed to the swing sheath.

Telechronos:):):)
 
Flatlander1963 said:
Maybe this is the one you need Dave.
124sheath2.jpg

124sheath2a.jpg
Click to expand...

I just scored a good one. :thumbup: My best friend of over 50 years was here yesterday for a visit and I showed him a couple of my 124's including the Buckarta one. He told me that he was pretty sure he had one of them just like it in his motorhome that he had been using fror trimming meat and other minor uses.

Well, tonight he showed up and made me a gift of it! It is in fact the Buckarta model and it and the swivel sheath (like the picture above) looks almost new. I'm stoked to have it just pop up out of no where almost.:D
 
Its funny how things like that happen in life somethimes ain't it? Sounds like he is a great friend Dave!!! :D Now where's the pics??? ;)
 
Flatlander1963 said:
Tele,

I believe that sheath is slightly short for your 70's knife...see the blade above the sheath? Wasn't this sheath made for the current 124 LE models that are a hair more diminutive when compared to your knife (IMHO).
Click to expand...

Recalling this post, I was just looking at an old 1964 119 and noted that the same issue existed for it. I really think that in looking through my entire collection, (admittedly mostly older BUCKS) that the blade shows in probably 50% of the collection.

IMG_1533a.jpg


Telechronos:):):)
 
I noticed the difference in 119 lengths also. Here's a couple laid on top of each other to illustrate that.

119bladelengths.jpg
 
I just went back and took a good hard look at the older 124's again. The top one is the one that came with the swivel sheath and was given to me by my friend. The bottom one is the one I was originally asking about.

The upper one's blade is 3/8" longer than the other one and is a wider knife overall. More belly to the blade and a wider handle. There's also a marked difference in the guard as you can see. The difference's make me believe that the lower one is older because the guard shape and overall size of the upper one is just about the same as my newer ones with the wood handles. What do you think?

Buckarta124sa.jpg


Buckarta124sb.jpg
 
Great pictures, Plum. Seems like everything is bigger on the top one even the handle.
 
Thanks for the picture of those two 124's.
I am surprised that the smaller knife was done in micarta.
I was of the opinion that all the smaller knives had rosewood handles or were recent LE's.

VERY VERY Interesting!!! The one I just bought is the same as the upper knife.

I'm really looking forward to Tele and JB's thoughts.
 
Same here. I think the lower one is older but that's just a guess. I'm going by the size of the newer ones being almost identical to the top one, plus the more "modern" ones have the same design and shape guard.

Per Flatlanders request, here's pictures of another Robert Jones sheath.

124b-1.jpg


124a-2.jpg
 
Last edited:
Plumberdv said:
Buckarta124sa.jpg
Click to expand...

Look at the difference in the lower knife's ricasso. This knife has significant differences. The rosewood knife is the same as the upper knife. Hummhhh.

I'm wondering if that's a stray dog that snuck into The PlummerDave Show Kennel?
 
Last edited:
Yeah, it has me confused.:confused: I've been going back through the old catalogs looking at the pictures of the 124's and I haven't found one that looks like it. I haven't made it through all of them, but I went back until I got to the Nemos and saw nothing.
 
I've been looking at both knives with some care. I can only give my suspicions nothing definitve.

First there are some other differences.

The ricasso or choil on the bottom knife is wider than any of my older ones. I find such a wide choil on a Klinkhammer 124, the chipflint 124 and on an LE stag 124----all later knives. which might indicate that the bottom knife is newer than the top knife. The slimmer handle also is common to the Pakawood knives which began in December 1982, but----mine don't have the wide choil.

Finally, I note that the pictures show that the stamp is slightly different. The BUCK on the bottom one is slightly wider than the top one and the USA is slightly shifted from one to the other. What this means?????????????:confused::confused::confused:

The tapered guard may well be a function of finish work. I find a couple of my knives have some taper on them but it is not consistent with any manufacturing period after the guards went from stainless to aluminum.

Telechronos:):):)
 
I gave mine a close examination as well . My models span 20yrs. a 1973, 83 and 93 . The 83 and 93 look close to Dave's upper one . Whereas, my 73 looks close to the lower one . A bit more narrow handle, blade and guard the others much larger in this area . The grind lines are more softer on the 73 as well . But I'll agree with Tele on the tapered guard . I've seen very few of those . Also, all of mine have the same looking ricasso which looks close to Dave's upper knife . This is muy interesante . DM
 
Last edited:
OK, let's throw this one in the mix. It's my stag Limited Edition, I don't recall the year it was made but it's was no more than three years ago IIRC. The blade shape is much more like the wood handled ones and the upper micarta one.

124Staga.jpg


124stagb.jpg
 
We need to see a side by side (centered on the guard) of all four Dave.
Sorry to put you to work but....
 
Plumberdv, Do you have some sort of setup where you take pictures. Also what type of camera do you use.
 
Hi All,

Wish I had an answer for you on this; but, I don't. Maybe Jerry knows the answer!

I only have one of the "Buckarta" micarta handled 124's with the slim style handle. I see them from time to time on ebay and they always are the ones with no lanyard hole, for what that is worth. I have never noticed the thinned out guard before (something new to look for).

My guess: thinned out handle, thinned out guard, shorter blade......a beat up 124 sent for a spa treatment?????? Could be, who knows for sure. As stated above "Very interesting"!
jb4570
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top