When did 120 General production cease?

G

geothorn

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I think that everyone has heard that the Buck 120 General has been "discontinued." However, because of a thread from a couple of weeks ago, including photos, it appears that the Buck 120 is still being produced. The photo of the Buck 120 box, bought on Ebay, has a date stamp of 10-13-05. That appears to indicate that although the Buck 120 has been "discontinued," it's still being produced, perhaps for special orders. When the BuckTool was "discontinued," it also meant that production ceased, completely.

What does "discontinued," in the case of a Buck 120 General, mean? I don't want to be buying a current production knife, for a premium price, just because the retailers/resellers are all touting that it's a "discontinued" Buck item.

GeoThorn
 
Ok. Well, if, after six days, no one refutes what you're saying, then it must be true. So, I guess that what "discontinued" means, in the case of the Buck 120 General, is that Buck is no longer producing them for sale to their customers, directly, however, Buck is still producing 120 Generals for resellers like Cabella's.

"Discontinued" seems the wrong word to use for the 120 General. I believe that if you're paying a premium price for a so-called "discontinued" Buck knife, like the 120 General, you're getting ripped-off, because it is apparently still a current production knife.

Are any other so-called "discontinued" Buck knives still currently being produced...?

GeoThorn
 
The 120 is a discontinued knife,but is produced in limited numbers on special runs,like the "Pro-Line" at Cabelas. You will also find them with various handle types being produced on a limited basis, like with cocabola wood. There are limited-number projects like Harold Klinkhamer's 100 series set, where the 116, 120 and 124 are Custom made.
In the March 2005 Buck Collectors Club news letter, Joe Houser had the "Special Projects List 2004". On that list were 4 different types of 120's that were made, in very limited numbers.
Discontinued doesn't mean "never to be produced again", just dropped from regular production. I wouldn't feel "ripped-off" if I were you, you bought a knife you liked and wanted.
 
In the other thread, post #19, I posed Mr. Houser this question 'Mr. Houser, could I get a list of retail stores for whom Buck is still producing model 120s? I'd like to buy one, since they apparently aren't actually "discontinued."' So far, he hasn't answered.

Are Buck 120 Generals only available through online stores like Cabella's? That's a shame because I don't buy anything online. Because Buck 120 Generals are supposedly "discontinued," what are the chances that I'll be paying more than the retail price for one? That's why I'd feel ripped-off. I shouldn't have to be paying a premium price, that is, more than the retail price, for a current production knife that's been declared "discontinued."

GeoThorn
 
Here's what I would do. Look at the Cabela's price and use that as a price guide. I wouldn't pay a premium for a "collector's" item that's still available new retail.

I don't know what you have against buying online, but you won't go wrong with Cabela's. You can place your order over the phone or by mail if you have concerns about security. There are also real-life Cabela's stores too.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
Thanks Bob W., for your helpful reply.

The closest Cabela's store is 200 miles away from me, so it's really too far to drive just to buy a knife.

Does anyone perhaps remember what they paid for a Buck 120 General, in a retail store, back before they were "discontinued?" Cabela's charges $54.99 for them, and, on top of that, there'll be a $8.75 S&H charge. Then there's the "Buck Pro Line" etching on it....

Ah well, I guess that don't need every model of Buck knife, even if it is "current production/discontinued."

GeoThorn
 
I do recall seeing the 120 General in sporting good stores years ago, but don't recall the prices.

Still, I don't think $55 is too much - it's lower than eBay prices and lower than the msrp of the much smaller Pathfinder and Woodsman. The msrp of the Special is $71... Still, it would be nice to catch them on sale some day.

it's really too far to drive just to buy a knife.
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Sounds like the perfect distance for a leisurely motorcycle trip, in the Spring of course. :)

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
The three Buck 119 Specials that I have were purchased at approximately $34.98 apiece, or roughly half of the $71 MSRP. That's part of the reason that I was hoping to find a 120 General in a retail setting. If there were three stores that sell the 120 General, chances are that one of those three stores would have a less expensive price. If Cabela's is my only choice, I have to pay whatever price they're asking, and pay the S&H too. And what's with the "Buck Pro Line" etching? Am I paying more to have that useless text on the blade? Probably.

Oh well, I've seen Buck 120 Generals for sale at a Gun & Knife Show before, so I guess that I'll just have to keep looking....

GeoThorn
 
I recently got one from Cabelas with the ugly Pro-Line etching. :barf: Still, I'm willing to put up with it to save a few dollars over the typical ebay price.

I'd like to get a nice older one now in the 440C steel.
 
KeithAM said:
I recently got one from Cabelas with the ugly Pro-Line etching. :barf: Still, I'm willing to put up with it to save a few dollars over the typical ebay price.

I'd like to get a nice older one now in the 440C steel.
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I have one from Cabela's as well and agree with you about the etching. I picked up an early 70's 120 of ebay for about $50.

Tom
 
T Schloz said:
I have one from Cabela's as well and agree with you about the etching. I picked up an early 70's 120 of ebay for about $50.

Tom
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That's exactly what I want. I've bid on a few but haven't won one yet. I'm patiently waiting for one in the right condition for the right price. ;)
 
I bought my first General for $40 in 1990, which I ordered through my local gun shop. I bought my second last year, which was a gift for a friend, from the same gun shop. I bought it because I too, heard that it was discontinued, and I really just like the knife. The one in the display was the only one left. I paid $55, with sheath, box & papers.
 
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