When one gets away..

[bucksway]

I collect rare odd 112's and one of the rarest is the BG42 upgrade Buck did back around 2002. Joe had the shop make up about 200 blades that had a etch instead of a stamp and the cost was $35.00 and Buck kept the blade of the 112 you sent in. I've seen just one for sale back in 2007 but I didn't know then just how rare it was. Now I realize that the folks who did send in a 112 for the upgrade were most likely real Buck fans or collectors and for the most part they are gone into oblivion lol! One popped up and I had the only bid for 6 days. ...While I was sleeping a last minute snipe came in over my top bid..Gone. .This Uber rare BG42 blade was put in a 422 by the seller 15 year's ago along with a 426 (not sold no bids ) I truly hope that someday I find one or even just a blade for Leroy to work with but since I didn't win it I sure hope a fellow collector did and not a reseller. .BUT I still have the thrill of the hunt now for this rare 112.It won't get away the next time!

 

[pjsjr]

Clint is this what you are talking about? It was a few years ago, maybe ten, I read on this forum of Buck doing 112 re-blades with BG-42. I sent in an older, not well cared for 112, for the blade replacement. Then a few years later sent it to Leroy to re-handle and put finger grooves. I haven't used it much but, like the wood and FGs. Preston

 

[bucksway]

Yep, that's one of them. Back then BG42 was THE premium steel as there just was not the choices we have now. It was a big deal to have a knife with it. The Master Series were all made with it and the first 500 of all the Striders were too. Folks really sought out any model made with it especially for users. A high percentage of Custom Shop 110's were ordered with BG42. Joe was really active on the forum along with Mr Hubbard and I think Buck took notice of the intrest in it. They were not stamped like the 110 and to avoid having to go thru heat treatment twice Joe had the etch done instead of the stamp. You have a nice bit of Bucks history in that 112. That's why I have looked for one since 2006. It's one of the few 112's of note in the model's history. When you collect rare, odd 112's it's a must have! For the longest time I looked at the back of the tang of every 112 I seen listed till I realized they were only had a anvil stamp. I looked at all of the true custom shop 112's in the hope that maybe a few were ordered with it since you could have most anything in those days. .In a way I'm glad I didn't get it since finding one in a Bucklite is in itself a super rare find and it would be a small sin to rip the blade out to put in another frame. I had not decided what to do with it if I did win it. .I do have a 422 with a 112 blade in my collection and it would have been nice to display it along with it. In a way it's like trophy hunting searching for a rare Buck..You see one and blow the shot but it's nice to know it's still out there!

 

[VorpalRain]

They were not stamped like the 110 and to avoid having to go thru heat treatment twice Joe had the etch done instead of the stamp.

Can you explain about heat treat? Would the second heat treat re-soften the steel to allow them to stamp it again?

I'm having trouble with how that would work. Would the first stamp and nail nick survive the second heat treat undamaged?

Or would all of it have to be done over?

 

[D-RIG]

I've had that happen and one gets away , but this one did not .
I did make the mistake of selling a Buck 112 with BG-42 one time
it was a good looking one to with black carbon fiber handles . Enjoy .

 

[Joe58]

I’m curious if my 560 was during this time. Although I seem to think it was earlier than 2002 that I sent it in for the upgrade. Really do like the Buck BG-42 steel. I should have done a couple other Buck’s at the same time. Hindsight right?

 

[pjsjr]

I’m curious if my 560 was during this time.

IIRC, 110 blades with BG-42 were offered in the 'custom shop'. Lots of folks on the forum at that time were crying for BG-42 for the 112, but, it wasn't offered in the CS at the time. I think Joe and or Jeff took pity on us and had the 112 blades done and informed the forum members of it's availability. Preston

 

[bucksway]

Aha.. D-rig that is a crown jewel of any 112 collection. .Is it pukka shell handles? Definitely one of the best custom 112's I've ever seen. Super rare blade AND rare handle too. .Particularly in a nickel silver frame. It was like it was all meant to be together. Preston BG42 for a 112 was never a option in the Custom Shop in the recent era or in the brief window in 2008. I have never seen or heard of BG42 being a option or put in any 112 in the first era either. It just might have been possible. The only blades that were ever produced that I know of was this upgrade program in 2002. And from reading old thread's from that time period Buck sold out very quickly too. 200 blades ever made. .No wonder that they are truly rare and offered for sale. That's why I consider it a trophy quest for 112 collectors.

 

[pjsjr]

I edited my post, hope it reads correct now. I didn't mean to give the impression that the 112 was offered in the custom shop at that time, it was not. The CS had BG-42 blades for custom 110s or you could send a 110 in and get the blade replaced with a BG-42 blade. I did that with this one, and again sent it to Leroy for finger grooves. Preston

 

[bucksway]

I always liked the BG42 and custom tang stamp on the 110's like yours Preston. How do you like the steel for your EDC use ? I've never had a BG42 knife of any kind . Some day I WILL find a 112 with it but knowing myself I will fondle it for many days and then slip it into my display case. ..

 

[pjsjr]

Clint, I haven't used either one for anything more than cleaning some trout, camp chores, meal prep, opening mail/boxes and breaking down the boxes. Neither has needed more than the Sharpmaker or a steel to bring the edge back. I've taken the 110 to elk camp for several years along with some others, to no avail. Preston

 

[bucksway]

I've always thought that for the way I use a knife that good ol 420, done by Buck, will do just fine. .But I'm still going to hunt the BG42 112. ..The biggest trophy in the 112 herd. .

 

[Jeff O]

I wish buck would offer bg42 in the custom shop again. At least for a limited time.