Why are Buck’s USA Knives so Inexpensive?

SharpieB

SharpieB

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Oct 31, 2017
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i am relatively new to buying good knives buy have amassed quite a good collection of Spydercos, Benchmades, ZTs, ESEE, etc. Also a couple of customs.

I recently started looking into adding a few Bucks as I always enjoyed my old 110 that I bought as a teenager. In the last couple of weeks, I have bought 6 USA Bucks (low end Bantam to midrange 102/103/119, etc.) and I didn’t pay more than $50 for any of them and most were under $30. I think the bantam was $15.

So why are Buck’s USA knives so cheap? Pretty amazing to be able to buy a tried and true USA Made fixed blade like a 103 or 119 (as an example) for about 1/4 the cost of one of my ESEEs or other USA Made blades. Not exactly apples to apples, but we aren’t talking about Buck using crappy materials and steels and others use super high end materials to justify a huge price difference. This just isn’t the case.

What am I missing? P.s. I’m not complaining. ;)
 
When I started to buy knives again (last year), the first couple I bought were budget Bucks. The place I bought them had combo packs with a small knife as well as a smaller one with an impressive clearout price. They were cheap, but not too bad. However, it was when I got my Vantage Select small and large that Buck's quality really shone through. They now share rotation duties with knives that cost significantly more and are not at all out of place.
 
my assumptipn is they have a volume model. more made and sold the cheaper the price points need to be. eventually in enough volume you cover your fixed costs and variable fixed costs......the overhead and it starts to pay off. problem is once volume falls off it wont work anymore.

buck also does a great job of quality materials but not going too crazy for a working knife.

lastly the bulk of bucks market is working folks, hunters etc. have to hit certain price points to get them not to switch to a cheaper brand. so imagine that goal is in their business model. im just speculating though. only buck can answer that question accurately.

im just glad it seems to work. as i like that i can afford to buy more of them.:)
 
Buck USA knives might be "inexpensive", but they are not "cheap". There is a difference. :)
(Their offshore made traditional knives, like the 373, 371, and 389, are not "cheap", either.)
I don't know why those other brands you mention charge so much more for their products - or why so many people are willing to pay their high prices. "Bragging Rights" maybe? Or, maybe they buy into the "you can't get a decent knife unless you spend $100 (or considerably more)" mentality?
I only know Buck makes a product that works in real world situations, and they have the best warranty out there, for a fair and reasonable price.
Personally, I can't see spending more ... even if my budget/income allowed me to.
 
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I've been buying 110's since the 1980's and I've paid less and less for them. First one was $35 the last was $27. And that's not factoring in inflation.

They are a good company that has solid products and has figured out how to do things cheaper and faster to keep costs down, all while keeping quality high.

Amazing success story.
 
I think Buck has from the very first has been devoted to give good value for money received and because there growth and management decisions were wise can do it now. Lots of other companies were frankly not led by Godly leadership that I personally think made a great difference for Buck. You can get some very high grade , high quality expensive knifes from Buck if you want them...
 
Business decisions almost never have anything to do with god. Bucks certainly don't. They have to do with moving factories offshore.
 
They have been moving most of production back to USA. I can't remember the percentage but if I remember right 70 percent is USA made and growing.
 
Nanci Brum, 62, of Post Falls, works in the heat treat department at Buck Knives in Post Falls on Wednesday, May 20, 2009. Buck Knives launched an initiative called the “American Commitment,” with the primary focus on making as many knives as possible in the Post Falls plant and reducing offshore outsourcing, which at its peak totaled half of all knives. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review
 
The ‘god almighty dollar’ leadership.
I like Buck knives. I’m glad they are around to make good quality knives for under $50. I never seen or read anything on this Bladeforums to change that. Just a lot of personal preferences.
Just read the article on ‘Lean Maunfacturing’. The boss at Gibson Guitars should read it.
 
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Best bang for the buck out there! Yes, the pun was intended. Been buying, using, and recommending Buck Knives since at least 1973 (I've forgotten exactly when I got my first one) - haven't had a reason to change that since. I'm no exclusive "fan boy" either, as I like other brands too, but it is doggone hard to beat the value a Buck Knife represents. OH
 
Jammer Six,

That is a very uninformed and somewhat trollish sounding statement.


Every Buck knife comes with a statement that God runs their company and includes quote of John 3:16. Further they supply perfectly good blem knives for christian missionaries to give to the people they are trying to reach to help them in their lives.
Also, I believe 90% of Bucks are USA made.
 
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imafritz said:
Jammer Six,

That is a very uninformed and somewhat trollish sounding statement.


Every Buck knife comes with a statement that God runs their company and includes quote of John 3:16. Further they supply perfectly good blem knives for christian missionaries to give to the people they are trying to reach to help them in their lives.
Also, I believe 90% of Bucks are USA made.
Click to expand...
I’m a practicing catholic, but the Buck stuff above is a little over the top IMO.

Their giving to the missionaries is cool, but... I’ll stop there. :)
 
It doesn't really matter what we believe. They believe it and use it and it has clearly worked well for them. I have always respected their willingness to put it out there. And that is one of many reasons I keep coming back.
 
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I was only rebutting the idea that Buck does not include God in the decision making. You certainly have the right to your opinion on the matter, just as Buck has theirs.
 
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