Will Buck Knives collectors also collect the "Taiwan" and "China" Bucks?

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geothorn

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Hello --

Although I have nine Buck Knives, two of them being Diamondbacks, I'm not yet calling myself a "collector." I fully intend to use all of my Buck Knives, so I doubt if that would indicate that I'm "collecting" them, per se. For those of you that are confirmed Buck collectors, are you only a "USA" Buck collector, or will you start Taiwan and China branches, as well?
To me, someone who's a Buck Knives collector would also collect the imported models, too, to have examples of the overseas phase of Buck Knives. However, because I've learned in this Forum that people sometimes only collect one or two series of Buck Knives, I guess that "USA" Buck only collectors will also be out there.

Just wondering...
GeoThorn
 
Personally speaking, it would have to be one awsome knife for me to consider buying it. I'm interested in folding lockbacks generally, and 110's and 112's specifically. Although I've never made a conscious decision only to by USA made knives, it has just happended that way and I like it. My wife and I go back to the Philippines every three years to visit her family and the next time I'm taking back three 110's as gifts for my brothers-in-law. They also value USA made knives highly.
 
I'm more of an 'accumulator' than a collector, but here's my 2c anyway.

Most Buck knives are mass-produced by the thousands, or tens of thousands. I don't think there's much sense in collecting any of those. Buck knives that tend to be desireable are the customs and discontinued models. Currently, I'd consider the Chinese Bucks to be very uncollectable. If an object is sold at every Wal Mart in the country, you know there are tens-of-thousands or hundreds-of-thousands being made.

However, if Buck stops importing knives, or changes models, they may have some interest to 'accumulators' or 'collectors'. But I predict the resale value would never climb much above the original sale price. Just too darn many of them...

I'd be curious to read anyone else's thoughts on this.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
Bob W - A lot of us "collect" or "accumulate" buck knives for the fun of it and interest more than any kind of idea that we're going to make money because they go up in value. One thing that interests me is all the Buck 110's out there that have something different etched onto the blade for a promotion of one kind or the other. It's fascinating to me how many businesses over time have used them for a promotion. Going back to the foreign issue, there are hand made foreign knives that are very desireable, but I don't see Chinese or Taiwanese knives falling into that category for many reasons. :barf:
 
Bob W - A lot of us "collect" or "accumulate" buck knives for the fun of it and interest more than any kind of idea that we're going to make money because they go up in value.
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I absolutely agree and didn't mean to 'diss' anyone's accumulation or collecting habits. I have perhaps a dozen Buck knives myself. Since they are all mass-produced, I have no delusions of financial appreciation beyond keeping up with new knife prices.

-Bob
 
I guess I am more of an accumulator than a collector as I just buy what I like with the intentions of carrying it. I do have a half dozen or so "drawer queens" but they are no fun as I am afraid to use them.

I do buy foriegn made knives, but not chinese. But I don't want a Buck made anywhere but the U.S. To me, Buck means American. I don't want a Puma made anywhere but in Germany. Well, actually, I will probably not buy any more Puma's as the quality of the last two I bought was awful. But I am still impressed with Buck's quality. :)
 
OT:

I don't want a Puma made anywhere but in Germany. Well, actually, I will probably not buy any more Puma's as the quality of the last two I bought was awful.
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I took a chance and bought one of the "Puma IP" label knives. It's an olive wood hunter made in Spain. Darn nice for $26...

-Bob
 
The last two Pumas I bought were made in Germany.

The only Spanish made knife I have is a Muela hunting knife. I like it. It appears to be well made though I haven't really used it so I can't state how well it will hold up. The handle is a bit small for my (not large) hand. But I'm still happy with it. :)

James
 
One Buck knife series I collect is the 303 Cadet. I enjoy adding as many variations of this model as possible to my collection. A few months ago I purchased one at the local Walmart with beautiful woodgrained handles. I didn't look at the knife closely until I got home and when I did, I was admiring the mirror polished blades, the perfect fit and finish, the nice rich-grain in the wood. Then came the SHOCK!...."made in China"...on the box and stamped on the backside of the sheepsfoot blade.

I was and still am disappointed and I considered returning the knife to wallyworld. After some thought, I decided this particular knife would make a nice addition to my 303 collection. It will probably never be the most valued one there but it is different which has been part of my criteria.

I can understand and sympathize with Buck for making the tough decision to import some of their knives and other products. It's all about competing in a competative world and staying IN business. My ONLY personal complaint on this subject is DISCLOSURE.

Buck professes a belief in our Heavenly Father-God and, as a matter of ethics and corporate witness for Him, should demonstrate their honesty and integrity by designating in their CATALOG and WEBSITE which items are Imported and which are Made in the USA.

I enjoy collecting Buck knives and being a member of the BCCI. I look forward to and anticipate many great improvements as a result of Buck's move to Idaho.

Thanks Buck, for giving me a great hobby to pursue.
:)
 
Sword and Shield said:
Not as long as US-made knives exist. I refuse to support overseas knifemaking.
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I do collect other knives. To me I like USA then Germany and then Spain. I like traditional knives with wood, bone or stag handles. Germany and Spain can build some beautiful knives. As far a Buck goes I collect 700 series in wood or stag, 300 & 500 series in bone or wood. Of course I have 110 and 112's. Quite a few custom including David Yellowhorse knives.

As far as Buck knives made in Taiwan or China, no way. I do have one from Japan though. Quite a few compaines are moving to China. I know Winchester and Smith & Wesson knives are made in China, for me it is best to stay away from Chinese knives. I can't see them being of any value in the future. If you must buy a knife made in China, buy a 6 dollar Rough Rider and use it for dirty work and then throw it away.
 
I've bought several foreigen and 'Lean manufacturing ' knives. They were bought to test and use. I have avoided the China made 303, but I may get one to compare to Schrades products and my other 303's.
 
From the way this thread is going, I think that Buck might have a problem. People aren't looking at Buck Knives made in either Taiwan or China as Buck Knives, but, rather, knives made in China or Taiwan, without any connection or correlation to Buck. Almost as if a Buck Knife stamped with "China" or "Taiwan" isn't a Buck Knife at all. I, for one, am hoping that the Buck Knives manufactured in either Taiwan or China are every bit as good as the Buck Knives manufactured in the USA, or else Buck Knives is going to be up to it's proverbial neck in Taiwan and China Buck Knife warranty repairs. Will Buck Knives be as enthusiastic in doing the warranty repairs on the Taiwan and China Buck Knives as they are in repairing the USA Buck Knives, or will there be preferences, much like those of us that purchase Buck Knives?

Still wondering,
GeoThorn
 
Ok, I had a gift card from China Mart so I bought the Buck 303 China. Here is the 'tale of the tape' . The fit and finish is good. The only thing I noticed was a very slight dip in middle spring. The knife is thicker by a couple of milimeters on the handles , bolsters and a little bit on the blades.
As a comparisom, my 303 that was assembled in Mexico showed not f&f flaws. The 303Poly Pearl has a lazy master blade. My Old Timer 34ot and 897 UH both were not assembled so the Back springs meet the blades.
Now for the cut test. I used a new 4'' truck tiedown web strap. As a start I used my Delica. It cut 48 pieces. the 303 Poly cut 32, the 303, china cut 24 , and the 34OT cut 17. All were fresh ly sharpened before the test.
This was as fair a test as I can come up with. The quality is better than I expected, but I do have a new knife for my mid stockman collection. gotta go.
guy
 
Guy,

Just curious. Which 303 was assembled in Mexico?

Nice review. It appears the China 303 has a lower grade steel than the poly...and I got the impression from reading about Buck imports, that they had to meet the standards set by Buck.

Have they lowered the standards? Of course, I realize this is an un-scientific test.
 
bbb4u, The 303 poly pearl is a 2002 model made in the USA. the 'assembeled in mexico' was made in 2000. I did not cut test it as it was assembled from parts moved back and forth between el cajon and the border twice a week. My personal pet theory is that the heat treating is not the same. The steel is a local 420hc steel.(per Bucks statements) When they say the knives are up to their same standardss, it just fuels the fire. Someone on the other thread suggested Buck just call them Buck International or similar. For my use, i would use the China Mart 303 but would buy a USA made if I was going to give it as a gift.
 
The prices are falling. The "Made in China" Buck model 728 Whitetail Deer Hunter Collectible, available exclusively at Wal*Mart, is going down in price. Before Christmas, the price was $25, now the price has gone down to $21. The steel used in the blade is 440C, the knife fits my hand really well, but the biggest thing stopping me is that one cannot examine the knife before buying it, because of all of the packaging. The reason I know that it fits my hand is because every Wal*Mart carrying the Buck model 728 has an example of one of the knives opened to look at.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/prod...603&type=21&dept=4125&path=0:4125:4141:121603

Maybe when the price gets down to $10, I'll be able to buy one, sight unseen. ;)

GeoThorn

Do they even have whitetail deer in China...?
 
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