Tag: hunter

What Will Buck Knives Be Like in 100 Years?

110b.jpg Buck Folding Hunter Lockback Knife 110

Funny you should ask. How can you predict the future of anything? Here are some basic techniques that knife predictors might use:

  1. To see what a knife will look like in 100 years from now, lets see what it looked like 100 years AGO.
  2. Then look at the changes that were made, and when they were made. Did most of the changes occur in the last 10 years? If so, then you could expect more changes to come at a faster rate. If changes occurred every 10 years for the last 100 years, then you could expect the same steady rate of change in the next 100 trips around the sun.
  3. See the health of the knife company, and how well they respond to the needs of its customers.

What will Buck Knives be like in 2116? To try and answer that, let’s follow the 3 steps shown above…

  1. I can’t find a picture of the original Buck knife, made in 1902 by Hoyt Buck, the founder. If you can, please post it here.
  2. Buck Knives have changed gradually over the last 100 years. At the halfway mark, the son of Hoyt, Al Buck, incorporated “Buck Knives“.  In 1963-1964, Al designed and started to manufacture the famous 110 Buck Folding Hunter knife. At 4 7/8” closed, this knife has been the flagship of all pocket knives. It made the name “buck knife” a household name. When someone would say that name, they would mean a good pocket knife.  Al’s son Chuck and his wife, Lori worked at the plant, too, since 1978. Then in 1999 CJ took over the company. His father, Chuck died in 2015. So CJ is the great grandson of the originator, Hoyt Buck.

    301.jpg Buck USA Stockman Knife 301

    You can say that the next hundred years may continue to show a steady development of methods, design, and products to keep Buck knives the major US pocket knife company.

    722gray.jpg Buck® Spitfire 722

  3. How does this knife company respond to the needs of its customers? Starting with the founder, Hoyt Buck, he was looking for a way to temper steel. A better steel would be able to receive and hold a sharper edge. He had the American people in mind. Chuck responded to the customers in 1963 when they wanted a hunting knife that would fold. Not only fold, but lock in the open position, so you wouldn’t hurt yourself. This 110 Buck Folding Hunter knife was the best thing since sliced bread. So point 3 gets a passing grade for Buck. Most Buck knives are USA made.

    buck nobleman knife Buck Nobleman Linerlock Knife 327

    But in response to the economic cries of its customers, Buck does import some fine pocket knives. Camo (camouflage) has become very popular, so Buck responded with a few camo handles and even orange camo handles. Tactical knives are now taking center stage in the pocket knife collectors. Buck has designed some great example of that.

    284CM.jpg Buck® Nano Bantam Camo 284cmo

    Buck® Folding Orange Camo Omni Hunter 395CM9 Buck® Folding Orange Camo Omni Hunter 395CM9

What Will Buck Knives Be Like in 100 Years? My best guess would be more of the tactical style, and survival style of knives. However, for those who reminisce, Buck will always produce the 110 Buck Folding Hunter knife that has survived over 50 years. It is the flagship of all pocket knives.

870-S Buck® Silver “Bones” Pocket Knife 870-S

870-TS Buck® “Bones” – Tiger Stripe 870-TS

 

Secret–The Best Pocket Knife in the USA

This will surprise many people, especially the Buck Knife diehards. Everyone knows that the Buck 110 Folding Hunter Knife is the gold standard of pocket knives. But is it the best pocket knife? There is another USA-made pocket knife just like it, for about half the price. The Kutmaster 5″ Lockback. It is made in the USA by union craftsmen. Click on the picture for more details.

Kutmaster 5" Lockback with Brass Bolsters & Stainless Blade 15-17101L
Kutmaster 5″ Lockback with Brass Bolsters & Stainless Blade 15-17101L

 

 

 

Why is the price so much lower than a Buck knife? I asked Kutmaster, and here’s what they said. “Our brand is not a well-known as Buck, so we have to charge less.” Want to save more money? You can buy it without a sheath, saving close to $10 on your purchase. This combination of quality, USA-made, and price, make it the best pocket knife in the USA. I recommend trying this knife. You’ll like it.

The 4 Best Pocket Knives in 2016

Pocket knives are so popular because they are collector items. Other reasons are: They are useful, portable, made of steel, helpful in self defense, a powerful tool in a small package, and made of interesting handle materials. In our opinion, the best pocket knives in 2016 are these. Our selection is based on popularity with our customers, and our own opinion on the quality put into these beautiful knives. In alphabetical order, they are:

BLANK ONLY-Boker Magnum King Barlow 01MB559DAM Boker Magnum King Barlow 01MB559DAM

The Boker Magnum King Barlow 01MB559DAM is styled after the antique barlow knives made in the 1600’s in England. This design of a subtle teardrop shape fits well into the hand. Like all barlows, it is 3 3/8″ closed, and has an over-sized bolster. The burl wood scales (handle) add much character. The pinnacle of its beauty is the genuine damascus blade. It also has a lockback mechanism. This is a safety feature not found on the original barlow knives.

110b.jpg Buck Folding Hunter Lockback Knife 110

By far, the pocket knives of all pocket knives is the Buck 110 Folding Hunter Lockback. Its size, weight, composition, extra sharp stainless steel blade, and wooden handle with stainless steel bolsters make it the king of pocket knives. When someone asks for a Buck knife, this is the one they are referring to.  USA-Made.

zippo clone Case Executive Lockback 7200

Case has been making pocket knives by hand since 1889. Located in the woods of Pennsylvania, they take pride in the hand-made tradition. The 7200 Executive Lockback is the top seller. People like it because it is the right size and shape for a man’s pocket. There are no sharp edges on the handle to cut into your pocket. The stainless steel blade comes super sharp, and it is easy to keep sharp your whole life. USA-Made.

1620-engraved-camo-scallion-smooth Kershaw “Scallion” Knife, Camo 1620

The classy Kershaw Scallion Camo 1620 knife satisfies both the camo lovers and the knife collectors. The patented Speedsafe opening mechanism makes it fun to open with one hand. No worry, there is a tip safety lock to prevent accidental opening. A removable pocket clip makes this knife a real keeper. USA-Made.

The USA’s 3 Best Pocket Knives

Without a doubt, the best-selling USA-made pocket knives are the Buck Folding Hunter 110, the Case Executive Lockback 7200, and the Kershaw Scallion Knife, Camo 1620. These are the best pocket knives to have laser engraved with your logo and give to your best clients. Your customers will absolutely love these 3 knives because they are American made, and because they are made by companies with a strong US tradition of quality.

 

110b.jpg Buck Folding Hunter Lockback Knife 110

The Buck 110 was first made 50 years ago, and is still a top seller. It is the perfect size, shape, and material. It’s as American as apple pie.

zippo clone Case Executive Lockback 7200

Case has been making knives since 1889 deep in the hills of Bradford PA. Each knife is still made by hand by master craftsmen.

1620-engraved-camo-scallion-smooth Kershaw “Scallion” Knife, Camo 1620

Kershaw, a proud US knife company was founded in 1974. They are a real newcomer, but have established a remarkable reputation with their USA-made knives. They also have some of the models made overseas to their exacting specifications.

The History of Buck Knives

110 Buck Folding Hunter Lockback
110 Buck Folding Hunter Lockback

Buck Knives go way back to 1902. The inventor, Hoyt Buck, from Kansas, started out as an apprentice blacksmith. He got obsessed with finding a way to temper steel so that it could be made into a better knife blade. A blade that would hold a sharp edge longer than previous blades. He started making custom Buck knives in 1902 out of old file blades. In 1945 he and his wife moved to San Diego. There, his son Al Buck started a partnership with him to produce Buck knives. The company was called H. H. Buck and Son.  After Hoyt died, Al  decided to incorporate, and started Buck Knives, Inc. in 1961. The most famous offspring of this important knife company was made in 1964–the Buck Folding Hunter model 110. We celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014. This wood handled lockback knife is the pocket knife that is synonymous with the Buck company. If someone says Buck Knife, this is the knife they are referring to. It is often imitated by other knife companies.

Today, in 2016, the 3rd and 4th generation of the Buck family are involved in the successful business. CJ Buck is the president and CEO today (and since 1999), and is the grandson of Al Buck. He took over in 1999 from his dad, Chuck Buck, who later died in 2015.

The secret to the sharpness of a Buck knife lies in the heat treating process that Paul Bos developed in 1956. It is a process of heating then freezing, then re-heating of the steel. Paul retired in 2010 from Buck, but the process is still used. Bos received the Blade Magazine Industry Achievement Award in 2007 for his involvement in heat treating technology.

Hoyt Buck about 1948.
Hoyt Buck about 1948.

Do You Have One of These 3 Best-Selling Buck Knives?

The 3 all-time best selling of the Buck Knives are right here….

  • Camo is more than a design; it’s a lifestyle. People in all walks of life like to own some items adorned in a camouflage design. Hat, flashlights, backpacks, and knives are the best examples. The Buck Bantam BBW Camo Lockback earned its position because of its pattern and its brand name “Buck Knives“.

    Buck Bantam BBW Camo Lockback 284CM
    Buck Bantam BBW Camo Lockback 284CM
  • Every man like an EDC (every day carry) knife that fits easily in his pocket, and lays flat. The Buck Nobleman has been a favorite in that category for a long time.
    buck nobleman knife Buck Nobleman Linerlock Knife 327

 

  • For over 50 years, the Buck 110 Folding Hunter Lockback Knife has been the idol of all knives. It features a large 4 7/8″ length when closed, a fine wooden handle with metal bolsters. Also a high grade 420HC steel blade. To top it off, it comes with a genuine leather sheath. What more could you ask for?110b.jpg Buck Folding Hunter Lockback Knife 110

No wonder Buck is the first and last name in American knives.