Buck 194/195 & 694/695 Alpha Hunter.

David Nowlin

David Nowlin

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Jan 17, 2018
Messages
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I missed out on getting one of these and know very little of their history. First question is what’s the difference between the 194/195 and the 694/695. Is it just the handle material?
 
I believe you're right.
The difference is the handle material.
Sorta like the 192 and 692 Vantage.
 
It’s all very confusing. I’ve seen a 684T with nylon sheath with what looks like walnut or rosewood scales and a buddy of mine found a 694T ( same year 2003) but it has black rubber scales?? I wish Buck would leave their discontinued knives on their website just for historical reference. BladeHQ does to a certain extent but the 194-694 alpha hunters aren’t there. What was the first - last year of production??
 
I'm not sure, but I think the 694 and 695 use 420HC steel only, while the 194 and 195 often use the newer steels for the blades.

Bert
 
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David Nowlin said:
I missed out on getting one of these and know very little of their history. First question is what’s the difference between the 194/195 and the 694/695. Is it just the handle material?
Click to expand...
193 was a full size alpha with a guthook. Offered in wood or rubber. 194 was non guthook version 195 and 196 are alpha minis. Smaller version of the 194. The minis came in a couple steel types and fit outs can be found in others. The main run knives were ats34.

Buck 693 is a later release of the alpha hunter. 693 was a guthook knife offered in Rosewood or rubber. 694 had no gut hook, same handles and a 3rd elk handled. Main run knives were 420 hc
 
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Wow thanks for the info. I have a chance to buy a like new never used with original box 694T (2003) with what they call walnut grips but looks like the rosewood for under $100.
This info has helped me immensely.
DN
 
Meant to ask what year they started making them and when they stopped. The two i have seen are 694T so i know they go back 20 years?
 
Also why did Buck discontinue them? Is there a thread i missed with all the Alpha hunter info?
 
The first time I ever held one was when I received a Custom 112 from one of the first build out list I ever ordered from Buck. It was a real fancy one with a bear head cutout with gold trim and was sent by mistake with the 112. I admired it for a couple of minutes called Buck so they knew it was not lost and sent it back. A cool Buck!
 
First alphas were released in 2002. Not sure why they were discontinued. I really like the minis. May be my favorite Buck.


2 Sisters (Green Paperstone Buck 196 Mini Alpha Hunter)

Informational edit: This is a Buck 196 Mini Alpha Hunter. The blade is laser etched with a 2008 marking. The opposite side says that the steel is BOS heat treated 154CM. The blade is polished. The handles are made of green paperstone. I checked the 2008 catalog on BCCI and there were...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
I just checked the Bay and there are a couple affordable AH on there. But there are some really high priced ones too. And they are the nice ones like in your pictures. I particularly like that Alaskan Guide in the affordable (under $200) category.
I feel very fortunate to have found the new one for the great price i paid.
 
Can’t say i have. I just see it like in the case of my beloved Kalinga. I saw the folding Kalinga Pro and thought it would be cool. I got it and well just not that excited about it.
 
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