Buck 503 custom options

B

bryan123

Joined
Feb 7, 2017
Messages
264
After some research I'm interested in ordering a customized Buck 503 Prince because of the Boston Blade Length requirements of 2.5 inches. I plan to carry it in my pocket in a leather slip as a Gentleman folder. There are several options including satin or mirror finish blade and with or without rivets along with handle material choices. What would everyone recommend as far as these options are concerned?
thank you in advance.
 
Mirror finish means fingerprint magnet.
I delayed getting a 503 from the custom shop in the hope that they would offer an upgraded blade steel. That didn't happen, and - worse - they no longer offer buckeye burl.
I'm extremely picky about elk/stag - too much so to take the risk. I love black palm; but Buck uses a weird grain orientation (crosscut?), and I don't feel the 503 is large enough to pull off the look. That leaves (for me) one of the jigged bone offerings.

Of course, MY choices are only relevant if the knife is going to end up in my pocket...
Have I mentioned how much I appreciate you, B bryan123 ?
 
Because it's not my money I'm inclined to pick the sambar stag., no rivets.
It's one of the few knives where that's still an option.
My little 505 Sambar stag mirror polish is a pretty little knife.

But hey, you asked. :cool:

Really, they're all good choices. 👍
 
I might be one of the few but I like a mirror polished blade. It goes well with Black Buffalo horn but I don't care for rivets on a Custom. Especially horn. And on a smaller folder I think it detracts from the handle. It would be a great Buck to have initials or your name done as Buck does do a great job but make sure the lettering style and size fits with look you want. It won't be a workhorse like a bigger Buck so if it gets a finger print or two0 just wipe it off..
 
bucksway said:
I might be one of the few but I like a mirror polished blade. It goes well with Black Buffalo horn but I don't care for rivets on a Custom. Especially horn. And on a smaller folder I think it detracts from the handle. It would be a great Buck to have initials or your name done as Buck does do a great job but make sure the lettering style and size fits with look you want. It won't be a workhorse like a bigger Buck so if it gets a finger print or two0 just wipe it off..
Click to expand...
I like the look of mirror polished blade too. But I know, at least for me, If I'm going to use it, the blade will get all scratched up. So no sense in spending the extra $25.

O.B.
 
Old Biker I have used a 111 gold etched MP Club knife since 2007..It has really held up! With a little care especially sharpening its stayed fairly nice. I especially like MP for food use as you know when it's clean.
 
OP here. A lot of great information, thank you!

Question regarding prices: The Basic 503 is 65 bucks and the custom 503 starts at 75 bucks. The 55 which appears to be the same size but with a clip point blade instead of a drop point is 70. My interpretation is that unless someone wanted one of the really expensive handle options, they would be better off buying one of the basic models, which are available for even less at Knife Center (55 and 503 are both 60) and Blade HQ (503 is 60, 55 is 70).

Am I correct, or is there more to the story to account for the price difference?

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
bryan123 said:
OP here. A lot of great information, thank you!

Question regarding prices: The Basic 503 is 65 bucks and the custom 503 starts at 75 bucks. The 55 which appears to be the same size but with a clip point blade instead of a drop point is 70. My interpretation is that unless someone wanted one of the really expensive handle options, they would be better off buying one of the basic models, which are available for even less at Knife Center (55 and 503 are both 60) and Blade HQ (503 is 60, 55 is 70).

Am I correct, or is there more to the story to account for the price difference?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

With the custom shop option, you’re not getting the quick fitted store models, you’re getting a knife that the fit has more attention to detail as they can take more time putting together one knife versus completing a tray of 50 of them. They also have better aesthetics as well in the way certain areas of the knife are polished, grind lines removed, pins are set more uniform, etc.
 
bryan123 said:
Am I correct, or is there more to the story to account for the price difference?
Click to expand...
IDK for sure...I would think that Buck takes into account that they have to have an employee take the knife out of regular production and place it in the custom shop production. Then whatever has to be done to package and ship. I'm sure there's profit build in to price you pay for materials.
 
bryan123 said:
OP here. A lot of great information, thank you!

Question regarding prices: The Basic 503 is 65 bucks and the custom 503 starts at 75 bucks. The 55 which appears to be the same size but with a clip point blade instead of a drop point is 70. My interpretation is that unless someone wanted one of the really expensive handle options, they would be better off buying one of the basic models, which are available for even less at Knife Center (55 and 503 are both 60) and Blade HQ (503 is 60, 55 is 70).

Am I correct, or is there more to the story to account for the price difference?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
It really depends on what you want but I think that you should reward yourself with a nice knife from the Custom Shop if it’s within your budget.

The pride of ownership will last much longer than the sticker shock.
 
bryan123 said:
OP here. A lot of great information, thank you!

Question regarding prices: The Basic 503 is 65 bucks and the custom 503 starts at 75 bucks. The 55 which appears to be the same size but with a clip point blade instead of a drop point is 70. My interpretation is that unless someone wanted one of the really expensive handle options, they would be better off buying one of the basic models, which are available for even less at Knife Center (55 and 503 are both 60) and Blade HQ (503 is 60, 55 is 70).

Am I correct, or is there more to the story to account for the price difference?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
I think you pretty much nailed it. If you're happy with the stock handle and blade polish, there is no reason to pay extra for a custom.

O.B.
 
OP here again. So what you gentlemen are saying is that the custom knives get the individual attention and therefore greatly reduce the (very low anyway) chance of getting a cosmetic flaw or "lemon" , is that correct?
 
Yep, IIRC, 'the custom shop' is not really separate from the production floor. So there is no telling if the employee chooses the best looking parts for the 'custom' knife. There is more hands on work done on the knife that would make it possible for any problems in fit and finish or materials to be known and corrected. Like so many things it depends on the individual worker. In the past there were certain workers that build the custom shop knives. I don't know if that is the case now. I have custom shop knives that have a certificate signed by the person that build the knife.
 
I've had really great luck with standard off the line knives. They probably don't have time to even think about making a mistake. That's what I would go with unless you want to add options.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top