Buck 503

E

EagleIH

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2009
Messages
179
Hi folks,

I’m looking at a 503 to purchase and it has 1 dot to the right of the 503. Does anyone know the date? It’s not matching up with anything on the date code chart. Thanks!
 
~1985. Buck used dots on tangs as engineering change codes. They have different meanings on different models and time periods. If you know when the change the dot signifies took place it could be a defacto date code. Some dot patterns on various models are still not fully understood. In the case of the 500 series knives it is believed to relate to how the blade was blanked, generally thought to be about 1985 and perhaps a bit before. /Roger
 
Last edited:
DeSotoSky said:
~1985. Buck used dots on tangs as engineering change codes. They have different meanings on different models and time periods. If you know when the change the dot signifies took place it could be a defacto date code. Some dot patterns on various models are still not fully understood. In the case of the 500 series knives it is believed to relate to how the blade was blanked, generally thought to be about 1985 and perhaps a bit before. /Roger
Click to expand...
Great! Thanks for the info!
 
Looked at Larry Oden's new book and he did not cover the the Blade stamp Dot for the 500 series, then looked at the Blades guide books and they state it is unkown why the dots were on the tang stamp of the 500 series knives, then looked at the BCCI news letters and found what printed below.

BCCI news letter, Dec 2009, 500 Series History, By Joe Houser
"A blade with one or more dots in the stamp means that the blade was fineblanked instead of conventionally blanked.This happened sometime in the early 1980’s."
 
jb4570 said:
Looked at Larry Oden's new book and he did not cover the the Blade stamp Dot for the 500 series, then looked at the Blades guide books and they state it is unkown why the dots were on the tang stamp of the 500 series knives, then looked at the BCCI news letters and found what printed below.

BCCI news letter, Dec 2009, 500 Series History, By Joe Houser
"A blade with one or more dots in the stamp means that the blade was fineblanked instead of conventionally blanked.This happened sometime in the early 1980’s."
Click to expand...
What’s the difference between fine blanked and conventionally blanked?
 
EagleIH said:
What’s the difference between fine blanked and conventionally blanked?
Click to expand...
What is meant by fine blanking?


Fineblanking is a specialty type of metal stamping that can achieve part characteristics such as flatness and a full sheared edge to a degree that is nearly impossible using a conventional metal cutting or punching process.
 
jb4570 said:
What is meant by fine blanking?


Fineblanking is a specialty type of metal stamping that can achieve part characteristics such as flatness and a full sheared edge to a degree that is nearly impossible using a conventional metal cutting or punching process.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info!
 
jb4570 said:
Looked at Larry Oden's new book and he did not cover the the Blade stamp Dot for the 500 series, then looked at the Blades guide books and they state it is unkown why the dots were on the tang stamp of the 500 series knives, then looked at the BCCI news letters and found what printed below.

BCCI news letter, Dec 2009, 500 Series History, By Joe Houser
"A blade with one or more dots in the stamp means that the blade was fineblanked instead of conventionally blanked.This happened sometime in the early 1980’s."
Click to expand...
Any thoughts on what the blade steel might be? Thanks.
 
Here is a note I saved (and updated) concerning Buck Knives blade steel. OH

"The Buck knife blade steel of the late 1940's to mid-1950's was files. Then around 1960 a forged 440C blade started being used. Then in early 1970's a
stock removal 440C blade started to be used. Then for folders 1981 was the last year 440C was used. For fixed blades 1985 was the last year 440C was used. Buck started using 425M in 1982 with folders and 1985 with fixed blades (it was phased in – no specific date can be determined). In 1992 Buck phased in 420HC steel across their entire product line."
David Martin, Buck Forums BCCI 12/14/17, updated 9/12/18.
 
My Buck 503 - my favorite size of the 500 series for front pocket carry. OH
Buck_503.jpg
 
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