Buck "Custom" Knives

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Flambeau

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Jun 26, 2021
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Browsing the Buck website and their custom offerings.
So.....does Buck make the custom knife from scratch - per individual order ? Is the quality better than the standard production model ?
 
I'm sure someone who actually knows what they're talking about will come along soon, but until then.......
I only have two Buck customs, a 110, and a 112, so I can only speak about them. I have a few production 110s, and 112s, (some 40 & 50 years old), and they're great knives as they are. I don't pretend to know what all goes into making a Buck custom, but the difference between my production models & the customs is that I got to pick the blade & handle materials, etc, but the most important thing I noticed is the added attention to detail, and better fit & finish.
 
I have a 51+ year old 110 at Buck right now (it isn't logged in yet though) for a spa treatment.
I'm studying the "722" for a possible custom order, but don't know much about them.
Reviews of the 722 aren't very good, but there's nothing recent (?)
 
Flambeau said:
I have a 51+ year old 110 at Buck right now (it isn't logged in yet though) for a spa treatment.
I'm studying the "722" for a possible custom order, but don't know much about them.
Reviews of the 722 aren't very good, but there's nothing recent (?)
Click to expand...
Plenty of people have the 722 on here, it's a damn good knife. The complaints most bucks get around here are sometimes their grinds are a bit wonky.

I have one of the 722 BOTM with copper scales and 154cm blade and its all around solid.
 
I own two custom 110s, two custom 112s, and a custom 113. The quality/fit and finish on all of them is excellent. All of my standard production Bucks are also excellent quality, so I'm not sure that buying a custom really makes that much difference as far as overall quality. The customs are perhaps a bit more polished. As Ironbut mentioned, the big plus with customs is being able to choose the materials.

I presume that Buck keeps a supply of various parts for the customs ready to go. Then each knife is custom assembled to order.

I can't comment on the 722, as I don't own one yet. Hope this helps.
 
Flambeau said:
Browsing the Buck website and their custom offerings.
So.....does Buck make the custom knife from scratch - per individual order ? Is the quality better than the standard production model ?
Click to expand...
Each custom order is built by only one of our artisans. This is different than our regular production line that have as many as 12 employees touching each knife. There are some differences in the process of building and finishing of the knives then the standard model also.
 
I can only speak to the single custom Buck 501 that I own.I can compare it to an older micarta handled 501 that was re-bladed back in 2013 by the previous owner. The blade marking shows the blade is from 2013.

My custom Buck is from around 2017-2018 if I remember it correctly in case that matters.
My custom Buck 501 has vertical play in the lock. More than either my 501 Larrin or my re-blade micarta 501. In fact the re-bladed knife has no play at all!
The bolsters on the custom are over polished allowing the pins to sit proud and not flush with the bolsters. The micarta 501 bolsters are flush with the pins and the micarta scales. On my Larrin it is the same.
Maybe the individual who built my 501 was having a bad day, but it does leave a bit to be desired.
 
I have several Buck customs, mostly 112s and 113s. I have never had a quality issue with them. I do think they are higher quality than production but that might be perception, since I paid more for them.
 
I have several 112’s in both standard production and custom shop production.

All of my custom shop models have excellent fit & finish. Some but not all of my standard models match the fit & finish of their custom shop counterparts.

I can’t provide any pictures right now but I also have a few 500 series knives from the custom shop. I have noticed that the frame on those custom shop models has a high polish on its entire surface. The standard models seem to be polished only at the bolsters.
 
Railsplitter said:
I have several 112’s in both standard production and custom shop production.

All of my custom shop models have excellent fit & finish. Some but not all of my standard models match the fit & finish of their custom shop counterparts.

I can’t provide any pictures right now but I also have a few 500 series knives from the custom shop. I have noticed that the frame on those custom shop models has a high polish on its entire surface. The standard models seem to be polished only at the bolsters.
Click to expand...
Quoting myself do I can add a picture to help show what I tried to describe. I don’t have a standard 500 series knife to compare but anybody that does have one might see what I mean.

This is a 505 from the custom shop. On standard models, I don’t believe the sections of the frame that run parallel to the lock bar have this high polish.
IMG_0779.jpeg
 
I personally have a custom 110, 501, 503, and 505. I have bought several others of the same as gifts. I can say they were all perfect upon receiving them and inspecting. The general build of the regular production knives is pretty good anyway, but the Custom line offered is just a level up in fit and finish. Plus the variety of options is a plus. At some point I'll get a couple of more as funds become available. I don't buy safe queens. Mine are all users.
 
I buy safe queens.

1j3I4VC.jpg
 
Biggest advantage of the Custom Shop is handle material not ordinary /never available on LE's..Some appear dissiper then come back like Palm wood for the 112. Stag Elk Buffalo horn Ironwood are usually available. I consider Buck engraving on the blade and bolsters your name or short message in different fonts a big plus! For over 5 years I had USA Web Specials engraved with our Band name ( Kattillac Jack) along with there name for a Christmas present. I considered it a real bargain!
112 fact ..in NO configuration of any of Bucks Custom Shop (to this day) could you order a drop point blade for a 112.
 
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