Does Buck manufacture Yellowhorse knives?

[Boomer...]

While spending time on "the bay" the last few weeks plus time here reading current and archived thread posts, I'm amazed by the proliferation of premium cost knives marketed as "Yellowhorse" creations. Yes very pretty indeed to look at, but how special are they available in such numbers? Doing an eBay search on "Buck Yellowhorse" yielded more than 300 separate auctions, yet a visit to his website (http://www.yellowhorseltd.com/) shows just one product available. The fact that there is a 110 Yellowhorse knife listed right now on Buck's Web Specials page suggests to me that these knives are actually produced by the factory, thus not truly handmade craftsmanship made in the Navajo Nation as a newbie like me might think.

I'm putting on my flame suit in advance...

 

[David Martin]

It is my understanding the YellowHorse knives are a standard Buck model (110, 301, ect.) made by Buck. Which then David Yellowhorse et al. took and modified the handles. With the Navajo flair. I have met him and talked with him about his knives. DM

 

[BG42EDGE]

I love conspiracy theories.

Unfortunately, this one is just wrong.



Buck makes the basic frame and blade and Yellowhorse bunch then turns it into a work of art.

 

[jb4570]

David Yellowhorse is a custom knife maker. As said above he will take a knife already made from various manufacturers and customizes them by artfully crafting new handles and deep etchings into the bolsters...ECT. He will perform this work on commission for anyone who contacts him. Also he makes small amounts of one creation, say 50 to 100 of one design that he sells. In addition, company's like Buck commission David to make a special limited edition "LE" that they will sell out of their catalog.

Here is a Buck 110 specially made for me by David Yellowhorse. I call it the "Yellowhorse Dream Knife", it is truly a work of art.

jb4570

 

[Plumberdv]

Many, many of the Yelowhorse knives listed on the bay are done by David's son, Brian and not David. I'm not sure if Brian has ever had a Buck listed in the Buck catalog.

 

[jb4570]

Many, many of the Yelowhorse knives listed on the bay are done by David's son, Brian and not David. I'm not sure if Brian has ever had a Buck listed in the Buck catalog.

David & Brian did a very small run of knives together for the BCCI. I think they were called "Running Together". I wish I had picked up that set!

Here is one of Brian's knives. It was a gift to me from my wife.

jb4570

 

[BG42EDGE]

The real reason there are so many Yellowhorse knives around has nothing to do with Buck. It's easy.

Apprentice-made knives.

Each artist has apprentices, no doubt, and some of the work is done by them under the supervision of the master.

Also, if you look at some of the knives out there, it's clear that an economy line of knives has emerged.

There's profit in selling a higher number of knives that are done with less expensive methods. Many of the knives are simpler economy models made by apprentices with fewer hours of labor to keep the price down.

Yellowhorse name for less money.