How long has Buck used Paul Bos heat treating?

Railsplitter

Railsplitter

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I have two questions actually.

1. When did Paul Bos start heat treating for Buck?

2. Once Paul Bos got started with Buck, did he do the heat treating for all of Buck's blades?

I understand that Mr. Bos retired in 2010. I'm particular curious about the 425M blades on my 1986 model 703 but I would like to know for future acquisitions as well.

Thanks.
 
Mr. Boss began heat treating for Buck on a contractual basis in the mid 60's (even 1966). When Buck moved into their plant on Magnolia Ave. I suspect that's when they started heat treating in house. As there was enough room at that location. (1969) Arrangements could have been finalized in 1970. He did the heat treating for ALL Buck knives.
Yes, in 2010 Mr. Paul Farner took the helm in that area. A capable hand. Probably the 703 was brought in-house by 1986 and Buck was using 425M and Paul Boss would have been doing them. The 'arrangements' I mention; Mr. Boss also did private fee heat treating at Buck during his employ there. DM
 
Mr. Martin, you are a wealth of knowledge! Thank you so much for your reply. Exactly what I was looking for.
 
David Martin said:
Mr. Boss began heat treating for Buck on a contractual basis in the mid 60's (even 1966). When Buck moved into their plant on Magnolia Ave. I suspect that's when they started heat treating in house. As there was enough room at that location. (1969) Arrangements could have been finalized in 1970. He did the heat treating for ALL Buck knives.
Yes, in 2010 Mr. Paul Farner took the helm in that area. A capable hand. Probably the 703 was brought in-house by 1986 and Buck was using 425M and Paul Boss would have been doing them. The 'arrangements' I mention; Mr. Boss also did private fee heat treating at Buck during his employ there. DM
Click to expand...

I never paid much attention to just when Paul Bos started heat treating for Buck.
I had heard he started with the 3 dot era, but your post made me go look for some answers.
I found that he actually was doing some heat treating for Al Buck as far back as the 1950s.
Wow...I like learning new stuff!
Thanks David!
 
I'll amend what David said with this: All knives Buck made "in house".

Some slip joint 300s and 700s made by Shrade and Camillus were not Bos heat treated. At least that is my understanding. I'm no authority though. The 301, 303, 305, & 309 along with the 700s were in house by '85.

Correct?
 
Pokt, sure, as none of those models were brought in-house until 85 or 86. So, he would not have been heat treating them out of house. That was Camillus.

Stumps, yes, I know it was a longggg way back, so I wouldn't doubt that date. His knowledge extends way back. Why folks may pick the date of 1981 is that's when Buck built and moved into their new plant on Weld Blvd. El Cajon. A state of the art plant and at it was a huge 8,000 gal. tank to hold an 18 wheeler load of LN2. Thus, allowing them to mechanize the cryo treatment of blades. I would bet my favorite Buck knife he was using that treatment on blades for 50 years.
I consider him Buck's first employee. He is still WELL respected in the industry. DM
 
Probably worth clarifying that "in house" currently means "made in the US" in Idaho. None of the knives imported from China get the Bos heat treat, correct?
 
I've noticed that most do have it. But Especially those in the 2nd and 3 tier knives. i.e. upper end steels. It's a selling point and Buck wants the customer to know he's getting this level. The emblem came into play as Mr. Boss became renouned in this field. It's like Buck's assurance of good quality heat treatment. How many guys do you know that spend their entire career (50 years) (not many work this long any more) and then get a emblem named after their high standard of work? DM
 
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