'Sudden' Popularity of Buck Fixed Blade Knives?

[dsutton24]

I occasionally help a knife dealer who sells primarily at gun shows. Over the past few weeks there has been a marked increase in interest in Buck sheath knives. The dealer and I are long time Buck guys, and he's noticed it too. Over the last year or two we'd sell ESEEs, White River, Tops and the like, all fine knives, and lots of KABARs, but Buck would only occasionally get a look.

It's interesting. We suddenly are seeing all sorts of people who are knowledgeable about Buck fixed blades, and will debate the relative merits of the good old black knives versus the pro series. Kind of nice, really. The biggest interest seems like the little 102, and of course the 119 and 120. We've also sold a bunch of the Ground Combat knives.

My guess is that some internet guru has been favorably disposed toward Buck knives lately. If anyone knows what might be driving this interest, I'd like to hear about it.

 

[Kiteman72]

I've noticed that Pedro Pascal's character in "The Last of Us" (a show on HBO) usually has a Buck knife on his belt and that show started up about a month ago.

My best guess is that folks want what they see on TV. As an example, I will cite The Walking Dead and the Colt Python.

 

[rhino]

Maybe hollow grinds are back in style for the cool kids?

 

[bucksway]

Just lately I've wanted to add a 124 or 120 just to have one..I don't really need one now..just want to have one.

 

[MolokaiRider]

Everything old is new again.


Buck knives are, and always have been great blades. I hope they are around for a long time.

 

[rhino]

Just lately I've wanted to add a 124 or 120 just to have one..I don't really need one now..just want to have one.

Same for me. I have a hankerin' for a Buck 119. I think I'm being brainwashed.

 

[TAH]

My best guess is that folks want what they see on TV.

I wonder if 110 sales increased during Longmire's run. His 110 showed up in just about every episode.

 

[Old Hunter]

Maybe internet searches have led them HERE to lurk and read and WE have been unwitting social influencers?? On second thought, naw, that would never happen! In truth I don’t know, the Buck name and advertising has been out there for several generations. OH

 

[hunterjrg]

I wonder if 110 sales increased during Longmire's run. His 110 showed up in just about every episode.

That was a great show

 

[Jeff of the North]

Maybe internet searches have led them HERE to lurk and read and WE have been unwitting social influencers?? On second thought, naw, that would never happen! In truth I don’t know, the Buck name and advertising has been out there for several generations. OH

It was a simple g00gle search for "Buck 110" that brought me to this site in 2019. I was trying to find out more about it and boy howdy did I ever.

 

[jbmonkey]

It was a simple g00gle search for "Buck 110" that brought me to this site in 2019. I was trying to find out more about it and boy howdy did I ever.

and we're glad ya showed up on the forum Jeff.......wouldn't be the same without ya here.....

 

[GPyro]

I've shopped other USA made knives, and they can get pretty pricey compared to a similar Buck knife.......

 

[ferider]

I thought I saw a Buck (124?) in the last episode of "The Last of Us".

 

[DeSotoSky]

It is interesting how much pop culture influences buying habits. The sales of Ford Broncos increase post OJ for awhile.
Demand for the S&W model 29 44 magnum increased after Dirty Harry. Geesh, wouldn't be my choice for plinking.

 

[rhino]

I wonder if 110 sales increased during Longmire's run. His 110 showed up in just about every episode.

Great show. Great knife. Probably did! I know it reminded me of how much I love the 110.

 

[AntDog]

It is interesting how much pop culture influences buying habits. The sales of Ford Broncos increase post OJ for awhile.
Demand for the S&W model 29 44 magnum increased after Dirty Harry. Geesh, wouldn't be my choice for plinking.

That’s why you saw a whole lot of sales of new ones, then a massive wave of them being sold pretty much new (only shot once).

Funny thing is, I bet they put .44 mag in the things, shot it, regretted it, sold it. On the movie Harry says what he uses is a light .44 special with wadcutters, right?

 

[rhino]

It was a simple g00gle search for "Buck 110" that brought me to this site in 2019. I was trying to find out more about it and boy howdy did I ever.

I've been on bladeforums.com since December 2002, with some long absences along that path. Since I've "been back," the only Forum I read and in which I participate regularly is Buck Knives. Part of that is because I love Buck Knives, but I love a lot of different knives too. I think I just "fit" better with this group of people than I do elsewhere on Bladeforums.

 

[Roblues]

I look at all the other knives available and for me, nothing compares to the value of Buck in fixed. Very solid, beautiful, stainless, very tough, good edge holding, easy to get very sharp, strong 3D handles that feel great in hand, can be bought well under $100. Recently picked up phenolic 117, last year coco 212, have older 119 all in 420hc.
Very happy here.

 

[OCEquestrian]

I am one of the new Buck fixed knife collectors. I noticed the Buck 119 being carried by Pedro Pascal in "The Last of Us" but interestingly, I started buying Buck fixed blades a few weeks before I saw the first episode. I got my first Buck (three line 119) while in Boy Scouts many years ago and still have it. I recently went and bought a few cheap Gerber knives (Prodigy's) to keep in various vehicles / go bags and while digging thru the knife drawer in the garage found my old Buck 119 pre date three line with its original flap cover sheath and box. I was curious as to its value and looked it up on the Bay and was awestruck with all the varieties of 119 and 120. So many variations I had no idea existed.

I have a very very mild OCD that manifests itself in collecting;...guns, vintage cars, AFV's, wrist watches, antique Japanese swords, civil war sabers and now fixed blade buck 119's/120's (I even bought a couple new 124's from Buck a couple weeks ago). I find great satisfaction in the education/research process followed by the development of a collecting plan and then the hunt for the ever more perfect examples. I now find myself fascinated with variety of steel's used and their qualities. I have collected 119/120 parings of two line, three line, inverted three line as well as a variety of the 119's made over the last 5 yeas using various steels and handle configurations. I have two custom 119's in process with Buck with no fuller/blood grove S30V blades and have acquired the last three 119 BOM editions.

I have also picked up a few Buck 110's and may be falling into that rabbit hole as well...

I like the tradition and history of Buck, its quality manufacture, family ownership and American made products in this day of the big conglomerate, and mostly its unconditional guarantee of its products and the almost family relationship it strives to have with its customers. It is the kind of product and company I have always striven to do business with whenever possible in my life.

Question to you all...Is it better from a collecting standpoint to leave the older vintage knives in their original as acquired "lightly used" condition of should I send them all in to Buck for a "spa treatment"? I know with my vehicles they all need to be as original as possible but brought back to as new. The vintage watches need to be functioning but as original as possible but the wear and patina of time adds value. My guns are all modern for the most part beyond some old Winchester 94's and a few WW1 and WW2 items which I have kept exactly as I got them.

 

[jbmonkey]

Everything old is new again.


Buck knives are, and always have been great blades. I hope they are around for a long time.

this^

and I think the price points even though higher to us....is still a good deal for American made compared to other brands.....for what ya get......