The 121 Fisherman/Guide Story?

BG42EDGE

BG42EDGE

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Anybody from Buck or any 121 aficionado care to regale us with the story of the 121 Fisherman and Guide?

The bones of the story would be that the 121 Fisherman blade (and handle, for that matter) got thicker and it morphed into the 121 Guide and then was discontinued.

I ask because I just sharpened up a Three-Line, Two Spacer 121. I suppose it's 425M steel and it took such an amazing edge (Buck Diamond stone, 325 grit, made in China, $16.40 to BCCI Members) and reminded me that the Guide is possibly the best all-around knife Buck ever made (maybe just edging out the 105).

So......anyone able to put some flesh on the bones of the Fisherman/Guide story? Dates of changes and demise would be appreciated if anybody has them.

It would be interesting to know the thinking that was going on at Buck during the lifetime of this knife.

I don't know of another knife that has gone through such changes.

I also don't know of another discontinued knife that is as well-designed and as useful as the good old Guide.
 
I've never owned a 121, but with that introduction, I'm all ears. :D
 
Lets see if one of the Texas boys is awake, they are the experts. Or may David M. he was born in Texas.....thats awful close......
300Bucks
 
Well, the Fisherman design was available in the pre-factory days under differing model numbers. The slender thin scaler blade was introduced after the factory had opened, as the 121 Fisherman in 1964. I read something about the thin scaler versions being discontinued because the thin blades were prone to snap and the scalers cut in the spine were a weak point and were where the breaks occured. 1967 or 68 was the last year for the scaler design. Not sure when it became designated as the Guide, but it was after 1985.
 
The dates that Scott provided are consistent with my understanding.

The first Buck Knives, Inc. 121 had both the scaler and a spine stamp. That was followed by the BUCK stamp on the ricasso in 1965-1966. Followed by the BUCK* in 1967. The scaler did exist in 1968 with the BUCK USA stamp. That, I believe was the last year for the scaler. Scott is right aboout the reason for discontinuing it. The thin blade coupled with the sharp, unchamphered cuts in the blade made it weak and it broke (see picture). The thin blade grew thicker over the years as you can see in the attached picture. Last of the 121 sclaers was made in 2005 as a special show model. I have below a picture of all the scalers from 1964 through 1968 and the non scalers on up to 1973.

IMG_1328a.jpg


IMG_1279a.jpg


IMG_1281a.jpg


Broken121scaler.jpg


IMG_1459a.jpg


For further information see: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=729200&highlight=121

Hope this helps.

Telechronos:):):)
 
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Tele, You are now listed in the big book as a close-enough Texan....I forgot you were one of the go to guys on this model.

300
 
So, barrel nut models do not exist for the 121 ? Thanks Scott and Tele for the info.. DM
 
WOW!! Cool 121 thread!

The only thing this Texas boy knows is that I tried cornering the market on them before you guys caught on. :D

Only thing I can add is personal experience and preferences.

First the 121 is 5.5 inches (blade)
The 105 is 5 inches
and the 118 is 4.5 inches

The first time I used a 121 was on a deer and the longer blade let me reach in easier and peel out the backstrap. It was also easier reaching in and taking off the hind quarters as well as the shoulders.

Doing that part of my deer doins the 121 stayed sharp well enough. Also use it when deboneing the quarters and getting the meat ready for the vacuum sealer and into the freezer.

However this past year I did use a couple of the 118 D-2 buildouts and they did hold an edge longer.

Now, for my fantasy knife, and I have mentioned this in the past, A 121 built like the full tang 805SS in S30V would work for me very well. I just can't bring myself to use one of the 805 Signature Series for my deer doins so would love one in a utility configuration.

There were only 1,000 of those SS made. But it would be an awesome blade for the way we do our deer processing. But again, would like the 5.5 inch blade.

Using the 121 and the 118, there was no noticible downside to flex in the blade.

Just dug two 121's out of my hunting knife box and they are both three liners with two spacers. I see they need a good sharpening.

Sorry I'm not much help otherwise for any detail about the history of the 121.

When it comes down to it, I could go with either the 121 or 105.

Oh....No....I don't gut the deer with these. Use the 110 for that.

For those of you that haven't seen an 805SS..Here is a poor pic of one and the larger 819SS Both in S30V

Sorry for drifting the 121 info to the 805SS.

DSC00031.jpg
 
Pack Rat, I'm not sure if thats fair comparing the 121 to the 800 series . To me those are like comparing apples to Israeli Dates . But each a very fine model . Plus, we (Buck) have one already that is very similiar only not the sheath, lanyard hole or checker walnut handle . Which is the Empress Trio 6" model, it has the full tang you speak of and micarta handles . This handle I like better . Plus, I can add, knives of this thickness are easier to sharpen as the edge bevels are narrow . Then boning with the 121 is much easier than using the thicker spined models as it requires less effort when pushing the blade deep into the large portions of meat . Next time use one then your other, side by side and you can tell a difference . Thanks for posting your photos guys . DM
 
Someone fed out that steer properly . Did your 121 perform adequately on that boning job 300 ? Thanks for the photo . DM
 
I see another good thread was linked in this one.......good info.

However, if anybody commented on when the name change to Guide came about, I missed it.

Anybody got that? Was it 1986?

It would also be great if a Buck insider could comment on what the company was thinking as the changes were made to save this knife and why the final decision to scrap it.

I suppose it had gradually morphed into something so close to the 105 that it became superfluous because the 105 was much more popular, but it would be nice to hear something from a better source than my imagination.
 
All I have found is that the 121 Fisherman with spine scaler was introduced in 1964 and never made with a barrel nut.

Maybe someone can search the old catalogs to see when it was changed to the Guide.
 
Sorry I can not help you with the History either. I got in to 121's long after Pack Rat cornered the market on them and then drove the price up on them.:D

All I can say is that I have the guide and 3 liners and like all of the for the same reason as Brother Pack Rat.I also Have a 118 that a Buck Brother sent me
and it works good as well .I never thought about it before but the 5.5" length
does seem to work better for my needs than the shorter 4.5 and 5".

Thanks for bringing this 121 thread up and maybe Buck will bring it back in a upgrade steel.:thumbup:

O.K. Flatlander it's your turn!:eek:

Jeff
 
BG42EDGE said:
I see another good thread was linked in this one.......good info.

However, if anybody commented on when the name change to Guide came about, I missed it.

Anybody got that? Was it 1986?

It would also be great if a Buck insider could comment on what the company was thinking as the changes were made to save this knife and why the final decision to scrap it.

I suppose it had gradually morphed into something so close to the 105 that it became superfluous because the 105 was much more popular, but it would be nice to hear something from a better source than my imagination.
Click to expand...

Maybe Joe Houser can give us one of his great editorial historical comments on this?

:thumbup:
 
Just thinking about this......1985 first year as Guide.......

Then they must have made the Guide Model for about 15 years.

Anybody know the year it was finally discontinued once and for all?
 
If I remember right somewhere in the early 90's, the blade was thickened up to consolidate parts. Previously it had it's own handle, butt and guard/butt trim with a smaller slot size to handle the thinner blade. It was redesigned to use the 105 parts as was the 103. (If I remember right)

nothing like a double disclaimer...
 
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