I got one of the 75th Anniversary Buck Model 119 knives that you can see reviewed on YouTube.





The smell of the tanning agents or dye on the sheath is pronounced and may need a few more days to go away. I'll polish it, which it should have, anyway.

I called Buck to ask about steels.

They used 440C until 1982, then from 1982-1992, used 425. Since 1992, they use 420HC with their unique heat treat to add hardness for longer edge-holding.

I had thought the 420HC didn't arrive until they changed the shape of the ricasso, and forgot to ask when that was. I really prefer the older style.

QC on my new Model 119, made only last year in the 1942-2017 comm. form, is excellent. It's fully on par with my beloved older 119, made in 1995.

Buck has a chart on their site that'll tell you when your knife was made, going by the little mark on the ricasso/tang.

I hope this is of interest.