I bought some guns and and ammo recently and found two knives in the collection that caught my eye. I got this one home and did a little research and I apparently picked up a winner. It is a Buck model 120 knife called the General-a 7 1/2" blade. The Buck stamp dates it to the 1960's or early '70's,I believe. I'm apparently very happy with it as my wife keeps catching me looking it over and grinning.
Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

That is a keeper for sure. I've got several but not one that old and in that nice of shape. Congratulations!


Did a little research and your Buck 120 was made in the 1961-67 time frame as Buck started shipping knives to Canada in 1968 so added USA to the Buck stamp. It is made with 440C steel. Buck used forged 440C through 1966 but started using stamped 440C in 1967. I know of know way to tell which yours is. I do know you are lucky to have it. Hope it brings you much pleasure.

I just bought one of these used for $65. It is an old one. However, yours is older due to the style of sheath. Mine is a pre 86 also known as a 3 line. Yours has only 1 line- which is the name. My guess is early 70's but that is a guess. You did well.

I have a couple and like them. I think you're close on the date, in view of the full flapped sheath and the flat look to the sides of the butt cap. Later caps look slightly contoured.

The difference is very subtle, but present if you know what to look for.

I paid $65 for a used one made about 1980 or so and it got sent back to Buck for a complete refinish, which they did quickly and superbly. It looks almost new. Can't recall what they charged, but surely not much. The only flaw is that a very tiny pit had been dug into the Micarta/Buckarta handle from some object that had hit the handle. They buffed out almost all of that, but couldn't get deep enough to get the whole ding without creating a bigger gouge where it is. If you know where to look and the light is just right, it can be seen. But such handling marks are common on using knives and this one is tiny and the knife otherwise now looks new. I dyed and polished the sheath, which needed it, and it, too now looks good.

My other Model 120 was bought new and has never been used, to speak of. At least, it shows no blemishes at all, having seen light duty.

The Model 120 is among my favorites in the Buck line. I don't think they make it now unless a big retailer places a large order. The same basic model with six-inch blade (Model 119) is still their best seller in sheath knives and is an exceptional buy in a combat-utility-survival Bowie. I've read that Wal-Mart has them in synthetic sheaths with plastic liners for under fifty bucks. That's a very good knife indeed for the money. The steel is now different, but is easier to sharpen and still holds a good edge. These are made here by Buck in their own factory and are NOT Chinese imports, as some have claimed. But other firms have deliberately copied this knife in the Orient, so be sure that you're buying the genuine Buck.

The Model 120 is a large knife, but in its role does well. A smaller knife for finer use is desirable, but the Model 120 will handle larger jobs and is capable of general use as a survival knife. Buck's catalog used to say that it was popular among soldiers, and I bet it was.

Thanks for the photos. And congratulations on acquiring a good knife not easily found new today.

Buck still makes the 120. I ordered this one earlier this year with cocobola scales.



This is a Boone & Crocket model from last year, also from Buck's website.



As TS stated above. Buck dropped the 120 from regular production in 2002 with only special runs after that. I'm glad it's back .

I bought this I think in the early 70s. It had the sheath with the fold over flap and snap. It now has a home made sheath. I filed some grooves for a thumb rest and ground off the tip of the up turn on the point. It has served me well and is the best belt knife I have ever had. Larry

That pig sticker is immaculate!

Frankly, I think the tip turns up just a little much, and your alteration is the way the blade should come.

May we see your sheath?

My sheath for the used 120 is a later sort, I think the current style. But it has a very classy wrinkled look, like Norwegian Krymp oxhide or maybe like water buffalo hide. Chuck Buck looked at it and said that whatever caused this look happened after the knife left them and he had no idea what had caused that effect. He did agree that it's pretty classy.

I theorize that the sheath may have simply gotten very wet and dried that way. But the leather was not dried or brittle and there was no rust on the knife. I guess I just got lucky.

For those who may care, like our man Ringo Kid, the Model 120 is one of the most seen knives in movies and on TV. It was the knife used in the four, "Scream" horror movies, and someone on YouTube offers resin repros of it for stage use. I liked its use on the old, "90210" series, where a guy took one out of his car's glove compartment. The actress who played his girlfriend (Tori Spelling or Jenny Garth; forgot which) gasped and looked terrified. Turned out, he just wanted to carve a Jack-O-Lantern for her.

[QUOTE=Texas Star;137964997]Frankly, I think the tip turns up just a little much, and your alteration is the way the blade should come.

May we see your sheath?





QUOTE]
Here it is. It is apparent that leather working is not one of my many talents. Larry

I agree about the improvement of the tip. The 120 is a lot bigger knife than I would use, but it's a class implement.

I'm still disappointed that they stopped making the 118 Personal, old Mr. Buck's original design and the one he used all over the world. I gave my last one, with the flap-over sheath, to my son a couple of years ago.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I bought a 118 also when I bought the 120. I got both of them off of the same guy on another forum. He still has a nice 121 for sale. The sheath is a little rough but the price is right. Send me a pm if interested.

I now have a 105,118,119 and a 120 in my little collection. My 15 year old son now has a 110 and 121 in his collection. I think we have all bases covered.

OOPs-I forgot to add that there is a 119 with the coca bola handle in my safe for my son someday.

Buck is currently offering a 118 Personal in the Boone & Crockett and the cocobola patterns like the two 120 General models I posted earlier in this thread. The also offered a short run on their web specials page a couple of years ago with D2 steel. Sorry I missed out on one of those but they sold out is what seemed like minutes.

They seem to be having some issues with their web site but if you type 118 in the search engine it will bring up both models. The B&C shows as being in stock but the cocobolo is listed as not available. Can probably find it on one of the online dealers.

Thanks. I can't afford to buy one, and can no longer hunt, but I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

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Oh well, what the hell.