Buck Knife Question

goatsnguns · #1 02-19-2016, 09:14 PM

I Have 3 Buck pocket knives, two 301's, and one 525, they are all 2004 knives. That all have etched blades that say "El Cajon, CA" and "Last Production Year". One of the 301's has an Round inlay in the front scale that says "2004 Buck Relocates" and there are out lines of California and Idaho, with an arrow from CA to ID. They are all new in the box.

My question is: Do they have any collector interest?

Thanks for any help.

garddogg56 · #2 02-19-2016, 09:57 PM

Keep them mint they will gain value.

Texas Star · #3 02-20-2016, 03:40 AM

Yeah, some people collect Buck knives. There's even a club.

Call Buck and ask for club contact info. That's who'd know current values. But those will increase with time. Hang onto the knives.

Richard Simmons · #4 02-20-2016, 09:07 AM

Everything has a value to someone. As a life member of the Buck Collectors Club Inc. I would suggest you conduct some searches on Ebay of completed sales for your particular knives/models to see what they have sold for in the past.
I will check the club archives and see what I info I can find that might aid your search.

Richard Simmons · #5 02-20-2016, 03:14 PM

So far all I've been able to turn up is a 301 from 2004 under Special Projects as 301LSPB listed as a 301 w/California etching, 825 made and sold through Smokey Mtn. Knife Works. Nothing on the 525. I'll keep trying.

Photos might help showing the knives overall and any blade markings.

vanman1 · #6 02-20-2016, 06:53 PM

In a barely related vein, anyone holding a RIGID USA from early 70's. They are the illegitimate product of two Buck designers before they left Buck. Beauties if you like a heavy tang, I do. As heavy on your belt as a small pistol.

goatsnguns · #7 02-20-2016, 11:40 PM

Richard,

Here are some photos of the knives in question.

Thanks for you help.

Richard Simmons · #8 02-21-2016, 12:02 PM

Thanks for the photos Gary. The 525 Gent is the standard model with the etching added to the blade to denote the move from El Cajon to Post Falls. I can't find anything on it as far as numbers produced. The knife without the etching is quite inexpensive. With the etching I would say it might bring a premium to a 525 Gent collector who doesn't have one with the etching but what that premium might be I can't say.

Sorry I could not be of more help.

goatsnguns · #9 02-21-2016, 02:03 PM

Richard,
Thanks, that is much more than I knew at the time of my first post.
Into the sock drawer they go.

garddogg56 · #10 02-21-2016, 08:42 PM

I'd hold on to them eventually they WILL be in demand.

THE PILGRIM · #11 02-21-2016, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Simmons

Everything has a value to someone. As a life member of the Buck Collectors Club Inc. I would suggest you conduct some searches on Ebay of completed sales for your particular knives/models to see what they have sold for in the past.
I will check the club archives and see what I info I can find that might aid your search.

Yo Richard- how bout some pointers on which Bucks are collectible.
I guess I really mean valuable. You can collect anything.
In another life, I used to collect swizzle sticks.
And what markings do we look for on the older Bucks?
2004 blades don't sound that old to me. I have some Bucks much older than that, but don't know exactly how old.

Richard Simmons · #12 02-22-2016, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE PILGRIM

Yo Richard- how bout some pointers on which Bucks are collectible.
I guess I really mean valuable. You can collect anything.
In another life, I used to collect swizzle sticks.
And what markings do we look for on the older Bucks?
2004 blades don't sound that old to me. I have some Bucks much older than that, but don't know exactly how old.

It's pretty much like collecting S&W revolvers. The earlier offerings in the best condition are the most desirable. Box, sheath, paperwork all add to the value. Just like S&W did with engineering changes, pinned and recessed, coke bottles or checkered targets, etc. Buck did the same with scale material, blade steel, location and style of blade markings, styles of sheath, etc.

Some folks like the early 110 Hunter while others like the very first fixed blades Hoyt Buck made starting in 1945. Everyone has their niche or like myself they just collect a little of everything as long as it catches their eye. Others want each and every version of a particular model in the best and most complete condition they can find. That can get really, really expensive as certain models and versions of models approach four figures in mint condition.