Another knife question

[truckemup97]

I was at Wally World yesterday and they had a bunch of their sporting goods section on clearance. I couldn't help myself. I bought a "Collector's Pack" of Buck knives for $15. One 373 2 1/2" three blade folder, and a 2" 379 single blade folder, in a tin box. Not a steal, but a really good price for a couple of knives to put in strategic places.

Now we all know WM beats up it's vendors for low prices. Some vendors have special products made with cheaper material and/or lesser workmanship just for WM. So the question is: Does Buck do this? They are a quality company with great customer service, and I'd hate to think they would sell a lesser quality knife just to be in WM stores.

BTW, the answer to my last knife question (Buck 119 or KaBar) was the Buck 119. Although I would likely buy a KaBar, too, if I see one for a good price. Thanks for all the responses on that one.

 

[Sven]

You should be able to see at the base of the blade where it was made. I attended a Christian Business Men's breakfast a couple of years ago and was fortunate to sit next to Chuck Buck, the main speaker. At that time, the ONLY Buck knives not made in Idaho were the ones made in china and only sold at that W place. He actually appologized for that and said that was the only option they had if they were to sell knives at W. All buck knives made that first year in Idaho had an outline of the state on the blade base. My Buck Sirius is one of those.

 

[rburg]

Yep. China knives have the country of origin on them (an import requirement.) I have no idea if the knife is of equal quality or not.

The one in my pocket (its been there for at least 35 years) says 503/USA

 

[GatorFarmer]

Eh. I saw those at Walmart. Most of the Buck Chinese made knives are "okay". They do try to make sure their suppliers make an effort before the Buck name goes on it. Unlike the PRC made knives that feature the logo of a certain well known revolver maker. Cough cough.

However, the particular set being described, it looked "Eh, not so good" to me, at least the one I visually inspected.

 

[anoblefox]

just a note; buck knifes were made in san diego, calif. untill about 5 years ago. I toured the factory there with my father in law who knew Chuck (his neighbor) very well. On that trip I bought a knife and had it engraved with my name.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

I bought a couple of WW Buck China knives a couple of years ago and they hold an edge and I keep one in my pocket because if I lose it I have not lost a lot and I can keep my move expensive knives looking good longer.

 

[opoefc]

I'm sorry to hear Buck let WM talk them into selling China made Buck knives. I've known the Buck family for over 60 yrs. They are fine people. As a young man, I worked in the Convair Aircraft plant in San Diego and had access to worn out files and scrap lucite material from the windows & gun turrets of the B24 Liberator bombers built there. I would trade the files and lucite scraps to Hoyt and Al Buck at their shop on Morena Blvd. In San Digo, for knives. They used the lucite to make handles for their knives and the files for knife blades. I would trade off the knives for other items I wanted - Duh! If I had kept them, they are worth a fortune now to Buck collectors! I do still have a huge Bowie Knife that Frank Buck made for me shortly before he was killed in an auto rollover accident. Frank was Chuck's brother. Several years ago, I dug out that Bowie and took it over to Chuck's office when Buck was still in El Cajon, CA., and showed it to Chuck. He spotted that knife from 20 ft. away and tears came into his eyes. He said "Ed, that knife was made by Frank and he only made a couple of them for his friends!" I said , 'Yes. I know, I was one of those friends." Chuck wrote me up a nice letter authenticating the knife & it's history. I only see the Buck people now at the SHOT show since they moved away. Ed.

 

[Texas Star]

Some other famous makers are also having to sell cheaper knives. Pumas aren't usually as well made as they used to be, and I think some now come from Spain, not Germany. They have also offered some models with synthetic handles and lesser polish jobs.

I've heard that the Buck No. 119's sold by WalMart have synthetic sheaths in lieu of leather, but are otherwise the normal US model. Does anyone here know, for sure?

I think the OP will be happy with his Model 119. It's much better fitted and finished than the Ka-Bar sort.

 

[Beemerguy53]

A huge number of well-known USA brands -- of various products, not just knives -- are now made overseas, especially in the Far East.

I carry a US-made Buck, and would not own one made in China. But that's just me...and I am obviously not in the majority on this one!

 

[OMCHamlin]

You NEED a SMith & Wesson knife!!! Stay away from Glock knives. Glock knives have cheap plastic blades....

 

[Babalooie]

Chinese Buck knives are not just at wally world. The way they're boxed, can't remember what, is a quick way of telling.