club news by john foresman€¦ · 5/6/2019 · knives since 1988 famous for holding an edge!...
TRANSCRIPT
Promoting thecollection anddisplay of Buck
Knives since 1988
Famous forHoldingan Edge!
Great KnivesSince 1902!
June 2019
CLUB NEWS by John Foresman
It’s hard for me to believe that Spring is nearly over and Summer is just around the corner. That means that
we’ve already had a few knife shows and the Blade Show will soon be here. James Gedlick headed up the
Oregon Knife Collectors Association show for us this year. He reported a well attended event with a lot of
interest in not only his display but our club table as well. The Shenandoah Valley Knife Collectors show was
a lot of fun this year. Look for a report elsewhere in this issue. Vickie Burns was able to represent our club at
the Mason-Dixon knife show. She had her usual contingent of attendees visit with her and she was able to sell
some club merchandise too!
The Blade Show will be held on June 7-9 in Atlanta, GA. I encourage you to attend this mega show and take the
opportunity to meet your fellow club members and admire their awesome Buck knife displays. As per tradition,
our annual membership meeting will be held in room 103 at noon. After the meeting, we’ll have an auction and
knife swap. I guarantee you will enjoy yourself! Hope to see you there!
We still have a nice supply of the 30 year 102s and 103s if anyone is interested. Plus, if you haven’t ordered
your take apart 112 that we offered in our March newsletter, it’s not too late of order one even though our
deadline has passed. We still have a fair amount available.
I am very pleased that we will be offering the smaller version of the Vantage, model 342 as a follow up to last
year’s annual members only knife. The Damascus steel on last year’s knife was simply outstanding. This 342
will be a great complement to the 347. You’ll find the order form in this issue.
I hope everyone has a fantastic summer!
Happy Collecting,
John Foresman
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CJ’s Update
Just got home from attending the NRA’s 148th annual convention yesterday in Indianapolis, Indiana. What an outstanding event. If you ever want to be surrounded by 80,000 polite, respectful, self-reliant and really happy people you need to attend one of these annual events.
Coming out from Buck was me, Chris “Brooksy” Brooks (Marketing) and Billy “Short-timer” Bates. Billy’s official retirement is the end of this week…Friday May 3rd.
We set up our booth on Thursday for the show opening on Friday April 26. Larry Oden met us for dinner Thursday night and worked the booth Friday thru Sunday, while Alan Horner joined to help in the booth Saturday and Sunday, answering questions from customers and selling Buck Knives. We brought ten of the model #112 Autos and they were sold out by noon the first day. I don’t know how many times someone walking by in the aisle would wave and say “my first knife was a Buck” as they passed.
There is really something special about NRA members who travel, using their vacation time and budget, to hang out with others focused on multi-generational cohesive American families and the values that make that not only possible but inevitable. It reminds me of attending BCCI events. It is good to know that there are millions of us traditional American value people across this great nation of ours. I found myself wondering if those more liberal media attending the event ever stopped to marvel.
The NRA sometimes gets labeled as a one-issue fringe group but you cannot attend the annual meeting and truly believe that. There are many core values represented in that crowd and it was fun to see them
lived out and celebrated in every aisle.
Representing our company to that happy audience has been both a pleasure and an honor for the forty-two years I have been attending. I first attended the show with my father in Cincinnati in 1977 at 16 years of age. For many years it was just my father and me (sometimes with Mom) with a suitcase full of knives, a large sharpening stone and a table cloth. It just donned on me that I have only missed two in all that time so that means I just attended my 40th NRA annual meeting.
See you all in Atlanta. cj
President Buck
Busy Booth
Ready for the doors to open.
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CoUnterfeit Corner by tony Wagner
Spring has finally upon us! The sun is out, the birds are chirping and unfortunately, a new crop of counterfeits have made their way to market.
Last time, we talked about some of the more common fakes that can be found online and at gun and knife shows alike. This time, I thought it would be a good idea to highlight some of the more unusual and more recent counterfeits that have popped up.
One thing to note: Just because a knife has “BUCK” on the blade and it comes in a box that says “BUCK”, does not mean that it is a legitimate Buck Knives product. In this series, I hope to shed light on what fakes to watch out for. None of these knives are made by Buck and are not covered under any warranty.
This one is an interesting specimen. It is unlike anything that you will be bound to see coming from Buck. Model X72, what I like to call the Punisher knife, is new to the market. It comes in either a wood handle or a metal handle design.
Another is a model X60, what I like to call the fancy dragon. This knife is a shiny metal frame lock design with a finger loop and keychain link. Made in either a
rainbow or golden finish.
Keeping with the technicolor theme, we have the model X54.This knife features brightly colored camo patterns on the handle and on the blade. This assisted opener features a liner lock and rear screws which are known to fail while the blade is being deployed. An unsafe knife to be sure.
The last one for this edition of Counterfeit Corner, we have model X74. This knife is seen either with a wood handle or with a metal handle with a skull and lightning design.
The sale of counterfeit knives is illegal and carries with it severe criminal and financial penalties. The sale of fakes worldwide finances further crimes including human trafficking, drug smuggling and even terrorism. Counterfeiting is not a victimless crime. If you see a knife that you think might be a fake, send an email to [email protected]. Together, we can help to slow the profitability of the sale of fake knives and keep knife users safe at the same time.
As always, feel free to send any comments or concerns. If you have ideas for future articles, I’d love to see those too.
Tony Wagner
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Youth
BU
CK
110
YouthT H E S H A R P Z O N E
THE ABC’S OF SHENANDOAH YOUTH
It’s no secret that those of us fortunate enough to participate in the Shenandoah Valley Knife Collectors Knife Show in Harrisonburg, Virginia are always rewarded with a spirit of enthusiasm and friendliness that makes
that weekend there a true pleasure.
The hidden secret may be the caliber of the youth who attend now and have attended in the past. For this article, let’s concentrate on those youth who attended this 2019 show.
In order to do that, let’s begin by recapping the activity offered to the children who chose to participate. Who would have thought that a simple, straightforward challenge would result in such attention to detail by our West Virginia and Virginia youngsters.
A sheet of paper was handed out upon request. On it were the ABC’s arranged in such a way as to allow for enough space for a word and a comment. Both sides of the paper were needed to cover A to Z.
Instructions were as follows :
Using the letters of the alphabet, find items on display by going from one BCCI Display to the next. When finished you should have 26 readable items with a brief comment for each.
RULES:
Words should be meaningful - NOT just “the” “and” or “two” etc.
Example: “C” - Custom ... President John loves Buck Customs.
An item can only be used once.
All [Buck] displays should be visited
Quotes from a displayer will count extra.
For the “X” you might need to visit the “Handle Guy”
Best answers will be interesting, innovative, and informative.
( Neatness and Spelling will be used only as a tie-breaker)
As Jeff would say on the TV show “Survivor” Do you wanna know what you’re playin’ for? ... see Mrs. Handle
Guy.
The enthusiasm of the participants (and the adults involved) was a pleasure to behold. And the answers
submitted showed a thoroughness and knowledge well beyond the age of those youth.
“A” for Anvil - the Buck symbol ... “G” for Gold etched lettering ... “I” for Impala Horn...“K” for Kalinga, in my Paps showcase. “T” for Tomahawk - versatile weapon
The answers reflected the child’s age as was expected. Adults involved assisted but allowed the youth to put
things in his or her own words.Melinda and Daphne, Teamwork and Mentoring at its Best
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By the way, the “X” was revealed as the Model 735 PLX, X-Tract Essential. This multi-tool was brought only as an example for the letter X, not as a prize, but Braxton did such a great job he walked away with that knife (sold to G’Pa Pap for a coin and then given to him). What’s even more special and shows the caliber of that family is the Thank You card the Handle Guy received a week later. Daphne also sent a Thank You for the Brian Hugh Custom she won.
The way in which the adults interact in these situations - at Shenandoah and Atlanta - shows a willingness on their part to share their love of The Buck brand and a genuine desire to view these youngsters for what they are ... the future of our club.
While I could name practically every BCCI adult in attendance that weekend as mentors to our boys and girls, I’d like to give special recognition to fellow Youth Committee Member Barbara Merritt for the guidance given there, but especially for her hard work, research, and attention to detail in all things Youth oriented. Wait until you see the activities she has prepared for Atlanta!
PresidentJohn Foresman (2017-2020)
110 New Kent DriveGoode, VA 24556(434) 610-7482
Vice PresidentLarry Oden (2018-2021)
1112 Veach’s CourtPeru, IN 46970(765) 244-0614
TreasurerPat Donovan (2016-2019)
56600 Edgewood DriveShelby Twnsp., MI 48316
SecretaryDoris Beall (2016-2019)
3400 W. Riggin Road. Unit 35Muncie, IN 47034
(765) [email protected]
Board MembersBrent Schindewolf (2016-2019)
5225 Pin Oak DriveAlton, IL 62002(618) 466-3200
Bruce Dollinger (2016-2019)20 So. Linden Ave., #6B
South San Francisco, CA 94080(650) 873-0224
Tim Lindsey (2018-2021)103 Meadowbrook Lane
Polo, MO 64671(816) 739-6673
Ed Cooper (2017-2020)173 CR 1253
Saltillo, MS 38866(662) 582-0816
Liaison OfficerJoe Houser
660 S. Lochsa St.Post Falls, ID 83854
(800) 326-2825 Ext. [email protected]
So That’s What the X Stands For!
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One of the side benefits of displaying or selling at a knife show is the people one meets. I especially enjoy surprising children with a complimentary Buck Knives hat pin. When asking a youngster if he or she would like a free hat pin, I get a rather wide range of responses. Some kids are gung-ho excited and it shows. A small percentage of them are quite shy and may look away. But most will smile and say “yes, please” or “sure” and are eager to see what is being offered. The smiles usually get bigger when they see the small Buck hat pins that almost look like a real knife that was shrunk by one of those fantastic machines right out of a science fiction movie.
The recent Shenandoah Valley Knife Collectors show in Harrisonburg, Virginia was no exception. I must have handed out at least twenty-five hat pins from Friday afternoon through Sunday morning. One such incident paid me back handsomely and that is the subject of this short article. A father with two daughters, probably around nine and thirteen years old, approached my table and I immediately offered each of the girls a hat pin. After they had each picked out one of their choosing, Dad pulled out a fixed blade sheath and told me he wanted to show me something. Withdrawing a handsome Damascus bladed custom knife from the sheath, he asked me to see if I could leave a finger-print on the blade. I tried but could not do so and the father told me he had placed a special coating on the blade some two years ago and this thin layer of protection was still working to protect the blade and keep it looking new. I was impressed with both the father and with his product.
Then he reached into his pocket and handed me what looked like a small tube of lip balm but it was labeled “BLADE GUARD PASTE” and contained what resembled a solid petroleum jelly. This was the coating he had placed on the Damascus blade. It is a non-toxic, food grade oil based paste, and is not greasy. With his encouragement, I withdrew my Buck 347 Vantage Pro from my pocket and using my index finger only, I rubbed a bit of the paste on both sides of the blade. Asking him about the black micarta handle, he replied to try it, so I coated one side only of the micarta. This resulted in a low luster gloss that made the coated handle slab look much better than the uncoated slab. Right then and there, I decided to leave the second handle slab uncoated, in order to see how the two sides would compare after the passage of time. I used a paper towel section that happened to be on the table to wipe off a bit of extra residue and to add a bit of luster to the S30V blade on my Vantage Pro. As I write this almost one week later, the coating is still working and I cannot fingerprint it. Time will tell but this product seems to be the real deal. The packaging indicates Blade Guard is “designed especially for carbon steel blades and exposed metal surfaces.” Also, it is claimed to have “a high resistance to heat and will not gum up or attract dust and dirt.”
We do not normally do cutlery related product reviews in the newsletter but I thought this product would be of interest to our members. You can get more information on Blade Guard by checking the company website at www.EagleTearsUSA.com. It is a Service-Disabled, Veteran Owned small business in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
blade gUard – Keep that neW in box looK By Larry Oden
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David yelloWhorse neWs...an invitation!
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At the 1997 Blade Show in Atlanta, Buck Knives distributed “sales sheets” with color pictures and written descriptions of “Limited Time Only” production knives being brought to the market place. These sales sheets were necessary due to a down-sizing of the usual annual Buck Knives catalog in 1997. The BCCI website archives all of the past Buck catalogs and if you look at the 1997 issue, you can see it focused on the company’s new products for 1997 but omitted the “Limited Time Only” offerings. Also, ongoing standard Buck products were left out unless they included one or more of the new focused features, making the 1997 catalog a very truncated issue. Nearby this article, you will find a copy of one of the aforementioned sales sheets and I still recall it immediately grabbed my attention. In bold print, the headline reads “Famous Folding Hunter with Variations!” and the ad’s introductory verbiage and bullet point details disclose the flagship knife in Buck Knives’
lineup was going to be available in a liner-lock configuration and would be identified as a Model 110LL.
It was easy to be attracted to this handsome new 110 version.
Aesthetically, the nickel silver frame and blue woodgrain handle inlays were strikingly appealing and the concept of a liner-lock 110 certainly was a compelling feature. Further, the ad touted one hand opening and closing assisted by the liner-lock and a “Flick-It” thumb stud attached to the blade. Being excited about this quite
different 110 version, I wasted no time in getting one on order. Had I known then about the rather long delay before ultimate delivery, I would have scaled back my anticipation.
The genesis for this all-new variation of the tried and true Model 110 can be traced to the fertile imagination of Wilde Bill Cody. Bill’s creative juices often lead to outstanding innovative knives and in this case, they brought about what became the “Blue Folding Hunter with Liner-Lock”. However, Bill’s initial concept was quite different than the finished product you see pictured on the sales sheet. The prototype versions Bill presented to Buck management looked much more
like a standard 110. In fact, they were built with the standard brass frame and ebony inlays. Bill then modified the knife with components necessary to convert the knife from a lock-back to a liner-lock version.
Save for the removal of a crescent shaped section from
the Model 110 liner-loCK By Larry Oden
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one side of the handle and frame to facilitate access to the liner-lock release point, it was easy to overlook anything different on the prototypes. A closer look would have revealed a missing lock-bar in the notch at the top rear of the frame but the liner-lock worked just as it should have. The prototypes opened smoothly, solidly locked in the blade open position and closed with no fanfare. Bill was pleased with his conversion to a liner-locking system, thinking that a number of Buck 110 users would be attracted to the liner-lock feature on an otherwise standard 110.
Although they liked the concept, Buck management was initially hesitant to monkey with their famous 110. They feared changing it could have a deleterious impact on their best-selling model. A few months went by and according to Bill, the concept was again put on the table. The management team had changed their mind and the Bill’s liner-lock version had been given a green light. The original prototypes had apparently disappeared and Bill was asked to make another set which he quickly set about doing. Bill related he is at a loss as to what brought about the change but the next thing he knew, the sales sheet pictures appeared indicating the knife’s appearance had been transformed into the nickel silver, blue woodgrain version I found to be so eye-catching. Also the standard 110 clip blade was slightly modified with the new version having a less pronounced clip section. If you examine the
picture in the sales sheet, you can see the overall profile of the blade clip is a bit wider than that found on a standard 110. For those who would prefer traditional two handed opening, the nail nick was retained in what I like to refer to as a modified clip blade.
A projected shipping date of August 1997 was indicated on the sales sheet but when Buck started production on this knife, they ran into an unexpected snag. Because the nickel silver frame was inherently harder than the brass frame, it was less forgiving. The resulting interaction between the brass frame, the 410 spring steel liner and the blade pivot bushing did not meet Buck’s standards. Specifically, the blade action was balky and in order to achieve a smooth opening blade, each of the knives had to be partially hand-built in order to restore desired blade pivot action. Naturally, this slowed the production schedule. While I have been unable to determine whether it was the sole reason for the delay, actual shipment of these knives did not commence until late in the 1997 calendar year. We all know the old saying, “better late than never” and in the case of the 110LL, the adage fits. I found the knife to be just what Bill had designed it to be --- functional with a bit of innovation for the classic model 110. If my hands were a bit larger, I would have been even more impressed. The 110 is a rather large folder and I found one-handed opening and closing required a bit of extra effort and concentration. Users with larger hands than mine would
probably not consider it an issue.
The 110LL factory versions were slightly different than the knife pictured in the sales sheet. Most obvious was the substitution of a larger thumb stud for the small black “Flick-It”. Enclosed in the standard black Buck Knives box was a small Allen wrench for this removable thumb stud. Also, the blades were stamped on two lines (in script) BUCK over U.S.A. with no model number or year symbol. Additionally, there were some variances to be found amongst the knives built and shipped from the factory. As an example, some of the knives had blades engraved “Limited Edition 1997”. Also, the “blue woodgrain” handle inlays came in various hues ranging from blue to a blue/green teal color. Finally, a very nice brown genuine leather sheath completed the package.
These 110LL knives are not an easy find and usually command a premium price when offered for sale. A check of my Buck Knives special projects listing indicates 150/350 in the quantity column. I am not certain, but it may be that only 150 of a planned total of 350 were made. In any case, even if the entire projected run of 350 110 liner-locks ended up being produced, the number is small, especially for a Model 110 variant. So, if you are a fan of the 110, I recommend adding at least one of these noteworthy versions to your collection. Good luck in your search!
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Springtime is known as the season of renewal. The Shenandoah Valley Knife Collectors Show went hand in hand with Spring as a renewal for the Buck Collectors Club this year. Two members displayed their Buck knife collections for the very first time, adding new blood to our contingent of exhibitors.
At last year’s show, Barbara Merritt encouraged David Fishel to display at this year’s show. And display, he did! David brought an impressive display of Buckmaster 184s filling two tables! He and his wife Patty were a wonderful addition to the show.
Long time show attendee, Eddie Racey took the plunge this year and brought his impressive collection of Buck knives covering a wide range of knives. Of course, Eddie’s wife Melinda did all she could to keep him straight! It was a full time job!
Jimmy Seagle and his wife Becky, brought his impressive collection of Buck 110s. Jimmy was often seen helping other members unload their displays, just like he does every year.
Gene Merritt and his wife Barbara, traveled north from Tampa, Florida to display his award winning David Yellowhorse knives. Gene could probably fill about 10 tables with all his Yellowhorse knives, but always graciously only requests one table. Gene also had a sales table and was busy selling Buck knives all weekend.
Doris and Charlie Beal traveled from Indiana to set up a Buck knife sales table. But they were not the only Hoosiers at the show. Larry Oden and Alan Horner also set up sales tables. Larry graciously gave up his display table so that others would be able to display.
Brent and Dee Schindewolf brought their awesome display entitled “How to Handle a Buck Knife” all the way from Illinois. It’s always a pleasure to see Brent and Dee engage the youngsters at a show.
Brian Hugh also travelled from Illinois to display his tactical Buck knives and also set up shop with a sales table. Brian was seen engaging with show patrons at both his sales and display tables!
Vickie Burns was sick and was unable to attend the show. And we had hoped that long time member Dan Rickman and his father Will would be able to join us, but they were not able to make it. They were all sorely missed!
Friday night after the show found about 24 club members eating at a wonderful little Italian restaurant just a few miles from the show. It capped off a truly wonderful day with a relaxing meal and great fellowship.
The Shenandoah Valley Knife Collectors have their annual banquet on the Saturday evening of the show. Many of our club members attend the banquet yearly. This year was a special one for our members. The Show Committee added an award this year: Most Outstanding Buck Knife Display. This was just one way that they express their appreciation for our club members helping to make their show a success. Brent Shindewolf was the proud winner of this first ever award! Congratulations Brent! The SVKC also honored John Foresman with a lifetime membership for his yearly help in setting the tables up before the opening of the show.
The Shenandoah Valley Knife Collectors show continues to earn the reputation of the friendliest knife show in the world! We hope we’ll see you there next year!
the shenandoah valley Knife ColleCtors shoW
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2019 BCCI MEMBERS ONLY KNIFE
WE ARE PROUD TO OFFER THIS OUTSTANDING VANTAGE MODEL 342, A MATCHING LITTLE BROTHER TO THE 2018 MODEL 342. FEATURES INCLUDE:
*STRIKINGLY BRILLIANT RAINDROP STAINLESS STEEL DAMASCUS BLADE - IT IS BELIEVED DAMASCUS HAS NEVER BEFORE BEEN OFFERED ON A MODEL 342.
*MAROON MICARTA HANDLES – ANOTHER BUCK KNIVES’ FIRST FOR THE 342 *DATED BCCI MEDALLION INSET ON LEFT SIDE OF HANDLE
*BLADE SERIALIZED ON RIGHT SIDE *CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY * LE BOXIMPORTANT OPTION – MEMBERS MAY PURCHASE MULTIPLE QUANTIES PER MEMBERSHIP NUMBER
WITH STIPULATION EACH KNIFE WILL HAVE “A, B, C, ETC.” IN THE SERIALIZATION AFTER THE MEMBER NUMBER TO INDICATE MULTIPLE KNIVES WERE ISSUED FOR THIS MEMBERSHIP NUMBER.
FOR EXAMPLE, A SERIALIZATION OF 1234C WILL INDICATE AT LEAST THREE KNIVES WERE PRODUCED FOR MEMBER NUMBER 1234. THE ABSENCE OF A LETTER WILL INDICATE ONLY ONE
KNIFE WAS BUILT WITH THAT MEMBER NUMBER.********IMPORTANT******* ORDER DEADLINE AND PAYMENT DEADLINE ARE NOT THE SAME DATE!
ORDER DEADLINE IS AUGUST 1, 2019 BUT YOU MAY PAY IN INSTALLMENTS. JUST BE SURE THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER IS PAID BY THE NOVEMBER 1, 2019 PAYMENT DEADLINE.
************************************************************************************I WISH TO ORDER AS FOLLOWS:342RDSCC - $114.00 + $10.00 S&H = $124.00 x qty.___ = $_______CLUB MEMBERSHIP # FOR SERIALIZATION ____________*__Check/Money Order enclosed ___Credit/Debit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover) Card Number _______________________________Exp. Date ______ (MM/YY) Security # ______ Signature authorization _______________________________ phone # for authorization _____________________________
PLEASE MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO BUCK COLLECTORS CLUBMember shipping address – Please print neatly – This will be your shipping label. Photocopies ok!Send orders to: Name ________________________________
Address________________________________
________________________________Georgia ForesmanDept BCCI-342RD City, State, Zip________________________________110 New Kent DriveGoode, VA 24556
ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY AUGUST 1, 2019. WE ANTICIPATE SHIPPING THESE KNIVES IN DECEMBER
PRESORTEDFIRST-CLASS MAIL
U.S. Postage
PAIDSan Bruno, CA
PERMIT NO. 655
David Yellowhorse Shop Tour Blade Guard, Keep That New In Box Look The Shenandoah Valley Knife Collectors Show The Model 110 Liner-lock 2019 Members Only Knife - 342