Buck Knives Factory

[ArfinGreebly]

Went to the Buck Knives factory today.

Didn't get to spend much time there.

I spent five or ten minutes at the customer service window where I handed in my newest Buck #301 Large Stockman for factory resharpening and service. Paid $5.00 cash, and I'll pick in up in two or three days.

I spent about twenty minutes in their little retail shop.

They have a couple of display racks where the "FB" knives are sold -- the Factory Blemish items -- which are all marked "FB" on the main blade somewhere. They also have "overrun" production, where they made more than their quota of some knife or other.

Picked up a #303 [strike]Medium Stockman[/strike] Cadet, whose blemish was a rivet that wasn't struck dead-on, and wasn't perfectly seated (flush and round), for 50% off. Also a Chef's knife (production overrun) for 65% off.

Didn't get to see the museum, but I'll do that when I go back for the #301.

They've got more darn stuff there than I've ever seen in any one store. They've got some high-end tactical stuff that the catalog simply doesn't do justice. Flippin' candy store, I tell you.

They've got a custom 110 that's "blemished" selling for half off ($140/2 = $70) and other "blem" stock that I can't find anything wrong with. Guy behind the counter: "Well, you see this little shiny spot here? We can't sell it like that." Anything from a less-than-perfect rivet to a scratch on a bolster to a shiny spot on a handle.

Maybe living so close to them isn't such a hot idea.

I'm never gonna have any darned cash if I frequent that end of town.

 

[sm]

I'm never gonna have any darned cash if I frequent that end of town.

Arf,
Allow me to assist, repeat after me :
But honey, it was on Sale!

There is a certain "head nod-n-tilt" gals do when they say that, still try it and get back to us.
Makes sense to me to steal from gals how this stuff works...*grin*

Sounds like a neat place to me and one a person could save money by spending money. . I mean you cannot afford to not spend money with such good deals, selection and customer service.

*I'm helping*

Seriously though , check out the Arkansas Stones and see if these are the old ones.
Some great affordable gifts in some smaller knives like the USA made Lancer and other 300 series.

Did they have any of the old Red Handled 300 series?
How about sheaths? Some good buys on blems?

Await further review...

Steve

 

[JTW Jr.]

a couple years ago while I was doing some work in WA , I drove over to the Buck shop in Post Falls to drop of some S30v blades to Paul Bos for HT , he gave me a complete tour of the place and then showed me his HT operation , we sat and talked for awhile and then i went on my way. I need to make another trip back up there soon.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Back Again Today

Picked up the #303 today.

Dan (so I'm told) had polished the bolsters and blades, and cleaned out the crud and lubed it. Unless you look at the scales closely or look into the springs it looks new.

Shiny and sharp. $5.00 all in.

I had a new camera I'm trying out (Fuji FinePix F50SE), so I shot some pics of the lobby and their mini-museum. Tomorrow I should have the before and after pics along with some shots of the factory.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

The "After" Pictures

These are some shots of the #301 taken after they re-sharpened and polished it up.

It's harder to shoot shiny things and get good images than I would have thought.

I need to learn about lighting.

The springs still have some rust staining




​

You really have to see the "before" pictures with the scratched blades to appreciate the difference.

The "before" pics are on my other camera, so I gotta dig that up.

*Sigh*

No rest for the wicked.

 

[coelacanth]

nice. . . . .

I tried a trick once that might work for you on those springs. A little piece of 000 steel wool rolled up tight to fit in the blade slot and worked it back and forth with a popsicle stick with a some "teeth" carved in the end. A little shot of WD40 keeps the whole operation running smooth and in a few minutes its hard to see there was ever any spot at all. At least that's how it worked on my old Boker stockman.

 

[Valkman]

As much as the Buck plant would be great, meeting Paul Bos and seeing his shop would top the list!

 

[ArfinGreebly]

On Location

Finally got pix where I can use them.

Factory, front view



Sorry, no neon signage



In memorium, Hoyt Buck


And his son, Alfred Buck



Inside the lobby



Lobby seen from museum upstairs



Mini-museum, with window overlooking factory floor


Museum, South Wall


Museum, North Wall

​

That's all for now, I gotta sleep.

Big day at the vet tomorrow.

G'Nite.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

One More

Behind the "front display" with the mastodon tusks, is this little item:

Hoyt Buck's anvil, beside a Centenial sculpture (1902-2002) in wood
​

I have a mess of other photos, taken in a hurry, of the lobby and the museum. I'll be happy to post them if someone wants to see something specific (knives from a given era, etc.).