Buck Knives: Hunting Season Factory Sale

For any of you who live in North Idaho or East Washington (or West Montana, for that matter), it's that time again.

Buck Knives is hosting its week-long factory sale at its factory premises in Post Falls, Idaho, all this week.

Hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Prices are 50% of whatever the normal tag is. For example, if you should find a Vantage Avid that normally sells for $54, then you'll pay $27. If you happen to find a Vantage Avid Factory Blem that would normally sell for $40, it'll be $20 this week. A $24 Revel will be $12 this week.

Had the gal try to help me find the blemish on the Vantage Avid, and neither of us could locate it. Oh, darn. The Revel is simply new production, so no blems.

You may have to wait briefly in line, depending on the time of day. My wait was ten minutes.

(Separate report on the Revel once I've had a chance to use it.)

So, for all you fellers who have been waitin' to pick up yer huntin' knahf, y'all kin head on over to the Buck Knahvs Facktry. They'll take keer of y'all.

 

Blem? What Blem?

So, I picked up a marked-down (blemished) Vantage Avid today.

And the sale price was half the markdown.

And neither the sales gal nor I could find the blemish.

So . . . I'm at home now, and I've had a chance to go over this thing with a magnifier, and . . .

. . . the blem -- if indeed that's what it is -- shows as a tiny, nearly imperceptible, burr on the edge of the screw hole in the handle material at the rear on the obverse side (left side if you're cutting with it). The sort of thing I can probably smooth out if I want, or just ignore.

What's more interesting is that somehow the "FB" (Factory Blemish) notation that's usually lasered onto the blade is missing. The box clearly says "factory blemish," and the blade was tagged with the circular red sticker dot that identifies a blem, but the knife itself betrays no such notation, and the "blem" is so minor . . . I just dunno.

Darn perfectionists.

It's a little stiff opening, but that will loosen up with time and use.

The blade is very nearly dead center. The lockup is sound and tight.

I am completely pleased with this piece. It's an excellent backup to its twin, which works a regular shift in my EDC rotation.

Pleased. Did I mention I was very pleased?

 

I have a few Buck knives around the house. I like every one of them. But lately I've signed on to the Buy American club, which Buck sometimes doesn't adhere to. Some of their models are US made, some are not. I read carefully. Lately I've been buying older Case's and some smaller maker's work here and there. Check out a guy in NY named Dick Faust. Nice guy and great knives. I'd just like to keep our own in business a little while longer. Some KaBars and all Cases are still American. Gerber is like Buck, they jump around. I've just found that some of our own makers are putting out great products at competitive prices.

 

Buy American

If you read more carefully, you will discover that 85% of Buck's production is right here in North Idaho. They still have two dozen models being made offshore. Everything else, including the fabled 119, 105, 102, 110 and 112 are still made here. Their classic 301, 303, 309, 310, and so on, also made right here, along with their newer 34x and 33x series knives. They've streamlined their US production, and brought models back from overseas. They're serious about keeping the business at home.

Since they moved to Idaho and lowered their costs, and since they adopted the Lean Enterprise manufacturing methods, they've managed to anchor their business better, making it more efficient and profitable. And that's what makes it possible to bring their imports back and make them domestic again.

You are, of course, free to buy what and where you like, but if "buy American" is part of your thinking, it is well to be better informed.

Buck don't make "some" knives here, they make the overwhelming majority of their knives here. And the stuff they have done overseas is closely monitored for quality.

If you're under the impression that they're some kind of slap-dash, fly-by-night outfit run by random corporate suits, then I would recommend a little more study. I've met and talked with the staff and execs there. They are a seriously class act.

Their factory is less than 20 miles from my house, so it is my privilege to visit them in person from time to time.

I find that I am impressed by the character of their business, their background, and the execs & staff.

Your mileage, of course, may vary.

 

Did you see any Buck Hartsook smidgens?

 

You can find what`s made where on line. I came across it by accident. That is one,long list of Buck knives that are made over-seas.

The Buck 110 folding is made in the USA.

 

Long List?

A) Make sure the list is current, and
B) Be sure to divide by 3 or 4, or whatever the variation count is.

For example, the 766 (Revel) is made in China. It's available in three colors that I know of, all of which have variations on the model number. If that's "three models" then the numbers are gonna be skewed.

The Buck 110 is made in a wide variety of combinations of steels, woods, bolsters, and so on. Some have exposed rivets, some don't. I don't count the 110 as "fifty models" even though there are likely more variations than that.

As I pointed out in a recent post:

Perception can be a harsh mistress.

Buck has had to deal with this "oh, they're all made in China now" thing for the last several years. Part of the price paid for doing what was necessary at the time to stay in business and remain competitive.

They're actively working to bring it all home.

Maybe they're "not worth supporting" until they've accomplished that. I can't make that call for you.

For my part, I'm inclined to support them. They're a substantial piece of our local economy. They've supported our country, provided jobs and quality products, and taken good care of their customers over four generations now, with the fifth generation already contributing new designs, working the trade, and learning the business.

Yes, I would be happier if there were an American made option for all the things I need in my life. I'd be very pleased if I could obtain high-quality US-made examples of a washer, drier, TV, stove, microwave, computer, network equipment, VCR/disc player, office furniture, and so on and so on. Mostly, that's not happening any more.

However, in the Buck line of knives, I can still get a high-quality tool made right near where I live. I'm certainly not gonna pass that up.

 

Smidgens?

Sorry, Brian, I was only in there for something like 15 or 20 minutes, and didn't get to browse all the walls and counters.

Being limited on time (and money!), I was really kinda focused on finding the thing I came for. Basically in-and-out.

So, no Hartsook viewing.