Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on December 19, 2016 at 15:45

Here is a Buck model I've spent more than two years looking for, basically Buck near-unobtanium; #322 Buck Congress in Yellow Sawcut Delrin. Like the black version I posted earlier in this thread this was an SFO, (Special Factory Order), made by Camillus Cutlery for Buck and sold exclusively through the SMKW catalog in 1995 only. Never cataloged or sold by Buck itself, it was only available at SMKW, and only for that single year.

During my two year+ search, I saw only two others of this version for sale, (both of those went for astronomical prices), so when I saw this one offered on a forum store I immediately contacted the seller, and to my surprise he accepted my discounted offer. I've seen photos of knives in private collections, so I knew they were out there, but I had accepted the fact that I probably would never be able to find one, but fate had a different outcome in mind.

Are there rarer Bucks? Yes, but this one, especially this color version, ranks among the top few of Buck rarities. To top it all off this knife was actually far better than described, and was not only in "unused" condition, but I suspect it was barely ever handled or opened; it is in absolutely perfect and pristine condition.

So, here it is, soon to be permanently ensconced in a glass display case with my other Buck SFO's:

You can see in the closeup below that there is no model number stamped on this knife, common for most Buck SFO's. Though not really visible, the sawcuts in the handle are there, just very shallow and barely visible, (made that way, not worn). Photos DO NOT do the color justice, in-hand the color is actually slightly translucent and quite attractive.

Permalink Reply by Billy Oneale on December 19, 2016 at 20:11

Nice find, Syd.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on December 19, 2016 at 20:19

Thanks Billy, I'm still in the afterglow, which will last until next month, (when the credit card bill comes in). It's so cool I'm looking for the cotton gloves I kept around for handling old coins, it's so pristine I don't want to breath on it, let alone handle it with bare fingers.

Billy Oneale said:

Nice find, Syd.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on January 9, 2017 at 14:39

Here is a Buck photo I am very happy to post, Buck unobtanium at it's finest; #332 Barlow in Yellow Sawcut Delrin, an SFO built by Camillus for SMKW in 1995, (never sold or listed in the Buck catalog, sold only by SMKW). Both black and yellow versions of this knife are scarce, but I am told the yellow is the hardest to find. Hopefully that means I'll more easily be able to find the black version, but either way I am truly pleased to have found this one. I was also told the yellow on this version was sometimes paler than the yellow on the Granddaddy Barlow, but in fact it is the opposite. Pale or bright they are both spectacular in my book. (Sorry for the fuzzy photos, best I could manage).

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on January 9, 2017 at 18:50

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on January 11, 2017 at 15:43

Here we go again. With these Buck SFO's it's a matter of buying when you see them. They are so scarce and come up for sale so rarely good timing is seldom a luxury I get to enjoy. As usual this came up at an inopportune time, right when I was in the process of buying the very expensive Barlow I pictured earlier, but like I said, ya gotta buy 'em when you see 'em or you might never get another chance.

Buck #329 Trapper, 1988 SFO by Camillus for SMKW, 4 1/8" closed. There also was a version of this called the "Freedom Trapper" that came in a decorated gift tin with blade etch and scale graphics, (both are smooth Yellow Delrin), which I also have, (do not have the tin though). Because I already had the Freedom Trapper I thought I might get away with carrying this knife, but after it arrived I realized it was completely unused, so thought better of my desire to carry it so have relegated it to my SFO display case.

I also added a photo of my Buck Trapper family tree, (ALL Buck Trappers were made by Camillus), including #311 Slimline Trapper, #312 Mini Trapper, #314 Trapper, & the #329. There is only one other Buck Trapper model for me to obtain to have a full set, the #334 Millenium Trapper, and of course I am always on the hunt for one of those.

Now I'm off to buy another case of Ramen, because that is all I can afford to eat since going on this latest knife-buying binge, (sigh).

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on January 11, 2017 at 19:15

LOL, dont eat too much Ramen but do enjoy the new beauty!

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on January 11, 2017 at 19:42

Gee thanks Jan. Oh well, it could be worse, I could be eating Ramen without new knives, so all in all I think I'm ahead of the game.

Jan Carter said:

LOL, dont eat too much Ramen but do enjoy the new beauty!

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on January 25, 2017 at 13:57

Here I go again. 1990 Buck #305 Clipper in Smooth Blue Delrin, the only blue Buck I have, (or have even seen). Found this on SMKW's Ebay store, happy that Mr. Pipes keeps these things around in a drawer for others to enjoy down the road. I always wanted one of these, but never expected to find one in this alternate color. This one is in perfect unused condition. I much prefer Buck-made folders made prior to 2000 when they changed to a new grind and blade shape, and I consider the master blade on this one to be far superior to later 305's with the newer grind.

I call this a "whimsical" knife as I bought it on a whim, but I am happy to have it. It's in my watch pocket as we speak, and I am off on my daily chores with a cool and new little knife in my pocket; works for me!

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on January 28, 2017 at 15:24

And the binge rolls on, finally found the mate to my yellow Barlow.

Buck #332 Barlow in Black Sawcut Delrin, 1995 SFO for SMKW. This one is even better from a collecting point of view as it came NIB w/papers, a rare find indeed, (and expensive...don't ask, still gagging when I think about it). I kinda think this one slipped by QC, there is a false stamping next to one of the handle pins, and there is a small gouge on the master above the nick, (see closeup photos). I don't think it was a "second" as I doubt those would have been fully packaged w/ box & papers, so I think it just slipped through like that. I don't mind though, it's not a beauty contest. Otherwise it is obviously completely unused, it even came in the original plastic sleeve.

That leaves two models of the 300 Series SFO's for me to find to have one of each model, (#334 Millennium Trapper, #333 California Toothpick). I'll get all my SFO family together for a family portrait soon, will post it here when I do.

Enjoy!!

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on February 27, 2017 at 22:08

Well, I've been offline for a month recovering from a medical issue, so glad to be back on IKC and glad to share a new find. I borrowed this photo from the seller, but was so excited about finding this I didn't want to wait for the post office to get it to me.

Buck #331 Grandaddy Barlow in Jigged Bone, a true "holy grail" knife. This is the actual knife I'll be receiving. Actually paid less for this one than the Yellow Delrin version I got recently, so in a way I got a bargain. Now that I can sit up again I look forward to spending more time on IKC.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on March 2, 2017 at 14:47

While waiting for the Barlow shown above to arrive I received this little gem. Unused 1993 Buck #303 Cadet. What is so special about this common little knife? 1993 was the year my daughter was born and I have been looking for a knife made that year for me to carry as a reminder of that occasion, and now here it is! That's all, nuthin' special, just a nice little knife to commemorate a joyous event. Actually though, now that I have it I realize I am starting to enjoy the Buck 300 Series knives from this "in between" era of the end of Camillus manufacture and before the turn of the century when Buck switched to a different blade grind. So far all of the knives of this series I've seen made after 2000 are inferior to these in betweeners, (IMHO that is).

So, stay tuned, tomorrow will be photos of a holy grail.

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