Buck Knives is perhaps the most popular knife brand in the US. It has been making reliable, high-quality knives since the early twentieth century and boasts a diverse collection of knives of different types and models.
Some of Buck Knives’ knives are made in China. However, only a small percentage of its knives are made in China while the majority are produced in the US. The company aims to make all of its knife models in the US in the near future.
Read on to find out if your buck knife was made in China or not!
Are Buck Knives Made In China?
This is one of the most common questions people have about Buck knives. Are they made in China? Or are they made in the US? While some are made in China, most of them are manufactured in the US in Idaho, whereas a small number of them are made overseas, particularly in China.
Buck Knives makes a plethora of different types of knives and most of those models are made in the US. Buck Knives is working hard to shift its entire production and manufacturing process to the US. Each year, fewer knives are being made overseas.
Buck knives usually have the name of the country they were manufactured in stamped on the blade. So blades will have either “China” or “USA” on them.
Are Buck knives made in the US?
The majority of Buck Knives’ models are made in the US. The company is striving to make all its knife models in the US and it’s getting closer to its goal with each passing year. Each year, more and more models are being made in the US. According to some estimates, about 80 to 85 percent of Buck knives are produced in the US.
Models that are made in the US have “USA” stamped on their blades. Check out this guide for more information on which models are made in the US and which are manufactured overseas.
A brief history of Buck knives
The Buck Knives brand has a long and interesting history and has been producing Buck knives since the early twentieth century. According to its website, the first Buck knife was produced by Hoyt Buck in 1902. Hoyt and his son produced high-quality knives under the brand H.H. Buck and Son that were popular during World War II and the post-war era.
In 1961, the brand was incorporated as Buck Knives, Inc. Later, in 1964, the business introduced the Model 110 Folding Hunter knife, which became highly popular and shot the company to fame, making it a reliable and leading name in the knife industry.
The reins of the business have been passed down from generation to generation and the current CEO is the 4th generation family member to run it. The brand has enjoyed great success since its inception in the mid-twentieth century and is currently one of the biggest and most popular knife brands in the country.
What kinds of Buck knives are available?
There are many different models of Buck knives that you can buy. These models are divided into three types: fixed blade knives, folding knives, and pocket knives.
Fixed blade knives, as their name implies, consist of a solid blade attached securely to the handle. Fixed blade knives are generally stronger and heavier than folding knives and are better suited for tough jobs such as camping tasks and other field uses.
Folding knives are more compact than fixed blade ones and are easier and safer to carry. The opening and closing methods in folding knives can vary and usually depend on the model. Some folding knives can also lock and use a number of different locking mechanisms to do so.
Pocket knives are the most compact type of the three and are highly versatile. They can serve a variety of uses and use different opening and closing mechanisms.
How many different blade shapes do Buck knives come in?
Buck knives come in a variety of different blade shapes. Different blade shapes work well for different purposes and choosing the right blade shape is important when buying a knife. Here are some of the most popular shapes:
- Skinner: This shape works great for skinning game. The body of the blade is wide and curved whereas the tip is narrow.
- Drop point: This shape has a wide belly and a thick and strong tip. It is best suited for heavy, tough jobs.
- Pen: Pen blades are small, spear point blades that can serve a multitude of uses. This shape is commonly used in pocket knives.
- Tanto: Tanto blades are very strong and have a narrow, pointed tip and a narrow belly. They are one of the best blades for working with tough materials.
- Clip: This blade has a thin, sharp tip in the shape of a crescent. This blade shape is ideal for detail work. While the blade is perfect for detail work, it isn’t quite durable or strong.
To discover more about the different blade shapes Buck knives come in, check out Buck Knives’ own guide on its website here.
What locking mechanisms do folding Buck knives have?
Interestingly, folding Buck knives have different folding mechanisms. Here are some of them:
Lockback. As the name implies, the blade in these folding knives can be locked into position if it is opened fully. To close the blade, the rocker on the handle is pushed.
Frame lock. In a frame lock, the locking mechanism is actually located in the handle frame on the side of the knife. It can be opened and closed with one hand and has fewer moving parts.
Liner lock. A liner lock operates using a metal liner located in the handle. The blade locks if it is fully opened and can be closed by pressing and pushing the liner to the left.
Strong Lock System. This is a relatively new locking mechanism that uses a metal bar on the back frame of the knife as a lock. The blade is opened using a flipper and can be closed by lifting the metal bar.
What materials are Buck knives made of?
Different Buck knives are made using different blades and handle materials. We’ll look at both in detail.
When it comes to the blade material, there are usually three kinds of steel Buck Knives uses:
- 154CM steel: This steel has a high carbon content, is harder, and has high edge retention.
- 420HC steel: A strong stainless steel that is fairly rust-resistant and easy to re-sharpen.
- S30V steel: This is a kind of stainless steel that has an edge retention higher than 154CM steel.
For the handles, rubber, wood, metal, and Micarta can be used. Rubber provides a great grip while wood is durable and can produce aesthetically pleasing handles. Handles made from composite materials provide a good combination of durability and grip.
How to choose the best Buck knife for yourself?
Since Buck knives come in many different types and models that are best suited for different purposes, choosing the right Buck knife for yourself is important. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind if you plan on getting a Buck knife.
Intended use. You’ll have to decide what you need the knife for and what features it should have based on your activities.
Type (fixed blade vs folding vs pocket knife). Again, this depends on what you’ll be using your knife for and how compact you want it to be.
Blade shape and thickness. Different blade shapes are used for different purposes. Thicker blades are used for heavy-duty tasks. Blades with thin, narrow points are better suited for detail work.
Weight. Lighter knives are easy to carry around. Heavier knives aren’t as portable but are more powerful.
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Tips for taking care of your Buck knife
Keeping your Buck knife in prime condition is important. It prevents the knife from being damaged and extends its life. Here are some things you can do to take good care of your knife so that it works smoothly.
- Prevent the knife from being exposed to moisture – keep it dry. Moreover, frequently clean the blade and the handle.
- Oil the pivot points and the blade when needed.
- Ensure that all the moving parts and locking mechanism are working fine. Keep all these parts clean.
- Sharpen your knife regularly since a sharper knife is more safe than a dull one.
- If your Buck knife has been damaged in some way, send it to Buck Knives for repair. Avoid trying to fix it yourself.
Tips for sharpening your Buck knife
Keeping your Buck knife in good working condition is very important – and that includes sharpening it regularly. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
- For inconsistent edges, for very dull blades, use a coarse grit sharpener. This is known as heavy sharpening and should be done at an angle of about 14 degrees for each side.
- For medium sharpening for dull blades, use a medium grit sharpener at 14 degrees for each side. This effectively sharpens the blade and removes any scratches. You can also use honing fluid.
- For fine sharpening, use a fine grit sharpener or a natural stone and stroke lightly. Honing fluid can also be used.
These three stages of sharpening are usually performed in this order, from heavy sharpening to fine sharpening. Make sure you have the necessary equipment before you get started with sharpening.
What is Buck Knives’ forever warranty?
Buck Knives has a great warranty policy for its knives known as “forever warranty.” The warranty claims that every Buck knife will be highly durable and will have no defects in either build quality or the materials used for the duration of its life. The company advises users against using its knives as chisels, screwdrivers, or hammers.
Buck Knives states that it will replace or repair your defective Buck knife. They will provide you with a new Buck knife if your old one is defective and cannot be repaired. If, however, the knife is damaged due to incorrect use by the customer, the company will repair it for a certain fee.
In a nutshell, Buck Knives’ forever warranty is pretty cool, and its return and exchange policy are quite reasonable as well.
How to send your Buck knife for service
If you want to get your Buck knife serviced or repaired, you can send it to Buck Knives and claim your warranty. Here are the steps you need to follow.
- Clean and prepare the knife for shipment. According to Buck Knives’ policies, the knife must be free of dirt, blood, and other materials.
- Securely pack the knife so that it can not move around in the package. Original packaging and the sales receipt are not required. If you’re sending a fixed blade knife, put it in its sheath.
- Get Buck Knives’ warranty repair form from its website. Get it printed and fill in all the necessary details.
- Pack the knife with the warranty form and send the package to Buck Knives. The shipping label is available on its website here.
For more details about sending your knife to Buck Knives, check out its website or contact its customer support via phone or email.
Final Thoughts
Buck knives are popularly known for their exceptional build quality, reliability, and durability. For a company that has been producing high-quality knives since the early twentieth century, it isn’t difficult to see why. While the majority of its knives are proudly made in the US, some models are produced overseas, particularly in China. However, the company is striving to shift its entire production to the US in the near future.