Buck Knives is a multi million dollar knife company located in Post Falls, Idaho, but it wasn’t always that way. The history of the Buck Knife Company began when Hoyt Buck and his son Al began making quality knives right after World War II. Back then, Hoyt and Al set out to make quality knives for agricultural workers. But, they never expected their knives to take off with all Americans the way that they did. Today, Buck Knives has over 240 different designs, and they continue to be one of the top choices for hunters, fishermen, military personnel, and outdoorsmen. In this article, we are going to take a look at their story. So let’s begin!
Buck Knives Are Important to America
Contents
However, before we begin with the story of Buck Knives, it is worth mentioning that Buck Knives are a significant part of the American story. Not only because Buck Knives are made in the USA but because they are made with the highest level of craftsmanship.
Along with using the finest materials, the company also provides the same attitudes, ideas, and values sought after by most Americans. Their slogan, “the world’s finest cutlery,” comes from the idea of keeping American agriculture productive. Yes, Buck Knives has had a significant impact on Americans because of their dedication to quality and American values while producing some of the best knives.
What Buck Knives Makes
Buck Knives makes a variety of knives, from fixed blades to pocket knives. Although they are well-known for their quality and craftsmanship, of even more importance, all Buck Knives come with an American stamp of approval!
There are also many models of the Buck Knife, and every one has a different purpose.
For example, the Buck model 110 Folding Hunter, their first folding knife, holds a special place in American history. Although it’s designed to be a hunting knife, it’s actually a folding knife with a clip-point blade. First produced in 1964 after the company was incorporated, the 110 Folding Hunter continues to be one of their best selling products. The knife is durable, efficient, and functional, which are all qualities that buck knives prides themselves on. The knife is also lightweight, making it easy to carry with you wherever you go, something that is unheard of in a hunting knife. The blade is made of high-quality steel, and the handle is Ebony wood.
Recently the company released two new versions of the 110 Folding Hunter. The 110 Auto and the 110 Slim Pro are both modernized versions of the original knife.
Buck also offers fixed blade knives, including the Buck model 119 Special Fixed Blade Hunter. The knife is designed for hunters with a 4 1/4″ 420HC steel blade and a 7 1/8″ overall length. The Buck model 119 is available with a wood, Micarta, or bone handle and comes with a leather sheath.
Although recently discontinued, another very popular fixed blade knife is the Hartsook. With a blade measuring 1 7/8″ in length, this small multi-purpose knife is worn around the neck. The blade is Talon S30V stainless steel, and the handle is made of a black oxide coating. In addition, the Hartsook comes with a nylon belt sheath.
The company also offers survival knives in both fixed and folding blades. Examples include the Buck model 104 Compadre Camp Knife, a fixed blade, and the Buck model 836 folding Selkirk knife.
Other popular buck Knives include the buck model 124 Frontiersman, a 6 1/4″ fixed blade knife , and the Buck model 112, a folding knife with a 3″ 420HC steel clip blade.
How Buck Knives Started
The first Buck knife was made by a 13-year-old blacksmith named Hoyt Buck in 1902. Not only did he use worn out file blades as the raw material for his knives, but he also discovered a new way to temper steel, making it capable of holding an edge longer. However, it wasn’t until after WWII that the knives became popular. Following the war, Hoyt’s son Al joined his father in San Diego, and the two established H.H. Buck & Son on the site of an old farm. Later on, Chuck Buck, Al’s son, joined the company.
Hoyt Buck
Hoyt Buck was born in Kansas in 1884 and learned the art of skinning from his father. He went to work in a blacksmith shop but eventually became a master skinner and opened his own buck skinning business. Although he never stopped making knives, Hoyt left Kansas for the Pacific Northwest in 1907 and eventually enlisted in the Navy. During WWII, upon learning that the government needed knives for soldiers, Hoyt increased production and began making knives for the war effort.
Al Buck
Al Buck was Hoyt’s son, and over time Hoyt taught him everything he knew. Al was such a fast learner that he became Hoyt’s partner after a stint in the Navy during WWII. The two men made a great team and, right after the war, decided to start their own business. At that time, the company was then located in San Diego, California.
They named their new business Buck Knives. Although the skinning business was very lucrative at this time in American history, both Hoyt and Al wanted to expand their operations. So they decided that knives were the way to go because they already had a lot of experience making them. The skinning business also taught them how to make durable, high-quality knives out of steel and leather.
Al was the business-minded half of Buck Knives, while Hoyt was more focused on craftsmanship and design. Al was a knife salesman who helped Hoyt market their products, and it was his responsibility for getting Buck Knives into retail stores across the country.
After his father’s death, Al’s son Chuck joined his father, and the two kept the struggling business going. Buck Knives Inc was incorporated in 1961, and three years later, the company introduced its most popular knife, the “110 Folding Hunter.”
The Buck 110 History
The model 110 Folding Hunter is easily Buck Knives’ most popular product. It’s a folding pocket knife that was first released in 1963, and it has been the bestselling Buck Knife of all time since then. The knife’s popularity comes from the fact that it is a folding hunting knife. Not only does the knife feature a sturdy locking mechanism but a clip point blade. In addition, it features a high pressure lock with a low pressure release. Although the 110 Folding Hunter was meant to do the work of a fixed blade, it could also be used as a simple folding utility knife.
Buck Knives Today
With their humble beginning over a century ago, today, Buck Knives is headquartered in Post Falls, Idaho, with manufacturing operations in Tualatin, Oregon. Although both locations are states away from where they began on a farm near San Diego many years ago, the company continues to be a strong presence with the knife industry.
The current CEO is CJ Buck, a fourth generation of the Buck Family dedicated to continuing the tradition of making high-quality, American made products. The company offers over 240 different knife designs and has annual revenues of 80 million dollars.
The Buck Knife Logo
Over the years, many people have asked about the Buck Knife logo as it is a simple but iconic design. The logo features the Buck Knife name in block letters, with a buck deer head silhouette underneath it. The logo is simple, but it’s effective in conveying the quality and craftsmanship of the company. The shape is also symbolic of the company’s heritage since the company was founded by Hoyt Buck, a master Buck skinner. The deer head is a tribute to his skills as a hunter and butcher.
The logo has been used since the company’s inception in 1902, and it remains one of the most recognizable knife logos in the world.
Where Can You Buy Buck Knives?
Buck knives can be purchased on their website, and when you buy directly from buckknives.com, they offer free shipping and a lifetime guarantee that lets you return any knife for any reason.
You can also purchase Buck knives at local retailers like us here at Kwaks Trading Post. If you’re looking for a specific knife, we will do our best to help you find it. We’re also dedicated to getting you the best deal.
Conclusion
Buck Knives is an American company founded in the early 20th century by Hoyt and Al Buck. Although the company started out manufacturing knives for farmers and ranchers, they soon became recognized for their high quality and durability. The best example of this is their Buck model 110 Folding Hunter. It is one of the company’s most popular knives and has been in production since 1963.
Today, Buck Knives are headquartered in Post Falls, Idaho, with manufacturing operations in Tualatin, Oregon. Although they started as a small business on a farm in San Diego, they are now the world’s finest cutlery maker with annual revenues of 80 million dollars. They are also a tribute and an inspiration to America.