History of the Buck Knife

History of the Buck Knife

The Buck Knife, a term mostly used to refer to folding locked-blade knives, is also the namesake of one of the most successful knife manufacturers in the country. Read on to learn more about the history of Buck Knives.

Origin of the Buck Knife

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In 1902, Hoyt Buck, a 13-year-old blacksmith apprentice in Kansas, was experimenting with ways to temper steel so it would keep an edge for longer. His solution--to heat treat the steel in hoes--would change the blade firm dramatically for years to come.

However, the Buck knife, as it was soon be known, didn't show up in the shop for years after Buck's discovery. Buck moved to the Northwest, where he eventually enlisted in the Navy. When Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941, Buck was no longer an enlisted man, but began hand development knives using worn field blades.

When Buck heard there was a scarcity of knives ready for troops, he purchased an anvil, forge and abrasive and set up a blacksmith shop in a church basement, where he began producing hand-made knives for the military.

Move to San Diego

After the war ended, Hoyt Buck moved to San Diego with his son Al. The two set up a shop called H.H. Buck & Son behind their home in 1947. The father and son duo continued to make high-quality hand made knives and their firm soon thrived. In fact, Hoyt Buck made almost 25 knives by hand each week until his death in 1949.

Incorporation and the Model 110 Folding Hunter

Alfred Buck took over where his father left off. In the early 50s, he vast advertising of Buck knives to mail order catalogs. In 1961, Buck was incorporated and in 1964, the firm introduced the Model 110 Folding Hunter knife, which was a huge seller and became one of the most beloved knives ever made.

The 110 had a 3-3/4 inch blade. The handles were typically made of wood and the bolsters constructed of brass. Its staple features were its high-tension lock and low-pressure release. The 110 was so successful that it turned 'Buck' into a broad term for all folding locked-blade knives.

Other beloved knives

Buck introduced the Buckmaster, a survival knife with a hollow storage deal with and a 7.5 inch blade with a serrated spine, in 1984. The knife, which had prongs that allowed it to duplicate as a grappling hook, was sold to the troops and outdoor enthusiasts.

In 1992, Buck debuted the Nighthawk, which was a fixed-blade knife that was 6.5 inches tall and had a black deal with made of Zytel for an ergonomic grip. This knife was submitted to the U.S. Navy for estimation for use by Navy Seals.

Buck Today

Buck relocated to Post Falls, Idaho in 2005 and remains there today. It has each year revenues of almost million and retains almost 200 employees. The current Ceo is C.J. Buck, the great-grandson of founder Hoyt Buck.

History of the Buck Knife

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