subject: The Romance And Utility Of A Buck Knife [print this page] The Romance And Utility Of A Buck Knife The Romance And Utility Of A Buck Knife
The history of the Buck knife is a perfect storybook blend of history, craftsmanship, and innovation. The name "Buck Knife" is registered trademark, but the term has come to refer to the company's most influential design.
If to be imitated is a mark of respect, Buck knives rise above all other brands. 1964 saw the introduction of their famous folding, lock blade knife. The Rambo films brought another design, the survival knife, into world wide prominence.
Apprenticed to a blacksmith at age 10, young Hoyt H. Buck discovered a way to harden the edge of hoes and other farm tools so they would stay sharp. He later began to make unusually durable knives from discarded rasps and files, stamping each handmade blade with his last name. These early knives are priceless now, and the company has continued to make limited edition knives for collectors.
During World War II, buck began to make knives in a basement workshop for GIs who would otherwise go into action without this indispensable tool. He started a peacetime business in 1947, and the company was incorporated in 1963. It was the next year hat they brought their folding knife to the attention of the world, and the rest is history. The fame of this company is such that most think it has been around much longer.
Anyone that needs to cut, scrape, chop, slash, slice, pierce, thrust, or stab will do it best with a good knife. Hunters, trappers, fishermen, soldiers, sailors, and others in all walks of life have come to value the particular Buck knife that suits their need. These tools have become a symbol of the spirit of this country, with special art knives designed to help celebrate organizations, favorite brands, special people, and noteworthy events. There are limited editions for the Boy Scouts, the National Rifle Association, Harley Davidson motorcycles, Elvis and John Wayne, state anniversaries and bicentennials, and more. The Buck label adorns official t-shirts, toys, and hats.
It all grew around the superior quality and functionality of the knives themselves, of course. Known for being up to the serious tasks of outdoor life, these knives are guaranteed not to break under normal use, for as long as the original owner has the tool. A knife should last a lifetime, the company says. The knives are often passed on to another generation, in perfectly serviceable condition.
A Buck knife can be, at one and the same time, a rite of passage, a treasured possession, an investment, and a constant companion for those who own one.
