My Buck 503, 2003
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My Buck 503, 2003
I have acquired a Buck 503 from 2003 and the handles are not the typical Buck handles. Check it out in the photos below.
For want of a better term I am calling the center piece agate and it seems to be surrounded by phenolic on each of the ends. The other side looks like laminated wood.
I am wondering if these are after market or factory handles, maybe a SFO or such.
As always, any help will be appreciated.
Ray
For want of a better term I am calling the center piece agate and it seems to be surrounded by phenolic on each of the ends. The other side looks like laminated wood.
I am wondering if these are after market or factory handles, maybe a SFO or such.
As always, any help will be appreciated.
Ray
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003
Sorry I can't offer any insight, Ray, but it sure is pretty.
Take care and God bless,
Steve
TSgt USAF, Retired
1980-2000
But any knife is better than no knife! ~ Mumbleypeg (aka Ken)
Steve
TSgt USAF, Retired
1980-2000
But any knife is better than no knife! ~ Mumbleypeg (aka Ken)
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003
Thanks, Steve. It is kinda eye catching, isn't it.
Ray
Ray
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003
Handsome knife! The center section appears to be malachite, not an agate. Malachite is a copper mineral and quite soft to abrasion, agate is a translucent stone and much harder than malachite. Malachite is often seen on knife handles because it is much easier to work than agate and has a superb green color.
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003
I'm inclined to agree with Gene. Looks a lot like my Lakota Teal in Malachite.
Rick T.
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003
Thanks, guys for the info.
What do you think about the origin? Factory or after market?
Ray
What do you think about the origin? Factory or after market?
Ray
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003
I'm not sure, Ray but I did find this excerpt from an article written by Larry Oden on the Buck Collectors Club. The article was written in 2008 and I don't see any mention of a 2003 Limited Edition. Doesn't mean there wasn't one though.
"Buck Knives’ centennial celebrationyear of 2002 saw them introducetwo more Limited Edition model503s that were similar to the LEmodels for 2001. This time, theychose two new bonded stone inlaypatterns. The first was called “BlueRiver Agate” (model 503S3) andthe second named “BandedChryscolla Purple Sunset” (model503S4). Both versions were strik-ingly different in that they wereunusually colorful. The Blue RiverAgate was a turquoise blue colorand the Purple Sunset appropriate-ly stood out in purple and pink."
Rick T.
"My knife money maketh itself wings!" mb>
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"My knife money maketh itself wings!" mb>
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003
Great info, Rick. Hard to imagine that if there were a Limited Edition of this type in 2003 that it would not be mentioned in that article.
Ray
Ray
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003
I agree but I will say one thing. The inlays on your knife look very well done. I don't see any gaps or flaws in your pictures of the inlaid side. Whomever did the work was well experienced whether it was someone from Buck or someone else.
Rick T.
"My knife money maketh itself wings!" mb>
Proud member of the Buck Collectors Club Inc.
"My knife money maketh itself wings!" mb>
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003
That's a good looking knife. The black may be "jet" which is considered a gemstone. It's hard to say who did the work, but it could have been Santa Fe Stoneworks. The 2003 date makes that a possibility. After Buck moved to Idaho, Santa Fe Stoneworks stopped using Buck knives for their work because of a supply problem. Send them a photo and they can tell you if they did the work. If not they might suggest another maker. Bill Wirtel is the owner of SFSW and seems like a pretty good person.
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003
Good idea and I'll get on that. I have had some contact with them in the past and they are a nice bunch.
Ray
Ray
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"I'm glad I ain't scared to be lazy." Augustus McCrae
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003
Bingo! I just got a return email from Bill Wirtel and he says it is one of their knives. It is Malachite and Jet and they no longer do Buck knives because they cannot get them without handles.bertl wrote: ↑Fri Apr 09, 2021 3:41 pm That's a good looking knife. The black may be "jet" which is considered a gemstone. It's hard to say who did the work, but it could have been Santa Fe Stoneworks. The 2003 date makes that a possibility. After Buck moved to Idaho, Santa Fe Stoneworks stopped using Buck knives for their work because of a supply problem. Send them a photo and they can tell you if they did the work. If not they might suggest another maker. Bill Wirtel is the owner of SFSW and seems like a pretty good person.
My thanks to bertl as he came up with Santa Fe Stoneworks and I do appreciate all who participated.
Ray
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God Bless the USA
Please visit my store SWEETWATER KNIVES
"Buy more ammo" - Johnnie Fain
"I'm glad I ain't scared to be lazy." Augustus McCrae
God Bless the USA
Please visit my store SWEETWATER KNIVES
"Buy more ammo" - Johnnie Fain
"I'm glad I ain't scared to be lazy." Augustus McCrae
Re: My Buck 503, 2003
I'm glad the mystery is solved. This 303 from SFSW has different materials but similar geometry. I need to polish the bolsters.Bingo! I just got a return email from Bill Wirtel and he says it is one of their knives. It is Malachite and Jet and they no longer do Buck knives because they cannot get them without handles.
Bert