My Buck 503, 2003

Hoyt Buck produced the first Buck Knife in 1902. Hoyt and his son Al moved to San Diego and set up shop as H.H. Buck & Son in 1947. Al Buck revolutionized the knife industry in 1964 with the infamous Model 110 Folding Hunter. The company's innovative history and attention to quality have made for many great collectible knives.
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Paladin
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My Buck 503, 2003

Post by Paladin »

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
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Steve Warden
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003

Post by Steve Warden »

Sorry I can't offer any insight, Ray, but it sure is pretty.
Take care and God bless,

Steve
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003

Post by Paladin »

Thanks, Steve. It is kinda eye catching, isn't it.

Ray
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003

Post by Gunsil »

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

Post by Railsplitter »

I'm inclined to agree with Gene. Looks a lot like my Lakota Teal in Malachite.
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003

Post by Paladin »

Thanks, guys for the info.
What do you think about the origin? Factory or after market?

Ray
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003

Post by Railsplitter »

Paladin wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2021 12:51 pm Thanks, guys for the info.
What do you think about the origin? Factory or after market?

Ray
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."
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003

Post by Paladin »

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
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003

Post by Railsplitter »

Paladin wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2021 1:21 pm 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
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.
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003

Post by bertl »

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

Post by Paladin »

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
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003

Post by Paladin »

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.
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.
My thanks to bertl as he came up with Santa Fe Stoneworks and I do appreciate all who participated.

Ray
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Re: My Buck 503, 2003

Post by bertl »

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.
I'm glad the mystery is solved. This 303 from SFSW has different materials but similar geometry. I need to polish the bolsters.

Bert
303 Santa Fe Stoneworks.jpeg
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