Knife quandry

[Selena]

I have just been "gifted" the cutest little knife by one of the neighbors. It is a "Buck" knife that the former owner tells me he bought when he was still in high school. Since that guy is somewhere between ancient and prehistoric that would put it at around forty years old.

Problem is, the sheath has this snap and the leather has rotted away around it and the rest of the leather isn't in all that great of shape from spending beaucoup years in an outbuilding. Is it possible to buy a new sheath for that old of knife or would I be better served to have the saddle maker just build one from scratch? While an original sheath would be more "authentic" the idea of a one built with the neighbor's name stamped in the leather so the next generation will know it's history is tempting. Any advice from older and wiser heads?

 

[sfhogman]

"Since that guy is somewhere between ancient and prehistoric that would put it at around forty years old."
Ageist much?
Anyway, if the neighbor is a good friend and you value the friendship, I would say go to the saddlemaker. You'll probably be pleased with the result and it'll grace the knife more than store bought. Of course you could just buy a new sheath- the shape of knives doesn't change much- but we know where it would probably be made....

I have a couple of holsters like that; made for guns that were gifted by older friends that are no longer around.

Jeff

 

[GunnyGene]

I have just been "gifted" the cutest little knife by one of the neighbors. It is a "Buck" knife that the former owner tells me he bought when he was still in high school. Since that guy is somewhere between ancient and prehistoric that would put it at around forty years old.

Problem is, the sheath has this snap and the leather has rotted away around it and the rest of the leather isn't in all that great of shape from spending beaucoup years in an outbuilding. Is it possible to buy a new sheath for that old of knife or would I be better served to have the saddle maker just build one from scratch? While an original sheath would be more "authentic" the idea of a one built with the neighbor's name stamped in the leather so the next generation will know it's history is tempting. Any advice from older and wiser heads?

A picture would help. Knife sheaths are fairly easy to make. Most are 8-10 oz leather, and can be stitched and/or riveted and laced. They can also be made of wood, such as walnut or other hardwood, although that's a little harder.

Might be hard to find the right original sheath for your knife without buying another identical knife. Try ebay for that. If it were me, I'd just make one, since the knife itself is not a "collector" item.

Here's an example of a laced and riveted sheath (my Old Timer Deer Slayer):

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

http://www.buckknives.com/sheaths/

If it's a REAL "Buck" brand--not a generic misuse of the name--and still made (most of the "classics" are) they've probably got it. Match the knife's model number from the blade to the sheath and the question's answered. Their sheaths I've gotten recently came from Mexico, where they seem to be doing a decent job with leather. 500 yrs of experience raising cattle and working with the stuff may have paid off!

Rick C

 

[Hugh]

I have just been "gifted" the cutest little knife by one of the neighbors. It is a "Buck" knife that the former owner tells me he bought when he was still in high school. Since that guy is somewhere between ancient and prehistoric that would put it at around forty years old.

Problem is, the sheath has this snap and the leather has rotted away around it and the rest of the leather isn't in all that great of shape from spending beaucoup years in an outbuilding. Is it possible to buy a new sheath for that old of knife or would I be better served to have the saddle maker just build one from scratch? While an original sheath would be more "authentic" the idea of a one built with the neighbor's name stamped in the leather so the next generation will know it's history is tempting. Any advice from older and wiser heads?

Hi Selena,

You didn't say which Buck knife so I'll presume it may be a Buck 110 folding knife; my favorite folding knife. That being the case you may find what you want on amazon.com; for example:

http://www.amazon.com/Buck-110-Belt-Sheath-Black/dp/B00AEOMI52/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409856504&sr=8-2&keywords=buck+110+sheath

 

[Kevin]

I'd vote for have one made. But I'm not prehistoric. It couldn't cost too much and get the original owners name on it and/or date he got the knife.

 

[Selena]

It's a fixed blade knife. The number on the blade is 118. The blade is about 11 cm with a black grip. I've found a couple of sheaths on the net but they have the clasp that wraps around the handle where this one folds over. I prefer the latter for a number of reasons. I've almost decided to have one made so there will be a stamping showing he gave it to me. When Dad first got custody of me this guy was one of the first in the neighborhood to see me as anything more than the monkey face gook my Dad's cousin gave birth to. Because of that I cherish the gift far beyond it's value.

 

[deac45]

Knowing the sentimental value I say have one custom made. It will be one of a kind as is your friendship with this person.

Deac45

 

[cellar701]

Selena, forum member "pawpawcamo1958" does a lot of work with knives and he may have some contacts who could get you an original sheath for the knife. If that doesn't bear fruit I would personally go the route of a custom made sheath. Neat story and a great gift - I personally feel a good knife with some history is one of the best gifts to friends and family.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BUCK-118-Personal-Black-118-05-BK-LEATHER-Knife-Sheath-0118-05-BK-New-/371122787726?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5668a4558e

 

[Pierow]

Knowing the sentimental value I say have one custom made. It will be one of a kind as is your friendship with this person.

Deac45

Agreed Deac45. The offering of a coin in return for a knife gifted is a neat old tradition. If this man, the giver is of seasoned age he might likely be familiar with it. Might bring a smile to his face if you did it or confuse the heck out of him. Regardless it is always nice to be surprised and appreciated by another. Always a good day when that happens.

Pierow

 

[Selena]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BUCK-118-Personal-Black-118-05-BK-LEATHER-Knife-Sheath-0118-05-BK-New-/371122787726?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5668a4558e

Hi BearPaw,

I saw that one but it's not like the one I'm replacing.

 

[graygun]

"...monkey face gook" ???

 

[Chief 101]

Just have one made for it, and maybe have a knife maker regrind back to useable condition. In fact knifemaker would make a good sheath for it too...just a thought

 

[Colonialgirl]

Dam my memory;
We have a Ruger Forum member up in North Florida that does leather work; He did an outstanding repair job on the sheath for my old Case XX (circa 1974) . BUT the exact correct name escapes me; It was "Penny" or Pennycracker, or something along those lines ( I'll probably remember the middle of next week and wonder why I thought of him).
Good Luck
Pamela

 

[Selena]

"...monkey face gook" ???

Long involved story and completely off-topic. Enough to say when I was hearing slurs in town I was hearing acceptance from him. He was also a participant in what came to be called the "Take a Veteran to your History Class." Which (with a plea for the mod's and the board's indulgence) I'll present to you. My first year of public school there was this teacher that told the class the true heroes of the Vietnam era were the guy's that refused to be turned into "mindless killing machines" and fled to Canada. Two days later nine old guys and an Army recruiter all marched into the classroom and politely asked the teacher to repeat the lesson as they were both certain and sure that I had misheard and needed a refresher. When the teacher very respectfully declined, the class was given a lesson on Vietnam, the protests and the soldiers view of the conflict while the teacher went for the principal. It's rumored that the principal told him if he wanted to take it up with the school board two of the members were in his classroom at that time.

 

[Cracker-American]

Thanks for the kind words Pamela.

Selana I will be glad to help in any way I can. Send me a pm.
And by all means give you neighbor a coin. The penalty is that the knife may sever your friendship.

 

[Selena]

Dam my memory;
We have a Ruger Forum member up in North Florida that does leather work; He did an outstanding repair job on the sheath for my old Case XX (circa 1974) . BUT the exact correct name escapes me; It was "Penny" or Pennycracker, or something along those lines ( I'll probably remember the middle of next week and wonder why I thought of him).
Good Luck
Pamela

I have asked my brother to take it to the saddle shop tomorrow and see if he will have time to make a sheath for me. Somehow it seems like the right thing to do.

Cracker American:
A coin? He is likely to interpret that as my trying to pay him for the knife. Not something he would take well.

 

[Cracker-American]

I doubt that. Tell him you learned of the custom of giving a coin, I always heard a penny. I make knives as a hobby and always demand a penny in return for the gift when I give one away.

Your saddlemaker will surely do a better job than I would. Good decision.

 

[Selena]

I doubt that. Tell him you learned of the custom of giving a coin, I always heard a penny. I make knives as a hobby and always demand a penny in return for the gift when I give one away.

Your saddlemaker will surely do a better job than I would. Good decision.

Hmm, I have a two peso coin from one time I was letting out my inner Pinay, would that do?

 

[Cracker-American]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/345990-Old-tradition-about-giving-knives-as-a-gift

That link will take you to a thread on bladeforums regarding the coin/knife issue.


I would think any coin at all would suffice to satisfy the superstition.

 

[Rick Courtright]

I would think any coin at all would suffice to satisfy the superstition.

Hi,

I always heard it was to be a penny, though the reason wasn't very clear. My brother in law, who's half Swedish, claims the Swedes are ok with the smallest coin in your pocket at the time. He may have added the "don't cut the bond of friendship" thing...

Another old knife superstition: a knife is not really yours until it's tasted your own blood. Got no idea where THAT one comes from, but if it's true, I certainly "own" a couple of mine! Regardless of whether they've "gotten" me or not, I don't consider mine "broken in" until they've tasted wild animal or fish blood. Dunno where I picked that one up, either.

Rick C

 

[graygun]

"...monkey face gook" ???

Long involved story and completely off-topic. Enough to say when I was hearing slurs in town I was hearing acceptance from him. He was also a participant in what came to be called the "Take a Veteran to your History Class." Which (with a plea for the mod's and the board's indulgence) I'll present to you. My first year of public school there was this teacher that told the class the true heroes of the Vietnam era were the guy's that refused to be turned into "mindless killing machines" and fled to Canada. Two days later nine old guys and an Army recruiter all marched into the classroom and politely asked the teacher to repeat the lesson as they were both certain and sure that I had misheard and needed a refresher. When the teacher very respectfully declined, the class was given a lesson on Vietnam, the protests and the soldiers view of the conflict while the teacher went for the principal. It's rumored that the principal told him if he wanted to take it up with the school board two of the members were in his classroom at that time.

Sorry,I'm kind of 'off topic','off kilter',or perhaps just "off". I'm sure that saddle maker can produce a good one.

I've always hated the anti Vietnam protesters and think they should relocate...uh,somewhere. Even back in 11th grade I had a creepy lib history teacher who was an anti.

You visit with old vets so I consider you sort a youthful kin to the many old veterans here.

 

[Dan in MI]

Never twill I counter anything the Cracker says about knives I did find this.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-BUCK-118-PERSONAL-BLACK-LEATHER-KNIFE-SHEATH-W-SILVER-SNAP-/121425435332?pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item1c45851ac4#ht_319wt_884

 

[Pierow]

....I always heard it was to be a penny, though the reason wasn't very clear......

I don't know if this is correct or not but I always assumed the goal was to quash the superstition with as little remuneration as possible. If a knife given as a gift could potentially cut the relationship than how about I give you a penny? Not a gift any longer and if the superstition is true we just found a loop hole. My take on it anyways. My brother and brother-in-law looked at me strange when I asked for a coin when I gifted them knives. After I explained it to them they thought it was pretty neat.

Pierow

 

[Selena]

Sorry,I'm kind of 'off topic','off kilter',or perhaps just "off". I'm sure that saddle maker can produce a good one.

I've always hated the anti Vietnam protesters and think they should relocate...uh,somewhere. Even back in 11th grade I had a creepy lib history teacher who was an anti.

You visit with old vets so I consider you sort a youthful kin to the many old veterans here.

No Graygun, I've never been where any of you guys have been or faced what you have had to face. My TOB's have pretty much been forgotten by their own families and I feel the need to try to make up for that. The pitifully few hours a week I set aside for them is nothing compared to the years of their lives they put on hold for my country. Keeping an Alzheimer patient in books and trying to bring him out of himself or having hubby and kids beg, borrow or threaten for the use of gear to take the anglers fishing or even just bringing one of the dogs for them to interact with is nothing more than a sign of respect. I'm just making sure my TOB's get at least part of what they deserve.

 

[muzzleloader]

I have just been "gifted" the cutest little knife by one of the neighbors. It is a "Buck" knife that the former owner tells me he bought when he was still in high school. Since that guy is somewhere between ancient and prehistoric that would put it at around forty years old.

Hmm, since I'm somewhere in between there myself, I'm just going to sit in my rocker and drool.

 

[Selena]

I have just been "gifted" the cutest little knife by one of the neighbors. It is a "Buck" knife that the former owner tells me he bought when he was still in high school. Since that guy is somewhere between ancient and prehistoric that would put it at around forty years old.

Hmm, since I'm somewhere in between there myself, I'm just going to sit in my rocker and drool.

Old ain't dead, my Dad is 65 (certified pre-historic) and last we heard he and my step mom were off the coast North Carolina in sailboat.

 

[Slenk]

Selena
http://www.buckknives.com/about-knives/bucks-forever-warranty/?event=about.warranty
They are just down the road a ways from me. About 30 minutes.
They will re-sharpen for free.

 

[eveled]

I have one that is just about wore out, but can't bring myself to send it in. We've been through a lot together. Someday I'll send it in, maybe. It is the middle one in this picture, I bought it in the mid 80's. The top one was my Dad's it is from the 70's, and the bottom one is only a few years old.