All About Pocket Knives

Recently picked up a couple and love the style. Does anyone know if they were ever made in the USA? If so, would be nice to find one in great condition with the older hammer and bolt shield.

I don't know of any that were made in the USA, but it sure would be nice if some were.

One thing I like about the Buck canoes is that their blades are thicker than, for example, Case canoes. But the steel is 420J, not the best.

Yes there was a special production Canoe made in USA, I dont beleive they were made as a regular prouction knife.

Hubcap wrote: ↑Sun Mar 12, 2023 2:08 pm Yes there was a special production Canoe made in USA, I dont beleive they were made as a regular prouction knife.

Yep, they made this one designed by A.G. Russell.

https://agrussell.com/knife/Chuck-Buck- ... --BUAG308S

Wasn't aware of the A.G. Russell run and thanks for the information. Might be interested if collecting, however everything I own is carried and used at one time or another so although it appears nice, can't see paying the premium for upgraded scales with modified blade design and scrolling. Regarding the Chinese models I picked up they are impressive and a good value. Always prefer American made so was just hoping to find an upgraded steel chemistry with the Buck hammer and bolt logo shield.

Most of the US made Buck slip joints were made by Camillus back in the day. Not sure if there was a Canoe then?

They made some 300 series in house at Buck. But probably won’t for much longer. They say the tooling is wearing out and not worth replacing.

If I wanted an American made slip joint, to use, I’d be looking for Camillus examples.

The Chinese Bucks I have are probably the highest quality Chinese knives made. Better than RR.

eveled wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 1:54 pm The Chinese Bucks I have are probably the highest quality Chinese knives made. Better than RR.

As Rough Ryders are pretty well-made, that's a good endorsement.

Sometime today I'll peruse the old Camillus catalogs I've downloaded and see if they ever listed a Canoe.

And one thing has me curious: do the Buck Canoes have one spring (as on a Case) or two (as on a Rough Ryder)?

Yes it wasn’t a knock on RR, more an endorsement for Buck.

Camillus definitely made canoes, I don’t think they made one for Buck.

The Chinese Buck Canoe has 2 springs.
later.

Have wanted one of these for a long time.....ever since I saw Sasquach's in the "Do You Canoe...." forum. Instantly fell in love with the big Wharncliffe blade Finally found one for sale on eBay and snapped it up. Handle is Mastodon Ivory; so, double bonus!

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2026 6:46 am…… and snapped it up.

feels good to scratch that itch doesn’t it Q

I don’t know the validity of this but I recently read that the very early Buck 389 Canoes had 420HC blade steel that Buck supplied to the China factory.

Apparently, the 420HC models had the hammer and bolt shield but it was changed to the oval BUCK shield when they started using China supplied 420J.

Alan, could that be the reason you were looking for the older shield model? Maybe hoping it was made in the USA?

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2026 6:46 am Have wanted one of these for a long time.....ever since I saw Sasquach's in the "Do You Canoe...." forum. Instantly fell in love with the big Wharncliffe blade Finally found one for sale on eBay and snapped it up. Handle is Mastodon Ivory; so, double bonus!


IMG_1707.jpegIMG_1710.jpeg

You're smiling as big as that ole Mastodon! Great pick up.

bestgear wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2026 11:12 am feels good to scratch that itch doesn’t it Q

Indeed it does, Tom Unfortunately, it's like poison ivy, the more I scratch, the worse it gets

doglegg wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2026 5:20 pm You're smiling as big as that ole Mastodon! Great pick up.