Small Linerlock

Buck Knives

A young Kansas blacksmith apprentice named Hoyt Buck was looking for a better way to temper steel so it would hold an edge longer. His unique approach produced the first Buck Knife in 1902. Hoyt made each knife by hand, using worn-out file blades as raw material. His handiwork was greatly appreciated during World War II. Hoyt's eldest son Al had relocated from the Pacific Northwest to San Diego California after finishing a stint in the navy a decade earlier. Hoyt and his wife Daisy moved in with Al and his young family in 1945 and set up shop as H.H. Buck and Son. Following the death of his father, Al kept the fledgling custom knife business going until incorporating Buck Knives, Inc. in 1961. Al introduced his son, Chuck, to the knife business at an early age and Chuck and his wife, Lori, were both involved when the company was incorporated. In 1964, the knife industry was revolutionized with the introduction of the Model 110 Folding Hunter, making Buck Knives a leader in the field. A position we hold proudly today. Chuck worked his way up through the company serving as President and CEO for many years before handing over the reins to his son, CJ, in 1999. Chuck remained active as Chairman of the Board until his passing in 2015. Lori now serves on the Board of Directors and is actively involved with Buck promotional events throughout the U.S., continuing Chuck's legacy. CJ, the 4th generation family member to run Buck Knives and current CEO, President, and Chairman, started out with the company on the production line in 1978. He has been quoted saying, "We have been helping people thrive with reliable and trustworthy edged products for over a century. Since our own name is on the knife, our quality, focus, and attention to detail is very personal." Hoyt and Al Buck's ingenuity may have put the company on the map. But it is our ongoing commitment to developing innovative new products and improving what we have by third and fourth generation Buck family members that have made Buck the successful knife maker it is today.

Hara, Koji

A native of Japan, Koji Hara was born in 1949 in Imari City, and is one of the most traveled of Japanese knifemakers, attending shows throughout his home country as well as over the United States and Europe. When he began making his first knives in 1988, they were his versions of Bob Loveless designs. Three years later he held a one-man knife show in Seki City, Japan, heart of the production cutlery industry. It was at this point in his career that he realized he had to make and sell knives of his own concept and design if he was going to succeed. In 1994 Koji had become a Probationary Member of the American Knifemakers Guild, and in 1997 a Voting Member. During this period he was participating in at least five American shows per year, and would soon be attending shows in Europe. Annually, this prolific maker attends two knife shows in Japan, in addition to having maybe two one-man shows, usually in smaller communities, where collectors don't visit the larger cities. He feels these small shows enable more and more people to become familiar with custom knives. He has received awards for his folders such as "Best in Show" and "Most Innovative" in several international knife shows. Koji primarily uses a powdered stainless steel known as Cowry-Y, made by Daido Steel in Japan, for his blades. It holds an excellent cutting edge and polishes to a high mirror finish. Although one of the drawbacks of powdered steel is its weakness towards lateral impact, this can be corrected through proper heat-treating. Koji also makes knives featuring ATS-34, D-2, 440C and other steel blades, based on customer preference. His preferred method of making blades is via stock removal. A folder specialist, he often carves the handle material into a terraced landscape to feature his classic "Air-Step" design.

Santa Fe Stoneworks