My parents bought me one of these BuckMaster 184's for my 12th birthday back in 1985 and I still have it. Its still brand new, never used. Great piece for my lifelong knife collection.
I have a patent pending Buck 184 that my parents bought me when I was a high school senior in 1984. I brought it camping and hunting many times since then. It is now a wall hanger that occasionally is called for active duty. I love this knife and wish it was still made so more people could enjoy it.
I bought one (~$125) with a complete sheath in the early 80's and still have it. I've used it in SAR operations for downed aircraft. Beast of a tool for going through a fuselage! Great video!
What's your thoughts on the gerber strong arm, I like it,it's a little beast too,also my puukko from Finland is a beast for bushcraft sn food prep, I ordered it from varusteleka.com, not bad price either
I have an original 184 with sheath intact with pouches, compass and sharpening stone. My uncle gave it to me back in the 80's. I never used it. I had no idea they are worth this much. This video has got me thinking of selling.
My Buckmaster was purchased at a Navy Exchange between July and September 1985, going by memory and the blade stamp markings. I want to say it was about $100 dollars which was big '85 money for a kid barely 16 years old, but I absolutely loved the looks of the knife and worked my butt off to save up for it. I never used it. Just kept it in its box. Now, I'm kind of glad I did. Absolutely just a showpiece blade. My Buck 120 knife from around the same time proved itself a MUCH more fitting camping companion and that knife I use for damn near everything in the outdoors. Still going strong.
Thanks for the flashback! I remember seeing one of those in a store window at the mall back in the day. I want to say the 90s. There was a whole display. I was skeptical of using it as a grappling hook. When I was a boy I watched a spy movie or something, and then tried using a crow bar for a grappling hook. It came loose and hit me in the head of course. LOL! At least I didn't get a rambo knife thru the skull.
@@brianbartulis9709 if it was in the 80s then i was a dirt poor teenager. i forget the exact $ they wantd for the knife, but it was too much for me. I wouldn't be throwing it if by some miracle I had one....
@@DougShoeBushcraft I wasn't rolling in dough in my twenties, and I forget the price too. But once I held it in my hand I had to have it. I looked up the worth last year for kicks and I was amazed what they were going for.
Doing what? No one in their right mind would haul that beast around. I have one that my father purchased back in the 80s. I took it with me to TBS in 95’ just to show my buddies. There is no place to even keep that thing let alone the weight and bulk is ridiculous. Unless he was a pog.
@@Rubeless When I was in the 82nd we would laugh our silly asses off at guys carrying those "crew Served knives." Worthless as teats on a boar hog. Best knife I ever had in the military was a 20 dollar Swiss Fisherman.
I have to say, the Ramster I got last week after watching your video is an awesome knife. If I ever bought a real 184, it would have to go on the wall and I would never use it.
I inherited one from my dad when he passed recently. It was his go to, he always had it on him. Camping, boating, going on Quad bike rallies. It rarely left his side when he wasn't at work.
Awesome video. I have a modest collection of mid tier folders, Hinderer, Spyderco, Sebenza, and some high end balisongs. No big fixed blades though except for a Gerber and Glock field knife. My interest in this particular knife comes from a buddy of mine who wants to sell me his, I told him that I see them around $500 hundred and he said he'd let me steal it so I'm thinking of buying one. Great video. 👍
@@shadeshiest22 Yeah, that's why I didnt' buy it. Back then I was young and agile enough to use it. A lot of money back then, but look at the going price now! I wish Buck would reintroduce something like it.
@@SurvivalOnPurpose That's about right for the MSRP, you could often find them for $99.00 on sale back then. Same though, I could not justify the cost back then.
I can't look at this video it's making me ill. I sold one for peanuts. It breaks my heart every time I see somebody with one that could have been mine. I think I need some comfort food like a nice thick steak. My only possible luck is that the guy I sold it to still has it but it's worth a small fortune now.
Hello, I am from Alaska, a small town called Hoonah in the southeast panhandle near Juneau AK (where I now currently reside) I served in the Army 84-87, and of all places, I ended up being stationed here in Alaska at Fort Richardson just outside of Anchorage AK, I at first was disappointed but once my time was up I cherish having served most my military here in my home state, was a great experience better than I ever thought it would be, Anywho, in 86 I believe I was looking at our Anchorage Sears store, was looking for a new walkman at the time, but I happened to be walking by the sporting good section and there in a glass display I saw My Buckmaster 184, I say mine as I didn't hesitate at all, and said to heck with the walkman and bought my knife right off the bat, I am now 55 years old and still have that knife with me, I did buy the black version of it later on just before getting out of the Army, but when my youngest brother signed up to serve later on when he was old enough I gave him that black version, which I had wrapped the handle with one of my last wornout Army glove, he too still has that knife to this day and thanks me often for giving it to him, with my buck I had dipped the handle in the black rubber coating liquid you use for tools and it has served me well during my years since getting it for my service and for my love of outdoors and hunting, I don't carry it anymore into the field I use a lighter Coldsteel Recon with the shealth of the Buckmaster tho which works just as well and the Buckmaster is in a nice leather shealth now, I don't take it out anymore as I now don't want to resk losing it in the field, but thank you for this video I enjoyed it very much
When Rambo was big hit back in the day. Smoky Mountain Knife Works used to market 2 different style Buckmaster one with the pins and one without. Althought both drilled fill the pins. Plus the Rambo III Bowie style. Thanks for the flashback.
Holy crap. $300 - $400! I have an original that doesn't have the "Buckmaster" hammered in the blade. Bought it in the mid '80s. It has been a good camp knife. Never abused. You are correct. It is not a chopper and I darn near wore out my arm out on a piece of wood with that saw. Wrapped the handle with a couple of boot laces as a review of survival knives years ago stated that the metal handles could be quite uncomfortable to handle when exposed to extreme temperatures. Not sure what I did with the spikes. Never needed them anyway. The knife also came with some fishing line, small fishing hooks, lead weights and a needle or 2. I think I paid about $100 for it. I may have to check eBay to see what they go for.
Ya gotta keep one! I had two.... Still have one, don't think I'll ever sell it! Def. not the best survival knife that I own, but for sure one of the coolest! Thanks for sharing Brian!
Got one at a Dallas gun show in the mid 80s . Carry it to this day when out in the bush . Mine didn't come with the pouches but the spikes and over the years have been misplaced. But the knife has been a beast of a tool .
A pleasant surprise that you were able to acquire these knives and do a video on them. Truly an iconic knife. For many fans of Buck Knives and knives in general, The Buckmaster was/is considered a "Grail Knife" by many of those fans. It causes one to ask the question, with all the interest that there is in this knife. Why doesn't Buck start up production on this classic knife? It's bound to sell, perhaps even more so now than in the past, when we, who would love to of had one, could not afford it back then. Even if they did it on a short term production basis, to see how it went, before committing to a longer production run. Thanks for this video, I have never seen one of those knives in action before, it looks really good. And I had absolutely no doubt about the outcome of the balance test. Thanks for reintroducing us to this wonderful knife. I wish I could of afforded it back then.
@@BlindDesertPete Prove it. Easy to throw out some words of negativity. Show me the video footage of it being pitted against other production knives in a competition performing the tasks expected of such knives. The M9 bayonet, which was also made by Buck for many years for the US Military, isn't a far cry from the Buckmaster. It's a very close design. And has been exceptionally successful. It was discontinued by Buck because the contract was cancelled due to cost elevation. Probably the main reason why Buck doesn't remake the Buckmaster is because of the price they would have to put on it. They can't compete with most modern day knives that are being purchased, mostly made in China at a much lower price point.
@@BlindDesertPete So many successful knives out there that came with a fuller. And you offer no credible reasoning for your dislike of them. Once again. Where is your videos qualifying what you say?
I have one of the early ones, I think I bought it in, if memory serves me right, 1987; I was in the Air Force at Moody AFB. I saw one in a sporting goods store in Thomasville GA, I don't remember the name of it. Googled it but none of the names seemed familiar. Mine is in very good condition and I'll keep it and pass it down.
The buckmaster is the one and only as far as I'm concerned that knife/survival tool is the one that could actually do all you needed.Thanks for sharing and all you do.
I bought one in the 90s; it is in great condition .. just missing the original box. I keep it as a survival knife with my BAG 72h; certainly a little heavy but it will do the job in the event of a hard blow I am sure. I am French and proud to have been able to buy a model that has become rare and sought after.Thanks for this excellent video.
The Original Buck Master Alloy wasn't embossed like that one. Mine is from the 80's and maybe the Navy versions didn't have that "BuckMaster" embossing on it. Thanks for the video... and memories :) BTW, it's 400 series stainless, so slightly magnetic and mine is pitted and rusted at the hilt after decades of use in the oceans of the world. It's in my shadow box that was made for my retirement :)
Saved up and bought one as a teenager in the early eighties. $50 brand new at a martial arts supply store. They had eliminated the compass in cap when I bought it and it came with a full-sized compass in small pouch (the pins came stowed in the handle). I bought the larger pouch as an accessory. Took camping a few times, but keep it in the original box most of the time to this day. Flitz does wonders on it. I think the SEALs decided the same as me, too big and heavy to be practical (and the sheath buckle rattles loudly).
I thought the Rambo series was started from the book First Blood, and the Ideal of the knife was from a Arkansas knife maker in 80', and he used a type of design from Vietnam- era survival knives issued to their pilots? The knife makers name was Jimmy Lile. So Rambo came out in 82, about the same time that anvil Buck came out.
Nice video, and thank you. I remember when the Buckmaster 184 came out. They were expensive, flashy, and ridiculous and were also very popular with the pop culture crowd then. I live by the Kiss principle. I didn't purchase one. Instead, I bought a Buck 119, ALOX Swiss Army Knife and a folding saw, spending less money and carrying more in a belt pouch that fits in the hollow handle.
Brian I bought mine Feb '85 for $134.50 while I was stationed at Ft. Wainwright Ak, a gen 1 Buck 184 does not have Buckmaster inlaid in the blade. You have a gen 2
Still have mine. 184< version from the eighties. I quit using it in the woods/camp due to weight and blade thickness made it a bit awkward. It worked ok for chopping various saplings to use. (I owned the woods btw) Held at end at the SS lanyard loop, two, maybe three fingers had a decent smack vs say, equal length Kabar. Stabs right through a hollow core door. I never tried standing on it after pounded to a tree. (-:
@@SurvivalOnPurpose i still have all the parts as well. I haven't batoned it yet though. Really didn't know what that was till last year. I'll let you know once I've tried it. Unless you already know.
Good evening Bryan. In roughly 2010, I had a red 2006 Pontiac Grand Am GT (V-6 Ram Air) that was stolen from my buddy's driveway. About 2 weeks later we were notified by Denver County we could "pick it up" from impound. Needless to say I could only I.D. it by the V.I.N. in various places. (I LOVED THAT CAR, but by the look on my face, I told Wifey: "Baby-Doll, my car is a rape case!") One of the contents in the trunk was my "silver" Buckmaster 184 with the model # - - in it's raised form - - on the blade. Broke my heart, because I had bought it 6-mo's earlier from a local pawn shop. The only thing that hurt worse than this 184 & the total loss of my car itself, were 2 pool cues that my Pops gave me years before. Anyway, good on you for getting not 1, but 2 of these bad boys. (I sure miss mine.) Peace to you Brother. -The other Bry, Aurora, CO.
Hello Brian... I still have my vintage first year original Buck 184 available Buckmaster from when I was a kid. I'm 51 years old now and the knife is still running strong, but more as keepsake/appreciation than routine use. The way it came was having 1 pouch with the compass in it. The 2 threaded anchors did not have a second pouch. Overall, the knife is solid for certain! Tip strength at the very acute/sharp tippy-tip is where the blade will have some issues if thrown about or beat on. It is good you did not sacrifice the tip in a 'tip test' prying or beating torture test. 425M is a pretty good steel selection especially back in the '80s. This knife tuned with some secondary beveling or slight convexing to apex edge is the best way to get the most out of it. Interestingly... the first generation Leatherman (the ones that folded 4x) came in nearly identical sized black pouches that I put fittingly on the sheath as a companion tool for my Buckmaster. Food for thought: Keep one for yourself or continue to shop for a good deal if/when you sell these. You'll kick yourself later for having one today... and then not having one.
I still have my non pat 184 knife that I bought back in the 80s. I think I found it at a knife shop in San Diego for around 139. High money at the time and still is but appreciated very well. Not for sale.
They were designed for Seal team 3 and Seal team 6 back in the early 1980s....They were great designs ( in the day).....but really heavy.....When it comes to gear rule of thumb...."Ounces leads to pounds...and pounds lead to pain" when carrying gear!!💯....As time went on gear got lighter ( thank god)....then better knives appeared.....Nothing beats the S.R.K. or my favorite the sog seal team elite👍...good video
I’ve had mine since the early 80 before they stamped the sides of the blade. Still has the pouches ,spikes and sheath. I have worked that knife and it still looks about the way it came out of the box. You ain’t going to break it... with the knife being worth approx $600 I think it’s going into the safe
Oh man, first expensive knife I ever bough! I was 15 in 1990, worked all summer detasseling corn. Took my measley earnings and bought this, with a nice compass thrown in, for $180. My Mom was PISSED. Haha...! I loved that thing though, and babied it, until it was stolen from me around 1998 by a cop with sticky fingers. 😖
YaBuddy.... I had the skeleton/diver version in the late 80s... a friend made scales from local mesquite...and yessir...it's gone. Great knife. Looking forward to a 21st cen model
@@stevenbatty4525 I wish I had the money to, believe me. But I'm on disability income and I just can't come up with the money for it. But thank you very much for offering. That Buck knife is a knife I always wanted, so I really appreciate your offer to sell me one, even though I can't take you up on your offer.
Thaks for the review! I'm fortun😊ate to have 3 buckmasters myself: one custom one from the factory in el cacon.another from 1985 and the new model. These are my favvorittes. Picture of the custom model I sent to the archiveisist in Post Falls, Idaho. Thanks again.
I just bought a real 184 I’m pristine condition and came with everything that it originally came with all in mint condition, cost me 1100 dollars on eBay
Well Bryan you knocked it out of the park this time. The saw back on the back of the knife is just the best I've ever seen. Or anyone use on these channels. My question is one thing will Buck honor their lifetime warranty. I'm not interested in buying the knife but I'm just curious if they will back that knife. You should call them and ask them and see what they say. Love it I tell you I don't think you'll have any problem selling them
@@SurvivalOnPurpose I talked to him a few times of it Smoky Mountain Knife Works. When we went on vacation to the Smoky Mountains. They could not replace it they may replace it with something of equal value Maybe. I have a buck 110 that handles messed up I'm going to call them anyway. How many ask them about that. Can't wait for more things in the Rambo series. This is almost as great as the zombie thing y'all did one time I love that
Greetings from Nova Scotia Canada & basically the thing that Seals do are....killing enemies of the country & rescue missions, I'm thinking that knife be GOOD ENOUGH for that stuff. Like the video, keep em coming Sir 💯👍👌
I bought one right after they came out. I don't remember the year, but it was early to mid 80s sometime. It was stolen in 1990 along with a couple of Randalls.
I had one of these knives when I was in the military. When I was stationed in Key West, Florida, I used to drink in a bar called, "Dirty Harry's". They had a taxidermy hammerhead shark hanging from the ceiling. One night, after over imbibing at a performance by the house cover band, "Hurricane"; I decided I was going to jump into the ocean and kill a hammerhead shark, using my Buckmaster 184. After studying the stuffed shark, I figured it would be easy; since their eyes were so far apart, and their mouths were small and underneath. As I walked into the ocean, the ground beneath my feet suddenly disappeared; forcing me to open my eyes in the salt water. When I looked down, I watched the full moon's light disappear into a deep, dark, jagged, underwater canyon. I sobered up immediately, and began an Olympic caliber backstroke! The best laid plans, indeed.
Mine cost $150 back in the 80's brand new genuine Buck, my nephew needed it bad, so I gave it to him. He still carries it deer, bear and moose hunting. I liked my 6 inch Randal hunter better.
I bought one 1992. Black oxide. My is original, never used. Mine didn't come with a sharpening stone. No pouches either. First ones were cast. Mine is forged. Cool knife. Mine came in a flimsy white cardboard box with a simple small piece of paper with note not to use as a grappling hook.
I have the original (in black), dual pouches, with the paperwork. It has traveled to Central America, Somalia, and the middle east several times. Now, it just rides in a display case
As a 16 year old kid in 1987, I yearned for a big Rambo knife. The Lile was WAY out of my price range so I narrowed my choices down to 2: The Buckmaster or the Gerber BMF, (not hollow handled). I saved my lawn mowing money all summer and after much deliberation, bought the BMF. The grappling spikes on the Buckmaster appealed to the nascent “Mall Ninja” in me. Before there was even a term to describe such sentiments. However, the thought of what would happen when I threw that grappling hook into a tree, (or over the wall of some evil-doers compound), and missed, scared the crud out of me. I have bigger and, (arguably), better knives now, but the BMF is still the pride of my collection. Thanks for the blast from the past!
I was working at Northrop Grumman ASD in Pico Revera when these came out and the employees store had them for sale at $159 but at the time, my truck payment was $159, so that was a good size of cash. They came with a compost fishing kit, matches and some other items. My friend Dave bought one. cool looking knife but I didnt like how the blade was so short into the handle
I have one of the early models, complete with sheath, pouches, spikes, and stone. Bought it in 84 from a friend who had it several years prior. He bought while in marines. Paid 25 bucks for it! I do not use it, just sits on the shelf.
Bought one in 1990, and mine had a compass too! I never knew if was supposed to come with the knife, or if the military surplus shop owner just included it because it looked cool on the knife? Mine had a red string/lanyard that I'd wrap around the sheath.
Originally on the Bowie knife (and correct me if im wrong) (which im sure to knife people will) the so-called saw on the back of the knife was intended to catch The opponent's knife in a knife fight and not to saw with.
I bought one around 84 when I was in the Infantry. I believe some of the ideas for the buckmaster evolved into the M9 bayonet. I found it to be a heavy hunk of junk and sold it for $50 a couple years later before I went to Korea. My squad leader busted the tip on his and had it reground. The knife I used most of the time was a Swiss army pocket knife. The buckmaster was just a lot of unnecessary weight to be carrying in the field and I never used it for anything. Usually I just sharpened my bayonet and used it as a field knife. There was no point in carrying 2 large knives in the field. Because of the buckmaster I've learned to hate big heavy knives. I like knives just big enough to do the job. And prefer to keep the weight under 8 ounces.
i bought one when it first came out. i had a lot of fun with the beast. later on i just had to have a lile. even though the blade is two inches longer it’s a good bit lighter. it balances like a well done fighting knife. fast in the hand but not much of a chopper. like the buckmaster it cuts branches well. i do take it camping just because it’s fun and i like it. about the only thing i use it for is to cut sandwiches and steak.
I recently purchased one at a gunshow and from what I've found out is the one with the long spikes and taller buttcap is an early 90's and the skinnier buttcap should have had shorter spikes as well and is the last model in the 90's. I believe they stopped making them in 96 or 97. Very cool knives and I have been thinking about grabbing one of the Ramsters to rough house with so thanks for that video. 😎😎👍👍
Those dates sound about right, at least from what I learned from the book. ALthough I think the switched to the shorter pommel cap before the shorter spikes. Again, just from what I read.
working under water on a stationary ship's hull or something else, a diver anchors himself to something to keep from drifting away from where he is working.
I love the Buck 184! Just ridiculous to carry though. My first one I bought used in the 90’s at a gunshow for $25!!! I sold it later for $75. Then i found another one a few years ago for $75. I had it Cerakoted in Magpul FDE, sewed up new nylon for the sheath in Coyote, sold it on ebay for $550.
My parents bought me one of these BuckMaster 184's for my 12th birthday back in 1985 and I still have it. Its still brand new, never used. Great piece for my lifelong knife collection.
I got mine in the mid 80's for around 150. I worked all summer picking strawberries for a quarter a quart to get it. Im now 54 and I still have it.
I have a patent pending Buck 184 that my parents bought me when I was a high school senior in 1984. I brought it camping and hunting many times since then. It is now a wall hanger that occasionally is called for active duty. I love this knife and wish it was still made so more people could enjoy it.
Cool
I bought one (~$125) with a complete sheath in the early 80's and still have it. I've used it in SAR operations for downed aircraft. Beast of a tool for going through a fuselage! Great video!
Very nice!
What's your thoughts on the gerber strong arm, I like it,it's a little beast too,also my puukko from Finland is a beast for bushcraft sn food prep, I ordered it from varusteleka.com, not bad price either
Wanna sell it? ... LOL, I had to ask. I don't buy cool stuff anymore, I always give too much crap away
Cool!
I have an original 184 with sheath intact with pouches, compass and sharpening stone. My uncle gave it to me back in the 80's. I never used it. I had no idea they are worth this much. This video has got me thinking of selling.
Send me your email and we'll talk survivalonpurpose.com/contact-us/
Don't you'll regret it.
My Buckmaster was purchased at a Navy Exchange between July and September 1985, going by memory and the blade stamp markings. I want to say it was about $100 dollars which was big '85 money for a kid barely 16 years old, but I absolutely loved the looks of the knife and worked my butt off to save up for it.
I never used it. Just kept it in its box. Now, I'm kind of glad I did. Absolutely just a showpiece blade.
My Buck 120 knife from around the same time proved itself a MUCH more fitting camping companion and that knife I use for damn near everything in the outdoors. Still going strong.
Thanks for the flashback! I remember seeing one of those in a store window at the mall back in the day. I want to say the 90s. There was a whole display. I was skeptical of using it as a grappling hook. When I was a boy I watched a spy movie or something, and then tried using a crow bar for a grappling hook. It came loose and hit me in the head of course. LOL! At least I didn't get a rambo knife thru the skull.
The grappling was for water currents I hear.
But yep, after I got mine; " I ain't tossing this overhead to pull on".
@@brianbartulis9709 if it was in the 80s then i was a dirt poor teenager. i forget the exact $ they wantd for the knife, but it was too much for me. I wouldn't be throwing it if by some miracle I had one....
ouch!
@@DougShoeBushcraft I wasn't rolling in dough in my twenties, and I forget the price too.
But once I held it in my hand I had to have it.
I looked up the worth last year for kicks and I was amazed what they were going for.
@@brianbartulis9709 cool
I remember drooling over that knife !
It's a cool knife
many such cases!
As a collector is a must-have, that and its job to stab paper with
I paid @ $110-120 for mine way back . My son carried it with him for 3 tours in Irag and Afghanistan .
Thanks
Doing what?
No one in their right mind would haul that beast around.
I have one that my father purchased back in the 80s. I took it with me to TBS in 95’ just to show my buddies. There is no place to even keep that thing let alone the weight and bulk is ridiculous. Unless he was a pog.
@@Rubeless When I was in the 82nd we would laugh our silly asses off at guys carrying those "crew Served knives." Worthless as teats on a boar hog. Best knife I ever had in the military was a 20 dollar Swiss Fisherman.
@@Rubelessmeanwhile Marine infantry were forced to carry the OKC-3s around and I assure you that isn’t light either.
I love my Buck 184. I can't believe they don't offer them in limited runs.
I have to say, the Ramster I got last week after watching your video is an awesome knife. If I ever bought a real 184, it would have to go on the wall and I would never use it.
or in the wall ;-)
I bought one in 1986 at a gun show for $70. I still have it to this day and it has served me well.
I inherited one from my dad when he passed recently. It was his go to, he always had it on him. Camping, boating, going on Quad bike rallies. It rarely left his side when he wasn't at work.
Cool treasure
I didn’t think you would go out and get this one. Great video. I still have mine from 1984.
I almost didn't. I bid on several with all the accessories and lost the bidding.
Awesome video. I have a modest collection of mid tier folders, Hinderer, Spyderco, Sebenza, and some high end balisongs. No big fixed blades though except for a Gerber and Glock field knife. My interest in this particular knife comes from a buddy of mine who wants to sell me his, I told him that I see them around $500 hundred and he said he'd let me steal it so I'm thinking of buying one. Great video. 👍
Thanks for a great review. I got mine as a graduation gift $110. It is my constant companion for camping
Cool
Back in the early 80s Buck sold the knife for (I think) $110. I wish I had bought one.
Damn that was a lot of money back then
@@shadeshiest22 Yeah, that's why I didnt' buy it. Back then I was young and agile enough to use it. A lot of money back then, but look at the going price now! I wish Buck would reintroduce something like it.
Thanks for the price info. I've been trying to fin out how much they sold for when new.
@@SurvivalOnPurpose That's about right for the MSRP, you could often find them for $99.00 on sale back then. Same though, I could not justify the cost back then.
I have one for sale if you want to make me an offer?
I can't look at this video it's making me ill. I sold one for peanuts. It breaks my heart every time I see somebody with one that could have been mine. I think I need some comfort food like a nice thick steak. My only possible luck is that the guy I sold it to still has it but it's worth a small fortune now.
Hello, I am from Alaska, a small town called Hoonah in the southeast panhandle near Juneau AK (where I now currently reside) I served in the Army 84-87, and of all places, I ended up being stationed here in Alaska at Fort Richardson just outside of Anchorage AK, I at first was disappointed but once my time was up I cherish having served most my military here in my home state, was a great experience better than I ever thought it would be, Anywho, in 86 I believe I was looking at our Anchorage Sears store, was looking for a new walkman at the time, but I happened to be walking by the sporting good section and there in a glass display I saw My Buckmaster 184, I say mine as I didn't hesitate at all, and said to heck with the walkman and bought my knife right off the bat, I am now 55 years old and still have that knife with me, I did buy the black version of it later on just before getting out of the Army, but when my youngest brother signed up to serve later on when he was old enough I gave him that black version, which I had wrapped the handle with one of my last wornout Army glove, he too still has that knife to this day and thanks me often for giving it to him, with my buck I had dipped the handle in the black rubber coating liquid you use for tools and it has served me well during my years since getting it for my service and for my love of outdoors and hunting, I don't carry it anymore into the field I use a lighter Coldsteel Recon with the shealth of the Buckmaster tho which works just as well and the Buckmaster is in a nice leather shealth now, I don't take it out anymore as I now don't want to resk losing it in the field, but thank you for this video I enjoyed it very much
When Rambo was big hit back in the day. Smoky Mountain Knife Works used to market 2 different style Buckmaster one with the pins and one without. Althought both drilled fill the pins. Plus the Rambo III Bowie style. Thanks for the flashback.
thanks for the info
Yes I have the new one, I ordered it early.Thanks for your reviews!
I’m a little jealous
Holy crap. $300 - $400! I have an original that doesn't have the "Buckmaster" hammered in the blade. Bought it in the mid '80s. It has been a good camp knife. Never abused. You are correct. It is not a chopper and I darn near wore out my arm out on a piece of wood with that saw. Wrapped the handle with a couple of boot laces as a review of survival knives years ago stated that the metal handles could be quite uncomfortable to handle when exposed to extreme temperatures. Not sure what I did with the spikes. Never needed them anyway. The knife also came with some fishing line, small fishing hooks, lead weights and a needle or 2. I think I paid about $100 for it. I may have to check eBay to see what they go for.
Ya gotta keep one! I had two.... Still have one, don't think I'll ever sell it! Def. not the best survival knife that I own, but for sure one of the coolest! Thanks for sharing Brian!
Thanks for getting these to review. Your dedicated to the "ol knife stuff". May God continue to bless you!
Thanks
Got one at a Dallas gun show in the mid 80s . Carry it to this day when out in the bush . Mine didn't come with the pouches but the spikes and over the years have been misplaced. But the knife has been a beast of a tool .
cool
A pleasant surprise that you were able to acquire these knives and do a video on them. Truly an iconic knife. For many fans of Buck Knives and knives in general, The Buckmaster was/is considered a "Grail Knife" by many of those fans.
It causes one to ask the question, with all the interest that there is in this knife. Why doesn't Buck start up production on this classic knife? It's bound to sell, perhaps even more so now than in the past, when we, who would love to of had one, could not afford it back then. Even if they did it on a short term production basis, to see how it went, before committing to a longer production run.
Thanks for this video, I have never seen one of those knives in action before, it looks really good. And I had absolutely no doubt about the outcome of the balance test.
Thanks for reintroducing us to this wonderful knife. I wish I could of afforded it back then.
Cause its one of the dumbest, most useless designs ever made.
@@BlindDesertPete Prove it. Easy to throw out some words of negativity. Show me the video footage of it being pitted against other production knives in a competition performing the tasks expected of such knives.
The M9 bayonet, which was also made by Buck for many years for the US Military, isn't a far cry from the Buckmaster. It's a very close design. And has been exceptionally successful. It was discontinued by Buck because the contract was cancelled due to cost elevation.
Probably the main reason why Buck doesn't remake the Buckmaster is because of the price they would have to put on it. They can't compete with most modern day knives that are being purchased, mostly made in China at a much lower price point.
@@hardrock1826 Any knife with a "blood groove" has already given up for style over function.
@@BlindDesertPete So many successful knives out there that came with a fuller. And you offer no credible reasoning for your dislike of them. Once again. Where is your videos qualifying what you say?
I my uncle has one of these absolutely amazing knife. This is the real Rambo knife
yep
I have one of the early ones, I think I bought it in, if memory serves me right, 1987; I was in the Air Force at Moody AFB. I saw one in a sporting goods store in Thomasville GA, I don't remember the name of it. Googled it but none of the names seemed familiar. Mine is in very good condition and I'll keep it and pass it down.
I remember wanting one as a kid, pretty cool!
indeed
The buckmaster is the one and only as far as I'm concerned that knife/survival tool is the one that could actually do all you needed.Thanks for sharing and all you do.
Thanks
I bought one in the 90s; it is in great condition .. just missing the original box. I keep it as a survival knife with my BAG 72h; certainly a little heavy but it will do the job in the event of a hard blow I am sure. I am French and proud to have been able to buy a model that has become rare and sought after.Thanks for this excellent video.
cool
The Original Buck Master Alloy wasn't embossed like that one. Mine is from the 80's and maybe the Navy versions didn't have that "BuckMaster" embossing on it. Thanks for the video... and memories :) BTW, it's 400 series stainless, so slightly magnetic and mine is pitted and rusted at the hilt after decades of use in the oceans of the world. It's in my shadow box that was made for my retirement :)
I had one from the 80s I finally sold it, I loved that knife but I outgrew it. It's huge and heavy. Got a good price for it, good vid
cool
Saved up and bought one as a teenager in the early eighties. $50 brand new at a martial arts supply store. They had eliminated the compass in cap when I bought it and it came with a full-sized compass in small pouch (the pins came stowed in the handle). I bought the larger pouch as an accessory. Took camping a few times, but keep it in the original box most of the time to this day. Flitz does wonders on it. I think the SEALs decided the same as me, too big and heavy to be practical (and the sheath buckle rattles loudly).
very cool
The video inspired me to pull it out. I still have the receipt in the box. Turns out I paid $97, so much for this old man's memory.
I wanted a buck master so bad when I was 17 or 18. Now not so much. Just perched a OKC Black bird SK5 and really like it.
nice knife
Good stuff Bryan! The knife that sparked a movie series.
I thought the Rambo series was started from the book First Blood, and the Ideal of the knife was from a Arkansas knife maker in 80', and he used a type of design from Vietnam- era survival knives issued to their pilots? The knife makers name was Jimmy Lile. So Rambo came out in 82, about the same time that anvil Buck came out.
Nice video, and thank you. I remember when the Buckmaster 184 came out. They were expensive, flashy, and ridiculous and were also very popular with the pop culture crowd then. I live by the Kiss principle. I didn't purchase one. Instead, I bought a Buck 119, ALOX Swiss Army Knife and a folding saw, spending less money and carrying more in a belt pouch that fits in the hollow handle.
I still think they are cool.
Great knife and vid. Thanks for spending the bucks and time to bring it to us.
Thanks for taking time to watch
I wanted one of those soooo bad back in the day lol!!! thanx for reviewing this thing!!!
Brian I bought mine Feb '85 for $134.50 while I was stationed at Ft. Wainwright Ak, a gen 1 Buck 184 does not have Buckmaster inlaid in the blade. You have a gen 2
Thanks
Still have mine. 184< version from the eighties. I quit using it in the woods/camp due to weight and blade thickness made it a bit awkward. It worked ok for chopping various saplings to use. (I owned the woods btw) Held at end at the SS lanyard loop, two, maybe three fingers had a decent smack vs say, equal length Kabar.
Stabs right through a hollow core door. I never tried standing on it after pounded to a tree. (-:
I was impressed by the knife.
I had mine about 30 years, still love it
Cool
@@SurvivalOnPurpose i still have all the parts as well. I haven't batoned it yet though. Really didn't know what that was till last year. I'll let you know once I've tried it. Unless you already know.
You the man Brian 👊. When you stuck that throw I literally punched the air!
Hah. Me too.
Excellent review my friend thanks for share.
The 184 it's a very good quality knife.
Saludos Amigo
The Buckmaster is so much heavier! I got one several years ago. Mine has the Buckmaster stamping like yours, definitely not selling it.
Good evening Bryan.
In roughly 2010, I had a red 2006 Pontiac Grand Am GT (V-6 Ram Air) that was stolen from my buddy's driveway. About 2 weeks later we were notified by Denver County we could "pick it up" from impound. Needless to say I could only I.D. it by the V.I.N. in various places. (I LOVED THAT CAR, but by the look on my face, I told Wifey: "Baby-Doll, my car is a rape case!")
One of the contents in the trunk was my "silver" Buckmaster 184 with the model # - - in it's raised form - - on the blade. Broke my heart, because I had bought it 6-mo's earlier from a local pawn shop.
The only thing that hurt worse than this 184 & the total loss of my car itself, were 2 pool cues that my Pops gave me years before.
Anyway, good on you for getting not 1, but 2 of these bad boys. (I sure miss mine.) Peace to you Brother. -The other Bry, Aurora, CO.
That is a bummer
I have two buck masters and I love them both one is heavily used and the other one is in new condition in the box
🤣🤣🤣 You had me cringing when you went to throw it. Awesome to see it survived! Go Buck!
indeed
I bought one for 125. In the early 80's as well.. Good knife..
Brian great as always thanks awesome knife
Thanms Charlie
Hello Brian... I still have my vintage first year original Buck 184 available Buckmaster from when I was a kid. I'm 51 years old now and the knife is still running strong, but more as keepsake/appreciation than routine use. The way it came was having 1 pouch with the compass in it. The 2 threaded anchors did not have a second pouch. Overall, the knife is solid for certain! Tip strength at the very acute/sharp tippy-tip is where the blade will have some issues if thrown about or beat on. It is good you did not sacrifice the tip in a 'tip test' prying or beating torture test. 425M is a pretty good steel selection especially back in the '80s. This knife tuned with some secondary beveling or slight convexing to apex edge is the best way to get the most out of it. Interestingly... the first generation Leatherman (the ones that folded 4x) came in nearly identical sized black pouches that I put fittingly on the sheath as a companion tool for my Buckmaster. Food for thought: Keep one for yourself or continue to shop for a good deal if/when you sell these. You'll kick yourself later for having one today... and then not having one.
you look younger everyday.
thank for share this amazing knive it was part of my childhood s dreams.
Thanks for watching!
I still have my non pat 184 knife that I bought back in the 80s. I think I found it at a knife shop in San Diego for around 139. High money at the time and still is but appreciated very well. Not for sale.
They were designed for Seal team 3 and Seal team 6 back in the early 1980s....They were great designs ( in the day).....but really heavy.....When it comes to gear rule of thumb...."Ounces leads to pounds...and pounds lead to pain" when carrying gear!!💯....As time went on gear got lighter ( thank god)....then better knives appeared.....Nothing beats the S.R.K. or my favorite the sog seal team elite👍...good video
being balance tested by you makes them worth more!
I'm definitely sold on your channel. First video I've seen but I like your style. Thank you
I wished I had bought one back in the day.
Me too
I’ve had mine since the early 80 before they stamped the sides of the blade. Still has the pouches ,spikes and sheath. I have worked that knife and it still looks about the way it came out of the box. You ain’t going to break it... with the knife being worth approx $600 I think it’s going into the safe
Good call
Oh man, first expensive knife I ever bough! I was 15 in 1990, worked all summer detasseling corn. Took my measley earnings and bought this, with a nice compass thrown in, for $180.
My Mom was PISSED. Haha...!
I loved that thing though, and babied it, until it was stolen from me around 1998 by a cop with sticky fingers. 😖
YaBuddy....
I had the skeleton/diver version in the late 80s... a friend made scales from local mesquite...and yessir...it's gone. Great knife. Looking forward to a 21st cen model
It will be more like the diver version I think.
@@SurvivalOnPurpose model 639 Fieldmate was a great one too
I always wanted one. But I never had the money to buy one. I wish could buy one even now.
Very cool. 😎👍
I have one for sale if you want to make me an offer?
@@stevenbatty4525 I wish I had the money to, believe me. But I'm on disability income and I just can't come up with the money for it. But thank you very much for offering. That Buck knife is a knife I always wanted, so I really appreciate your offer to sell me one, even though I can't take you up on your offer.
Ah, the old Buck Master. I wanted one so bad when they first came out.
I didn’t even know that existed until I made the first “Rambo knife” video. Now I am a huge fan.
Thaks for the review! I'm fortun😊ate to have 3 buckmasters myself: one custom one from the factory in el cacon.another from 1985 and the new model. These are my favvorittes. Picture of the custom model I sent to the archiveisist in
Post Falls, Idaho. Thanks again.
You have the brand new model? The one with "wings"?
yes . I was fprtumate tp get one early.
😮
Best video yet
Wow. Thanks.
I just bought a real 184 I’m pristine condition and came with everything that it originally came with all in mint condition, cost me 1100 dollars on eBay
I bought one in Northern Bavaria in 1986 . Cost about 400,- DM, Still have it. Great Collectors Item.
So jealous you found one I want one of these so baaaaad lol
Great video I like seeing the difference between the ramster and the Buckmaster very cool keep up the good videos
Thanks! Will do!
Well Bryan you knocked it out of the park this time. The saw back on the back of the knife is just the best I've ever seen. Or anyone use on these channels. My question is one thing will Buck honor their lifetime warranty. I'm not interested in buying the knife but I'm just curious if they will back that knife. You should call them and ask them and see what they say. Love it I tell you I don't think you'll have any problem selling them
Not sure how they would replace it now if that became an issue. Good question about discontinued products in general.
@@SurvivalOnPurpose I talked to him a few times of it Smoky Mountain Knife Works. When we went on vacation to the Smoky Mountains. They could not replace it they may replace it with something of equal value Maybe. I have a buck 110 that handles messed up I'm going to call them anyway. How many ask them about that. Can't wait for more things in the Rambo series. This is almost as great as the zombie thing y'all did one time I love that
Greetings from Nova Scotia Canada & basically the thing that Seals do are....killing enemies of the country & rescue missions, I'm thinking that knife be GOOD ENOUGH for that stuff.
Like the video, keep em coming Sir
💯👍👌
I bought one right after they came out. I don't remember the year, but it was early to mid 80s sometime. It was stolen in 1990 along with a couple of Randalls.
That's enough to make you mad
@@SurvivalOnPurpose yeah. It did. And I never got around to replacing any of them.
But I take solace in my collection of Busses. Lol.
I had one of these knives when I was in the military. When I was stationed in Key West, Florida, I used to drink in a bar called, "Dirty Harry's". They had a taxidermy hammerhead shark hanging from the ceiling. One night, after over imbibing at a performance by the house cover band, "Hurricane"; I decided I was going to jump into the ocean and kill a hammerhead shark, using my Buckmaster 184. After studying the stuffed shark, I figured it would be easy; since their eyes were so far apart, and their mouths were small and underneath. As I walked into the ocean, the ground beneath my feet suddenly disappeared; forcing me to open my eyes in the salt water. When I looked down, I watched the full moon's light disappear into a deep, dark, jagged, underwater canyon. I sobered up immediately, and began an Olympic caliber backstroke! The best laid plans, indeed.
cool story
@@SurvivalOnPurpose Thanks! And thanks for bringing back some good memories.
Ten feet tall and bullet proof 😂😂😂🔪🔪🔪
Thank you for the story
Thank you for your service to🇺🇸
And thank God you didn't see a shark!
@@michaelmetler6315 , Ha ha! Young and dumb is more like it. Thank you, very much.
Mine cost $150 back in the 80's brand new genuine Buck, my nephew needed it bad, so I gave it to him. He still carries it deer, bear and moose hunting. I liked my 6 inch Randal hunter better.
I bought one, my favourite knife
very cool
I bought one 1992. Black oxide. My is original, never used. Mine didn't come with a sharpening stone. No pouches either. First ones were cast. Mine is forged. Cool knife. Mine came in a flimsy white cardboard box with a simple small piece of paper with note not to use as a grappling hook.
$600, nice
I have the original (in black), dual pouches, with the paperwork. It has traveled to Central America, Somalia, and the middle east several times. Now, it just rides in a display case
Nice
cool knife Bryan :) I like it !
So do I
As a 16 year old kid in 1987, I yearned for a big Rambo knife.
The Lile was WAY out of my price range so I narrowed my choices down to 2:
The Buckmaster or the Gerber BMF, (not hollow handled).
I saved my lawn mowing money all summer and after much deliberation, bought the BMF.
The grappling spikes on the Buckmaster appealed to the nascent “Mall Ninja” in me. Before there was even a term to describe such sentiments.
However, the thought of what would happen when I threw that grappling hook into a tree, (or over the wall of some evil-doers compound), and missed, scared the crud out of me.
I have bigger and, (arguably), better knives now, but the BMF is still the pride of my collection.
Thanks for the blast from the past!
The Gerber is cool too.
I have one of each essentially new in the boxes with all the original documents. I never wanted to use them because they seemed so unique.
Are you trying to give me a heart attack Bryan. I sure am glad you didn't miss.
me too
Love your channel mate 🤙
I was working at Northrop Grumman ASD in Pico Revera when these came out and the employees store had them for sale at $159 but at the time, my truck payment was $159, so that was a good size of cash. They came with a compost fishing kit, matches and some other items. My friend Dave bought one. cool looking knife but I didnt like how the blade was so short into the handle
I bought one in 1986 and still have it. Back then I paid 220 USD for it.
I have one of the early models, complete with sheath, pouches, spikes, and stone. Bought it in 84 from a friend who had it several years prior. He bought while in marines. Paid 25 bucks for it! I do not use it, just sits on the shelf.
Wanna sell it? send me your email and we'll talk survivalonpurpose.com/contact-us/
@@SurvivalOnPurpose It is one of my favorites, I carried for several years while in the service. It has too much sentimental value.
Yup! I held my breath.
I know what you mean
You got one.....welcome to the club..that's awesome ! (I will be buying the new Ground Combat Knife, for sure)
I have One that I bought in 1987 for a $100. I still have mine and it came with a compass which I still have!
Bought one in 1990, and mine had a compass too! I never knew if was supposed to come with the knife, or if the military surplus shop owner just included it because it looked cool on the knife?
Mine had a red string/lanyard that I'd wrap around the sheath.
Great review! Entertaining and informative😃 also, GREAT SHOT on the B.O.A.R.D
Thanks!
Originally on the Bowie knife (and correct me if im wrong) (which im sure to knife people will) the so-called saw on the back of the knife was intended to catch The opponent's knife in a knife fight and not to saw with.
Dam that's one my Grails next to a Randall!🇺🇸
I bought one around 84 when I was in the Infantry. I believe some of the ideas for the buckmaster evolved into the M9 bayonet. I found it to be a heavy hunk of junk and sold it for $50 a couple years later before I went to Korea. My squad leader busted the tip on his and had it reground. The knife I used most of the time was a Swiss army pocket knife. The buckmaster was just a lot of unnecessary weight to be carrying in the field and I never used it for anything. Usually I just sharpened my bayonet and used it as a field knife. There was no point in carrying 2 large knives in the field. Because of the buckmaster I've learned to hate big heavy knives. I like knives just big enough to do the job. And prefer to keep the weight under 8 ounces.
I like big knives. And little knives. And medium knives.
i bought one when it first came out. i had a lot of fun with the beast. later on i just had to have a lile. even though the blade is two inches longer it’s a good bit lighter. it balances like a well done fighting knife. fast in the hand but not much of a chopper. like the buckmaster it cuts branches well. i do take it camping just because it’s fun and i like it. about the only thing i use it for is to cut sandwiches and steak.
I recently purchased one at a gunshow and from what I've found out is the one with the long spikes and taller buttcap is an early 90's and the skinnier buttcap should have had shorter spikes as well and is the last model in the 90's. I believe they stopped making them in 96 or 97.
Very cool knives and I have been thinking about grabbing one of the Ramsters to rough house with so thanks for that video. 😎😎👍👍
Those dates sound about right, at least from what I learned from the book. ALthough I think the switched to the shorter pommel cap before the shorter spikes. Again, just from what I read.
working under water on a stationary ship's hull or something else, a diver anchors himself to something to keep from drifting away from where he is working.
exactly
I am definitely interested in buying one.
send me your email and we'll talk survivalonpurpose.com/contact-us/
There was also a skeleton handle version that has the same blade. I have one & the hollow handle version
very cool
Very good video.
Thank you very much!
Likin' the mustache. Not sure how long it's been that way as I've been lax on watching my subscriptions but it looks great.
Hey, thanks
I love the Buck 184! Just ridiculous to carry though. My first one I bought used in the 90’s at a gunshow for $25!!! I sold it later for $75. Then i found another one a few years ago for $75. I had it Cerakoted in Magpul FDE, sewed up new nylon for the sheath in Coyote, sold it on ebay for $550.