Buck Knives is excited to release a 75th anniversary edition of the 119 Special®, the knife that sets the standard by which all others are measured. Making its initial introduction in a one man shop, the first 119 Specials® were hand made by Hoyt and later by Al Buck.
Gaining fame during WWII, the original 119 Specials were designed by Hoyt for U.S. soldiers and crafted using surplus files and recycled airplane canopies. The 119 has come a long way since then, but the initial design has withstood the test of time.
The Anniversary Edition Model 119 features a 6” clip, 420HC steel blade with anniversary stamp. Available in Black Phenolic or Cocobolo, each handle features a 75th anniversary medallion. Included is a genuine leather sheath. MSRP: $96-$136.
In addition to the anniversary edition 119 Specials, Buck Knives is releasing a historical collector’s set featuring five 119 Specials. Each 119 in this set represents a specific time period and only 119 sets will be produced and released for worldwide distribution.
The 119, a History
- 1942-1954 - Starting out in the basement of the church he pastored, Hoyt handcrafted each knife from used file blades and Lucite in various colors. This blue replica represents the most popular and well known model from this time period.
- 1951-1956 - This version of the 119 introduces the blood groove and features an ironwood handle and 6” blade constructed from used files. This version can be found in some of Bucks early outdoor magazine ads with the headline, “Amazing Bench Knife Cuts Anything” and a picture of a knife cutting a bolt.
- 1956-1961 - In the mid 1950’s, Al Buck switched handle materials and began using elk or ebony as a more stable alternative. This version of the 119 features an elk handle and a 6” blade constructed from used files. Often advertised as Buck Lifetime Knives, the 119 Special cost $22 during this time period.
- 1961-1981 - During this time, the use of file blades was no longer necessary and blades were made from forged blanks of 440C steel alloy. This version features a phenolic handle and 440C steel blade, representing more reliable and pliable materials that transitioned the 119 model into the icon it is today.
- 1982-Present - To complete this historical set of knives, the 5th and final knife is the 75th anniversary edition 119 Special that will only be available through 2017. It is the standard 119 featuring a phenolic handle and a 6” 420HC blade marked with the 75th Anniversary stamp and a handle medallion denoting 75 years. Signed by 4th generation family member, CJ Buck, CEO & Chairman of Buck Knives, this leg of the 119 journey depicts a piece of American history.
For more details, visit www.BuckKnives.com.
