WTB - I know, I know... eBay

[phirehawk]

Okay, I have what appears to be a second iteration of the Buck 184. It has the sheath that says PAT. PEND. under the BUCK and has one pouch with the Silva compass and red cord. The knife is in decent shape, but was not a collector queen. It has both pins and is marked :

BUCK
184<
U.S.A.
PAT. PEND.

So, my question is, where can I get a second pouch? I hate to have the pins rattling around in the handle... does anyone know of a company that could make one if I sent them the compass pouch I have (to be made without the "BUCK" stitching of course)? I'd like to have a pouch that had a flap covering two custom holding pockets to snugly hold the pins similar to the way golf tees are held on things. It would have to be made of the same, or very similar, heavy nylon webbing so as not to scream cheap. Not something a typical grandma's sewing machine can get through.

Also, (wow, I'm long winded) is the handle water-proof? I see an O-Ring, so I'd assume... but y'all know what that'll get ya. First post, thanks in advance.

[phirehawk]

Would I be better off just buying a cheapo knock-off and using its pouch? I'm not sure it would fit, but it may be worth checking out...

[porterkids]

Welcome to the forum. Yes, my first response to people looking for stuff is ebay. I've found many. many great things there over the years, including one of the five original Buckmaster prototypes made by Mickey Finn. There were several 184 pouches that just ran a few weeks ago. If I remember correctly the large pouch went for over $70. I don't remember what the smaller ones brought.

Your idea of buying a knock off is probably the best bet. You could always take the pouch and then sell the knife without it and get back most of your investment. Another idea is to buy one of the M9 bayonet pouches, but you would have to dye it black.

To answer your final question, yes, the handle is waterproof. After the blade is fastened to the grip the bottom of the cavity is filled with epoxy. If you look down in the handle you can see it. The o-ring seales the top.

[jtc]

you might check with Buck. I bought a Buckmaster that sounds exactly like yours a few years ago (around 2001-2002) and it didnt have the larger pouch. I contacted Buck and they still had some for $11 I think. This one has a black snap alnog with the velcro but doesnt have the Buck logo stitched on it. Matches very nicely if not exactly.

[porterkids]

Buck moved from southern California to Idaho a little over two years ago. They cleaned house at that time. They have nothing left for the Buckmaster or the M9 bayonet. I know this for a fact because I had been in touch with Joe Houser at Buck at the time looking to purchace any parts that they had. They did run across some old M9 blades and assembled them with parts they had kicking around the shop. I wrote a brief article about these bayonets that you can view here:
http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/bill_porter_ii.htm