ABOUT

The People Behind Buck

WHEN YOUR FAMILY NAME IS ON A PRODUCT, YOU CARE A BIT MORE ABOUT HOW WELL IT WORKS

CJ BUCK, PRESIDENT & CEO

CJ is the son of Chuck Buck and grandson of Al Buck. He's the 4th generation family member to run Buck Knives and started out with the company on the production line in 1978. "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. The ideals laid out by my Grandfather and Great Grandfather in our early days clearly defines our high standards. By listening to the needs of our customers, we ensure that every product is crafted to fit their unique needs. Whether it be hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, or just everyday tasks you will find a Buck product that can be a reliable tool. In addition, we are always creating better designs, finding better materials, and defining the best way to develop our products so you can rely on them over the years, like a trusted friend. This has always been the Buck way."

- CJ Buck, President & CEO

  

CHUCK BUCK, CHAIRMAN (1936- 2015)

Chuck, son of Al Buck and grandson of Buck Knives founder, Hoyt Buck, 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 death in 2015. 

"My grandfather, Hoyt Buck and my dad, Al Buck founded this company on a simple premise, to make a better knife. Our longtime, best-selling knives reflect that tradition. But we also recognize the importance of keeping pace with changing times. As we look to the future, you can be assured that the same attention to quality, performance and craftsmanship will continue.

I spent a lot of my time traveling the USA to various events, meeting our customers. It is fun to hear the stories of how you received your Buck Knife. I can always tell when a knife is pulled out, the blade is sharpened to almost nothing, the handle has dings from years of use 
and your face lights up at the memory of the first time you used your knife - that your knife has been your friend."
- Chuck Buck, Chairman

AL BUCK (1910 - 1991)

Back in the early days of Buck Knives, Al worked hard with his father, Hoyt Buck, to help develop the company into what it is today. Al revolutionized the knife industry and put Buck on the map with the creation of the 110 Folding Hunter. He also helped instill the core Christian values the company was founded upon and still abides by today.  
 

As written in 1976
If you are a new Buck knife owner, "welcome aboard." You are now part of a very large family. Although we're talking about a few million people, we still like to think of each one of our users as a member of the Buck Knives Family and take a personal interest in the product that was bought. With normal use, you should never have to buy another.

Now that you are family, you might like to know a little more about our organization. The fantastic growth of Buck Knives was no accident. From the beginning, management determined to make God the Senior Partner. In a crisis, the problem was turned over to Him, and He hasn't failed to help us with the answer. Each product must reflect the integrity of management, including our Senior Partner. If sometimes we fail on our end, because we are human, we find it imperative to do our utmost to make it right. Of course, to us, besides being Senior Partner, He is our Heavenly Father also; and it's a great blessing to us to have this security in these troubled times. If any of you are troubled or perplexed and looking for answers, may we invite you to look to Him, for God loves you.

I know that I still hold a special place in my heart for my mother and father, with an extra spot for what my father taught me, about life and about making a good knife. My hope is that I've done a good job in passing those same beliefs on to the next generations.

"For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son; that whoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John: 3:16


- Al Buck

Paul Bos

We give credit where credit is due. Without this man, we would not have the patented heat treating system that has made our blades so legendary.

Paul Bos, a nationally known heat-treat authority has been heat-treating since 1956. Before his retirement from Buck Knives in 2010, he served 70% of America's custom knifemakers as well as overseeing all of the heat-treating in Buck Knives factory, where he was able to consult with Buck's engineers. Paul's link to Buck Knives goes back to his early years when he worked on custom knives for Al Buck in the late 1950s. Buck Knives continues to operate Paul's heat treating business out of our factory, led now by Paul Farner who worked under Bos for many years. 

The process Bos developed, which involves heating, freezing and then reheating of the steel is like none other in the business, and is why Buck knives are famous for being sharper out of the box and staying sharp longer.

In 2007 Bos was the recipient of the "Blade Magazine Industry Achievement Award" for the contributions and advances he made in heat treating technology. Furthermore, in 2010 he was inducted into the "Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame©" in recognition of nearly 50 years as the foremost authority on the heat treatment of steel for knife blades.

"No one could match Paul's dedication to the art of heat treating knife blades or his unwavering commitment to supporting custom knifemakers world-wide. He is living proof to the conviction that it takes more than just using good steel for making a fine blade; it's what you do with the steel that makes the difference," said Chuck Buck, Chairman of Buck Knives.

Even in his retirement, Bos continues in an advisory role for Buck Knives, and makes trips to the Idaho plant as needed. For more information on heat treating, or our heat treating services, see our Heat Treating page under About Buck.