Buck Knives celebrating 100 years, but relocation possible
"If any of you are troubled or perplexed and looking for answers, may we invite you to look to Him, for God loves you." These words of encouragement are not coming from a pulpit and are not found in a religious publication. You can read them if you open a knife box from Buck Knives. This past year, Buck Knives, a large family business based in El Cajon, celebrated its 100th anniversary. The fascinating story of the family and of the company is recorded in a 120-page book compiled by Al, Ida, Chuck and Lori Buck. Everything started in 1902, when Hoyt Heath Buck, a largely self-educated 13-year old blacksmith from Kansas, tired of having to sharpen the farmers' grub-hoes all too often, developed a tempering process which helped those hoes hold their edge. Soon he transferred that technique to the tempering of knife blades, a technique still behind the sophisticated processes used at Buck Knives today. After a series of jobs, Hoyt became pastor of the Assembly of God Church in Mountain Home, Idaho. It was the time of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and Hoyt decided to contribute by making knives for the servicemen. Soon his knives became popular, and Hoyt joined his son Al in San Diego, to persuade him to work with him in the knife-making trade. The first "manufacturing plant" was next to Al's garage. In 1947, Hoyt and Al started a partnership called H. H. Buck and Son Lifetime Knives. The knives were guaranteed for life, something unheard of in those days. Hoyt Buck died of cancer in 1949 at the age of 59, but Al, his wife Ida and his sons Chuck and Frank helped to keep it going through the 50s, repairing lawnmowers, sharpening saws, and making knives. In 1961, the company became incorporated, with Al as its president. The title moved down to Chuck in 1979, then to his son C.J. in 1999. C.J. has three children, two girls, 20 and 14 years old, and a 16-year old boy. The oldest girl manages the company's store. Will they continue the family's legacy? C.J. doesn't know as yet. "Grandfather was a devout Christian," C. J. remembered. "He insisted that Biblical principles be used in modeling customer service, devotion to quality, and business integrity. In his time and age, he had to take some risks to stick to this resolution. At a time when unconditional warranties were not the norm, he established it as a proof of Christian integrity." "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," we read in the message inside each knife box. The message, written by Al, was actually an idea that Chuck had in the mid-70s, and has since then blessed many lives. "We get some negative press and negative mail about the tract every so often," explained C.J., "but the positive responses outweigh them all. We get letters from people who receive the knives as a gift and are touched by the unexpected message, or from people who are going through divorces, bereavements, and other difficult times, and are encouraged by what they read." Each message ends with a reference to John 3:16. Chuck and C. J. Buck have continued the legacy of faith. Bible studies are encouraged among employees. "We used to have a chaplain for employees, but the liability was too great," C. J. said. Different churches have used the company's cafeteria as a starting point, until they were able to get their own building. "We have been an incubator for many churches," C. J. continued. Presently, a food ministry uses a large section of the company's parking lot. From its humble starts, Buck Knives has overcome many obstacles and challenges. Today, the challenge is California's excessive costs for running a business. "It makes it difficult for us to achieve desired profits in San Diego," C. J. explained. "We are working with California Manufacturing and Technology Center, training on project management and lean manufacturing," C.J. said. "We are 6 months into a two-year improvement program. If our efficiencies do not improve, and Buck Knives does not make sufficient financial progress, the company will have to move to Idaho." As much as C.J. loves San Diego, he said he is open to move. "For an avid hunter and fisherman like me, Idaho might be an enjoyable place to live," he continued. But they will be missed.