I googled Buck model 382 yesterday. I found the Buck site & that they have a "History" service. They actually request a picture, but I didn't send one. They said an answer could take up to two weeks, but I received one via email this morning. Seems the 382 trapper was introduced in 2006 using 420HC steel in the blades. The down-pointing arrow following the 3/82 on the clip blade is a date code which said mine was made in 2007. My Son-in-law was killed in an auto accident Jan 3, 2008, so I am thinking he gave me this knife for Christmas about a month before he was killed.
I suppose I should put it in the safe for keeping it safe, but it just means a lot more to me in my pocket, so I'll keep carrying it & hope I don't lose it.
Also did a search on 420HC & found it contains 45% carbon & 18% Chrome. It normally hardens to about 55 RC & is considered one of the better stainless steels for knife blades, following closely 440C. In spite of the fact I generally prefer a high carbon steel blade, I have been very pleased with this knife. I have generally found that point of origin is more a matter of Pride than actual metallurgy. I would prefer it said USA than China, but this fact has not actually hurt the usefulness of this knife.
