BISON vacuums...
- Thread starter superocd
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The front looks like a Cylon!!!Needs to have the light that scans back and forth.Would like to try a Bison-just can't find one for a REASONABLE price.The vac place encountered one in the Greenville area-the owner needed a belt.
huskyvacs
Well-known member
The gist of it is that a guy that worked for Kirby, a designer or an engineeer, got fired or quit and decided he could do better than Kirby. He nicked their construction but changed the styling a lot and made it somewhat space-age and then tried to market them door to door like Kirby. I remember reading some stories that there was racism involved or some other stuff like that with the owner.
They are pretty rare and usually go for well over $200 on eBay, boxed ones about double that. Their main issue is just product quality, they tend to be very fragile mechanically and a lot of them break.
They were made from the 1960s to the 1970s I think and not many sold, or if they did, then not many survived. You used to be able to find them at thrift but I think too many collectors and other random people know what they are now and patrol thrift stores for them, or the people that have them know what they have and it never leaves the auction house. They pop up maybe a few times a year on eBay either as virtually new in box, or as total wrecks, but bidding wars are frequent no matter what.
Welcome to the site and to vacuum collecting by the way!
They are pretty rare and usually go for well over $200 on eBay, boxed ones about double that. Their main issue is just product quality, they tend to be very fragile mechanically and a lot of them break.
They were made from the 1960s to the 1970s I think and not many sold, or if they did, then not many survived. You used to be able to find them at thrift but I think too many collectors and other random people know what they are now and patrol thrift stores for them, or the people that have them know what they have and it never leaves the auction house. They pop up maybe a few times a year on eBay either as virtually new in box, or as total wrecks, but bidding wars are frequent no matter what.
Welcome to the site and to vacuum collecting by the way!
s31463221
Well-known member
Bison Vacs
Superocd, as has been stated above, the designer and builder of the Bison was a former Kirby employee who parted ways with the company, and decided he could build a “better mousetrap”.....thus the Bison was born. I have personally seen very few of them in real life (except the one I own), but I believe there were three models made, the green/chrome one, the brown Centurian II, and a commercial model. They were notorious to break down during the middle of an in-home demonstration from what I’ve heard. I can’t speak for all of them, but I have a brown Centurian II, and the plastic components on it feel very cheap and weak. I have a feeling it wouldn’t take a lot to break it all to pieces and destroy the machine. I will say though, it has a VERY powerful General Electric variable speed motor that is controlled by a rheostat switch. It goes from a relatively quiet hum to a helicopter taking flight! It terrifies pets and children alike!
Superocd, as has been stated above, the designer and builder of the Bison was a former Kirby employee who parted ways with the company, and decided he could build a “better mousetrap”.....thus the Bison was born. I have personally seen very few of them in real life (except the one I own), but I believe there were three models made, the green/chrome one, the brown Centurian II, and a commercial model. They were notorious to break down during the middle of an in-home demonstration from what I’ve heard. I can’t speak for all of them, but I have a brown Centurian II, and the plastic components on it feel very cheap and weak. I have a feeling it wouldn’t take a lot to break it all to pieces and destroy the machine. I will say though, it has a VERY powerful General Electric variable speed motor that is controlled by a rheostat switch. It goes from a relatively quiet hum to a helicopter taking flight! It terrifies pets and children alike!
dysonman1
Well-known member
They made Bison from the very late 1960's, in Ocala, Florida, and they stopped selling them around 1986.
Most were sold by Door to Door salesmen, although the brown painted models were sold in Vac Shops.
The green and polished aluminum models (there were three variations) were sold for more than a decade.
The problem with the design was always the cleaner head drive mechanism.
Here's my green model Mark III with it's original hose and attachment box.
Most were sold by Door to Door salesmen, although the brown painted models were sold in Vac Shops.
The green and polished aluminum models (there were three variations) were sold for more than a decade.
The problem with the design was always the cleaner head drive mechanism.
Here's my green model Mark III with it's original hose and attachment box.
kirbytex85
Member
I have two Mark ll units. One of which was a display at a vacuum shop in NY and was never used. It’s still in the box. The other I found in pieces and had to source some of the parts which wasn’t easy. It works and I actually use it sometimes. I will try to post some pics soon. I also have some literature on them. They are very unique but compared to a Kirby the quality isn’t there. Some of the parts break easy. The look of the machine is what I’ve always liked along with the rarety.
The owner of Bison,,,
Was a different sort,,,Clay Floyd was a Bison dealer, and went to Florida for a tour of the factory and a training session, He said the owner LOCKED them in a room,,,preached a hell fire and brimstone sermon, as he was a Baptist preacher also, and then proceeded to tell them he had" Better never hear of HIS machine being sold in trailer parks or to"Colored" people!!!" Clay swore this was true, and if any of you knew clay, you knew he was one hundred percent honest.This happened in the mid 70s!
Was a different sort,,,Clay Floyd was a Bison dealer, and went to Florida for a tour of the factory and a training session, He said the owner LOCKED them in a room,,,preached a hell fire and brimstone sermon, as he was a Baptist preacher also, and then proceeded to tell them he had" Better never hear of HIS machine being sold in trailer parks or to"Colored" people!!!" Clay swore this was true, and if any of you knew clay, you knew he was one hundred percent honest.This happened in the mid 70s!
bisonian
Well-known member
Bison vs. Kirby
If you saw a Bison next to a Kirby, you'd see the quality difference immediately. Compared to any Kirby, the Bison just feels flimsy and fragile, with far too much cheap plastic.
And Steve is spot-on about the sound. I have three, one Mark II and two Centurions. Crank all three up in the garage and it sounds like you're on the tarmac at O'Hare or Hartsfield-Jackson.
Fun fact -- As noted in his autobiography, Dog the Bounty Hunter was once a Bison salesman.
If you saw a Bison next to a Kirby, you'd see the quality difference immediately. Compared to any Kirby, the Bison just feels flimsy and fragile, with far too much cheap plastic.
And Steve is spot-on about the sound. I have three, one Mark II and two Centurions. Crank all three up in the garage and it sounds like you're on the tarmac at O'Hare or Hartsfield-Jackson.
Fun fact -- As noted in his autobiography, Dog the Bounty Hunter was once a Bison salesman.
compactc9guy
Well-known member
Dog the Bounty Hunter sold vacs neat fact im a fan of Dog and Beth ha didnt know that but could you put a Kirby handle on a Bison some how to make it more solid?
dysonman1
Well-known member
Dog the Bounty Hunter sold both Kirby and Bison. He worked in Colorado, at Bison, for the late Clay Floyd. Clay was a distributor of Bison for a number of years, and ran an authorized service center as well. I have a good quantity of Bison memorabilia that I got from Clay while he was still living.
Phillip Muller has an excellent specimen of one
We all saw it at his home during our VCCC convention.
"Colored people"? Oh my goodness!!!!!!! I'd have to ask, "Well, just what color are we talking about"? It is 2019.. to quote Sonny and Cher, "History has turned a page, uhuh".
We all saw it at his home during our VCCC convention.
"Colored people"? Oh my goodness!!!!!!! I'd have to ask, "Well, just what color are we talking about"? It is 2019.. to quote Sonny and Cher, "History has turned a page, uhuh".
dysonman1
Well-known member
John Long
Hans was being nice. You know the word that was said. It was 1972 and the owner of Bison was very much racist.
Hans was being nice. You know the word that was said. It was 1972 and the owner of Bison was very much racist.
texaskirbyguy
Well-known member
I really like the bison, for its looks and its sound. I had seen a video of one where the variable speed was increased slowly and it sounded like a jet taking off. In dim light the headlight looked very sinister, even more than it does sitting turned off. If I ever ran across one around here, I would be getting it!
Since the quality is not as good as a Kirby, it would be used only occasionally.
Since the quality is not as good as a Kirby, it would be used only occasionally.
THANK YOU DYSON MAN...,
Thanks for diffusing what had the potential to be an unecessary and certainly an inflammatory dialogue. We ALL know exactly what Hans meant and I do appreciate the fact that he toned it down. Next topic, please!
Thanks for diffusing what had the potential to be an unecessary and certainly an inflammatory dialogue. We ALL know exactly what Hans meant and I do appreciate the fact that he toned it down. Next topic, please!
Although I've never met Hans, I'd like to.
My late father was from the South. He was the consummate Southern gentleman. Thankfully, there was NEVER any room for racism or prejudice in our home.EVER.
I, too, have been called almost "everything under the sun", some things by people who have never met me...feeling I was responsible for sending letters, etc.... I was refereed to as something beginning with 'mother', for example. As Tom A. and I always say: "We cannot be responsible for other people's ignorance". but......
I've seen these Bisons in person and in action.... monsters of machines. I've also heard how oddly fragile they can be, breaking in home demos.
I have no need for a "Kirby", but, I WILL say they are strong, heavy beasts of machines. I've HAD to use them in certain situations,(churches, offices, friends' homes, etc)
See what happens when people try to copy others? It CAN be a compliment. It can also be disastrous....like these Bisons.
My late father was from the South. He was the consummate Southern gentleman. Thankfully, there was NEVER any room for racism or prejudice in our home.EVER.
I, too, have been called almost "everything under the sun", some things by people who have never met me...feeling I was responsible for sending letters, etc.... I was refereed to as something beginning with 'mother', for example. As Tom A. and I always say: "We cannot be responsible for other people's ignorance". but......
I've seen these Bisons in person and in action.... monsters of machines. I've also heard how oddly fragile they can be, breaking in home demos.
I have no need for a "Kirby", but, I WILL say they are strong, heavy beasts of machines. I've HAD to use them in certain situations,(churches, offices, friends' homes, etc)
See what happens when people try to copy others? It CAN be a compliment. It can also be disastrous....like these Bisons.
kirbylux77
Well-known member
John Long
You say you want to meet Hans Craig?
For starters, let me just say for the record I have never met Hans Craig in person. I have only seen photos of him online here, on Facebook, & that I am friends with Hans on Facebook & I have talked to him one time for a couple of hours recently on the phone. He is one collector, beside yourself, I have wanted to get to know better & be friends with. I have sent you a couple friend requests, you never responded, who knows why, & that's your business obviously.
As far as Hans Craig is concerned, let me just say if you make a friend of that man, you will be one VERY LUCKY man indeed! When I talked to him those couple of hours, I felt like I had known the man my whole life. He is one of the most friendliest, down to earth, most polite people I think I have EVER met in my life....period. And his knowledge & experience with vacuums is vast & extensive. I consider myself lucky & grateful to have gotten to know him. I would STRONGLY suggest if you have the opportunity to go down there to meet him, or invite him to Pennsylvania to meet you or perhaps a mini meet, don't even hesitate for a minute to do it! You won't regret it. I don't think I could give any stronger of a testimonial to someone's good character if I tried, & I wish more of us collectors here were like him & the example he sets.
Rob
You say you want to meet Hans Craig?
For starters, let me just say for the record I have never met Hans Craig in person. I have only seen photos of him online here, on Facebook, & that I am friends with Hans on Facebook & I have talked to him one time for a couple of hours recently on the phone. He is one collector, beside yourself, I have wanted to get to know better & be friends with. I have sent you a couple friend requests, you never responded, who knows why, & that's your business obviously.
As far as Hans Craig is concerned, let me just say if you make a friend of that man, you will be one VERY LUCKY man indeed! When I talked to him those couple of hours, I felt like I had known the man my whole life. He is one of the most friendliest, down to earth, most polite people I think I have EVER met in my life....period. And his knowledge & experience with vacuums is vast & extensive. I consider myself lucky & grateful to have gotten to know him. I would STRONGLY suggest if you have the opportunity to go down there to meet him, or invite him to Pennsylvania to meet you or perhaps a mini meet, don't even hesitate for a minute to do it! You won't regret it. I don't think I could give any stronger of a testimonial to someone's good character if I tried, & I wish more of us collectors here were like him & the example he sets.
Rob
Rob,
How great to hear such great things about Hans!
As far as friend requests, I'm not very good at the Facebook stuff. I don't check in.... only on Tom A.'s Hoover site. I didn't know who you were in there. I'd like to be friends... nice to know you feel the same.
Some people like me, tolerate me, loathe me me. Some of these have never met me. It's ok. I sleep w/ a very clear mind at night.
You know I'm all HOOVER, right? However, I respect those who like other species. I DO 'allow' them in the house. I LOVE the people who come to my home.
Thank, so much, for reaching out to me.
How great to hear such great things about Hans!
As far as friend requests, I'm not very good at the Facebook stuff. I don't check in.... only on Tom A.'s Hoover site. I didn't know who you were in there. I'd like to be friends... nice to know you feel the same.
Some people like me, tolerate me, loathe me me. Some of these have never met me. It's ok. I sleep w/ a very clear mind at night.
You know I'm all HOOVER, right? However, I respect those who like other species. I DO 'allow' them in the house. I LOVE the people who come to my home.
Thank, so much, for reaching out to me.
Rob,
How great to hear such great things about Hans!
As far as friend requests, I'm not very good at the Facebook stuff. I don't check in.... only on Tom A.'s Hoover site. I didn't know who you were in there. I'd like to be friends... nice to know you feel the same.
Some people like me, tolerate me, loathe me me. Some of these have never met me. It's ok. I sleep w/ a very clear mind at night.
You know I'm all HOOVER, right? However, I respect those who like other species. I DO 'allow' them in the house. I LOVE the people who come to my home.
Thank, so much, for reaching out to me.
How great to hear such great things about Hans!
As far as friend requests, I'm not very good at the Facebook stuff. I don't check in.... only on Tom A.'s Hoover site. I didn't know who you were in there. I'd like to be friends... nice to know you feel the same.
Some people like me, tolerate me, loathe me me. Some of these have never met me. It's ok. I sleep w/ a very clear mind at night.
You know I'm all HOOVER, right? However, I respect those who like other species. I DO 'allow' them in the house. I LOVE the people who come to my home.
Thank, so much, for reaching out to me.
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