Best Buck 301

[nmbfish]

I am interested to know which Buck 301 you fellows think is overall the best 301 ever made and why. This would include all those made in the early years by Schrade and Camillus. Personally, I like the 1988 transition model with the two backsprings and crinked sheepsfoot, the brass linings and the flat (or semi-hollow) ground blades. The only change I would made in that model would be to replace the BUCK shield with the traditional shield. I like all Buck 301's but would prefer that the following were characteristics of the newer ones were dropped altogether:

1. The change in the spey blade that allows its tip to be above the liner. I like the original spey blade.

2. The "comfort curve" grinding of the blolsters. That would be ok if they would grind the two corners on each end the same but they do not seem to be able to do that, especially on the end with the sheepsfoot blade. I do not think that the corners of the bolsters on any of the models were ever sharp enough to damage pockets.

3. The new shield is ok but would rather have the original one.

4. I realize that the three springs allow no crinking of the sheepsfoot but that seems to made the knife more bulky and a little less comfortable to hold and in the pocket.

Your comments and opinions please.

 

[Ray5118]

4. I realize that the three springs allow no crinking of the sheepsfoot but that seems to made the knife more bulky and a little less comfortable to hold and in the pocket.


The three backspring stockman just doesn't look, or feel right to me either, but I'm a traditionalist, other people are just fine with that 3 spring arrangement
The "comfort in hand" issue, may be a result of the reverse orientation of the secondary blades, namely the sheepsfoot, not a big deal, but I see your point
Just my take on it.

Ray

 

[CoyotePhysics]

Tough question. The stockman is something that my family has carried for generations, but we were Shrade people until the company was sold. I admit that when it comes to having a slimmer easy-to-carry knife the 2-spring design is better (and more traditional) but I think that the modern 301 is an all-out work horse. I've thought about getting a knife case (as in a sheath, not a Case brand knife) to keep mine on my belt because it is a bit large, but really that is true of any full sized stockman. In fact the scales on my 301 are thin enough that It really isn't much wider than an Uncle Henry.

I like the fact that Buck's current design is a bit different from the classic design. If I want an all-out traditional design I'll buy a case, but if I lost my 301 I would go out and buy a new one tomorrow.

 

[JD Mandrell]

Probably my favorite 301 to come out in many years, is the Chairman wood handled one with comfortcraft bolsters.

 

[mbjannusch]

Well, as far a looks of the 301, I really like the look of the first 301 made by Schrade with the grooved bolsters, and the serpintine body style. The grooved bolster was flawed so the the usability isn't there. I like to use the current paperstone scale model. I do use the leather sheath that clips on your belt and it works well. I'm not a fan of carrying a heavy knife around in my pocket. So when I dont wear a belt I carry a 303.

 

[300Bucks]

Thanks nmb for a interesting, to me anyway, thread. Excellent description of your 301 observations.
I think I will cheat a little on your question and give several answers.

1. The 301 I like owning and handling. Would have to be one of the old 301 stags. I just like stag and elk scales. Older ones with some "yellowing" of age and oil, I like the best. Not necessarily the best Buck 301, but I sure like owning them. These are crinked blade, brass linered, two spring models. Camillus metal on the old one, 425m on the elk...(This one may actually be my favorite of all time if the opposite scale matched just a hair better)

2.Un-sung hero 301. The Boone and Crockett Club paperstone 301 may be a quiet hero of a 301. The green paperstone is unlike any other offered scale material and would be a "unique" 301 to be carrying around for EDC. They are on bay watch once in a while.
Three spring all stainless, 420 models.

3. My other feel good scale 301 with a blade twist. The brown jigged bone, brass linered two spring model with 1989 date code.
This was made in in all stainless, three spring version and a LE version, which I actually prefer the jigging pattern on. The kicker is the brass linered 89 model is 425m steel, the 1990 marked knife is likely 420 and is three springed all stainless. You can see when they switched ends with the spey and sheepsfoot. I have thought about getting one of the LEs and popping out the emblem and putting a little piece of ivory in its place and have Leesa M. engrave my intials on it....sort of a custom......

4. My dream of the future, 301 'SIZED' knife. A two blade 301 along the lines of the 302. It would be finished as well as the Dymondwood prototypes were. (Very nice polish) But, would have a clip blade and a Warcliff blade. We can argue whether on same end or opposite. This is the nice finish of the proto 302. I want it to look this good but make it a two blade.

5. Cut to the chase, the best regular 301 I would want to have in my pocket in the here-after. A Buck factory made, brass linered, two spring, crinked bladed, knife bolt and hammer shielded, 425m bladed, 1989 stamped, Black sawcut scale. It is likely that 425m blades were put in 'Some' knives after 1989 but to be certain I am getting 425m will have to go with 89 to be sure. You can find a 89 dated knife with the Buck shield also. So, if you want or don't want a particular be sure to check.

This is a personal choice issue, we all have our own likes and dislikes. My favorite current 301 is the yellow scale. Will look forward to the next new idea, who knows I might even like it.

300Bucks

 

[knarfeng]

I dunno. To me the 301 is all about how they use. If I wanted fancy, I'd be using a Queen or a GEC.

• Never used a Schrade-Buck, but I hear tell it's about the same as the Camillus-Buck.
• I've got a Camillus-Buck 303, which I carried daily for about 10 years back when I had hair and it was black.
• Got both a couple of modern 303's and a couple of 301's. Yellow and black versions of both.

• I like the modern 3-spring design better than the 2-spring. The blades are straight. Makes them easier to use.
• And I like the current blade layout. Again, easier to use.
• From a functional view, the yellow stands out better if I put the knife down outside.

So put me down for a current model yellow 3-spring 301. Best of the best.

 

[skyhorse]

Since Buck is always improving their products I really like this newer yellow 301.I may carry another knife but this one is always in my pocket.It also reminds me of my Pal that gave it to me.

 

[OhShoot]

Since Buck is always improving their products I really like this newer yellow 301.I may carry another knife but this one is always in my pocket.It also reminds me of my Pal that gave it to me.

Yeah, I carry a contemporary yellow Delrin 301 also.
Replaced one I lost years ago (which was Delrin also) that my grandfather gave me. Awful loss, but at least I think of him every time I pull it out now.

- OS

 

[nmbfish]

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FELLOWS FOR YOUR VERY INFORMATIVE REPLIES! I expecially agree with 500Bucks item no. 5. That would be a great knife! As I mentioned in my original statement, I have one of the new yellow 301's and like it very much but can't understand why the bolster corners (especially on the sheepsfoot end of the knife) cannot be ground off the same. Is that the situation with your yellow 301's? I would rather have the sharper corners on the bolsters than to have them ground differently.