Buck 301

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raja

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Nov 2, 2005
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I've read alot about the legendary Buck 301 and will be buying one. Is the build quality on current knives as good as the ones made in the 70's, 80's etc?

I see new in box knives from that time period on ebay and was wondering how they compare to knives being manufactured currently.

Thanks for your reponses.

Raja
 
I think the build quality on the American made 301s is pretty much exactly the same now as it was back then. My recent-build 301 (2006 or so) is virtually identical to my Dad's that he carried for years, starting in the 80's. They're great knives.
 
I agree that they are still as excellent in quality, maybe even better, but for myself, I have always liked the older ones with the long pull and the more detailed shield. I do have a 303 from later date that I like a whole lot.
I think 300BUCKS recently mentioned how it would be nice to have a yellow version with a nickel silver version of the current anvil logo and I would buy one of those in 301 if made. Even better, would be if they anchored the logo with a pin(not likely to happen but I can dream:D)
 
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Lets all get on same playing field.........will do this short and sweet.

The 301s of past can be vastly different than modern ones. First models were made by Schrade, then Camillus, then Buck took them in-house in 1985. Between then and now, the 301 went from a flat ground, nickel silver bolster, 2 spring, brass liner stockman to a
3 spring all SS, convex ground stockman. From 85 on Paul Bos continued treating 420HC to be best cutting steel it can be. Before 85 blade steel could have been a situation that was variable and unknown. So todays Buck is what it is. The result of long heritage and development. It is as tough a stockman as made. Fit and finish can on a rare occasion vary from great to only good but we are talking about a $35 knife. BUT, the guarantee may be the best in the business.....If its Bucks fault you will get satisfaction and usually more.
So in wrap-up be careful comparing peas and carrots. I like some of the design of the old 301s (long pull, flat grind with decent polish) but if I have to go on one of the survival TV shows I will grab a new one off the shelf.....
300Bucks
 
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I love my 301. It is a new diamond-wood version. The fit and finish is great for the price point, and the steel is great for EDC and outdoor use. I consider it to be quite a dependable pocket knife...

BTW, 300Bucks has an awesome thread about the history of the 301, and how it changed over time. If you are interested, it is a great read.

thanks 300Bucks: :thumbup:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=753076&highlight=buck+301+history
 
raja said:
I've read alot about the legendary Buck 301 and will be buying one. Is the build quality on current knives as good as the ones made in the 70's, 80's etc?

I see new in box knives from that time period on ebay and was wondering how they compare to knives being manufactured currently.

Thanks for your reponses.

Raja
Click to expand...

Well, to start with, the Buck 301s made in the 70's were made for Buck by Camillus. Buck started making their own in ~1985, and modified the design in about 1990. So the designs are different. The Camillus-Buck and early in-house Bucks were a 2-spring design. The post '90 Buck is a 3-spring design. ( The 3-spring design is no fatter than the 2-spring.)

I have a Camillus Buck 303 that I carried in the 70' and 80's, and a current design Buck 303 from 1992. I also have Buck 301s from 1997 and 2007. (Buck moved the factory from California to Idaho in 2005.)

All in all, I'd say the overall build quality is about the same, but IMO, the Buck steel is better than the Camillus steel. Camillus used 440A. Buck uses 420HC and hardens it to a 58. I've never compared them side by side. But just in daily use the Camillus-Buck does not hold an edge as well as the Buck. (I refuse to say "Buck-Buck":D )

Of all my knives, nice traditionals with bone scales or one-handers, I carry a 301 more than any other knife.
 
I have one of the original Schrade made 301's. It is a very well made knife.
 
Thanks to The Gov. and Mr. Knarfeng for bringing in stuff I should have.

Raja, my current favorite 301 at this instant is the Comfort Craft yellow scale. I also like any really light light grey Dymondwood scales also. (has to look like old barn wood)

I have been posting my Smokey Mountain Knife Works presentation on the history of the 300 series (Collector Club meeting in August) over in the Buck Forum. I haven't double posted over here because lots of folks look all over the forums. Will be posting Seminar 5 the 80s and 90s this weekend.

My perfect 301 (sized) would be a Comfort Craft light colored jigged bone (real) scale, but with only a clip and sheepsfoot blade on opposite ends. With the blue escutcheon plate gone and etched plate just like Bucks import line uses. Pinned or unpinned. I stir up trouble with the removal of the traditional spey blade, to make the knife thinner and I haven't speyed anything in quite a while.....its always fun to dream, like BSing you will win a lottery....
300Bucks
 
Thanks for your responses and your knowledge concerning the Buck 301. I love the stockman design but don't have a 301; will be ordering one soon.

Thanks again,
Raja
 
WHAT!!! All these replies with so much great info to the OP and not one picture. Here's my 301 made in 2008:

buck301stockman1.jpg


It's a well made knife with good fit and fininsh.
 
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raja said:
Thanks for your responses and your knowledge concerning the Buck 301. I love the stockman design but don't have a 301; will be ordering one soon.
Click to expand...

Better get two. I you use a Buck 301 hard, it probably won't last but about 25 years or so. ;)

Seriously, though, great choice. :thumbup: Let us know what you think when you finally do get the knife.
 
I hear the 370 series is pretty damn good too.

My next buy may be a buck-buck
(sorry knarfeng, it's too catchy)
 
Ok, Ed thru down the challenge, 301 photo.....so to make it worth dragging this thread up from the bottom of the list I had to dig deep for a noteworthy photo, so I don't suffer over-repeating distain...... or what I call 'let sleeping dog threads lie" critism..........300

1989 301 Jigged Redbone, out of a LE set of numbered and engraved on the bolsters. Includes the 305,309 and 303. Less than 500 sets made, this one is # 308. They come in a nifty leatherette folding case. Sorta of 'hens tooth rare'.
Redboneset.jpg
 
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Nice. I really want one like 300's avatar. There so in demand now I think that you can't find them.
 
I like the general model of Stockman, I did not know what to choose - Buck, Case,
Queen Cutlery, Schrade or others. I accidentally saw Buck 301 and took it.
Someone sharpen he an emery and blunted. I sharp it by hand, the steel is quite viscous.
Despite the age and use, he does not have a play of blades, very smoothly opens and closes.
Interestingly, there is a double brass plate on one side.
Judging by the stigma it is made between 72 and 86 year, it means steel 440C?






 
Failbot, your Buck 301 Stockman is a contract built pocketknife - built by Camillus Cutlery. No one knows for sure what stainless steel is in any given Camillus made Buck pocketknife, as Camillus didn't keep records on each run for Buck and used what was on hand in the plant at a given time. It could well be 440A as Camillus used quite a bit of that. Nice old Buck Stockman with a lot of life left! OH
 
Old Hunter
Thank you very much! I'm going to help him live even longer.
I would never have thought that this is Camillus,
is a good company, I have TL-29, very good quality.
How did you know it was Camillus?


 
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