Buck 317 Trailblazer?

[TAH]

For years, I have admired the 317, probably due to my love of the old Camillus era 300 Series, which leads me to two questions.

1) Does anyone here carry and use this knife in the field?

2) If you don't own a 317 and one was gifted to you, but with the understanding that if you accepted it, you had to carry and use it. Would you accept it?

EDT: Random internet photo for reference...

 

[jbmonkey]

yes and yes.

great knife pattern for bigger folder. I carry and use one sometimes, but prefer a lock....so I tend to not carry as much as i could. truth be told most of my cutting i dont need the lock just like it.

 

[eveled]

Yes I’d carry it. There is a lot to be said for haveing two blades one for rough stuff the other for finer work. It’s a real work horse design. Even though I don’t have a 317. I have 2 from different makers that belonged to my father and grandfather.

 

[Der Verminator]

Got one and gave it away.

I too, favor locking blades.

Probably don't need the lock most of the time, but I like it......just in case.

 

[bucksway]

I've never used one..and the BCCI 301 was the first multi blade knife of any brand I actually carried. It's BG42 and I used one blade only for when I absolutely needed a really sharp blade. The idea of using one blade for general use and one for 'special' tasks has a lot of appeal to me. I'll have to try one to see for myself.

 

[bertl]

When I go to the mountain, I alternate between taking a 110 or a 317. They are both good knives. When hunting, the 317 with its second blade may have some advantages.

Bert

 

[pholder]

I've never seen one before. Yes I would carry it and I would use the living cr...p out of it

 

[Hickory n steel]

2) If you don't own a 317 and one was gifted to you, but with the understanding that if you accepted it, you had to carry and use it. Would you accept it?

No I would not unless modification was acceptable, I don't do two blade trapper pattern knives because I have no need for two primary class blades on one knife.
Ones gotta be shorter than the other.

 

[David Martin]

Yes I do use one on occasion. I like the features of a large 2 blade folder w/ a lanyard hole. The clip blade is the one I use for splinters, birds and fish, ect. General use. The trailing blade I use to cut up a lunch apple, summer sausage and such. A work horse knife. Dm

 

[300Bucks]

May be random but excellent photo, wish I had taken it. There some specials of the model also. Several were printed with images of acts from American history. But, you polish the blade to much and the ink will wear off. I'll go find one or two. It's a heavy duty blade with flat grinding. Someone here is a very fine collector of this model and probably has more variations than I do. If you search back a long time ago you will find photos of all of them I own. ch

 

[Vaporstang]

...
1) No. I have two and do not carry either. I bought one as a collector item several years back and love it. I liked it so much, I bought a user knife for my son. When I received it, I was extremely disappointed - it was a nail breaker. I worked on it a little to no avail and then shoved it in the closet. (I need to revisit this one.) I don't know why they would be so different. I never even mentioned it to my son.
2) Yes, although at this stage in my life it wouldn't be very practical most of the time.

 

[David Martin]

I don't mind the non- locking blades. It can handle some serious use. It's heavy but no heavier than a double booster 110. Plus, it has a lanyard hole. A feature most 110's don't have. DM

 

[David Martin]

This pattern was quite popular with Case, Schrade and Buck. People really like this pattern. I see bikers with tjem.
I've owned & carried 2 brands of this pattern and found the Buck to be better quality. Plus, a flat grind seems easier to sharpen. DM

 

[Der Verminator]

This pattern was quite popular with Case, Schrade and Buck. People really like this pattern. I see bikers with tjem.
I've owned & carried 2 brands of this pattern and found the Buck to be better quality. Plus, a flat grind seems easier to sharpen. DM

Yes, when I was in the Navy in the 60s I often saw the ship sailors carrying the pattern.......equally as many as carried Buck 110s........but I don't know what manufacturer was more common.

 

[TAH]

Thanks for everyone's replies. You're all excellent salesmen.

What do you think of this combination? I don't like serrated blades on outdoor knives, but I do like this one that is fully serrated. My favorite kitchen knife is a fully serrated Spyderco, which cuts like a laser. This 317 would certainly give you the option in one package.

 

[DeSotoSky]

Yes, when I was in the Navy in the 60s I often saw the ship sailors carrying the pattern.......equally as many as carried Buck 110s and 112s........but I don't know what manufacturer was more common.

Saw alot of 112's in the 60's did you????

 

[Der Verminator]

Yes, I noticed that myself when I reread it this morning.

I edited it just about 12 minutes ago.

Unfortunately, not before your sharp eyes landed on it.

 

[David Martin]

I've not seen one of those. Was it a makers modification? A serrated blade I've found useful in cutting rope, hose, pruning limbs, even some processing work. An interesting feature. DM

 

[bertl]

I've not seen one of those. Was it a makers modification?

In 1989 Buck had the limited N1 Series of serrated knives. The series included the 110, 105, and 426 with partially serrated blades, the 301 with a fully serrated sheepsfoot blade, and the 317 with a fully serrated secondary blade. The serrated 317 is the least common with only 700 or so made. (Joe Houser, December 2014 Newsletter)

 

[TAH]

In 1989 Buck had the limited N1 Series of serrated knives. The series included the 110, 105, and 426 with partially serrated blades, the 301 with a fully serrated sheepsfoot blade, and the 317 with a fully serrated secondary blade. The serrated 317 is the least common with only 700 or so made. (Joe Houser, December 2014 Newsletter)

View attachment 1224845

So, who made the 1989 serrated 317? Camillus or Buck? Also, why no date code?