Current ones, with the 3 backspring design "adequate", Older ones with 2 backsprings, "great"!
I own newer 302 and 309. I'd put them right in the middle of the spectrum.
I didn't know the older ones had stronger back spring.
Whole different design, the older ones had the traditional 2 spring design, where the Spey and Sheepsfoot blades shared one spring. Buck redesigned them to the current design where each blade has its own spring and the layout of the Spey and Sheepsfoot blades are reversed.
Not entirely sure why, but since then, I've never found them to have to strong "snap" of the older style.
Do you own a newer 301?
Couple of dozen from over the years since the change, and several from before, 301's are my main Buck collection.
Do you know if the latest 303 is two or three spring?
Newer 300 series is a poor snap. The current China Bucks in the 300 series have a tighter snap than the USA series. Sad. I still only collect the USA series.
I seem to recall seeing somewhere that they switched to 3 springs because the 2 blades sharing a single spring was breaking too many springs....
So a less snappy 3 spring setup would have a longer lifespan
I seem to recall seeing somewhere that they switched to 3 springs because the 2 blades sharing a single spring was breaking too many springs....
So a less snappy 3 spring setup would have a longer lifespan