300 series question

afishhunter

afishhunter

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I know the Schrade and Camillus made 300 series contract knives had 440A blades.

After Buck brought the 300 series production in-house, did the standard production knives ever have 440C or 425M blades, or (excluding offshore production) have they always been 420HC?
 
I believe from 1985 to 1993 bucks in house 300 series used 425m. Then they switched to 420hc around 1993. I’m not sure on exact day or month but around that time frame.
 
Under the Camillus contract: I've emailed / chatted with some managers at Camillus, Phil Gibbs & Tom Williams. Both long term employees. These knew Jim Furgal who was in upper management. The first 2 guys agree that as for blade steel they used whatever they
had on hand to fill the contract. Which was 420 or 440A. These 2 steels were named. I questioned them further on heat treat methods and they said, that a cryogenic quench was done.
Buck switched to 425M in 1982 and phased this steel out and 420 in at 1992. Something noteworthy occurred in 1981 was Buck had just finished and moved into their huge plant in El Cajon. Thus, every model was brought in house. Some took a little time to gear up for. Still, I suspect 425M was used on the 300 blades and Paul Bos has spoke to me about this. I'm no expert but have talked to several men that worked on these models and know. This short summary carries us to 1992 or 93. I'll say this about the Camillus / Buck contract knives of 2000. They used 420 steel and those blades stand as good as a Buck blade. Which makes me proud to own a Camillus made, Buck stamped knife. DM
 
Thanks David, it’s good to have a person who has close connection with the people involved to share their knowledge and information. Wow, 1981 is a lot earlier for 425m than I had found info through various articles which mostly gave conservative dates. I have a 301 full flat grind dated 1989 and finally found out it was 425m a few years ago. It is a very good knife and keeps a good edge for a good while as to my satisfaction. In comparison to my 420hc hollow grind 301 for what I use them for it is not quite as good but real close.
I wonder if buck keeps some older blades for replacement when they get older knives for repair? Les
 
440c is way better than 420hc,buck should offer blades in 440c too with bos ht,they would be easy to sharpen now on dmt or sil carbide stone .
 
Lesknife said:
Thanks David, it’s good to have a person who has close connection with the people involved to share their knowledge and information. Wow, 1981 is a lot earlier for 425m than I had found info through various articles which mostly gave conservative dates. I have a 301 full flat grind dated 1989 and finally found out it was 425m a few years ago. It is a very good knife and keeps a good edge for a good while as to my satisfaction. In comparison to my 420hc hollow grind 301 for what I use them for it is not quite as good but real close.
I wonder if buck keeps some older blades for replacement when they get older knives for repair? Les
Click to expand...
We ran out of those vintage blades long ago..
 
Mr Hubbard if I find a parts knife or blade will Buck use that to repair a old favourite?
 
I would really like it if I had blades of 425M steel on my 334 Trapper. Unfortunately, if I wear out or break a blade on this knife I would have to make a new blade and I would loose the Buck stamp. Unless it was the spay blade. Still, I'm going to use mine. DM
 
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