300 series question

Grateful

Grateful

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2002
Messages
4,531
Does anyone know for sure what steel was used in the older 300 series Bucks. Specifically those made by Schrade and Camillus. I have heard that they were 440c but I have also been told that Schrade and Camillus did not use 440c and that they were probably using 440a.
Also am I correct in thinking that Buck took over in 1986 and started making them in house using 425 mod then switching to 420hc in 1991.
Thanks in advance for any help that you may be able to offer.
Jim
 
Schrade and Camillus both were notorious for using whatever "stainless" they could get cheapest at the time.

440A was common to both with a few others tossed in, but it's virtually impossible to know for sure.

As far as I know, neither ever used 440C.
 
That was what I was thinking, thanks for the reply. It just makes me wonder because my Grandad carried a 307 for years and man it did hold a good edge. If they weren't using 440c then 440a or what ever the mystery steel was really performed well.
 
Rather than saying "Who the heck knows", I say I agree with Bear Claw but will say "Only the guy who bought the steel or the guy who unloaded it off the truck knows." It may not be 440c but some blades appear to me to be better than others. And, like David Martin will say 425 'ain't too shabby'.

300Bucks
 
Last edited:
Yes, I like 425. It works great on Elk.I have one of those mystery steels on my 307 which holds a good edge.DM
 
Chuck Buck used to tell me that they promised him that the steel was "very similar" to the stuff we used at the time but that he, "had his doubts" sometimes. :)
 
Camillus used a lot of 440A for their stainless knives.

Schrade used what was called "Schrade +" for their stainless knives. In their catalogs they said it was 440A.

Based on that I would guess that 440A was used for both Camillus and Schrade Buck 300 models. But that's still just a guess.

I have an old 303 made by Camillus that I bought ~1980 or so. The edge retention is not what I would expect from 440C.
 
Wanted to say thanks to everyone for contributing their knowledge on this un-defined issue, your info going into my records, so you may get quoted somewhere, someday......300Bucks
 
Yes thanks again to every one for sharing your info/insight. It is much appreciated.
Jim
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top