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303 in “upgraded steel”?
- Thread starter Joe58
- Start date
DeSotoSky
Gold Member
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Don't think so. The two 301's in premium steel that I can think of were special runs, one for BCCI (BG-42) and one for Blade Forum (CPM-154).
As for 303's, Camillus used 440A, Buck took over production late 85 and used 425m up until 1992 switching to 420HC as the current steel.
The 425m knives might be the best performers and have a flat grind.
As for 303's, Camillus used 440A, Buck took over production late 85 and used 425m up until 1992 switching to 420HC as the current steel.
The 425m knives might be the best performers and have a flat grind.
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I have both the 301’s and do like them in those two steels. Kinda why I was asking about a 303. If I do carry a 303, it usually is one in the 425m. I’d probably be hard pressed to tell the difference in steel,but I like the flat grind better myself.
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I have only seen the 303 in the standard versions of 440a, 425m and 420hc and have one in 420hc hollow grind. I use it edc and it’s a great little knife.
I have the 301 in 425m flat grind, 420hc hollow grind and cpm 154 flat grind. Each one has its merits but for all around use, whittling wood or thin slicing smoked sausage I prefer the 420hc hollow grind. The 425m keeps a edge about the same as 420hc but it does cut vegetables and firm fruit better than 420hc. The cpm 154 keeps the edge longer but like 425m I can’t carve as easily. For cutting card board and similar materials the cpm 154 is most effective of these three.
I have a Buck 501 squire in cpm154 hollow grind that cuts circles around all of the 301s I have. As a general usage knife it is a dandy. If I could put the blade in a 301 I think that would be an amazing stockman especially if it had a clip point. I rotate it with the 301 forum knife as my Sunday go to meetin knife.
I recently got a Camillus made Buck 307 wrangler I’m assuming it’s about a 1982 model in the 440a flat grind. It shows only slight use maybe only handling marks and is in excellent shape. I haven’t put it into use yet so I can’t say much other than it does have a good sharp edge.
I have the 301 in 425m flat grind, 420hc hollow grind and cpm 154 flat grind. Each one has its merits but for all around use, whittling wood or thin slicing smoked sausage I prefer the 420hc hollow grind. The 425m keeps a edge about the same as 420hc but it does cut vegetables and firm fruit better than 420hc. The cpm 154 keeps the edge longer but like 425m I can’t carve as easily. For cutting card board and similar materials the cpm 154 is most effective of these three.
I have a Buck 501 squire in cpm154 hollow grind that cuts circles around all of the 301s I have. As a general usage knife it is a dandy. If I could put the blade in a 301 I think that would be an amazing stockman especially if it had a clip point. I rotate it with the 301 forum knife as my Sunday go to meetin knife.
I recently got a Camillus made Buck 307 wrangler I’m assuming it’s about a 1982 model in the 440a flat grind. It shows only slight use maybe only handling marks and is in excellent shape. I haven’t put it into use yet so I can’t say much other than it does have a good sharp edge.