303 opinion poll

pmew

pmew

Joined
Oct 2, 2011
Messages
3,525
Hello guys and gals,

Most of my time is spent in the Traditional subforum but I've a query that I imagine is best floated here.

I don't own a buck. Tragic as that is, I intend to remedy the situation and buy a 303 cadet. The size and the stockman pattern appeal to me, plus the three spring construction (of the new ones anyway) is an unusual variation of the pattern that I do not posses.

There are limited stocks for sale in the UK and from what I can find I have just two options. - I can find other options but they're the Chinese made ones which don't look as well finished as the US production models, so I'm not interested in them - the options are charcoal diamondwood or yellow delrin.

My question is which is the more classic buck?

Help and opinions are greatly appreciated,

Paul
 
Here you go, Yellow Delrin and Charcoal Dymondwood. I believe the yellow was discontinued in 2014.
I consider the sawcut Valox with the squarer bolsters to be the "classic". Black was standard but red, and rarer yellow
were available years ago and can be fished out of the bay if you are patient.

303YL009_zpsefb6afc1.jpg


303GYS008_zpsbfa9a33d.jpg
 
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DeSotoSky said:
Here you go, Yellow Delrin and Charcoal Dymondwood. I believe the yellow was discontinued in 2014.
I consider the sawcut Valox with the squarer bolsters to be the "classic". Black was standard but red, and rarer yellow
were available years ago and can be fished out of the bay if you are patient.

303YL009_zpsefb6afc1.jpg


303GYS008_zpsbfa9a33d.jpg
Click to expand...

DeSotoSky,

Thanks for those images, they are exactly the two that I can find new in Britain. Just out of curiosity, which would you choose of the two?

Paul
 
I found a '70s era 303 on the auction site a few years ago. A good knife that had been well used. Sent it to Buck for their famous spa treatment, and came back looking brand new...oiled, sharp, tight, shiny. Superb craftsmanship all around, and a darn handy knife.
 
I would go with the charcoal dymondwood. The yellow is more "traditional," but it is slippery. I like wood handles in general; ended up with a yellow delrin because I found a used 302 for a low price.

The most traditional is the black sawcut version, which is not available to you, I guess.
 
I like the look of the wood better than the yellow scales from the two you talk of. But, you can find other options if you surf the auction sites. The stag scale version is the best in my opinon.
stag 303's


green paperstone 303

These are the single blade 301's you can use for side by side color visual



Jb4570
 
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I own both (well, my wooden handled 303 has brass bolsters and brownish wood). I like the appearance of the yellow Delrin because it has a classic pocketknife look (to me) but it is a slick finished type of Delrin, not at all like the black sawcut. OH
 
Well, I went with yellow. I understand it's discontinued now so I maybe won't get another chance, and I can always pick up another diamondwood if I really like it.

Thanks for the help gentlemen.

Paul
 
Great choice! I'm a fan of the yellow. I'm looking to replace my 303 in yellow that I've misplaced. It's the only one missing from my set of 300s.
 
Congrats on your new Buck 303. FYI, Charcoal dymondwood is also discontinued this year.
 
pmew said:
Hello guys and gals,

the options are charcoal diamondwood or yellow delrin.

My question is which is the more classic buck?

Help and opinions are greatly appreciated,

Paul
Click to expand...

Hi Paul,
It's a judgement call. As one of the fellas said, the true classic is the black Valox. Since that isn't one of your options, I'd choose the yellow. I have a set of yellow handled 300 series Bucks and like them very much. And the 303 is one of my favorites. Great size. Hides in your pocket, but gives a good handhold and is a nice blade.
 
So my UK dealer was full of rubbish. I have posted a thread in the WTB forum. Anybody fancy posting some pictures for me until I can get my hands on one?

Paul
 
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