303 stockman changes? And 703?

mnblade

mnblade

Joined
Feb 7, 2000
Messages
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Am I nuts or did Buck change the 303 stockman slightly? This change could have come down 10 years ago or this year for all I know, but I've been looking at a few recently and notice that the ones on buckknives.com are different than some I see on Ebay.

Also, is Buck still making the 703 stockman?
 
Some of the 300 series during that time may have been
contract knives made by Camillus for Buck. Those are
the ones I see most often on E-bay.

I know my Buck 307 was made by Camillus and I think
thats OK. I get to support two great American companies
buy buying it. Such a deal............
 
I figured out the change ... I'm seeing 303s with the coping blade on different ends. Some have it attached at the same end as the master blade, and other 303s have it at the opposite end. For instance, take a look at Ebay item 1096428636, it's on the opposite end. Now look at item 1096080832 and you'll see it's on the same end. I'm just wondering WHEN Buck changed them and, to a certain extent, why. Personally, I like the looks of the coping blade being opposite the master blade. No particular reason - I guess it's less traditional and that the thing I love of Buck slipjoints, they don't slavishly stick to tradition (e.g. one spring for each blade, etc.). Great knives. Vern, you out there? Any input on this one?
 
Yes, I'm here. The knives you are looking at on eBay are as follows: Item #1096080832 - both knives in the picture are Camillus contract knives. Look at the nail pull; it is a long "French pull. Notice the rocker pin; it is brass. Now look at the item 1096428636; it has a nail "nick", the quarter moon shaped nail pull. It is clearly a knife made by Buck themselves (much better knife). All of the examples I can put my hands on today follow the same patterns: sheepsfoot blade hinged with the clip blade on Camillus knives and opposite the clip blade on the Buck proprietary knives. ONLY Buck made knives have three springs but the earliest of them had 2 springs. ALL Schrade and Camillus contract knives have 2 springs. ALL Buck made 303's have a nail "nick"; which has to be machined in, as opposed to the "French pull" which is stamped. By the way, although they are "stockman" patterns (speaking in knife terms) only the model 301 is the Stockman. The 303 has always been the Cadet. Vern
 
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