303 Swedge

sqoon

sqoon

Joined
Jan 1, 2010
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I just bought a 303 for my father in law for Christmas. The knife was delivered today. When I compare this '10 to my '98, the knives seem almost identical. The only difference I see is that the swedge on the '10 303 has a squared off spine, while my '98 is nice and rounded. Did Buck stop rounding off the spine on the swedge of the clip blade, or did this '10 303 miss a step in the factory?
 
These are mine. 300Bucks

Swedge.jpg
 

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Sorry to bump an old thread that didn't get much chatter, but I'm looking at getting another 303 and I wanted to know if anyone knew when this change was made. In other words, what would be the date range I should be looking in if I wanted one similar to mine from 1998?
 
I know it may be a shock but I don't have multiple examples of each year to make a CSI quality statement....but this is my info from a look at a lineup of 303s.

There appears to be three phases of the Buck factory production 303 knives. The first rounded swedge as per photo above of older knife, lasted from 1986 to 95,96 and 97 when the tops were flat ground with no swedge, then back to swedge for 98 and 99. In 2000 the sharp swedge era started. So it looks like any 303 - 1986 thru 94 plus 98 and 99 should meet your desires for the rounded swedge as per photo above.

Also remember, production knives are production knives and sometimes if hand polishing occurs on the the knife variances may occur. But, I don't think the process for the recent era 303s allows too much hand polishing variance .

Try to find a nice 303 with the BUCK escutcheon and try the 425M steel in those era blades. 86,87,88 and 89.

300Bucks
 
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300Bucks said:
I know it may be a shock but I don't have multiple examples of each year to make a CSI quality statement....but this is my info from a look at a lineup of 303s.

There appears to be three phases of the Buck factory production 303 knives. The first rounded swedge as per photo above of older knife, lasted from 1986 to 95,96 and 97 when the tops were flat ground with no swedge, then back to swedge for 98 and 99. In 2000 the sharp swedge era started. So it looks like any 303 - 1986 thru 94 plus 98 and 99 should meet your desires for the rounded swedge as per photo above.

Also remember, production knives are production knives and sometimes if hand polishing occurs on the the knife variances may occur. But, I don't think the process for the recent era 303s allows too much hand polishing variance .

Try to find a nice 303 with the BUCK escutcheon and try the 425M steel in those era blades. 86,87,88 and 89.

300Bucks
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Very, very helpful. Thank you very much!
 
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