Forgive me if this takes a while to set up:
I grew up using Victorinox Swiss Army knives, but as I got older I found I only ever used the knife blades. Once in a while the cap lifter would come in handy, but college taught me how to open bottles without having one around. Thus I began my journey into the realm of other knives.
I went through a brief but expensive tactical habit before discovering traditionals. The steel snob aspect of my tactical phase, however, stuck with me. 420 HC wouldn't cut it. I needed carbon steel on my traditionals. Accumulated a lot of Case CV and a few GECs. I still love and appreciate Case knives. They are what I think of when I think of traditionals. But my own experience with the three GEC knives I own has left me leery of paying their prices for them again.
To get to the point of this post--
I discovered Buck. In part due to an encounter with an old timer in a hardware store who told me to get one, as it would be a knife that would "last me a lifetime." I bought a 309 due to my love of the Peanut. And I bought a 303 because I love the sheepsfoot blade.
But I did not carry them. They reminded me too much of the plastic handled 420 steel knives I had left behind. I needed a blade with character. I needed natural handle materials and a nice, warm patina. But when it came time for me to vacation in NYC, I didn't want to risk any of my "nicer" Case knives being confiscated. So I grabbed the little Buck 309 and off I went.
It was hot in the city, and I kept wondering how the Case CV would have stood up to the high heat and humidity, the sauna like conditions in my pocket. I was happy with that Buck. I'd gotten it razor sharp and the little extra bit of handle made it more comfortable in my hand than the Peanut.
It was just going to be a vacation knife.
The Peanut would go right back in my pocket when it was all over.
But when I got back from the city, I had my knife drawer open, and that Buck 303 with the mighty fine sheepsfoot blade was in there asking to be carried. Now the 303 is a great sized knife, but my sweet spot for EDC is right about 3 inches. The 303 is fine with shorts but when I wear jeans it is just a little too long and I don't like how it sits when it goes horizontal.
Which brings me to the 310.
The Buck 310 Whittler.
This little guy is right at 3 inches closed. Is the same thickness as my Peanut. But it has 3 blades. One of which...that excellent coping blade. I can't tell you how much I like having a straight-edged blade with a nice point. Makes short work of blister packs and allows precision cuts from paper.
The 310 is also one of the most well thought out knives in terms of design. The main clip is centered in the handle, with the pen and coping blades resting on either side.
Here is a size comparison to a Case Peanut.
I should also mention that, while both Case and Buck have excellent customer service, my 309 had a proud, sharp pin on the handle. I sent it in to Buck and had a brand new knife one week from the day I sent it in. That's right. One week from the day I SENT it. Case took six weeks for a similar issue. In Case's defense, that is totally acceptable for a replacement/repair, and it went without a hitch. But--one week!
It's not the prettiest knife I own. It's far from the most expensive. It's not a status symbol. It gives me no bragging rights. What it is is a tool. A sturdy, dependable tool that is everything I could ask for from a pocket knife. I don't have to worry about sweating all over it or getting caught in the rain with it. I can literally forget about it until I need it.
I love my Peanuts.
I love all my Case knives.
But this little Buck has won me over.
For now.
I grew up using Victorinox Swiss Army knives, but as I got older I found I only ever used the knife blades. Once in a while the cap lifter would come in handy, but college taught me how to open bottles without having one around. Thus I began my journey into the realm of other knives.
I went through a brief but expensive tactical habit before discovering traditionals. The steel snob aspect of my tactical phase, however, stuck with me. 420 HC wouldn't cut it. I needed carbon steel on my traditionals. Accumulated a lot of Case CV and a few GECs. I still love and appreciate Case knives. They are what I think of when I think of traditionals. But my own experience with the three GEC knives I own has left me leery of paying their prices for them again.
To get to the point of this post--
I discovered Buck. In part due to an encounter with an old timer in a hardware store who told me to get one, as it would be a knife that would "last me a lifetime." I bought a 309 due to my love of the Peanut. And I bought a 303 because I love the sheepsfoot blade.
But I did not carry them. They reminded me too much of the plastic handled 420 steel knives I had left behind. I needed a blade with character. I needed natural handle materials and a nice, warm patina. But when it came time for me to vacation in NYC, I didn't want to risk any of my "nicer" Case knives being confiscated. So I grabbed the little Buck 309 and off I went.
It was hot in the city, and I kept wondering how the Case CV would have stood up to the high heat and humidity, the sauna like conditions in my pocket. I was happy with that Buck. I'd gotten it razor sharp and the little extra bit of handle made it more comfortable in my hand than the Peanut.
It was just going to be a vacation knife.
The Peanut would go right back in my pocket when it was all over.
But when I got back from the city, I had my knife drawer open, and that Buck 303 with the mighty fine sheepsfoot blade was in there asking to be carried. Now the 303 is a great sized knife, but my sweet spot for EDC is right about 3 inches. The 303 is fine with shorts but when I wear jeans it is just a little too long and I don't like how it sits when it goes horizontal.
Which brings me to the 310.
The Buck 310 Whittler.
This little guy is right at 3 inches closed. Is the same thickness as my Peanut. But it has 3 blades. One of which...that excellent coping blade. I can't tell you how much I like having a straight-edged blade with a nice point. Makes short work of blister packs and allows precision cuts from paper.
The 310 is also one of the most well thought out knives in terms of design. The main clip is centered in the handle, with the pen and coping blades resting on either side.
Here is a size comparison to a Case Peanut.
I should also mention that, while both Case and Buck have excellent customer service, my 309 had a proud, sharp pin on the handle. I sent it in to Buck and had a brand new knife one week from the day I sent it in. That's right. One week from the day I SENT it. Case took six weeks for a similar issue. In Case's defense, that is totally acceptable for a replacement/repair, and it went without a hitch. But--one week!
It's not the prettiest knife I own. It's far from the most expensive. It's not a status symbol. It gives me no bragging rights. What it is is a tool. A sturdy, dependable tool that is everything I could ask for from a pocket knife. I don't have to worry about sweating all over it or getting caught in the rain with it. I can literally forget about it until I need it.
I love my Peanuts.
I love all my Case knives.
But this little Buck has won me over.
For now.
