A really nice surprise!

[DesertChris]

So...... I haven't been able to get any knives for way too long.
A couple months ago we had a financial setback, which will finally be o er at the end of the month

Anyway, a couple days ago I was showing our neighbors the photo I took of the 371 with G-10 handles at wallyworld.
I commented on how neat it was.

This morning they called and asked if I would emergency babysit their kids for a few hours.
I have babysit those kids a lot, so I said no problem.

When they returned this afternoon, they brought me a present!
I am super excited, for several reasons including I haven't gotten a new knive in forever, and above all, it was a gift!
This is also the first and only imported from China Buck Knife that I have ever had.
My neighbors are super awesome!!

Anyway, here it is.... I took a ton of photos in my excitement.....hahahaha

Very small packaging.


Specs on the back.... notice the Rc 53-55 hardness


701 that was in my pocket makes a great package opener


And it is freed from the bondage of its' packaging






Odd that the china stamp is on the sheepsfoot instead of the main clip blade




Fit and finish are pretty good








Although, it was a little dirty in the blade well, and a little unfinished in a few spots that really don't affect anything.



Comparing it to my 301's, it is very similar. The nail nicks are much bigger on the 371.




Interestingly the spey blade shape is a little different though!


Perhaps they clipped the spey blade for clearance getting to the sheepsfoot nail nick?

 

[DesertChris]

It came hair shaving sharp, and with the low Rc hardness, it should be super easy to sharpen.

So of course I shaved with it almost immediately

 

[David Martin]

You have nice neighbors. Try to keep them. Dry shaving with a new blade. Your hard core. DM

 

[DesertChris]

You have nice neighbors. Try to keep them. Dry shaving with a new blade. Your hard core. DM

Our neighbors are great, best neighbors I have ever had......ever.....
We hang out with them a lot.

Hahaha, thanks David Dry shaving is the only way I shave, so my face is used to it.......shaving cream actually gives me a rash

 

[jb4570]

Super neighbors you have DD, I hope you gave them a coin in exchange for that knife!
jb4570

 

[2TONYB]

Nice comparison pics. Great neighbors!

 

[jb4570]

Super neighbors you have DD, I hope you gave them a coin in exchange for that knife!
jb4570

 

[DesertChris]

Super neighbors you have DD, I hope you gave them a coin in exchange for that knife!
jb4570

They are definately great friends! But technically they gave me coins (they always pay me to babysit) and they fed me too

Nice comparison pics. Great neighbors!

That was something I was super curious about, the similarities and differences of the 301 and 371 models.
While very similar, I found a few differences, like the spey blade, nail nicks, and also the spring rise and depth of the back square in the tang where the spring meets the blade in the open position.

They are the same width at the widest point (the spring rivet), but the 301's are slimmer at the bolsters.

 

[Phydeaux]

That's great that you were there for your neighbors and that they trusted you with their kids.

Nice looking knife!

Ric

 

[338375]

That's a cool looking knife. I haven't seen them before. I only own one Buck slip joint, a 301.

I collected older Case knives for a few years, and love them. In all honesty though, I like the Bucks better... I like the grind, and really like the fact they use three backsprings.
It gives the knife a more substantial feel, and with the three springs, they don't have to bend the blades so they will fit.

I own a couple off-shore Bucks, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them

 

[oregon]

A great story Chris, well told and excellent photos. You really know how to add content to this forum. Thank you.

I see a laser blade etch or handle etch with your smiling, partially shaven, face and proximate Buck knife in the lineup one of these days. Yes I do. Gold etch would be rich. The Desert Chris edition! :thumbup:

 

[DesertChris]

That's great that you were there for your neighbors and that they trusted you with their kids.

Nice looking knife!

Ric

They are great kids, a couple years ago I taught them that coffee (which I drink more than my share of) is really called "the beans of life"
They still call it that to this day....hahahaha

That's a cool looking knife. I haven't seen them before. I only own one Buck slip joint, a 301.

I collected older Case knives for a few years, and love them. In all honesty though, I like the Bucks better... I like the grind, and really like the fact they use three backsprings.
It gives the knife a more substantial feel, and with the three springs, they don't have to bend the blades so they will fit.

I own a couple off-shore Bucks, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them

I was surprised at how nice it really is. The softer blade steel makes a lot of sense for people who may not be as good at sharpening.
Trying to sharpen S30V can be a challenge even with proper stones, but 420J2 could be sharpened on anything.
Shoot, I bet it could be sharpened on a red brick

My only other offshore buck is the Buck Shears made in japan.
But they are a whole different level of awesome
They live in a knife block in the kitchen

A great story Chris, well told and excellent photos. You really know how to add content to this forum. Thank you.

I see a laser blade etch or handle etch with your smiling, partially shaven, face and proximate Buck knife in the lineup one of these days. Yes I do. Gold etch would be rich. The Desert Chris edition! :thumbup:

Steve, you are way too kind!
I know for a fact I can be longwinded and post too many photos!

A Desert Chris edition? Now you are just trying to scare people! Bwahahahahhahaa

 

[DesertChris]

So, I just took a few closeups to compare fit and finish of the offshore 371 with a USA production 301 and the custom shop BCCI 301.....
Here are the things I mentioned earlier, none of which affect anything in performance, in any way shape or form.

Most important of all..... All 3 knives have zero blade play on any of the 3 blades, and all came shaving sharp.
Anyone on the fence regarding the offshore slipjoints can ease their minds. The important factors are definately met.
There is a little difference in smoothness when opening the blades.
The BCCI 301 is definately the smoothest. It just feels silky smooth and makes me smile whenever I open it.
The production 301 is almost as smooth as the BCCI one, but you can feel a little difference.
The 371 is a little less smooth that the Production 301, but still smooth enough to be nice.

Notice the back Square and the Spring Rise. Best on the BCCI 301, nice on the production 301, not finished as well on the 371.



Notice the Kick, Best on the BCCI 301, nice on the proxuction 301, and not finished as well on the 371.



Notice in the Blade Wells... Once again, best on the BCCI 301, nice on the production 301, and not finished as well on the 371.

 

[Doug_86]

That's great that you were there for your neighbors and that they trusted you with their kids.

Nice looking knife!

Ric

I wouldn't trust Chris with children, he might get the urge to shave their heads with his pocket knife.

 

[DesertChris]

I wouldn't trust Chris with children, he might get the urge to shave their heads with his pocket knife.

HAHAHAHA!!
Oh man, their mom would not appreciate that!!

Speaking of kids..... our son stabbed himself in the palm with the 501 i gave him, at 11pm one night.
The emergency room is 20 minutes away, and then the wait time in the lobby is likely long too.....

So I gave him a choice, we go to town and get a couple stitches.....

OR.......

I could get out a sewing needle and some nylon thread, and sew him up right then and there.

He chose to be sewn up at home

 

[mqqn]

Congratulations Chris!

That was thoughtful of your neighbors, and very nice of you to help them out.

It's nice when people are just nice to each other.

Great looking knife there, and Bucks in my experience have tended to come nice and sharp, just the way it should be!

Thanks for the pictures.

best

mqqn

 

[DesertChris]

Congratulations Chris!

That was thoughtful of your neighbors, and very nice of you to help them out.

It's nice when people are just nice to each other.

Great looking knife there, and Bucks in my experience have tended to come nice and sharp, just the way it should be!

Thanks for the pictures.

best

mqqn

Heck yeah, it takes good neighbors to be a good neighborhood.
And we only have the one family next door, and nobody for a mile on the other side or a mile behind us
We constantly help each other. We hand homemade food over the fence to them very frequently

Yep, all the new or new in box, or like new bucks I have gotten have been shaving sharp
And I tend shave with them right away, just for fun.



Here is a paper cutting test, just because

 

[Doug_86]

HAHAHAHA!!
Oh man, their mom would not appreciate that!!

Speaking of kids..... our son stabbed himself in the palm with the 501 i gave him, at 11pm one night.
The emergency room is 20 minutes away, and then the wait time in the lobby is likely long too.....

So I gave him a choice, we go to town and get a couple stitches.....

OR.......

I could get out a sewing needle and some nylon thread, and sew him up right then and there.

He chose to be sewn up at home

No kidding? Sounds like one tough kid. Just like his Father

 

[338375]

I'm a little surprised at the rough finish on the imported knife. Like you said, it doesn't affect the function of the knife, but it is still a little surprising.
After seeing your knife, I did some searching and found the same version in a mini trapper, which has always been my favorite pattern

 

[DesertChris]

No kidding? Sounds like one tough kid. Just like his Father

Hahaha, maybe more like a few screws loose
I have sewn myself up 8 times over the years, mainly because I would be busy doing something, get cut, sew myself up and keep working.....
The boy wanted bragging rights, and to shock his friends...lol

I'm a little surprised at the rough finish on the imported knife. Like you said, it doesn't affect the function of the knife, but it is still a little surprising.
After seeing your knife, I did some searching and found the same version in a mini trapper, which has always been my favorite pattern

I figure the rough stuff helps keep the costs down, so they can be had for less than the USA made models.
Someday, I would like that mini trapper too, and the solo as well..... they would make.a cool set.