About buck 301/303

Thanks for the warning. I like to collect variations of the 303 but I won't be adding any imports. I have expressed my displeasure that Buck's catalog doesn't indicate which products are imported. I think they should be more discerning and open in this regard. One knife I know of hails from Tiawan.

I think Buck would be smart to develop two distinct lines...IE: "Made in the USA" and "Imported" from wherever.....don't get me wrong, some really great knives are produced in other countries. Especially Japan. I just like knowing before I shell out the cash and I confess to being partial to the good 'ol US of A !!!!!



:D
 
I am going to make sure our marketing department see these comments. Not sure where it will go from there but it is a start.
On to more pleasant issues, I have heard a lot of talk about a 300 series with upgraded steel. I will be first in line for some of those! I don't even care what the inlays are!
I will pass this one on to the new products guys and cross my fingers.
 
Joe,

I would even be happy with the black delrin inserts providing that there was a steel upgrade, but a nice wood insert would definately be a nice upgrade.:D
 
Joe Houser said:
I am going to make sure our marketing department see these comments. Not sure where it will go from there but it is a start.
On to more pleasant issues, I have heard a lot of talk about a 300 series with upgraded steel. I will be first in line for some of those! I don't even care what the inlays are!
I will pass this one on to the new products guys and cross my fingers.
Click to expand...

Good to hear Joe! Thank you,
-Kevin
 
I think it would great if Buck would expand the 303/301 or the entire 300 series with upgrades in blade steel but also in a variety of handle materials. I have a yellow, red jigged bone, poly pearl, brown jigged bone, black but I would still like to see them in the smooth yellow as well as other colors of the poly pearl. It would be a treat for those of us who like the traditional folders. Just my 2 cents. Buck is a great company and I pray all goes well with the move to ID.
 
Buck seems to do alot in ATS 34 as an upgrade. There are lots of folks that like Queen in D2. That would probably be real popular. I like ATS 34 and BG 42, but think that D2 or S30V would sell more.
I just ordered the 301 for my fathers day present from 1sks. Decide on that now in case the entire 300 line is going to be made in Taiwan.
 
All of this talk inspired me to order a 'pearl' scaled Buck 303 from Wallyworld. I hope I like it as much as my Old Timer 380.
Dave
 
Dave, you'll like the 303 poly pearl. I had bad luck with 2 Schrade knives of same size and the Buck is a real good choice.
 
Dave_B said:
All of this talk inspired me to order a 'pearl' scaled Buck 303 from Wallyworld. I hope I like it as much as my Old Timer 380.
Dave
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Guy is right, you will love the 303. Great heat treat, easy to sharpen steel, great fit and finish, and really smooth. Also it is of note that every blade has its own back spring unlike the Schrades. Therefore all the blades on a Buck slipjoint are straight, not curved to fit around one another.
-Kevin
 
Thanks guys, you're making the wait even harder!
I do like the thought of separate back springs and a straight sheeps foot blade. I am fond of brass like that used on the OTs tho-
Dave_B
 
I just recieved my 303 in the mail. I had to order it online because I couldn't find it in a store here in the Netherlands. The knife is smaller than I thought, I compared it with a regular SAK before buying and although it's about as long as a SAK, it's not nearly as wide as a SAK. It rides very comfortable in my pocket, the main blade is hairshaving sharp and the other blades pretty sharp, will be shaving sharp after a little touch up. The blades open and close smooth after I oiled them a bit. I think it's a neat little knife for opening letters, packages and stuff like that. It won't scare people like my 110 did, about a year ago I was peeling an apple with my 110 and a co-worker of mine said " oh my god, look at that knife, it's not normal. Damn look at the tip on that knife!" By the way we are both mechanics, working with heavy tools all day. Thanks to everyone who replied to my post, It sure helped me to make my dicision. This knife will ride in my left front pocket for a long time!
 
dijkstra said:
I just recieved my 303 in the mail. I had to order it online because I couldn't find it in a store here in the Netherlands. The knife is smaller than I thought, I compared it with a regular SAK before buying and although it's about as long as a SAK, it's not nearly as wide as a SAK. It rides very comfortable in my pocket, the main blade is hairshaving sharp and the other blades pretty sharp, will be shaving sharp after a little touch up. The blades open and close smooth after I oiled them a bit. I think it's a neat little knife for opening letters, packages and stuff like that. It won't scare people like my 110 did, about a year ago I was peeling an apple with my 110 and a co-worker of mine said " oh my god, look at that knife, it's not normal. Damn look at the tip on that knife!" By the way we are both mechanics, working with heavy tools all day. Thanks to everyone who replied to my post, It sure helped me to make my dicision. This knife will ride in my left front pocket for a long time!
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Glad to hear you liked it! :)
-Kevin
 
I just discovered something. When I lay my 303 on it's back, springs down, on the table the knife leans towards one side. I can measure the difference, it's about 1 mm. It's like the backsprings are not grinded in a straight line but it's tilted during grinding. I don't know if this is normal, should I send it back?
 
If it looks ok and works ok, I'd keep it. The next one you get might have a minor 'feature' that would bother you even more. I figure my pocket knives are tools first and jewelry second (sharp jewelry).
jmo,
Dave_B
 
dijkstra said:
I just discovered something. When I lay my 303 on it's back, springs down, on the table the knife leans towards one side. I can measure the difference, it's about 1 mm. It's like the backsprings are not grinded in a straight line but it's tilted during grinding. I don't know if this is normal, should I send it back?
Click to expand...

Not sure what you mean, but if it works keep it. Buck's quality control is pretty good, so if it is a problem I am suprised.
-Kevin
 
dijkstra,
If you mean it leans towards one BOLSTER, my guess is because it's a sepentine (curved, not bent at the middle) pattern and there is usually slightly more curvature in the bolster end opposite the main/larger blade. I checked a Case, a Schrade, a Camillus, and my 303.....they are all set up like this. Probably to lay in the hand in such a way to maximize feel for most folks.

Bill
 
If I understand you correctly the backsprings are not gorund even so when the knife sits on a level surface it tilts from left to right across its width. If so then I would send it back with a note.
 
My poly pearl 303 came in the mail today and I love it!
The "Pearl" scales look nice, I much prefer them to the black ones. I think this should be a permanent option.
This is the first hollow ground stockman pattern I have and the blade lines are absolutely gorgeous! All three blades are near hair popping sharp as delivered and a few swipes on the fine sharpmaker rods will get them there. I was surprised to see that it is approximately the same width as my 340 ot, considering the Buck 303 has 3 springs and the ot has two. The Buck 303 is a beautiful knife, a nice addition to my growing collection of user knives.

btw-
I checked to see if this knife leaned when placed on a flat surface and it does lean a tiny bit towards the clip blade - a few degrees at most. I wouldn't have noticed this if I hadn't read it in this thread. I expect it is designed to be this way.

Dave_B
 
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