Age on my 301 and how to make the blades open eisier?

Macchina

Macchina

Joined
Apr 7, 2006
Messages
5,213
Hello,
I aquired a Buck 301 last year and was wondering how old it was. It was very well used when I got it (all blades rusted and the edges and spines looked identical), but I cleaned it up as best I could and gave it a nice sharpening. I'd like to carry it, but the blades don't open very smoothly. Is there anything that can be done to loosens those springs a bit? Is there any way to tell when this knife was made?
 
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Any pics of it, or at least a description? 300Bucks will know the age then ;)

Did you try WD40 or oil or anything?
 
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Step one: buy some mineral oil, put in bowl, soak knife for a week or two. It won't hurt any parts. Then wash knife in hot soapy water, spray with WD-40, wipe off and dry with hair dryer till its so warm its uncomfortable to hold. Then lay on a small clean piece of newspaper overnight to see if anything drains. Then oil with regular oil.

Then if that does not help and you still want to do more, email Buck knives and discuss how much it would cost to have it taken apart and re-assembled.

Or live with soaking result. It could be pinched on one end and that could effect difficulties you are having. It pivot pin is swollen you would have to have it taken apart, cleaned and new pin inserted. This is a Buck project or other specialist, I will jump ahead and say someone will recommend Leroy Remer of Triple R Knives, he could be consulted for his estimated cost and possibilities.

But with either case you will be spending enough to eventually just buy the same era knife in good shape on Ebay.

Describe what markings are on the tang of the main blade, check both sides. Then report what you find to get it aged. If you can easily post photo everyone here likes to see all Buck knives talked about.

300Bucks
 
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Whoops, pics were uploading. Here are the pics.
It's not of any sentimental value to me, so I don't really want to spend any money on it. I'll give the soak thing a try, I have a parts washer at work. So far I've washed the knife out real good with WD-40, followed by very hot soapy water. The thing was very stiff when I got it, and has improved a bit since then.

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Thanks Bear . I thought the range my be more narrow as it has no saw cuts on the delrin . DM
 
DM,
No sawcuts is not a dating factor.....its probably just a factor that someone buffed the hound out of it as witnessed by the photo of the mirror polished main blade and hence buffed out the sawcuts.

Mich,

I would try a soak then give up and get another. A cheap one of the same era will turn up. If you are the responsible party for the polished mirror blade you know the correct era knife came with sawcuts in the delrin scale and the metal not quite mirror polished. If you weren't thats what a new knife of that version will come as, less polished.

300bucks
 
300Bucks said:
DM,
No sawcuts is not a dating factor.....its probably just a factor that someone buffed the hound out of it as witnessed by the photo of the mirror polished main blade and hence buffed out the sawcuts.

Mich,

I would try a soak then give up and get another. A cheap one of the same era will turn up. If you are the responsible party for the polished mirror blade you know the correct era knife came with sawcuts in the delrin scale and the metal not quite mirror polished. If you weren't thats what a new knife of that version will come as, less polished.

300bucks
Click to expand...


It came to me quite rusty, but was not polished. I used my buffer to remove the rust and grime from the blades.

Thanks for the info guys
 
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