Anyone have the Buck 315 Yachtsman?

G

guitar1580

Joined
Nov 5, 2012
Messages
201
Hi all, new member here. Not a big time collector, but enjoy picking up vintage & used Buck knives whenever I can find a good deal. Also enjoy an occasional sword or bayonet.

So I've been checking out some Marlin spike knives, and have been noticing the Buck 315. Just wondered if any of you have one of these and how well you like it.

JT
 
I have an older one that I bought at an auction about 3 years ago, I have not used it yet just put it into the collection. The "BAY" is probably your best bet on finding one. Mine is very well made, great F/F. Good luck finding one at a good price they seem to be going up in price.
 
Last edited:
The Yachtsman is a great knife. I use it to slice loops at tow ropes.
I enjoyed the locked marlspike. It simplifyes the job a lot.

Haebbie

Buck315.jpg


Buck315Ausschn.jpg
 
With the locking graduated awl you have an excellent gold sniping tool. I've found gold in cracks in rocks while swimming/wading in streams and rivers where you don't always have a prybar with you.
 
Thanks very much guys. Great info and great pictures. I think I like the older ones with the bolsters better. I'll let you all know if & when I find one for a decent price.

I think it would be very handy when working with ropes and knots ... and much cooler then the old wooden knitting needle I use now.

A few examples below .... JT

SSCN1802.jpg
 
I also like the Camillus US Navy issue ones, with the jigged delrin scales, but definitely like the older Bucks.

JT
 
guitar1580 said:
Thanks very much guys. Great info and great pictures. I think I like the older ones with the bolsters better. I'll let you all know if & when I find one for a decent price.

I think it would be very handy when working with ropes and knots ... and much cooler then the old wooden knitting needle I use now.

A few examples below .... JT

SSCN1802.jpg
Click to expand...



I had to have one when I re- learned about them, got a Camillus in brown delrin as well. A very nostalgic pattern for me as they remind me of my time at sea in the Coast Guard.
Very nice Monkey fists you have made there, some of those fobs remind me of the Boatswains Mates knives that I saw back in the day, the ornate fob/ lanyards were a mark of pride and distinction.
thanks for that pic:thumbup:
 
Last edited:
Sit,

Do you know if CG OF Candidates were issued a Buck 315 when they did the stint out on the three master during the Academy cruise. I was told that by a Grad and have been re-telling it. Wouldn't mind a confirmation before I write the 315 history for the BCCI website......300
 
I've been wanting one too! Cool knives. I also prefer the bolstered versions (1 or 2), but they definitely attract attention and seem to always go for more than I care to bid on ebay.

Peter
 
300Bucks said:
Sit,

Do you know if CG OF Candidates were issued a Buck 315 when they did the stint out on the three master during the Academy cruise. I was told that by a Grad and have been re-telling it. Wouldn't mind a confirmation before I write the 315 history for the BCCI website......300
Click to expand...

I was Enlisted, and the Officers would not ever openly have a knife, so I can not confirm this. I do know however that the Buck was preferred by the Botswains over the Cami. ver. Single spring and all. Wish I could tell you more...
 
Did the Yachtsman come with it's own sheath? I think I'm finally making a deal on a used one, with no sheath. Will post a pic if I get it.

JT
 
To be honest, I have only bought one new in box, the bolstered version and yes it had black leather sheath. Also have got a couple others with no box but a 315 marked on back, black leather sheath. The few undbolstered ones I have all came to me with no sheath. I am being lazy and not going back thru old catalogs to check........ 300
 
I received this 315 as a birthday gift from my mother in 1985. It came with the Case sheath shown in the photo. I remember her telling me that she wanted me to have a sheath, but it didn't come with one, so the sporting goods store sold her the Case sheath.

DSC00172a.jpg
 
Some years ago, I decided I 'had' to have a proper sailing knife - with a Marlinspike. By the time I got my first one, my sailboat, a San Juan 21, was a memory - I sold it in 1989. I remember the deck gang on my ship always had neat examples... my career as a USN ET ended forty years ago, however. Still, I wanted a proper knife.

My quest started with the Victorinox Mariner series, like the Skipper below or the simpler Helmsman, not shown. I found two decent Buck 315's - a bolster and a non-bolster model. My favorite is the Myerchin made in Japan model B300 in black Micarta below. Odd what we collect in this 'race of life'. The closer I get to the 'finish line', the more 'stuff' I have to tote... or so it seems.

IMG_4131.jpg


I think the non-bolster 315 was made by Camillius... one of our Buck historians can straighten us out on that. In defending the skeletonized Marlinspike on the Vic SAK models, it is effective at knot clearing. They are widely available new - and still have a toothpick and tweezers - and the color is a 'precious' blue!! The simpler Helmsman model is missing the pliers and the corkscrew.

Stainz
 
Thx for the pics guys, very nice indeed.

Happy to say I found a nice old Buck, apparently version 2. I checked out the information thread, thanks 300. I don't recall seeing the range of years for the versions. Do we know that info?

Anyway, I love the knife, and I'm sure the spike will come in handy for dozens of things. Very glad to add it to my handful of Bucks. I suppose next will be the 321, 319, 317 .........

Thx for the help folks, JT

SSCN2245.jpg


SSCN2257.jpg


I got a couple of these Buck camo sheaths a while ago as spares. The 315 seems to fit nicely, until I can run across the correct leather one. The spike release loop sticks out nicely to allow for a lanyard attachment.
SSCN2254.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top