Buck 300 Series Pocketknife vs Case Sockman

[branned]

The Buck 300 Series pocket knifes are less expensive about $35 and better looking. Is the Case Stockman folding knives worth more?

I have a few Case folders, but no Buck ones.

 

[me2]

Some tests in the review forum show the Bucks to hold an edge better and have harder steel. I cant comment, as I lost mine the day after I got it for Christmas.

 

[Seals]

Bucks are great knives,you should try them.Case's CV carbon steel is hard to beat.Case sells a lot of knives for the collector market that never get used.Most Bucks do get carried and used id say.

 

[knarfeng]

Some tests in the review forum show the Bucks to hold an edge better and have harder steel. I cant comment, as I lost mine the day after I got it for Christmas.

I tested a Buck 301, a Case mini-trapper in Tru-Sharp stainless, and a Case Sodbuster in CV.

The Buck was 59+ HRC
Tru-Sharp was 56
CV was 55

In a manila rope cutting edge retention comparison, of the three, the Buck 301 had the best edge retention by good margin. I found CV to be better than Tru-Sharp.

I found all were easy to sharpen with minimal effort. The CV was easiest, followed by Tru-Sharp, then Buck.

I will say that the fit and finish of the Case knives was better than that of the 301. The Cases were smoother, with rounded edges and polished blades. The Cases had better, more consistent, snap to the springs. The center spring for the 301 was pretty weak. The blade stayed open or closed, but there wasn't much snap to it. The outer springs on the 301 were excellent.

I think the 301 is a good working knife. It has a good balance and as it's a three-spring design, it's a bit wider and fits my hand well when using it hard. It isn't fancy and I don't show it off, but it does get the job done. I also like that, with the three springs, all the blades are straight instead of having the one in the center bend a bit so as to fit a two spring design as with most stockman designs. Makes it easier to sharpen that blade, as well.

They all get pocket time.