Buck 300 series

M

Memphis Tiger

Joined
Sep 21, 2013
Messages
63
My first knife was a Buck, and I have remained fond of the brand, even as i have worked my way through the German brands, tactical knives, Queens and GEC's.

I find the current Buck 300's to be of fine quality, however, I feel they are missing something. I think it is the absence of the long pull on the clip blade. To me, this was a distinctive trait of Bucks during my formative years in knife collecting.

Why does Buck now use the nail nick, instead of the long pull? I think they would be much more appealing with that distinctive long pull. Thoughts?
 
Thats all i own is the old long nail pulls unless its the 311 (discontinued) or the 312 317 etc both discontinued to the best of my knowledge. The 307 was always my favorite. Big ole stockman. :)
 
Actually, Buck NEVER made a long pull (or French Nic) knife. The early long pull knives were contract knives made initially by Schrade but mostly by Camillus for Buck. I do agree the look was distinctive.

The 311 was a Camillus contract knife and discontinued when Buck started manufacturing their own 312/314 Trappers about 1990.
 
Last edited:
I did not know Camillus made those. I learn something new all the time, here. It is too bad Camillus went out of business, as the former company was a top notch maker.
I, too, like the looks of the long pulls better, and think they are more functional.

One thing, though...on those knives, the back spring was strong and the knife had a good snap opening and closing. The last 301 I looked at seemed mushy.
 
I really need to get me a new 300 series knife. All of mine are the older Camillus made ones except for a Ironwood Timberlake 303 my wife bought me a few years ago for Christmas.The old 301 is what I grew up with. I still have it.It was my stepdads and handed down to me when he died and I was about 12.Knife still going strong but doesn't see much use anymore.
 
I thought about keeping quite and let others answer most of this issue. (Hey, I can hear you people laughing).

Desoto is correct. I likely could come up with facts on some reasons why nics are used over long pulls. But first lets talk two issues, manufacturing methods and costs. As stated Schrade and Camillus used long pulls on the contract Bucks, they used them on their own models. But back then blades were almost always stamped out of sheet steel and that long nic was stamped in at the same times. When Buck took over the production of the four main models in the mid-80's they had been cutting/grinding nic's in 110s and 112s for years. The remaining models built by Camillus were nic's also, so even Camillus was changing. I would have to go read some info to know if the nic is cut before or after heat treating, but I believe the modern nic's are cut late in production about the time of polishing and sharpening. I believe blades are now cut out and not stamped, I won't swear on that now, so you see the cost of grinding a long nic vs. a nail nic would increase the cost of the knife. With all that spouted, I do agree and I enjoy the look of the long pull on the main blade, especially in stockmen models. Unless they do a 'retro' version as a special run you likely will have to get old Camillus made models to have the long nic. But, then you don't get BOS heat treatment. The give and the take. 300
 
I love stockmans, the 301 being one of my favorites. I've also noticed a different number of back springs depending on the age. Any insight on this 300Bucks?
 
I'll be the grouch for a minute.:D I would even forgo the long pull to get the flat grind back.:D I had a little companion from the late 1980's that was stolen my senior year. Loved that little knife. I'm pretty sure it was flat grind with nail nick. I tell you what I find funny. The hollow grind on the 700 series doesn't bother me at all. But on the 300 series I prefer the flat. I honestly think its just because its what I grew up with. So its all in my head.:foot:
 
I think flat grinds better. Ive got a smooth red delerin its the new style blade but flat grind , its a pretty cool style.
 
Thanks all for the comments. I am very aware that Buck didn't MAKE the old long pulls. Perhaps I should have said MARKETED. Anyway, the stamping vs. grinding point is something I hadn't considered. I own new GEC's and I think I have seen either Queens or Canal Streets with the long pull.

I suppose the real point of my statement, was that if anyone from Buck were watching this, that my strong preference would be for the long pull over the nick. I think I'd be willing to pay double the price of a current 300 series for that old iconic look. Maybe the US made ones could have it, and the Chinese made ones could keep the nick as a way of distinguishing the two. Also wish they used the original tan box too.

Say Buck300, I bought a NOS 303 Camillus made Buck recently from the 70's. (Single not double liners.) It came dull, not sharp. Was that typical of the period, or did I get ripped off? Any tips on buying legit NOS Bucks?
Thanks.
 
Odog, Two back springs from Camillus contract era, two backsprings from Buck made era till 1989. After that they went to a spring for each blade. Then they didn't have to 'crink' any blades and the springs only support the movement of one blade. ( Less stress than two on one spring). Also no middle liners.

I doubt if someone would fake a old Cami Buck. Likely, it was just a missed sharpening. The Camillus contracted knives came to Buck from Camillus wrapped in paper usually 10 or 12 per box. Then Buck re-boxed them in Buck boxes. And that is all they did to them. Buck would recycle these boxes and use them to store parts. I have one that held 311s. 300
 
Ah, we have two coming up next weekend. And im trying to decide where to go. I cant go to both. I like them, u always see something different.
 
300Bucks said:
Odog, Two back springs from Camillus contract era, two backsprings from Buck made era till 1989. After that they went to a spring for each blade. Then they didn't have to 'crink' any blades and the springs only support the movement of one blade. ( Less stress than two on one spring). Also no middle liners.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
Memphis Tiger this is just my opinion so take it for what its worth. If that dull Buck isn't sharpened at all I think I would leave it that way. It would make a very interesting addition to your collection. but that's just my opinion.
 
kyhunt - i was thinking the same thing. It's unsharpened. I can pull it across my thumb with good pressure and not work about cutting myself. Thanks for the input.
 
kyhunt said:
Memphis Tiger this is just my opinion so take it for what its worth. If that dull Buck isn't sharpened at all I think I would leave it that way. It would make a very interesting addition to your collection. but that's just my opinion.
Click to expand...
:thumbup: Same thought I had.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top