Buck 301 & 309 New production

MercyfulfateXX

MercyfulfateXX

Joined
Mar 2, 2014
Messages
2,107
Good day Buck Friends.
I just ordered a 301 and a 309, The 301 is im sure a 2016-15 production and the 309 might be a little earlier (KSF ORDER) any thoughts on the newer production USA made 301 and 309s ? Im hoping there is no liner gap etc. I know they are not the most expensive knives but as far as my Buck fixed blades Buck seems to be of better quality than Case etc.
 
I have a '15 production 301, no gaps anywhere, and it had (still has) even grinds on all three blades, no blade wobble or rub, and after stropping, is razor sharp.
The springs some consider "weak", the pull is around a 5, I would guess, but all 3 blades have a nice loud snap when closing. Personally, I don't want to fight with a knife to open it, especially if my hands/fingers are cold and/or wet.
 
I hope you have better luck than I did! I bought a 301 a few months ago, and was very disappointed with it. The grinds on the edge of the blades were terrible. They were so uneven! Also, they had noticeable gaps in the back springs. I contacted Buck, and they immediately responded saying to send it in and they would take a look at it. I haven't done it and don't know if I will. It'll probably just sit on the end table next to where I sit for occasional use. I don't want to pay the postage, $6.80 usps priority flat rate, to have a $30.00 knife looked at. I looked at some Chinese ones in the blister packs at one of the big box stores, and they looked much better than my American made one. all three blades also have a wobble to them. It's kind of a shame because I like the size, looks, and feel of it.
 
afishhunter said:
I have a '15 production 301, no gaps anywhere, and it had (still has) even grinds on all three blades, no blade wobble or rub, and after stropping, is razor sharp.
The springs some consider "weak", the pull is around a 5, I would guess, but all 3 blades have a nice loud snap when closing. Personally, I don't want to fight with a knife to open it, especially if my hands/fingers are cold and/or wet.
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Thanks for your reply Sir, a pull of around 5 is perfect imo. I have many Case Knives and Fixed blades and about as much Buck Fixed blades as well but my Bucks seem to have better grinds and fit and finish. Im getting into the Buck (USA) pocket knives now and im really liking them.
 
The Fort said:
I hope you have better luck than I did! I bought a 301 a few months ago, and was very disappointed with it. The grinds on the edge of the blades were terrible. They were so uneven! Also, they had noticeable gaps in the back springs. I contacted Buck, and they immediately responded saying to send it in and they would take a look at it. I haven't done it and don't know if I will. It'll probably just sit on the end table next to where I sit for occasional use. I don't want to pay the postage, $6.80 usps priority flat rate, to have a $30.00 knife looked at. I looked at some Chinese ones in the blister packs at one of the big box stores, and they looked much better than my American made one. all three blades also have a wobble to them. It's kind of a shame because I like the size, looks, and feel of it.
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Wow, sorry to hear that,im sure hoping mine doesn't come like that. Not good.
 
I have a Buck fixed blade which is relly nice, and had a Buck/Strider collaboration that was also very well made. I know Buck makes great knives, I think I just got a Lemon!
 
The Fort said:
I have a Buck fixed blade which is relly nice, and had a Buck/Strider collaboration that was also very well made. I know Buck makes great knives, I think I just got a Lemon!
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again, sorry to hear that, man im hoping these two new Buck folders are in decent condition. Thanks for your input.
 
I bought two 301 models a couple years ago
Yes, both have the springs that allow much easier opening/closing of the blades
I did not use either knife for a while because of the "weak" springs, I was not quite comfortable with it

Recently started carrying one of them, and now I am used to the lighter pull
I actually prefer the lighter pull
BUT, I am very careful using the longer clip blade, keeping that spring strength in mind


BTW - Fit and finish on both 301s are good on mine
Blades are very sharp, both before and after, sharpening out the toothy edge grind that comes from the factory
 
I hope you get a good pair OP. I have been looking really hard at picking up a 301, but haven't found one locally (all they sell around me is the foreign produced models). I have a Case Large Stockman that I really like. How does the 301 compare in size to the large Case?
 
Ray5118 said:
I bought two 301 models a couple years ago
Yes, both have the springs that allow much easier opening/closing of the blades
I did not use either knife for a while because of the "weak" springs, I was not quite comfortable with it

Recently started carrying one of them, and now I am used to the lighter pull
I actually prefer the lighter pull
BUT, I am very careful using the longer clip blade, keeping that spring strength in mind


BTW - Fit and finish on both 301s are good on mine
Blades are very sharp, both before and after, sharpening out the toothy edge grind that comes from the factory
Click to expand...



A breath of fresh air,:thumbup: good to know that you got some good ones. very good to know. Thanks for your input.
 
jstrange said:
I hope you get a good pair OP. I have been looking really hard at picking up a 301, but haven't found one locally (all they sell around me is the foreign produced models). I have a Case Large Stockman that I really like. How does the 301 compare in size to the large Case?
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Thank you. The large Case stockman is 4 1/4 and the 301 is 3 7/8. I have a few of the Case large Stockmans that I like but was really wanting a few Bucks. Being a Knife user/collector since I was a kid in the 70s my very first knife was a Buck 110 I found in a field hauling hay. That was a good day (aside from the grueling work).:D
 
MercyfulfateXX said:
Thank you. The large Case stockman is 4 1/4 and the 301 is 3 7/8. I have a few of the Case large Stockmans that I like but was really wanting a few Bucks. Being a Knife user/collector since I was a kid in the 70s my very first knife was a Buck 110 I found in a field hauling hay. That was a good day (aside from the grueling work).:D
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My 301 measures right at 4 inches closed, so do my 371's.
I did not find a knife when I went hay'n back in the 70's. I did however vow that "if I ever do this again, I'm going to own the frigging truck!"
20 odd years later, I did, and I paid my help double the going rate (8 cents a bail, the going rate was 4 cents. We did 100 bails an hour into the barn, help made $8.00 an hour.
Hay'n is a lot of work, they deserved it.
 
fishhunter, Amen Sir!lol Hay hauling is a heck of a lot of work. being a big ole country boy back in the day I was always utilized for hard labor because my people thought I could handle it, which I could but now at 52 I would totally drive the truck!
 
Sounds like a rough line of work! Also sounds like the 301 would be the perfect size I am looking for, a little smaller than a large Case Stockman, but not quite as small as the medium.
 
IMO the closest modern Case Premium Stockman to the Buck 301 is the Case 6347 - only real difference is the rounded bolsters on the Case - both pocketknives are 3-7/8" OAL. Again IMO, the two companies got the design right on these, as each knife maker used three springs, one for each blade, in constructing the knife - both used two springs in the past. I think having three springs is what makes the opening pull a little lighter (nice once a bit of arthritis gets into your joints) - and it makes the secondary blade springs more resistant to breakage (cannot open two blades on one spring). Furthermore the blades require no crinking when each one has it's own spring - letting them sit straight in the blade well, nearly always eliminating blade rub (which we accept but prefer not to have in our Stockman pattern knives). I have one of each brand in front of me now and cannot find fault with either - opening pulls of a 5 - 6 and nice snap on closing, no blade wobble on either. I would highly recommend a Buck 301 as a worthy addition to your collection - if you like the Case you will love the Buck! OH
 
Old Hunter said:
IMO the closest modern Case Premium Stockman to the Buck 301 is the Case 6347 - only real difference is the rounded bolsters on the Case - both pocketknives are 3-7/8" OAL. Again IMO, the two companies got the design right on these, as each knife maker used three springs, one for each blade, in constructing the knife - both used two springs in the past. I think having three springs is what makes the opening pull a little lighter (nice once a bit of arthritis gets into your joints) - and it makes the secondary blade springs more resistant to breakage (cannot open two blades on one spring). Furthermore the blades require no crinking when each one has it's own spring - letting them sit straight in the blade well, nearly always eliminating blade rub (which we accept but prefer not to have in our Stockman pattern knives). I have one of each brand in front of me now and cannot find fault with either - opening pulls of a 5 - 6 and nice snap on closing, no blade wobble on either. I would highly recommend a Buck 301 as a worthy addition to your collection - if you like the Case you will love the Buck! OH
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OH, thank you Sir for your input. no crinking,nice! I didn't think about that. Case does for sure. I cant wait to get them, I figured I would order two at once which I did. Ive seen some yellow ones as well but they seem to be a bit rare.
 
If I am understanding everyone correctly the 6347 is not the one they call "medium" it's slightly larger? I really like the look of the 301, it has a unique shape and blade selection.
 
The Case 6347 Stockman is bigger than the Case 6318 Medium Stockman. The Buck 301 Stockman and the Case 6347 Stockman are head to head competitors - however the Buck 301 has more substantial secondary blades - I would consider the Buck 301 to be a heavy duty or working pocketknife while the Case is more of a nice grade of medium duty pocketknife. Both are quite good, but the Buck is more substantial. OH
 
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