Buck 301 and 303 Who's Got 'em

T

TwoDogs

Joined
Oct 9, 2008
Messages
492
Who has both, which do you like best and why? Gotta love 'em both, hard choice for me.

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The 301
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The 303
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I am partial to the 303 myself simply because it can handle anything the 301 can, but is a tad bit more pocket friendly. However, either knife'll get the job done, WHATEVER that job may be.
 
Got 'em both, like 'em both. What's not to like? ;)
 
I have a 301 in my pocket right now,It's a little bulky but it doesn't bug me any,In your shoes the solution is easy.By both!
 
Have carried both for extended periods, and I think if I were doing it all over again, I'd go with a cadet. Just a tad more compact, easier in the pocket, and just as capable as the 301 stockman.
 
TD,

Interesting consideration, which is best. Maybe both. Of course you are exampling a Schrade made knife, which is of quality construction and with high chance the metal is good ole 440c. But it isn't warranted by Buck as it has hidden bolster pins. Mess up anything and you will just be offered a new knife as replacement. The other was made by Camillus and is most likely 440 (A) steel. I think I would get support by most folks over in the Buck forum that todays 420hc with Bos heat treat is superior to 440a It is an old long pull blade and it too is only a new knife replacement warranty.........My current favorite of the two models, and is available as production model , is the jigged buffalo 303 and close second is 303 in the light grey Dymondwood scale. The standard black sawcut is just that, the standard the others must shoot for, it is tuff as nails.....Throw me out in the woods beside Survivorman and I would want the 301. Everyday life which includes work and some outdoor stuff the 303 will do everything I need. Like I have said here before my elk hunting buddy has gutted two elk with his 303. Some people like my nephew favor a larger knife and the 301 ususally suits them.
But, the more modern verisons will most likely be the ones most people run on to. Poly scaled sawcut, Dymondwood or Cherrywood will be the watch words for now. Out of production but attractive to me is the 303 in poly pearl.
Look for some fancy metal and scale versions in the future (if you say it enough it may come true),,,,,,,,,,300Bucks
 
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Pardon me for posting since I don't own both, but I have the 303 and love it. Can't imagine that I would like the 301 more, but I'd love to give it a try and see for sure :)
 
Glad you posted.....they are both hard to beat, if you ever run across an older 301 I would snatch it up, you won't be sorry.
 
Just so happened to have my 303 in my pocket today. I got it in 1971 When I got back from Vietnam. Terrific knife and tougher than an anvil. I even ran over it with my truck and still worked like a charm. Good knife.
 
I think the only difference between the 301 and 303 is what size knife you like to carry.

I carried a Camillus-made Buck 303 (1979?) daily for about 10 years. Still got it.
I have an El Cajon Buck 303. made in 1992 (pronounce "j" as silent "h")
I have an El Cajon Buck 301 made in 1997
I have an Idaho Buck 301made in 2007

Of them all, I like the El Cajon 301 because I like 4" Stockmans and because I like the flat-ground blade better than the new hollow grind. The El Cajon 301 also has a more uniform snap to the 3 springs than the Idaho 301.

Pardon the sharpie marks on the blades. I had just been fussing with the edges when I took these shots.

Camillus-made Buck 303 (with long pull) and 1992 El Cajon Buck 303
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301's
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I have another 303....can anyone help date and ID maker from pics, looks similar to my Camillus made, but tang stamps are totally different. Thanks!
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with no date symbol, the long pull, and the pivot pins showing, I'd say that was a Camillus-made Buck.

Add: I think that would be 73- 83?? 300Bucks can say for sure.
 
Thank you!

Not sure why you think 300Bucks would know, is he familiar with this brand?:D
He's probably forgot more than I'll ever know!
 
I have a couple of both. I end up carrying the 303 more than the 301. I like to carry the smaller one in my pocket if I have a 110 on my belt. If I am not carrying a larger knife like the 110, then the 301 would be in my pocket. well, lots of other kinds of knives find their way into my pocket. But I think the Buck Stockman is a well built knife that will handle pretty much whatever you throw at it.
 
I have a couple of both and the 303 is the one I like better. Just a better fit for me.
But for a collector piece I love my Grooved bolster Schrade made 301.
 
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