Buck 301 question

The Fort

The Fort

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Hi all! I recently purchased a Buck 301 with the black Zytel handles. I will start out by saying that I have no regrets and think that it's easily worth what I paid for it. What I would like to know is were there some "golden years" of production for this particular model. The one that I have has noticeably uneven blade grinds, gaps in the back springs, and slight wobble in all three blades. We're certain production years obviously better in these aspects? I really like the weight, feel, and appearance of this model, but it usually just hangs out next to me on the coffee table. I don't carry it because of the above mentioned issues. Thoughts? Thanks!
 
Some won't agree with me, but I think the 1970's and 80's was the age you speak of. The new stuff coming out of Idaho seems to be, for lack of a better term, more flawed than the old stuff From California. The 301 stockman's that were made by camillus were some of the best pocket knives you could get. The new ones, while the design is "better" with the more solid construction, the execution in production leaves a little to be desired at times. Sometimes they get it right, sometimes they don't with gaps and sloppy action.

BUt…and this is a huge but…if you get a bad one, Buck will always make it right, just like Case. Good daily, good company.
 
I have a 2015 production 301, no blade wobble, good and sharp out of the box, no spring/liner or cover/bolster gaps. The bolsters are a bit thinner than those on my 371's but nothing that affects the strength of the knife.
It is a good EDC. I do swap it out for a 371 sometimes, when I feel like carrying the bone handled or G-10 imported version(s).
 
I got a new 301 in late 2014, and it's basically flawless. However...later I got a new 303 Cadet, and I must say the 303 is a disappointment. Especially the entire grind on the clip point blade. Now, that's easily correctable. However, I'm surprised the grind on this blade, or the blade itself, ever made it through QC.

I do feel that, in general, the stuff that came out of El Cajon, CA, was probably more consistent than the Idaho stuff. Plus, I liked it better when the factory was only a short drive from where I live.

As for the Camillus-built stuff, my first Buck was a 303 bought in 1978. And while the newer Bucks have a big advantage in out-of-box sharpness, the Camillus-contracted pocketknives were awesome in the fit-and-finish department.

Jim
 
I just sent Buck a friendly email to get their thoughts. I don't know if it would even be worth the postage to send it in for warranty work. We'll see what they suggest. Like I said, it's still a perfectly useable tool. I just expected a little better workmanship from their American Made line.
 
Buck is going to tell you to send it in and they will make it right. Get a head start and mail it to them in the morning - when it comes back you will be glad you did. Buck puts out some knives with defects every now and then (like Case, CSC until just recently, and GEC) - like all of these good companies, they will try to make their customer happy. The old Bucks were made by Schrade, then Camillus, then in house in CA and later Idaho (current). I've seen great and I've seen some with issues from all four plants. Hoping for the best for you, OH
 
jackknife said:
Some won't agree with me, but I think the 1970's and 80's was the age you speak of.
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Up till '85, 301's were a different knife made by a completely different company. Those were made by Camillus.

Old Hunter said:
Buck is going to tell you to send it in and they will make it right. Get a head start and mail it to them in the morning - when it comes back you will be glad you did. Buck puts out some knives with defects every now and then (like Case, CSC until just recently, and GEC) - like all of these good companies, they will try to make their customer happy. The old Bucks were made by Schrade, then Camillus, then in house in CA and later Idaho (current). I've seen great and I've seen some with issues from all four plants. Hoping for the best for you, OH
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Ditto to this.
Hits and misses no matter where they were made. These are mass produced knives. I have several 301's. One of the finest was made in Idaho.

Buck Customer service is top notch. If you are unhappy with the knife, contact them and I'm certain they will get you fixed up.
 
I'd have to agree. Buck's customer service is top notch. I sent in my 110 to have the lock adjusted since it was getting loose. They sent me a whole new knife.
 
I have similar issues with mine and I don't carry it very much just like the OP. The springs are so weak it feels like they're non existent. The uneven grinds don't bother me so much, but the springs do. You guys think they would take care of that?
 
Likely not. Buck is not known for equipping knives with strong springs. I have had about a dozen Buck 300 series knives pass through my hands over the years. All of them have run about a 4 for spring strength. While I know that some folks like strong springs, personally, I don't find that objectionable. I don't like to wrestle with sharp objects.
 
The Fort said:
Hi all! I recently purchased a Buck 301 with the black Zytel handles. I will start out by saying that I have no regrets and think that it's easily worth what I paid for it. What I would like to know is were there some "golden years" of production for this particular model. The one that I have has noticeably uneven blade grinds, gaps in the back springs, and slight wobble in all three blades. We're certain production years obviously better in these aspects? I really like the weight, feel, and appearance of this model, but it usually just hangs out next to me on the coffee table. I don't carry it because of the above mentioned issues. Thoughts? Thanks!
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when you say "blade grinds", are you talking about the primary grind or the edge? I'd be surprised if the primary grind is uneven. The edge on the new knives is pretty wild. It's a serviceable edge though. I sharpen my knives anyway and it can be straightened by sharpening.

Buck did a full flat grind on some of the early knives they made themselves... if I recall correctly around 1990... maybe a little earlier
 
There's bound to be certain inconsistencies with time and place of manuf. Many old uns might have issues just like the young uns, and they may well have none.

I don't have a lot of Bucks, maybe 5 pocket knives and a fixed blade, perhaps I've been lucky but I've been extremely pleased with all of them. They have a utilitarian toughness & practicality that appeals-especially as a durable workmanlike knife. They are rather like an American SAK to me, a working knife but not one I'm going to get attached to because of beauty or rarity. So, like SAKs, a couple will suffice and I'm pleased with them. As to the pull, I like a strong spring but I find Bucks to be well-balanced, not a hard pull but always very good loud snap, that's important. I won a 309 in a GAW a few years ago, a black sawn delrin. Brilliant little worker, grippy, snappy as a terrier, just right for a small knife (no brass either yippee!) I THINK it's made in Idaho (I'm not an American and geography is not my strong-point cough!) as there's this odd little boot shape on the tang...:D Whatever, it's a fine tool and one I use a lot.:thumbup:

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supratentorial said:
when you say "blade grinds", are you talking about the primary grind or the edge? I'd be surprised if the primary grind is uneven. The edge on the new knives is pretty wild. It's a serviceable edge though. I sharpen my knives anyway and it can be straightened by sharpening.

Buck did a full flat grind on some of the early knives they made themselves... if I recall correctly around 1990... maybe a little earlier
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You're correct! I was referring to the edge.
 
JD Bear said:
I have similar issues with mine and I don't carry it very much just like the OP. The springs are so weak it feels like they're non existent. The uneven grinds don't bother me so much, but the springs do. You guys think they would take care of that?
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I have a BCCI 301 that I felt the same way about. I generally prefer a lighter spring but these were next to nothing. I contacted Joe Houser and he had me send it in to him personally. After I received it back, they are still light, but no where near as bad as they were. So I'd think send them in as you've nothing to lose and their service rocks.
 
I recently purchased a 301 in Rosewood Dymondwood but thought the pull was very weak. My wife, who has a devil of a time opening a slipjoint loved it so I gave it to her. A week later she gave me a jigged bone 371 she found at a local box store. I was surprised to find the 371 had much better fit and finish and the pull was much better except for the sheepsfoot which is a little weak and lacks snap. In any event both are decent utilitarian knives.
 
I have three 300 series Bucks a 303 and a 309. Both are older knives made between 1973 and 1986. Both of these are also very fine knives Pull on both knives are about a 5 or 6. I have never had any issue at all with either of these knives and am very happy with them. In 2014 I bought an imported Buck 371 large stockman to satisfy my curiosity of quality and with the exception of the shield falling out the first week I had it never to be seen again I have had no problems with it and it is a great little beater knife. By the way Will both older knives have brass liners.:eek:


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Hello Randy, didn't know the older ones have brass liners, thanks for the info.

Most Traditionals do sport brass and so most of my knives have it, I don't mind the stuff (although verdigris/brass bleed can stain light colour bone or stag at times, not an issue with Buck's synthetics though!) but I prefer steel, NS or stainless liners when I have a preference. Mind you, brass can look mellow and attractive on the right knife.

Regards, Will
 
Thanks for the input fellas. It's a shame because I have a 389 canoe (China produced) and the pull on that is fantastic. I think if my 301 had the springs my canoe has, it's be the perfect stockman...
 
I have a "Chuck Buck" 301 made in 2010 that is fantastic and a Black sawcut Delrin 2009 301 that has issues. All three blades snap open just fine but they bind up on closing and need an extra push. As you look down at the open knife you can clearly see where the shield side liner bows inward causing the binding. It's in my rotation and I carry it about twice a month. I probably should have sent it back years ago.
 
NMpops said:
I have a "Chuck Buck" 301 made in 2010 that is fantastic and a Black sawcut Delrin 2009 301 that has issues. All three blades snap open just fine but they bind up on closing and need an extra push. As you look down at the open knife you can clearly see where the shield side liner bows inward causing the binding. It's in my rotation and I carry it about twice a month. I probably should have sent it back years ago.
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Aside from the fact that the bent liners are the culprit, I think this sensation is nice to have on a knofe without half stop. My Northfield does this sorta on the sheepsfoot, and it acts a bit like a half stop and has saved my fingers from the bear trap a few times I can remember. Even if it is a flaw, I like it in use.

OP: send it in, they treat you right at Buck. Welcome to the porch (if you're new here).

Connor
 
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