Buck 301 question

[afishhunter]

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...

My 371's have a little stiffer (is that the right word?) springs than my 301. They are real close to the pull on my 389.
IMHO 301 or 371, the pull(s) are about perfect. Easy to open, the springs hold the blades closed. When your hands are cold and wet, it is not a problem to get a 301 or 371 (or 389) opened.

 

[idahoguy]

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... Whatever, it's a fine tool and one I use a lot.:thumbup:

It looks like they put a contour of the state of Idaho on the tang.

 

[knarfeng]

It looks like they put a contour of the state of Idaho on the tang.

They did.
Right after they moved the factory from California to Idaho.

 

[Will Power]

Is it possible to put an approx date on my knife then? It's extremely well-made!

Thanks, Will

 

[supratentorial]

Is it possible to put an approx date on my knife then? It's extremely well-made!

Thanks, Will

2005

...possibly later. I've heard some folks say they've gotten 2006 date codes on the main blade and the 2005 Idaho stamp on a secondary. They may have used surplus the following year.

 

[Will Power]

Thank you! Quite new then.

 

[JD Bear]

My 371's have a little stiffer (is that the right word?) springs than my 301. They are real close to the pull on my 389.
IMHO 301 or 371, the pull(s) are about perfect. Easy to open, the springs hold the blades closed. When your hands are cold and wet, it is not a problem to get a 301 or 371 (or 389) opened.

That's a good point about being easy to open, I just don't like how it takes no pressure to close them. I'm always safe, but those springs don't make me feel warm and fuzzy...

 

[300Bucks]

Interesting posts for me. Always feel free to venture over into the Buck knife forum and ask questions, where you will likely receive plenty of feedback. Frank, has lots of 300 knowledge even if he hangs out here most of the time.

I am not a reviewer of Buck knives, I am a collector of 300 models of the past, I gave up getting a complete line up in the early 1990's. With a little use of the search function you can get lots of info here in traditional. As you can in the Buck forum.

As stated anyone who is not happy with a Buck folder needs to contact the factory for service. They do not like bad knives to go out the door but it does happen. From my perspective the statements made earlier are on the money.

You talk about different 300 series knives when you talk about the past because Buck contracted their early folders to Schrade and Camillus, both made good knives. Buck continued to contract with Camillus for a few models up to 2000, but the main sellers were made in the Buck factory after 1985. The late 80's are generally considered to be high quality finished, 425m steel, brass linered, Delrin scaled , TWO springed two and three blade folders. In the early 90's designs were changed to a spring for every blade, special heat treated 420hc steel. They also started using a different blade grind that left a toothier edge. All old contract made 300 stockmen and pen knives will have long pulls, after 1989 they will just about to a knife have small nail nic's. A quick way to tell if you haven't studied the models.

IF I was in a pawn shop or a flea market and I spied a late 80's 425m bladed brass linered 303 or 309 I would be hard pressed to not haggle for it. 300

 

[The Fort]

Update: well guys, I never did send my 301 into Buck. I did put it in my pocket about 6 months ago, and carried it to work everyday since. Now guess what happened? I fell in love with it! The blade wiggle has seemingly disappeared and the edges are better after some use and careful sharpening. Now I'm on the hunt for an older one, or more! I'm also thinking that I'd like to try a 303. Anyway, just thought I'd share my thoughts after some actual use.