Buck 301 Stockman vs Schrade 80T Stockman

[jefroman]

Which do you guys think is the better choice? I like the Buck because of the black handle scales and the stainless steel. But I like the Old Timer because of the carbon steel and the flat grind.

Thanks!

Jeff

 

[allenC]

I like them both, but for an everyday carry with low maintenance I prefer the Buck (actually I have a 303).
I also think that, while the Old Timer is a great knife, it does'nt have quite the fit and "attention to detail" that the Buck has. The flat-grind is a little better but does'nt make much difference to me in everyday tasks.
You can't go wrong with either one.

Good Luck,
Allen.

 

[mnblade]

jefroman:
Since you live in a dry climate, I'd go with the carbon steel Old Timer. I live by the ocean, where there's a lot of salt in the air, so I generally prefer a stainless blade. Both are great knives for the money.

 

[The Magician]

My grandpa carried a Buck 301. My Dad carries a Buck 301. I occasionally cary a Buck 301. I can't speak for the old timer, but the Buck is a great pocket knife.

 

[Buzzbait]

That's a tough choice. Both of these slip joints are very good. I guess it all depends on what you are looking for most in terms of quality. Here are the strong and weak points of both knives, IMHO.

Buck:
1. Good stainless steel blades
2. Come very sharp right out of the box
3. Good looking Delrin handles
4. Very distinctive hollow grind for a slip joint
5. Blades all run parallel to each other
6. Each blade has its own back spring
7. Acceptable, but not great “walk and talk”

Old Timer:
1. Excellent carbon steel blades
2. Excellent “walk and talk”
3. Good standard flat grind
4. Ugly Delrin handles
5. The larger models are a bit bulky in the pocket
6. Come duller than dirt

What it really comes down to is priority. The old Timer isn’t pretty, but it’s built like a brick sh*thouse. You need to be careful in selecting your Old Timer. I’ve seen lots of them at Wal-Mart with very badly ground tips on their blades. The Bucks have much better quality control. Better than most any slip joint manufacturer, as a matter of fact. The Buck is the consistent, good overall quality knife with good form and function. The Old Timer is all about function.

 

[mnblade]

Personally, I'd prefer to spend the extra few bucks and get the wood-handled Buck 701 instead of the Delrin 301. I checked at one internet knife shop, and the difference is just $12. No matter, though, they're both priced right when you consider Buck's customer service and the fact that they'll last a lifetime.

 

[knifenerd]

I've had the 301 for years and it has survived just about everything but nuclear attack. Still looks pretty good, too.

 

[James Y]

I have knives from both Buck and Schrade and my preference is overwhelmingly for the Buck. When I was younger in the 1970s it seemed like the Schrades had better quality control and came sharper out of box, better fit/finish than today (that I've noticed, anyway). Schrade does make a good rugged knife, though. The Schrade carbon steel seems to me to rust if you look at it funny.

I like the fit and feel of the Bucks better. Whether you pick a Buck from the 300 series or the 700 series. The 301 seems to have a bit less walk and talk snap to the blades than do the smaller Buck pocketknives. My 301 is one of the older flat ground versions with mirror-polished blades, but now they are all hollow-ground, which I like better and is unusual on a slip-joint pocketknife.

I've never had to use the Buck warranty service, but if I ever did, I live not too far from the Buck plant anyway.
Jim

 

[guy g]

I have the 303 and the 108 ot. The Buck takes a better edge with the edge 2000. I carried the 108 for about 5 years.
guy