Buck 301BB Buck Bone

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
Messages
20,039
Picked up a Buck 301BB stockman at a local gun show on Saturday. Had what appeared to be either brown bone or brown delrin that was cut to look like brown bone. The box was marked 301BB Brown Bone stockman, the box was a brown box, with a black cutout of a man standing at an anvil. The blade was marked

Buck
301 X
USA

I stopped by Country Knives in Lancaster after the show, and asked the owner if he knew what steel it was. I was hoping 440C, but he stated that it was probably 425M. I had a 703 with 425M steel, and it wasn't bad, not much difference between 425M and 420HC, at least the 420HC heat treated by Paul Bos.

Can anyone tell me about this knife? It is dead mint, the box was original with paperwork, and the owner on the paperwork was Al Buck, I'm guessing it was at least from the 80's. Was it made by Buck, or by Camillus? Too recent to be made by Schrade I'm guessing.

I may not be a big 110 fan, but I am a big fan of Buck slipjoints. Regardless of steel, I really like this stockman. Great walk and talk too.
 
It's bone. I can't remember if Buck or Camillus made this knife. That matters as to steel. If Buck did it, its 425M. If Camillus, then it's likely 440A. 300Bucks is the best resource for this and he'll chime in I feel sure.

All Buck 425M fell into the period of being Paul Bos HT'ed.
 
The authority on 300 series knives will be here soon. But before that let me guess on Camillus.
 
In from yard work for lunch, vegetable soup, so will do this first ....priorities.

Well,
First the X says it was a 1990 blade. Remember Camillus stopped making 301s, 303s, 309s and 305s in late 1985. So this is a Buck made brown bone, two springs and brass liners. Blades are flat ground. Am I correct so far ? It is likely 425M steel or 420HC, depending on when the last of the 80s 425 blades ran out. Brown Bones made 89 to 92. I use to think the jigging was different after a particular year but handling a couple dozen knives lets the air out of that mental lapse...

Here is photo of L to R, BB 301s : two X 1990 knives, a + 1991 and then a Brown Bone Limited from 1998 for comparison.

BB301s.jpg


Now besides the above, this was the time when Buck transitioned from brass liners and two springs to nickle liners and bolsters and three SS springs. Blades were also changed with the sheepsfoot going opposite the clip and the spey up beside the clip. Blade grind change comes in later. This photo shows the change. So to have all the Brown bones you need sets of both versions.....(Darn 8 knives instead of 4) Good luck, I am still looking for the last one. As you could see the change occurred in 91.
BB301e.jpg


That pretty much is it but lets show a knife collecting detail while everyone is here looking. Look at the pin on the left knife, slightly depressed. Likely the blade is loose when you see that.
BB301b.jpg


The auction photo will likely not show the back of the knife or they will and not know what is going on. Look carefully.
BB301c.jpg


Ok, a little pressure with a small arbor press and things tighten up. BUT, this pivot has been stressed and without the installation of a new pin it will ALWAYS be loose. Put side pressure on it and you will find out. So when you see a depressed pivot pin head in a bolster, beware, it is not a MIB and is not worth the big money....unless very rare.....
BB301d.jpg


ST good buy......300Bucks
 
Last edited:
Flatlander1963 said:
If Buck did it, its 425M. If Camillus, then it's likely 440A.
Click to expand...

This brings up a question I have about early 301 steels. People on this forum have frequently stated that the early 301s were likely made with 440A. This ad from 1967, however says "Each of the sharp, tough tempered blades is made of the same high carbon steel used in Buck's world famous hunting knives".

Are they calling 440A and 440C the same steel? I would think not. This ad jogged my memory a bit. I recall when I was considering buying a 301 in 1972 (I bought 2 that year, forum member stelth now has one) the thing that clinched the deal for me is that the ads all did say "the same steel" as the larger fixed blade knives.

Do you or 300Bucks have any insight into this?


 
Wolf,

I wish I had a written record for everytime someone said something about steel. Especially, Buck factory folks.

I chuckled a little as picture represented in your old ad is of the first model 301 made by Schrade. Which if anyone was going to use 440C they would have. Buck has a early history of using the same ads and catalog photos for a good many years so use those with a grain of salt.

The bottom line is Schrade made about 2 or 3 (hairsplitting) versions of the 301 for a couple of years. By the time of your research in 1972 Camillus was making all the slipjoints. I have never had a Buck factory person tell me that Camillus was required to use 440C and did use it. Most have whispered that it is likely 440A. Camillus used the metal they put in their own slipjoints. Buck made the blades for the long knives and the 110/112 but the metal in the 300s was contractor provided.
This is my 300 guideline until I am told by someone in authority different.

Before 1981 - 440C or 440A (Heavy on the A)
81 - 93 - 425M (Only in Buck made 301,303,309 and 305)
After 94 - 420HC (Buck made 300s only)

Camillus continued to make contract knives with Buck tang stamps until 2000/01 usually for SMKWs catalog only sales.

Even with all this, stamped blades continued to be used until used up, so if you didn't care or didn't know what was going on, you may get a 93 blade in a 94 knife or even in the stretch a early 95 knife.

DM and Kamagong are my guys I ask metal guestion of. There are others also that know a lot about fixed blades, 110/112s, 500s and 700s. But my BS may have to do on the 300s, unless Larry O. or Joe H. will swear to a date/kind chart and we will all quit speculating and use that as edict.....300
 
Last edited:
Thank you very much 300Bucks. It could be that the copy for the ads was used after a change in specs. It could also be that I read the ads for early 440C Schrades, then when I got my first job and bought my first Buck (Camillus) I was thinking of earlier ads. No matter, my Camillus 301 user from 1973 has indeed withstood the test of time and I have no complaints - 38 years and going strong is good enough for me. :thumbup:

P.S. It could also have been a sales clerk answering the question "Does this have the same steel as the hunting knives?" with an "I believe so" or something similar. Sales clerks often know very little about the products they sell. It's too far back for me to remember exactly or even care. :D
 
Last edited:
I'm new to this forum and I just want to say I'm sure glad I stumble up on it, I'm sure gaining a great deal of info here and I just to say thanks...
 
Yes, 300 does good photos and write ups. One day I'll stumble onto a early beat up 301 or 307 with a broke blade and procure it. Then I'll send it in to a metallurgist and pay to have it's blades tested so, we will know the steel those used. Until then I'd give the data 300 posted the nod. DM
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top