Buck 302 - will it come back?

C

Corso

Joined
Aug 16, 2007
Messages
1,082
So I didn't realize when I was looking at the 300 series last year that they were going to get shelved.

It looks like I've missed out on getting a 302 as nowhere seems to have them in stock any more

Am I right?
 
You are right. It was a dark day in the History of Buck when they turned the lights out on that one. Solitary confinement for the 302 Solitaire. :(
 
Right now only I believe only the 301 and 303 are available. However, Buck is retooling the 300 series at their factory with the intention of bringing the line back and expanding it as I understand to include the possibility of some retired or discontinued models. Who knows maybe we'll see something new. With this change they will also discontinue the 37X series of Chinese produced knives. In the meantime there should be an ample supply on the second hand market.
 
About 6/8 months ago I called Buck to place an order and asked them if they had any 302’s laying around for sale. And low and behold they had one to sell me. And he told me about the retooling for the 300 series. He wouldn’t tell me which 300’s were going to be made.
 
well re-tooling is at least half positive

maybe they'd consider a 303 sized single blade if the 302 doesn't come back
 
Deere Man said:
Buck is retooling the 300 series at their factory with the intention of bringing the line back and expanding it as I understand to include the possibility of some retired or discontinued models.
Click to expand...

You got my attention. I'll be waiting to see what comes of this.
 
I have an extra 302 I thought about selling a couple of months ago. Then Buck released some on their web special page. Now I guess they are gone again. I think they will be back.
 
Are the 300's American made?
I had purchased a 110 on the bay and the deal included a stockman still in the blister pack. Then i bought a Canoe at Wallys which i like very much.
 
Man I'm excited to hear about the retooling, there's a few models I never got to own and I'll be happy to see what Buck comes up with.

My uncle loves small multi bladers and doesn't care about COO so I bought him a Buck 375 for Christmas and he fell in love with it right away.
It seemed right up my alley as well, so I'm hoping they bring back the 309.
I wouldn't mind trying out a 302 Solitaire either.
 
David Nowlin said:
Are the 300's American made?
I had purchased a 110 on the bay and the deal included a stockman still in the blister pack. Then i bought a Canoe at Wallys which i like very much.
Click to expand...

Some are and some aren't. But it is easy to tell from the model number. All the low model numbers, 300 to 334 are or were US made. Only a couple are still in production at this time. All the high model numbers, 370 and above are China made. Also the China made knives use 420J2 steel instead of the 420HC of the USA made knives.

So a 301 or 303 stockman is Us made. a 371 or 373 stockman is China made. A 389 canoe is China made.

O.B.
 
OB is spot on. The only thing I’ll add is They all seem to be good quality even the Chinese ones. But The value changes with country of origin. Don’t overpay for an offshore Buck on the used market.
 
The 2018 BladeForums 301 (I refer to it as a 302 +1) proved a couple of things. For one, there is still interest in Buck traditional pattern folders. Another, Buck can still make traditional pattern folders. In my opinion, this one surpassed any they ever made themselves or any Schrade or Camillus ever made for them. They should leverage this recent interest by adding more traditional patterns, handle covers, steel, grinds, number of blades and types of blades.
 
I am with you on this.Sure glad they went with a flat grind as well to me this just works for a slip joint.
 
Threads need pictures! OH
Ps To those who inquired about the bolt and hammer logo - I took that picture just before I sliced through the spike and tie plate, then I sliced the rail in half just to prove the Buck could do it! Don't worry, it's an abandoned rail line.

Buck-302-Solitaire.jpg
 
Corso said:
well re-tooling is at least half positive

maybe they'd consider a 303 sized single blade if the 302 doesn't come back
Click to expand...
Maybe when the 301 and 303 finally make it to the Custom Shop you'll have the option to withhold a blade or two?
Personally, I'd keep my 301 a three blade with updated steel (5160? please?!?) and maybe brass (or steel) bolsters/liners, (if offered) just to be different. :)
 
While the forum knife came out well. I think that only thing it proves is that there are alot of traditional collector's in general on Bladeforums. If you read the thread at least to me it seemed alot of people were at odds that it would be a Buck.
I think the relationship Silver Knights had with the factory had alot to do with how well it went over.
But I don't think you can replicate the desire of a knife forum for a 300 series to the real world assume it would be a profitable knife for Buck . Which in the end it why the produce them .
The forum knife was nicely done . I own a few other 300 series including some Bcci offerings and it was probably my favorite.
I also would say . I tend to like the 302 over the 301 because they are slimmer and I have no need for the other blades.
I have seen some cool canoe designs over the years on certain vendor sites . But still refuse to by Chinese.
I am not a made in USA guy.
I just prefer my Buck Knives that way.
 
honestlyinsane said:
While the forum knife came out well. I think that only thing it proves is that there are alot of traditional collector's in general on Bladeforums. If you read the thread at least to me it seemed alot of people were at odds that it would be a Buck.
I think the relationship Silver Knights had with the factory had alot to do with how well it went over.
But I don't think you can replicate the desire of a knife forum for a 300 series to the real world assume it would be a profitable knife for Buck . Which in the end it why the produce them .
The forum knife was nicely done . I own a few other 300 series including some Bcci offerings and it was probably my favorite.
I also would say . I tend to like the 302 over the 301 because they are slimmer and I have no need for the other blades.
I have seen some cool canoe designs over the years on certain vendor sites . But still refuse to by Chinese.
I am not a made in USA guy.
I just prefer my Buck Knives that way.
Click to expand...
I recall this too. Everyone had specific brands they wanted to stay with that they used before. I don't think many thought Buck could even pull it off. But now that they have, big time, I hope those perceptions changed. If Buck ever plans to make a meaningful entry back into traditional folders, the time would be now. A little effort in terms of variety, mostly in handle covers, would be a good start. But, if their heart is somewhere else (as it appears to be) then it is what it is.
 
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