Buck 302 ?

007welding

007welding

Joined
Dec 4, 2011
Messages
33
Can anyone offer up the low down on the 302s pertaining to the date marks? I've seen stock catalogue picks with and without a mark. I've bought 3 so far that the sellers said didn't have a date mark and sent me knives with one. After eating more than the cost of the knife in shipping and return charges, I'm wondering if there is a 302 with no mark or the catalogue pic is bogus. I've been sent a 2010, 2011 and 2012. I want the pre '86 302 :cool:

Bob
 
Only some early prototypes had no code. If you are trying to buy one of those, then only trust actual photos. Likely, you will have to find it on a person to person sale site. NO catalog photo without a date code actually represents the knife. They remove the codes in catalog pics so they can keep using photo after year changes and they won't be showing a knife date they don't stock. 300
 
The 302 began only a few years ago so there won't be a pre 86 version. That means you probably won't find one without a date code.
 
Seems like the date marks on 302's is not visible to sellers. Thanks for lifting the fog. The costs of this lesson only stings a little. Now I know my quest is for a prototype version. The collectors club websited history doesn't list a 302 (2009 rev.), is 2010 the first prod. year? MB, I was only fantasizing about the pre '86 version, but a prototype
Only some early prototypes had no code.
Click to expand...
will be equally hard to come by. Thanks 300.

Bob
 
The first 302 prototypes or should we say sample runs were made the year before they were introduced (2011 catalog) and they had 301 blades in them. The ones I bought have the 2010 date stamp. They were sold as buildouts on the web specials page.

Here's some of mine:

Singleblade301sa.jpg
 
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Thanks Dave for the detail correction and mental nudge. The 301 blade as the first porotype slipped my mind. Let me get the OP a statement.

Bob, We are guessing you are trying for what you might call the complete series on the 302. As such the very first 302 made (single blade 301) will be the prototype/limited run with the 301 stamped blade, per Dave's description. I checked to be accurate this time, I have first offical (catalog) issue 302s marked with 2010 date code also. To be prefectly clear, the first catalog offer is a 302 tang stamped BUCK, 302 <-, USA. The 2010 stamp is represented here as best a keyboard allows, it is as shown in various charts in forum header.

So if you want one of the 70 or so, of the prototypes made you will have to be always on the search and be a little lucky. The first year issue will be easier to find. If you are member of the BCCI you can post your wants on the club website in the want ad section.... Good Hunting.

And Yes, lots of seller photos pulled from catalogs and the catalogs themselves show all types of models with no date code at all.

300Bucks
 
Let's see if I have this correct. The first production year for 302 is 2010. The precursor or prototype was actually a single blade 301. The only 302 with no date mark is a doctored catalog pic and not an actual knife.

It just so happens that the 302 I was just sent is a 2010. That's the oldest version. That makes it vintage. It's going in the collection.

Price for the knife, a little over 20 bucks
Price for shipping 3 knives and winding up with a vintage knife, a little over 20 bucks
Getting a BCCI lifetime for Christmas, priceless......
 
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