Buck 310

[supratentorial]

Mine has been in two different US factories Buck forgot to spin the center pin on mine and someone affiliated with another manufacturer kindly spun down the pins for me. Here's the after photo.

Do you find any drawbacks with the saber grinds typical on these Bucks? I often hear complaints about the slicing ability of knives that are "too thick behind the edge", and a saber grind is definitely thick (WAY) behind the edge. Thanks for any opinions/experiences anyone is willing to share.

- GT

If you compare the springs and blades on this Victorinox to the Buck 310, you'll see the stock thickness is very thin on the Buck 310.

On the larger 301, the difference in performance between the old full flat grinds and the present saber grinds is more noticeable.

I do prefer the older full flat grind used in the late 80s by Buck and earlier by Camillus and Schrade for Buck. But the present saber ground Buck 301 is also a very nice knife with lots of uses... e.g. good for push cutting through plastic, etc.

View attachment 821322

Buck 309 T, I've carry this in my pocket for years. Great little knife and better than a muskrat at least for me. Hey guys I've got a question?? why is this a 309 and yours are 310's ?? Do I have a mistake here. OK, well I did some investigating and came up with this from a internet site called Worthpoint. Here is the quote "This was a factory error according to Buck, since it's definately a model 310 Whittler. A model 309 is a two-blade knife. The box is clearly marked "310" as well. It was simply a mistake when it was made, so there were very few of these like this. Knife was first un-wrapped for picture only. It is 3 inches closed and has the black delrin saw cut scales. Don't confuse this knife, with the common 303 "Cadet" and the 373 "Trio"."

The 309 companion probably uses the same blades as the whittler. My whittler is also marked 309. Here's an ad showing the 310 model number.

 

[solphilos]

Mine has been in two different US factories Buck forgot to spin the center pin on mine and someone affiliated with another manufacturer kindly spun down the pins for me. Here's the after photo.

If you compare the springs and blades on this Victorinox to the Buck 310, you'll see the stock thickness is very thin on the Buck 310.

On the larger 301, the difference in performance between the old full flat grinds and the present saber grinds is more noticeable.

I do prefer the older full flat grind used in the late 80s by Buck and earlier by Camillus and Schrade for Buck. But the present saber ground Buck 301 is also a very nice knife with lots of uses... e.g. good for push cutting through plastic, etc.

The 309 companion probably uses the same blades as the whittler. My whittler is also marked 309. Here's an ad showing the 310 model number.

The center pin on mine sits proud of the covers by almost 1/16". I thought of peening it down myself, but I'll likely leave it until/if it becomes an issue. The head is very slightly domed, so I figure it won't post much of a problem.

 

[r8shell]

Hey guys I've got a question?? why is this a 309 and yours are 310's ?? Do I have a mistake here. OK, well I did some investigating and came up with this from a internet site called Worthpoint. Here is the quote "This was a factory error according to Buck, since it's definately a model 310 Whittler. A model 309 is a two-blade knife. The box is clearly marked "310" as well. It was simply a mistake when it was made, so there were very few of these like this. Knife was first un-wrapped for picture only. It is 3 inches closed and has the black delrin saw cut scales. Don't confuse this knife, with the common 303 "Cadet" and the 373 "Trio"."

The 309 companion probably uses the same blades as the whittler. My whittler is also marked 309. Here's an ad showing the 310 model number.

I've got two of them: one I bought new, and one used, both are marked 309. I wouldn't be surprised if the 310s are more rare. I'm sure Buck makes a lot more Companions than Whittlers and possibly uses the 309 blades rather than doing a new run of blades for a smaller order.

 

[boy&hisdogs]

Are they bass pro exclusive? Thats the only place I can find them for sale besides ebay for 2-3 times the price of the BP gift box one.

 

[solphilos]

Are they bass pro exclusive? Thats the only place I can find them for sale besides ebay for 2-3 times the price of the BP gift box one.

Frim what i read in an older thread here, they are exclusive to BPS. I haven't been able to find any source online either, or much info at all on this pattern.

 

[knarfeng]

Do you find any drawbacks with the saber grinds typical on these Bucks? I often hear complaints about the slicing ability of knives that are "too thick behind the edge", and a saber grind is definitely thick (WAY) behind the edge. Thanks for any opinions/experiences anyone is willing to share.

- GT

Buck uses that grind on almost all their knives. It's a super hollow grind that they used to call "Edge 2000", as they developed it using a CATRA machine in the last year or so before 2000. The CATRA machine works by having the blade cut sandpaper, and this profile outperformed all others. It significantly out performed a flat grind. So, no, this grind does not make for a poor slicer.

Here is a post from C J Buck in 2001, in which he describes the development. Unfortunately, the graphs are no longer posted. But the text is still reasonably clear...
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/catra-edge-testing-results.127499/

Here is a description of the CATRA machine:
http://www.catra.org/pages/products/kniveslevel1/st.htm

I still have my Camillus Buck 303, which I carried daily for many years, and which was flat ground. But if I am going to carry a Buck these days, it is a new Buck with this improved profile. It cuts better.

 

[300Bucks]

Well, where do I start. After a very few years of Buck selling the 310 Whittler, it became a BPS and SMKWs offering only. The 309 stamped blade is what you get now in 310 marked boxes only from BPS. The added third blade is what makes it a 310 Whittler. You will eventually see this model disappear. The big fish store is the only one selling them now. In the past they came in a sliding top little wooden box. The new 2018 catalog does not show models 309,305 or the single blade 302 and have not shown 310s in a long while. Store(s) will sell stock and Buck will likely ship inventory after 309 production line shuts down. They will continue to produce model 301s and 303, but are evaluating future of all 300 series. Discussion is ongoing on the Buck forum. The jigged bone 310 was part of a special issue of the entire Buck made 300 line back in the late 80's. It will have to be a Bay find........ 300Bucks

PS I did a write up on them in past but don't search for it as it was made with PhotoBucket photographs. Sorry

You would think a reissue of this jigged bone 310 might be in order as it sails into the sunset..

 

[solphilos]

Buck uses that grind on almost all their knives. It's a super hollow grind that they used to call "Edge 2000", as they developed it using a CATRA machine in the last year or so before 2000. The CATRA machine works by having the blade cut sandpaper, and this profile outperformed all others. It significantly out performed a flat grind. So, no, this grind does not make for a poor slicer.

Here is a post from C J Buck in 2001, in which he describes the development. Unfortunately, the graphs are no longer posted. But the text is still reasonably clear...
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/catra-edge-testing-results.127499/

Here is a description of the CATRA machine:
http://www.catra.org/pages/products/kniveslevel1/st.htm

I still have my Camillus Buck 303, which I carried daily for many years, and which was flat ground. But if I am going to carry a Buck these days, it is a new Buck with this improved profile. It cuts better.

Some interesting info here, and makes a lot of sense. I can't wait to put this one to use to test this. One thing is for certain; the geometry produces a wicked sharp blade and has no problems push cutting newsprint or popping hairs. Its breath of fresh air to receive a factory knife with this kind of edge.

Well, where do I start. The 309 stamped blade is what you get in 310 marked boxes. The added third blade is what makes it a 310 Whittler. You likely will eventually see this model disappear. The big fish store is the only one selling them now. In the past they came in a sliding top little wooden box. The new 2018 catalog does not show models 309,305 or the single blade 302. Stores will sell stock and Buck will likely ship inventory after that production line shuts down. They will continue to produce model 301s and 303, but are evaluating future of all 300 series. Discussion is ongoing on the Buck forum. 300Bucks

This reads like a sad story, makes me want to stock up on all of the 300 series before they all become consigned to the cutlery fossil record.
These are great knives by a fine company, it would be shame to see them no longer made.

 

[Ernie1980]

This is the first time I have seen this pattern, thanks for sharing!

 

[supratentorial]

Cutting through paper (what Buck tested) will be very different than cutting through 1" reinforced cardboard or a ripe tomato. Different geometries will perform differently for different tasks.

The center pin on mine sits proud of the covers by almost 1/16". I thought of peening it down myself, but I'll likely leave it until/if it becomes an issue. The head is very slightly domed, so I figure it won't post much of a problem.

300bucks gave good information regarding the pins in this old topic...
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/to-peen-or-not-to-peen-that-is-my-question.1000205/

Alive and almost well,

High pins were addressed over in the Buck forum sometime back. Factory man said that the machine does most of the pin 'push' from one side. I believe it is the side that is high on your knife. This situation is not common but not rare. Factory man was going to look into it. I think I have one or two like this myself. I had a brass one on a stag 303 scale and I took a nail, ground it flat and touched the flat with the tip of a drill. I used this cup to spin the pin head down a little but it was not a perfect 'tool'. Black sawcut scales do not need the spring pin to help hold on the scale. There are several other attachment points.

I think I have one of those dremel bits and want to try that. If I don't I will pick one up to give it a try. As was said 'Slow and steady wins the race.'

Gut feeling is the SS pins are so hard that a peen hit will bend the pin rather than round the head. You don't want to fool with the effect of a pin pushing sideways. If you want a perfect fix then send it back. That's their promise for the life of the knife........If you want to try to fix it yourself I would look at the dremel bit as the least invasive action. 300Bucks

Imperfect repair

 

[HeathHall]

I found one of these from the exchange years ago and it is a terrific little knife. That coping blade is spectacular.

Andrew

 

[Will Power]

I'm very fond of the small 309, despite being a 2 spring it's slim enough to be a Penknife.

Like GT I have some reservations about sabre grind on very small blades but I like Buck's good quality finish, all stainless construction and minimalistic appeal.

Real bummer about Buck discontinuing some of the 300s Wonder if we're going to see an insane price-hike for 'rare, sought after discontinued models'? Yours for only 450 USD each from Flippa-Specials visit our bay store...

 

[Old Hunter]

I received this one as a gift about five or six years ago, came in the little wooden box. Mine is marked 309 on the blade and 310 on the box. OH
Ps The blade tang is date stamped with the 2010 symbol but the box is dated 11/08/2011.

 

[solphilos]

Cutting through paper (what Buck tested) will be very different than cutting through 1" reinforced cardboard or a ripe tomato. Different geometries will perform differently for different tasks.



300bucks gave good information regarding the pins in this old topic...
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/to-peen-or-not-to-peen-that-is-my-question.1000205/

Very interesting, I recall seeing spun pins on the GEC factory tour video didn't quite understand how that worked.

On the pile side of my example it looks as if the pins were spun, and I can't see any gap between the flat top of the pin-head and the scales.
What I thought was a high sitting pin appears to simply be an un-domed pinhead, the flat top of it having sharp edges and being very palpable. With the proper dremel bit this could be an easy fix.

 

[deltaboy]

Well the hunt will begin!

 

[Ace Rimmer]

A sweet knife and an interesting discussion this morning. Definitely need to think about "collecting" some 300-series Bucks. Regarding the 310, is that a two-spring design, or three, or ???

 

[solphilos]

A sweet knife and an interesting discussion this morning. Definitely need to think about "collecting" some 300-series Bucks. Regarding the 310, is that a two-spring design, or three, or ???

Three. For reference, the whole package is as thick as a Case peanut.

I definitely want to get the others in this series, they're good knives and it will be a shame to see them disappear.
The 301 is first on my list.

 

[solphilos]

Well the hunt will begin!

Good luck! That's the fun part

 

[HeathH]

Man, I am really disappointed to hear about the 305 and 309/310. They're about the only thing I have to a collection. With 50 years of production they should stay plentiful and available - and there are some real gems out there too

 

[solphilos]

Man, I am really disappointed to hear about the 305 and 309/310. They're about the only thing I have to a collection. With 50 years of production they should stay plentiful and available - and there are some real gems out there tooView attachment 821479

Nice one! I'd be quite happy if they keep the basic delrin ones in production but wont complain if they start making them in Stag again
These have my favorite clip of any small knife. With that minute amount of belly the tip is quite pointy, almost a pocket Seax