BUCK 315 on the Bay???

pjsjr

pjsjr

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I looked at this item when it first came up for bid...something about it didn't seem right. Today I went and looked at my 315 and the differences are quite apparent. This one has no bolsters...and the pivot rivets are really different.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NIB-Black-BUCK-...611549478QQcategoryZ63792QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Will someone who knows about these tell me about the whys and wherefores of the differences. Thanks, Preston


Edited to add photo of my 315

img00170vo.jpg
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I saved his photos and blew them up and raised the brightness with Photoshop, that knife IMO has been rebuilt and repaired.
 
Preston
Yours is an older version of the 315. Both were made by Camillus. If yours has BUCK / Made in / USA on the tang it is the first version made between 1968 and 1972. If it says BUCK / 315 / USA it is the later version made by Cami after 1972. Late in the production of these knives Cami changed to the style you are seeing on eBay so it would be like the knives they were making with the Cami name on them at that time. Production of this knife ended some time between 1986 and 1992.
 
Thanks TLC and Will, mine has BUCK/315/USA and 1977 paperwork in the box, so it's not the older verision. I certainly like the looks of mine when compared to the on on the Bay. Thanks again, Preston
 
WilltheBarb said:
Preston
Yours is an older version of the 315. Both were made by Camillus. If yours has BUCK / Made in / USA on the tang it is the first version made between 1968 and 1972. If it says BUCK / 315 / USA it is the later version made by Cami after 1972. Late in the production of these knives Cami changed to the style you are seeing on eBay so it would be like the knives they were making with the Cami name on them at that time. Production of this knife ended some time between 1986 and 1992.
Click to expand...
Extremely informative. Thanks.
I had one of the "later version" and long lost. It was pretty cool. Never quite figured out what that little springy dowhacky was for. Anyone know?
Thanks for the write up...
Goose.

BTW, That was quite a knife. Served me well when I was on a galleon in the Spanish-American War in Manila Bay. :jerkit: OK, ok, last of the old thread jokes...for today.
:p
 
WilltheBarb said:
Preston
Yours is an older version of the 315. Both were made by Camillus. If yours has BUCK / Made in / USA on the tang it is the first version made between 1968 and 1972. If it says BUCK / 315 / USA it is the later version made by Cami after 1972. Late in the production of these knives Cami changed to the style you are seeing on eBay so it would be like the knives they were making with the Cami name on them at that time. Production of this knife ended some time between 1986 and 1992.
Click to expand...

These later versions, 86-92 had exposed screws/pivots like the one on Ebay?
 
I am not sure when they went to the bolsterless version. It was the last version made but the change came about because Camillus changed the design of their own sailor’s knife and the Buck version just got dragged along.
 
What is that square thing on end opposite the marlin spike? IIRC, the one I had seemed spring loaded.
Thanks,
Goose.
 
It is the release for the marlin spike’s lock. The marlin spike locks open so that when you are using it to bush the strands of rope back through the rope to form a loop or join two ropes together it won’t close on you and pinch your hand. Sometimes you have to really push hard to get the strand to go through the rope.
 
WilltheBarb said:
It is the release for the marlin spike’s lock. The marlin spike locks open so that when you are using it to bush the strands of rope back through the rope to form a loop or join two ropes together it won’t close on you and pinch your hand. Sometimes you have to really push hard to get the strand to go through the rope.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the memory refresh about the spike lock. I remember wondering why it was designed the way it was (big and "in the way") but am certain there is function to go along with the form.
Will have to find one IRL and look at it. It's been like 30 years.
 
WilltheBarb said:
I am not sure when they went to the bolsterless version. It was the last version made but the change came about because Camillus changed the design of their own sailor’s knife and the Buck version just got dragged along.
Click to expand...

Cool, was thrown off, had never seen a Buck/Camillus that was basically a "birdseye" before. Seems to have been buffed quite a bit on the pivots when I lightened it up. That's why my first thought was a re-work.
 
Sorry I'm late throwing in my two cents worth. Will add on to Will's answer using info from the tomes of Larry Oden. There are several 315's those that have been described and pictured and additional, less common flavors. The 'barehead' linked photo started 'bout 88, in addition there are (and I don't have them all yet so no pictures) a special run with nickle bolsters and WHITE handle scales no knife and bolt shield for America's Cup Race, barehead with only one backspring, barehead with BUCK melted into plastic scale, no handle rivets showing and a barehead with 1 inch of blade serrated.
The search continues.
 
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