Buck 317 and 303

T

tom slick

Joined
Jun 25, 2008
Messages
13
Here are a couple of bucks from my small collection. The 317 was given to me by my grandfather. It was never used or carried because it was "too big" to carry in a pocket and grandpa never carried stuff on his belt (except a small pistol when he was constable). The 303 was my grandfather's EDC and only has minor wear for an EDC.
Any ideas of when these were made? I know the 303 is still in production but this one has a longer fingernail slot.

317.jpg

303.jpg
 
Welcome to the forum Tom,
BUCK knife is spoken here, questions on all things Buck will be answered by someone. Good photos are always a blessing and enjoyment by even by the folks that aren't interested in owning that particular model.....close-ups of blade tang marks are useful and desired.

Both knives were made by Camillus for Buck. Appear to be in used but good condition.

303 - Should be marked- Buck, Made in USA on front tang, with 303 on tang of reverse of main blade (which is call pile side). No scale pins showing, no extra brass spacers 1971 - 1974 manuf.

317 - Should also be marked - Buck, Made in USA on front tang with 317 on reverse main blade tang (pile side). Secondary blade unmarked. All that makes it one of the early models, manuf. in 1972 - 1974.

Good keepsakes both. 300Bucks
 
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Thank you for the information. I didn't know that Camillus made knives for buck.
The 317 is stamped exactly as you describe. Are the Schrade/Old Timer/Uncle Henry knives that look similar in fact the same knife?
The 303 is only stamped on the front, nothing on the pile side. I've included a close up of the tang stamp.

303-stamp.jpg
 
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Now that makes it a Cami. made 1975 to 1985 , couple of variations one with two brass liners behind scale and one with just one......thats a good photo, just right for ID purposes.....bolsters are different than the manuf.s mentioned, blade nic will be different in some also, blade steel is sometimes a debate whether it is special to Buck or not........ still a keepsake...300
 
:cool:...That 317 really intrigues me...always has. I like it because it appears to be big enough to fill my "Giganto" mitts really well...Guess there's another one I may have keep an eye out for...;)...:p
 
DarrylS said:
:cool:...That 317 really intrigues me...always has. I like it because it appears to be big enough to fill my "Giganto" mitts really well...Guess there's another one I may have keep an eye out for...;)...:p
Click to expand...

Here is a photo of them together to give you a sense of scale.
303and317.jpg



This personalized etching on the blade was supposedly done at the factory. Does this look like "factory" work? It was a gift from a friend who "had this done at the factory". It has never looked like factory work to me. I know who the two names are. It has a typo in that it should be "CT" not "C,T"

317-engraving.jpg
 
Darryl,

Here are the three standard versions. BUCK Made in USA, BUCK 317 USA and BUCK 317 USA with serrated secondary blade. Several other non-standard with blade etches. I am looking for the farm combine etch. Serrated is rarest of those shown. MiBs going pretty high. I think because that big black handle looks good with black leathers and a scooter with black saddlebags..... 300Bucks

 
tom slick said:
This personalized etching on the blade was supposedly done at the factory. Does this look like "factory" work?
Click to expand...

Just a WAG...It looks like an early form of acid-etching done with a typewriter and waxed paper. The typed letters/symbols would cut through the wax and would leave an "etch" when daubed with acid...
 
chickentrax said:
Just a WAG...It looks like an early form of acid-etching done with a typewriter and waxed paper. The typed letters/symbols would cut through the wax and would leave an "etch" when daubed with acid...
Click to expand...

Now this is why I love these forums. I had no idea that you could etch metal that way. One more bit of knowledge from Professor 'Trax'. :)
 
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