Buck 321

K

kodmag

Joined
Aug 13, 1999
Messages
25
Can anybody tell me why the model 321 bird knife was discontinued? I have one and find it to be the perfect knife for fish, birds, squirrels, and rabbits. Other manufacturers produce a similar knife that also incorporates a choke tool for shotguns (Remington #R1). Is it true that Camillus produced this knife?
 
Kodmag,
We discontinued the bird knife because only you and a couple of your freinds ever bought one.
But seriously, sales on that knife just kept getting lower and lower so we dropped it.
It was one of the "contract" knives made for us by Camillus.


------------------
Joe Houser
Director of Quality, Buck Knives Inc.
Buck Collectors club Administrator
 
Chris,
The 321 was discontinued due to slumping sales and I agree it is a fine small game and bird knife. It was made for Buck on a contract with Camillus as were all of the 300 series knives at one time. In 1985 or 1986, Buck began to make the 301, 303, 305 and 309 in their own plant in El Cajon, CA. They eventually discontinued all of the contract made 300 series. I think the 315 yachtsman and/or the 307 wrangler models were the last to be discontinued. Buck added the 312 and 314 trappers to the series but Buck has just dropped the large trapper, model 314.
You will find new contract knives coming out from time to time as special orders for Smokey Mountain Knife Works. Examples include 322 Congress, 333 California toothpick, a very recent set of large and small barlows and a Millenium trapper. I think the toothpicks were made by Schrade and perhaps all of the other recent models were made by Camillus.
By the way, the earliest 300 series knives were made by Schrade in 1966 to 1968 before Buck switched the contract to Camillus. I have probably told you more than you wanted to know!!
Larry
 
Hey Joe (or Larry)
smile.gif
, is there a way to tell if my 321 was Buck or contract made by looking at it ? And, if contract made, which contractor? I'm not exactly sure when I bought it, other than early 80's. TIA
 
All 321s were made by Camillus. The other 300 series models made only by Camillus are:
307 Wrangler, 311 Trapper, 313 Muskrat, 315 Yachtsman, 317 Trailblazer, 319 Rancher, and 329 Trapper. These are the basic 300 series
knives only made by Camillus. As stated
earlier, Camillus has also recently made some limited production run knives for Buck.
I hope this helps.
Larry
P.S. Buck may have made a few 329 trappers
in their own plant. I think I have one or two with year marks which indicate that the
knife is Buck made.
 
Correction,
I am confusing the 329 with another model. I will now say that 329 Trappers were only Camillus made.
Larry
 
Brian, look at the nail clip. If it is a straight line with no crescent shape it is a Camillus. The Buck nail clips are crescent shaped. That is the only way to tell that I know of.



------------------
Dennis Wright
Wright Knife & Sporting Goods
(Buy a knife...confuse a liberal)
La Mesa, CA
wrightknife@ixpres.com


 
Thanks guys, appreciate the info.
Glad to see you back here on a more regular basis Dennis, take care, Brian.
 
Dennis and Brian,
The Camillus made models with a long, straight nail pull were 301,303,305,307, and 319. All of the other Camillus made models had a crescent nail nick. I have never seen a 321 Bird Knife, for example, with the long nail pull. Again, the 321 was never made by Buck, only by Camillus! Hope this helps.
Larry
 
Larry,
That info sure helped me! I can honestly say that you know more than i do. But of course, knowing me, that is not really much of a compliment is it? ;-)
I have been working on a data sheet for the M9, using excellent input from club members.
When i am done, the 300 series will be next.
It should be an easy task since since Larry and a few other members have it all but done!
Thanks!


------------------
Joe Houser
Director of Quality, Buck Knives Inc.
Buck Collectors club Administrator
 
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