Buck 703, I need some info

johnwaynesandw

johnwaynesandw

Joined
Mar 18, 2005
Messages
2,753
I have a 703 that looks to be in really good condition. I remeber reading about how the back springs on these were tempered a little too hard and they break. After a short time they fixed the problem. Is my 703 made when they were having the back spring problem?

I really like the size of the knife and think it would carry very well being smaller, but I would hate for the spring to break and then the knife would not be repairable just replaced with an 303. In that case, I would not use it and I think the 703 would have a better home showing off some where. It just bugs me to not use a knife I own.

Any advise would be great.












Thanks,
John
 
John: The backspring issue with the early 703 is kind of hard to determine when looking at pre-1986. The problem appeared with the first models issued - 1980 catalog and then continued. On January 7, 1985, Buck eliminated the high polish from the back, belly, and ends of the 700 series and began using a satin finish. Look at yours. On August 26, 1986 they made design changes with the 703 and added a third backspring.
 
John,At the 20 yr. Reunion Joe H. told us the flawed backspring problem was discovered and addressed that first year 1980.By late 1980 adjustments had been made at the factory and the returned knives repaired.Atleast the ones they knew of. Yours has polished bolsters and English script shield and blade stamp.So,I'd say it was made sometime between 1980-84.Thanks for posting.DM
 
Well, Thats just about the end of this thread the two top 700 men have spoken.......300
 
Craig,If you lived close by,I'd have to buy you a cup of coffee weekly.Just to get a load of your humor.Truely, a man from Will Rogers country.DM
 
All this talk lately about the 703 has me wanting to start carrying mine again. Its sitting in the drawer. My parents bought it for my 21st b-day(16yrs ago). When my stepdad past away 5 years ago I semi retired it. Only carry it every once in awhile. I'd just hate something to happen to it.
 
Well I take it that not too many knives were made with the spring problem so chances are that my knife is not one of them.

Thank you guys for your help.

John
 
kyhunt said:
All this talk lately about the 703 has me wanting to start carrying mine again. Its sitting in the drawer. My parents bought it for my 21st b-day(16yrs ago). When my stepdad past away 5 years ago I semi retired it. Only carry it every once in awhile. I'd just hate something to happen to it.
Click to expand...

Ditto, I don't have the 703, but the 709-my wife bought it for me years ago and it was an edc til she bought me the 55, I think I'll carry it tomorrow for old times sake. She has the smallest 700 series that she carried in her purse for years, now replaced by a Tac Lite with wood scales.
 
johnwaynesandw said:
Well I take it that not too many knives were made with the spring problem so chances are that my knife is not one of them.

Thank you guys for your help.

John
Click to expand...

John,Yes thats true.It was only those first delievered,could have been late 79 or early 1980.But it was the 703.Its still a great Buck design and product.Then Buck had Aurum do them (the series) in etchings.Which are striking.DM
 
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I just picked up a 1990 703 at an antique shop
I love buying unknown (at least to me) knives
and then rushing home to searching BF to see what I got:thumbup:
I only paid 8 bucks for it
and it is is in decent shape:)
It has a nice "gentlemens knife" look to it....

Good info in this thread:thumbup:
As usual.....
 
John (Wayne). When you asked your question about the 703 back spring and I responded to you, I didn't include the following: A direct quote from Buck Engineering.
"Design Changes - 703 Model Knife - August 26, 1986. Samples have been made and tested on a 703 knife with three single back springs vs a single and double ended spring as presently manufactured. The objective of the change was to reduce the high warranty replacement coost incurred do to the spring over-riding the lock on the large blade causing bending and breakage.
My EDC 703 has three springs and my others are packed/stored.
 
Hi Rusty. So, are you saying that the 3 spring models 703 are 1)all done in 1986 and 2) more rare and as a result of Buck's work made them more secure/dependable ? Which is what the OP was wanting to know . DM
 
Dave: Well, let's see. "You mentioned "All done in 1986", and "More rare and as a result of Buck's work made them more secure." The change from two to three back springs came through engineering in mid year 1986. The great statistical sheet that we got during the 20th event class on 700's shows the 703 being changed to three in 1986. From that point on until discontinued in 2001, the model had three. So, 1986 wasn't the only year, but continued on until the Colt was put out to pasture. Also, the 701 came out with three backsprings instead of two in 1988. I have two pre-1986 703's (Script Lettering on shield and tang stamp) with broken backsprings and trying to pin point the exact year the knife was made is tough. In my mind, I just place them in the "early" issues. Have nothing to back up that thinking. Dis I help or confuse?
 
The springs on my 703 just kind of popped out, I sent it back to Buck, and got a new 330GYS, whereby the shield promptly fell out. I can fix that, I have no idea how to fix the popped springs. I would look for the 703's with the regular script logo, instead of the scroll script.
 
HonkerRusty said:
John (Wayne). When you asked your question about the 703 back spring and I responded to you, I didn't include the following: A direct quote from Buck Engineering.
"Design Changes - 703 Model Knife - August 26, 1986. Samples have been made and tested on a 703 knife with three single back springs vs a single and double ended spring as presently manufactured. The objective of the change was to reduce the high warranty replacement coost incurred do to the spring over-riding the lock on the large blade causing bending and breakage.
My EDC 703 has three springs and my others are packed/stored.
Click to expand...

Thank you kindly sir. I just noticed this thread was brought back up, so I am sorry for the delay in response.

I have found this is the best place to get the scoop on anything dealing with Buck knives.


Thanks again,
John
 
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