Buck for a gift

D

DocT

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Mar 25, 2012
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There is a young man (30's) I have been sort of mentoring. He has no father (died when he was a boy). He keeps eyeing my knives and I know he would like to have one. He does not know the ins and outs of owning a pocket knife. I have a NIB SAK, and it is a good starter. But then, I thought about the 302 Solitaire. Buck is a knife company with a long tradition of being passed down. So, I thought of getting him a red one. The multi-blade version tend to have weak springs. The last couple I bought were well put together, but the back springs were disappointing. I have two 302's (black and brass) and have been very happy with them. What do you all think? I know they are a little long, but they are very slim.

(I would love to find a yellow Comfortcraft)
 
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I am in my 30's and would love to have a Buck 302 given to me. I think you are right in that the Buck seems like a solid knife to pass down and if you can afford it, there is no reason to not give him both the Buck and SAK. Maybe use the SAK as more of a learning tool for teaching him to sharpen and such.
Bruce
 
Have you tried the Chinese Bucks? They open with a little more resistance than the USA made model (301 v 371 for example) I think my 301 has about the same pull as my SAK Recruit. My 371 is about the same as my average Rough Rider (excluding the large sunfish, of course). My 389 canoe's pull is in between the 301 and 371.
All are more than sufficent to keep the blades open or closed.
FWIW, the Chinese Bucks have the same forever warranty as the USA made knives, and are of the same high quality.
 
DocT said:
There is a young man (30's) I have been sort of mentoring. He has no father (died when he was a boy). He keeps eyeing my knives and I know he would like to have one. ... I thought about the 302 Solitaire.
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What sort of work does he do? What does he wear on a day-in, day-out basis? If he wears slacks in an office, the 302 might be a tad large.

Great gesture on your part, btw! :thumbup:
 
He does not work in an office. He is a trainer so he stands and talks a lot. The reason I thought of the 302 is that even though they are as long as a 301, they are very slim.

Bruce, I might give him both, but I still want to get him a Buck, if possible. I am not certain about the 303, the 309, or 305 spring tension, however. One of those might be a good solution. I know the 301 is out unless I can hand pick one (and cannot do that from so far away).
 
my nephew is 18 now and I think he has some sorta roofing job. Im giving him a buck 340 vantage as his first real knife. Im going to tell him if he treats it right, doesnt use it as a pry bar or beat on it, he will have it for the rest of his life.
 
Have you ever thought about a Buck 112 ? Let me know if you ever think about getting him one as I have an idea on the subject that I have been rolling around.**
 
The 309 is sort of known as a office and Sunday knife, two blades, not threatening but will cut a lot of stuff. You could get one in rosewood and brass. 300


Here is photo of the brass bolstered set so you get idea of the size. That's the back side of the 309 on the far left.
 
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300Bucks said:
The 309 is sort of known as a office and Sunday knife, two blades, not threatening but will cut a lot of stuff. You could get one in rosewood and brass. 300


Here is photo of the brass bolstered set so you get idea of the size. That's the back side of the 309 on the far left.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the comparison. Those rosewood knives look very nice. I have the 302 in rosewood. It is a frequent companion.
 
Have you considered getting him a locking knife?

Coupled with a SAK slip joint it would be a good starter kit into knives in general, a nice Ranger maybe? Definitely "hand me down" quality, and yet covers another avenue where the SAK is lacking.
 
As the young man has no knife, then any knife would be better, and any BUCK even more so. Best all around pocketknife out there is a Stockman (303 or 301). OH
 
Thanks for all the input so far. Just to update everyone, I gave him the SAK today. He was so proud of it. He tried to act cool about it all, but he would not leave it behind when we went to see Star Wars. I noticed he kept taking it out of his pocket and admiring it. Ha!
Now I am trying to decide between a 303 and a 309. I missed a cherry signature model that was going cheap at a sale. Too bad. I will shop til I find one and then pass that one to him, too. He is seriously dating a beautiful young lady so there may be wedding bells and little ones in the future. He can pass on the Buck.
 
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