Buck Improvements

M

Memphis Tiger

Joined
Sep 21, 2013
Messages
63
I have been a long time ... no, life time fan of Buck Knives. I started collecting them when I was about 10 years old. Buck has many strong attributes, including their timeless style, the tremendous value of the Custom Shop, and their rock solid warranty and customer service. Love the brand. That said, in my opinion, there three things I think Buck could do to improve their 300 series folders.

1.) These knives need a tighter, heavier snap, both for safety and to convey the quality the brand represents.
2.) Some of the secondary blades, the spey blade instance, doesn't have much breadth to it. There's just not as much metal as there used to be.
3.) Bring back the Long Pull on the main blade. This was synonymous with the brand in the 70's and 80's, and aesthetically, it accentuates the black handles.

I would happily pay another $20 - $30 or so, for these improvements. Buck can always use the Chinese lines as their price point knife.

I post this in the hopes that someone from Buck might take it into consideration, and also to see if other Buck fans agree. Just curious what others think.
 
One of my favorite features of the 301 is the light pull, and lack of a "bear trap" snap on the open or close. I'd rate the pull on the 301 I have at around a 4, maybe 4.5 with a smooth action/pull on all three blades.
I've never had to assist any of the blades closing those last few degrees.
My 301 has never tried to close on my finger(s) while using it, nor have any of the blades self-opened in my pocket.

Yes. The snaps opening and closing are quiet. I consider this an asset. If you need to use the knife in public, (restaurant, etc) you are not drawing attention to yourself when you open it, or put it away. A lot of "sheeple" get nervous when they hear a knife snap open. (Probably due to watching movies where the bad guy flicks open a "tactical" knife or opens a switchblade).
 
Always a fine line between quality and price point. Buck seems to ride the line better than most.
 
Memphis....

Since you asked.....long pulls on the main would certainly be refreshing....
Though strong pulls in no way have any what so ever connection to safety .....quite the opposite can occur with a strong back spring snapping down and taking a chunk or worse slicing to the bone. And I’ll take a slipjoints either way..strong or mild pull.

As far as quality concerns now how long has Buck been making knives? And nary a burp of slowing down.

Fishhunter could not have said it better..
 
Memphis Tiger said:
Bring back the Long Pull on the main blade. This was synonymous with the brand in the 70's and 80's, and aesthetically, it accentuates the black handles.
Click to expand...

Actually the long pull is synonymous with the contract knives made by Camillus for Buck.

Bert
 
Memphis Tiger said:
the spey blade instance, doesn't have much breadth to it. There's just not as much metal as there used to be.
Click to expand...

There has been some change to the spey blade. Over the years it became a little narrower with a more defined point. In some respects it now looks more like a pen blade. Of course one question is, "How many people use that blade for its original purpose?'

Bert

spey blades 2* copy.jpg
 
I, for one, would prefer a stronger snap and I like a long pull as well. Some different patterns would be nice, too.
 
I also prefer a stronger spring. I have a 301 that is so soft there is almost no resistance open or close on any of the blades.
 
Much of what you have said Memphis Tiger has been my thoughts for several years. I absolutely adore the old Bucks. To be honest I measure almost every knife I get against my old Camillus made 301 that I've had for 36 years.I have no clue how old it was when I inherited it but it has been "the knife" by which all others have been measured.

While I don't need super tight back springs I do like a little more snap like what I find on many of my Case knives or my Victorinox alox. To my surprise though I recently bought another well known pricier brand it it had very soft springs also, actually softer than my 303 I received just a few years ago.

I would also add flat grind blades. That's one of the reasons I'm so excited about the forum knife. I don't know why but while the hollow grind doesn't bother me on the fixed blades or even the 110/112, I just don't care for the way it looks on the 300 series knives. Its just me nit picking. I don't mind it on the 700 series but on the 300 series I do.
 
If I remember correctly the 300 series line in the plant was being revamped to some degree. Jeff H would know for sure.
 
I like everything the OP suggested with the addition of handle scale options. I've wanted a red 301 for a few years but refuse to pay the inflated eBay prices. It would be simple for Buck to do limited runs of other colors.
 
Interesting. I've got a bunch of 300 series knives, I've never wished for stronger springs on any of them.
 
Stelth said:
I like everything the OP suggested with the addition of handle scale options. I've wanted a red 301 for a few years but refuse to pay the inflated eBay prices. It would be simple for Buck to do limited runs of other colors.
Click to expand...
I just picked up a 3 dot Buck 112 for 18.00 on fleebay. I wouldn't call that inflated. Just shop around. Makes it fun
 
In fact I just checked there is an abundance of 301's.
 
I wish Buck would bring back the 307 large stockman with flat grind blades. Just a workhorse of a knife.

Also I think Buck should lower the spey blade to where the point is below the scales.

I do like the new spey blade shape but then I never found a purpose for the standard spey blade shape.
 
I bought a 307 off the bay a few years back. Its on heck of a knife imho.
 
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