Buck No Longer Repairing or Re-Blading Older 301s

DrMegabyte

DrMegabyte

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May 29, 2017
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I sent into Buck's repair / warranty department a 2021 301 Stockman that has very weak springs. Friday, I got back this message via email:

301RWS- DISCONTINUED MODEL- UNABLE TO REPAIR WEAK SNAP- SPA TREATMENT ONLY

Last month my brother sent in an older 301 asking for a re-blade and was told they can no longer replace blades on older 301s.

I'll call Monday, ask for credit for the 301 they can't repair, instead of just getting a "Spa only" and likely, I'll get it. Buck is pretty good about that sort of thing ...

This is more or less just to let you know that they aren't repairing or re-blading older 301s anymore.

And before you ask, I do not know is this means older 303s as well.
 
AR-Trvlr said:
It doesn’t seem like a 2021 knife would be considered an old line….
Click to expand...
The 301 / 303 set received a visually subtle, but substantial design change beginning in 2025. For whatever reason, they do not seem to have parts for the pre-2025 design.

I confirmed with my brother than for his 301 that they could not re-blade, they gave him credit for a brand new one so that is what I will ask Buck for when I call them Monday.
 
I guess I will be extra careful with my older 301s and 303s. I’m glad I have a couple extras just in case. I wonder why there was a design change in the blade or frame? They look very similar and as far as I know they were made to last a lifetime. Maybe something in the process made it necessary idk .
 
Lesknife said:
I guess I will be extra careful with my older 301s and 303s. I’m glad I have a couple extras just in case. I wonder why there was a design change in the blade or frame? They look very similar and as far as I know they were made to last a lifetime. Maybe something in the process made it necessary idk .
Click to expand...

If you look around here, there is a whole thread on the new design .. the short versions is that the changed the layout of the three blades. The older design had the pivot for the two outside blades on one side and the pivot for the middle blade on the opposite side. In the new design, the clip point and one of the small blades have their pivot right besides each other one one side and the other blade pivot its at the other end .. Let me see if I can find a picture ...

Ah yes, here is a nice "side by side", 'picture over in the thread all about the new 301 / 303 design: Where are the new 301's & 303's
 
DrMegabyte said:
If you look around here, there is a whole thread on the new design .. the short versions is that the changed the layout of the three blades. The older design had the pivot for the two outside blades on one side and the pivot for the middle blade on the opposite side. In the new design, the clip point and one of the small blades have their pivot right besides each other one one side and the other blade pivot its at the other end .. Let me see if I can find a picture ...

Ah yes, here is a nice "side by side", 'picture over in the thread all about the new 301 / 303 design: Where are the new 301's & 303's
Click to expand...
Thanks for the picture, I missed seeing that thread. Wow that is kinda depressing to see how they changed the blade positions . I much prefer the older version. The 301s and 303 I have are very nice examples and im glad I got extras just in case something like this happened. I know manufacturers have to make changes for whatever reason but sometimes leaves me wondering why because they worked great before.
 
I want to clear up a common question about re-blading older 300 series knives.

Pre-2025 models can’t be fitted with our current blades due to design changes—the nail notch and blade markings would end up on the inside, which doesn’t meet our standards and may effect operation of the knife.

For any models that can’t be re-bladed (whether due to design updates or unavailable parts), we offer a discount toward a new current model instead.
 
Buck Knives Inc. said:
I want to clear up a common question about re-blading older 300 series knives.
Pre-2025 models can’t be fitted with our current blades due to design changes—the nail notch and blade markings would end up on the inside, which doesn’t meet our standards and may effect operation of the knife.
For any models that can’t be re-bladed (whether due to design updates or unavailable parts), we offer a discount toward a new current model instead.
Click to expand...

In my case, a 2021 model is weak springs can't be repaired. I called warranty this morning to ask if I could get credit towards a new model and the person I spoke to they would need to consult with a manager. Based on this post, I'm hoping they call me back and offer such a discount. It would be a perfectly acceptable way to address an item that can no longer be repaired.
 
DrMegabyte said:
In my case, a 2021 model is weak springs can't be repaired. I called warranty this morning to ask if I could get credit towards a new model and the person I spoke to they would need to consult with a manager. Based on this post, I'm hoping they call me back and offer such a discount. It would be a perfectly acceptable way to address an item that can no longer be repaired.
Click to expand...
A 5 year old knife with a lifetime warranty.....
🤔
Why wasn't such offer made initially?
.....I'm sure Buck will make it right in the end.

I'm thinking the informative post made here should be shared with the warranty department personnel, as opposed to just telling the customer "sorry, we no longer do that".
Sigh.

Instead, Buck gets an internet post that will last for eternity.
(subject to moderation of course).
😉
I respect Matt as he has never done that. 👍
But Jeff sure made a habit of it.
 
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DrMegabyte said:
In my case, a 2021 model is weak springs can't be repaired. I called warranty this morning to ask if I could get credit towards a new model and the person I spoke to they would need to consult with a manager. Based on this post, I'm hoping they call me back and offer such a discount. It would be a perfectly acceptable way to address an item that can no longer be repaired.
Click to expand...

Buck contacted me this morning and offered a brand new 301 as a "no charge" replacement for the one they can't fix. You can't ask for better than that.
 
Close out: The brand new 301 arrived today and it has none of the "spey blade hangs up" issue some new 301s have had. Very acceptable close out on the weak spring 2021 model 301 I sent in

Bonus! I had sent in a check for all 5 knives I sent into the SPA. A note in the shipping box says I now have a $6.95 credit with the SPA department since they could not repair the 301!
 
I think Buck finally tightened up the build on the new 301s. Im a HUGE 301 fan, i would say i collect them and have nearly every model going back to 1966. but for the first 6-12 mos production of the revised model, the knives i purchased were gappy, sloppy, with blade hang up from over crowding. Not so the last two i just purchased roughly 3 weeks apart. One blue composite and one wooden handle. No complaints on these, both were really nice.
 
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