Buck.....out of nowhere.

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Gurdygurds

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I have been into knives for a few years now and VERY recently became interested in small traditional style slip joints. My Dad gifted me a Robeson Pocketeze that belong to his father and after trying to clean it up and carrying it for a few days I realized that a small drop in the pocket style knife is enjoyable to carry. I grew up with Swiss Army knives and had a classic on my keychain for as long as I've had keys, but that was before I really got into pocket knives. Lately small one handed folders and an Alox Pioneer have been my go to knives of choice, so this interest in traditional knives has come on fast and furious. I've read many posts praising the Case Peanut, so when I went to purchase a few traditionals, it was one of two I knew I was going to get. I went ahead and got a CV yellow delrin peanut and also ordered a small Boker pen knife with rosewood scales. The Boker had major issues with the blade, which stinks because I really like the pen knife pattern, and had to be sent back. The dealer was kind enough to send me a replacement knife while the Boker was being returned, but instead of going with the same knife, I decided to try a Buck 309. This was a bit of an odd choice because I'd always looked at the small Buck folders as sort of an outcast knife. Bolsters were different, mainly came with black plastic scales, no carbon blades, etc. They just came off as plain to me. The more I looked into traditional knives the more the Bucks popped up in peoples comments. The 309 especially stood out in my mind with how sturdy and reliable they are. Come to find out they have quite the following themselves and it starts to peak my interest. Long story short, I receive this Buck a few days ago and I'm in love. It's sharp, it's solid, it's the perfect size (for me), and the different looks that originally turned me off now just look so right! I'm dorking out right now but this knife just does it for me. The Peanut has been ignored since the 309 showed up. I want to give them both a chance and make a fair comparison but I think my mind is already made up. I even walked into the kitchen today and caught my dad using it to cut off the foil on his bottle of wine he was about to open. Also I couldn't stop messing with it and decided to knock down the pointed edge on top of the blade. Just to make the lines a bit more rounded off more like the handle. Hit it real quick with a dremel and some sandpaper. Sorry for the longwinded post but I am happy I have found this knife and also this sub form. Here are a few pics.

image by Six Pound Cat, on Flickrimage by Six Pound Cat, on Flickrimage by Six Pound Cat, on Flickr
 
You found a classic, made it your own and paired it with the greatest pocket knife companion.

Enjoy!
 
You have found a great knife. I love the looks of that black Valox. I have owned Case knives but most have not been up to Buck quality standards, even Buck lower end knives are better. Also, the 300 series have one piece frame/bolsters, instead of the stacked and pinned kind Case has. I am not knocking Case, it is just that Buck makes a stronger knife.
Boker has a lot, and I mean, a lot of QC issues. They are not the grand old company they were in my youth.
 
Yea kinda bummed about about the Boker but I really do like the 309 so much more so it all worked out. I definitely see a few more Bucks in my future
 
I didn't get into Bucks either till I was in my late 30's. As I get older the 5th generation, family owned, US made (mostly), Christian business model really impresses me and keeps me a fan.

They are an American classic at price points that I can enjoy and USE.

It is rare that I buy anything but Buck these days.

Great to hear that you found them!
 
The Buck 309 is a great little knife. That and the Case Peanut were two of my very first knives as well. I carried the 309 more often. Both companies make terrific knives. Even today, I have a Buck 302 and a Case Medium Jack in my two front pockets.
 
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Boker.... Out of nowhere for me!

I am a super fan of the 300 series. The 319 Rancher is my favorite of the front pocket slip joints.

Recently I got a Boker cocobollo urban trapper and I am super impressed. The fit and finish of my specimen is perfect. Love flicking open the 3-1/2" VG-10 blade and how light it is clipped to my front pocket.

I'm not giving up any of my Bucks but this Boker has quickly become my EDC.



The Buck 309 is second from the right.
 
I see a Buck 301 stockman and 389 canoe in your near future ... maybe a 110, too.

Welcome to the Buck addiction.
 
It really seems like this company gets the short end of the stick as far as reputation goes and I'm not sure why. Great CS, good quality, mostly U.S. made, reliable, hard working designs that are well priced for actual use rather than being a safe queen.

Oh, and they can make stunning safe queens too, if that's what you're into.

I hope more people begin to see the value in Buck. Just because they stick to more conservative materials and don't run super exotic steels doesn't mean they aren't great knives. I've acctually had more expensive knives and I've found I like Buck just as much as some of the "better" knives.
 
The 309 is dandy. I used the other day to bust up some cardboard boxes. Pulled on it hard. No blade play afterward at all. Great little knife. I think the Valox, basic as it is, is my favorite.
 
This sums up what my thinking used to be and I honestly have no idea why I thought that! Now I'm eyeballing the Buck 55. Gave the peanut another day of carry but I'm still liking the 309 better. (Kinda like the half stops on the case though).
MarkN86 said:
It really seems like this company gets the short end of the stick as far as reputation goes and I'm not sure why. Great CS, good quality, mostly U.S. made, reliable, hard working designs that are well priced for actual use rather than being a safe queen.

Oh, and they can make stunning safe queens too, if that's what you're into.

I hope more people begin to see the value in Buck. Just because they stick to more conservative materials and don't run super exotic steels doesn't mean they aren't great knives. I've acctually had more expensive knives and I've found I like Buck just as much as some of the "better" knives.
Click to expand...
 
I've been EDCing a 309 since around 2004 or 2005. I pair it with a large single blade folder of more modern design. I use the Buck for the "grungy" jobs that I don't want to use the larger expensive knife for that might damage the edge. The 309 has held up well, and while the larger knife I carry has changed a few times over the years, the 309 is consistently carried.
 
Still carrying the 309 but his partner in crime has changed. Paired up with a Gerber Shard since TSA confiscated my Mica and my Alox Rambler. GRRRRRRR.image by Six Pound Cat, on Flickr
 
I always have a 309 in my pocket. Lately I've been pairing it with a Case Slimline Trapper. For the past week or so I've been itching to get a Buck 305. I'm really liking small knives these days. The 309 is a very capable, sturdy knife. I prefer it to my 303 due to its size and stronger back springs. I'm becoming a huge fan of Buck!


Alex
 
dogstar said:
The 309 is dandy. I used the other day to bust up some cardboard boxes. Pulled on it hard. No blade play afterward at all.
Click to expand...

I'd be shocked if ANY decent knife had blade play after cutting few boxes. But to the main point here, the 309 IS a dandy. Great size and a tough little bugger. :thumbup:
 
Not a Buck but made by Camillus like the small Buck slip joints. I had a Buck Cadet years ago but lost it. I replaced it with a Sears knife as pictured. Honestly I can't tell any difference except for scale material. The knife in the pic is brand new in the box with papers and the receipt dated 1995. Its in a drawer downstairs as I type.


DSC02535_zpswhlqxctv.jpg
 
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