Buck Pocket Knives, Model Numbers?

A

alan_dye

Joined
Apr 17, 2005
Messages
3
Hello All,

New to the group, but a long time user of Buck knives. I grew up on a ranch in Idaho where they were the tool of choice for my grandfather, uncles, and my dad, so of course I owned one too.

I've recently gotten serious about collecting their general issue pocket knives (not special issue runs) and have amassed the following list of model numbers:

301 -- Stockman - 3 blade
303 -- Cadet - 3 blade
305 -- Lancer - 2 blade
307 -- Wrangler - 3 blade
309 -- Companion - 2 blade
311 -- Trapper - 2 blade
313 -- Muskrat - 2 blade
312 -- ? - 2 blade
315 -- Yachtsman - 1 blade plus a knot tying spike
317 -- Trailblazer - 2 blade
319 -- Rancher - 2 blades plus an awl
321 -- Bird - 1 blade plus a gut hook

Am I missing some models? Seems like there ought to be a dr's knife or a barlow knife in here. Can anyone flesh out more information on these models or any models I might be missing? I understand from the Buck website that pocket knives were originally made under contract for Buck, is that still true of their current models? Which models are discontinued and which are still in production?

Thanks,

Alan Dye
 
Alan, I'm answering your questions not because I'm an expert on the subject, but because I'm trying to learn this series, also. Although, I've been a Buck Collector's Club member for awhile, I'm new to this forum. I have an early '70's Buck brochure and it shows all the knives you list with the exception of the 312 which is not listed. The current catalog lists the 1, 3, 5, and 9. I also know that I've looked at some 300's lately, with wood grain scales, that are made in China. I know there are threads on this site that speak to that subject, but I'm more interested in the ones made in the US of A. Like you, I was ranch raised (in Colorado) and everyone I grew up with carried a Buck. I'm anxious to see what the "experts" can add to this info.

Jack
 
I would direct you to the Buck Collectors Club website. We maintain past club newsletter articles and the September 2003 issue has a comprehensive article on the 300 series that addresses your questions and a lot more. You will learn who held the contract on various models and when. You will also learn how to tell which manufacturer made a knife when some of the models have been built by three different companies. Also, the article addresses non-standard handle inlays and special projects. You do need to be a club member to access the information but the website alone is well worth the $20 per year cost.
 
alan_dye said:
I understand from the Buck website that pocket knives were originally made under contract for Buck, is that still true of their current models? Which models are discontinued and which are still in production?
Click to expand...

Some very early ones were made by I believe by Schrade, but the bulk of the contract knives were made by Camillus until 1987, then Buck took over production themselves.

As far as I know, the 301, 303 and 309 are still in production.
 
Alan,

Larry Oden is the authority, his article has helped me. My shelf has 54 300 variations with just black handles, now you have to add redbones, stag, colors and yellowhorses, not to mention company names and oddballs... :eek: .
 
Welcome to the 300 fraternity. You missed a few. The 310, Whittler is from the same series as the 312 Mini Trapper, as is the 314, a full sized Trapper. There are also the six knives made by Camillus for Smoky Mountain Knifeworks. They are not strictly Bucks but they do have Buck badgering and are nice additions to a collection of 300s. They are; the 322 Congress, the 329 Freedom Trapper, the 331 Barlow, the 332 Granddaddy Barlow, the 333 California Toothpick, And the 334 Millennium Trapper. ( please note, the two Barlows may be 330 and 331. I don’t have my list with me.) These ersatz Bucks are just rebadged Camillus knives. You can get Camillus versions of each one of them.

As to who made what when, the 301 and 303 where first made by Schrade from 1966 to 68. Camillus took over production in 1968 and greatly explained the line. All the ones you list except the 312 are the Cami Knives. In 1986 Buck took over production of the 301, 303, 305 & 309 and gradually discontinued the others so that by 1992 Cami was pretty much out of the picture. Buck introduced the 310, 312, & 314 around that time to make up for the loss of the Cami knives to the line. Most of the ersatz Bucks came around 1999.

There are also the three Bucktools. They are; the Mini Bucktool, 350, the Bucktool Lite, 355, & the Bucktool, 360.
 
Wow, too complicated for me. I guess I'll learn and will enjoy the couple 301's that I have. Guess I'll stick to the 100's series that I know and understand a little better. There's enough variation there to keep me out of trouble. Thanks, folks, I enjoyed the input. Jack
 
the new Chinese knives. They are the 371, 373, 375, & 379. I also didn't mention the difference between the early and later Cami knives and the 305 Clipper, a 305 with scissors instead of a cooping blade.
 
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