Buck Pulling Plug on Folders

O

OklahomaBryan

Joined
Oct 14, 2014
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I have been talking today with people at Buck and found they have discontinued all pocket knife folders made in U.S. except 301 and the Cadet. Sad news to me. And I expect that they will eventually stop those 2 models also.

The people I talked with mention the popular folding knives and the flippers, etc. I replied that Case knives seem to be selling a lot of the traditional folders, so I expect there is still a considerable market for them.

I have used Buck knives since the 1960s and sold as a dealer for over 30 years. I am sad to see Buck doing this. I have used and sold the Vantages and other modern Buck knives, but I still would like to see them sell traditional folding knives.
 
I doubt this. Buck recently said they were gradually moving production of all folders from overseas to the USA.
 
It is easy to verify what I have said--just call Buck. Why would someone think I have made something up? Not very friendly.
 
301 and 303 are sporting new tooling. They arent going anywhere.
 
Why would they launch the 110LT then promptly disco it along with the regular 110 which is one of if not THE best selling knife in the world...
 
SharpieB said:
Why would they launch the 110LT then promptly disco it along with the regular 110 which is one of if not THE best selling knife in the world...
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Let me restate what I said--Buck is pulling the 300 set of pocketknives EXCEPT the 301 and the Cadet model. I mean nothing about any other knife model.
 
OklahomaBryan said:
Let me restate what I said--Buck is pulling the 300 set of pocketknives EXCEPT the 301 and the Cadet model. I mean nothing about any other knife model.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the 302 is a cool little knife. I'll be sorry to see it go. Now if they could fine tune the springs on the 301 and 303...
 
OklahomaBryan said:
Let me restate what I said--Buck is pulling the 300 set of pocketknives EXCEPT the 301 and the Cadet model. I mean nothing about any other knife model.
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Maybe reread what you said...
OklahomaBryan said:
I have been talking today with people at Buck and found they have discontinued all pocket knife folders made in U.S. except 301 and the Cadet. Sad news to me. And I expect that they will eventually stop those 2 models also.
Click to expand...
 
This was discussed previously...a number of months ago that Buck was limiting the USA made 300 series going forward into 2018....so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to those that regularly visit this forum.
And to those that don’t...yep it might hurt seeing a few USA made models disappear
 
This is one of those titles that makes your heart sink a little, until actual reality sets in. Please re word your OP so as not to terrify those that do not visit often. :rolleyes:
 
Yep. Should say "slip joints". Maybe it's just me, but if Buck would actually offer their USA slip joints in some different colors/materials (rather than mainly Model T black), maybe they'd sell more.

The wood/brass don't interest me, but a wood/bone/color nickel silver would.

I write this with a black 301 sitting in my pocket...
 
I don't see them discontinuing the 303.
I don't know if they sell as many 303's as 301's, but I do know the 303 is a very popular choice for those who prefer a "medium" size stockman.
(I prefer the large/extra large, if it matters.)

J JD Bear Personally, I like the pulls on the 300 series. They are light and smooth, and are not "unsafe".
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I don't like having to fight with my knife to open it; especially when my hands may be cold and/or wet. :)
They do their intended job. I've never had a 300 series open in my pocket, nor drop the blade partly closed when using the knife.
Also, no matter how cold, stiff and/or wet my hands may have been, I've never had any problems opening one; unlike others that have a heavier pull.
When you are using any slipjoint properly the cutting action forces the blade open anyway, so a stiff/heavy spring is not necessary, and IMHO are often less safe than the lighter back springs used by Buck.
 
I think things will turn around.
They'll be more US produced Buck fixed blades eventually, it's just a matter of time.
They keep releasing new small lockbacks because they know there's a market for small knives, and they'll eventually realize that many don't care if a knife this small locks or not.
Most people aren't stuped, they don't reaureq every single folding knife they own to be a locking flipper, they're fine with small little secondary / backup knives that don't lock.
 
afishhunter said:
I don't see them discontinuing the 303.
I don't know if they sell as many 303's as 301's, but I do know the 303 is a very popular choice for those who prefer a "medium" size stockman.
(I prefer the large/extra large, if it matters.)

J JD Bear Personally, I like the pulls on the 300 series. They are light and smooth, and are not "unsafe".
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I don't like having to fight with my knife to open it; especially when my hands may be cold and/or wet. :)
They do their intended job. I've never had a 300 series open in my pocket, nor drop the blade partly closed when using the knife.
Also, no matter how cold, stiff and/or wet my hands may have been, I've never had any problems opening one; unlike others that have a heavier pull.
When you are using any slipjoint properly the cutting action forces the blade open anyway, so a stiff/heavy spring is not necessary, and IMHO are often less safe than the lighter back springs used by Buck.
Click to expand...

I getcha...and I agree that nail breaker pulls can be a pain (literally). I reckon I would just like a little more snap in the blades. It seems like it's always the sheepsfoot blade that never has a good snap. Mellow, smooth pulls are nice, but I feel like I have to almost push the blades closed. Somewhere in the middle would be a good place to land :thumbsup:
 
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