Buck Pulling Plug on Folders

I like the harder pulls on my Camillus-made 300s much better than those on my newer 300s. I also prefer the square notched nail nicks and wish they'd go back to those.
 
I really hate that the 310 whittler is gone. And I agree, I would love for Buck to offer a few more options for their traditional slipjoints! There is still a market for quality, USA made slipjoints and Buck could do more with just a few more options I believe.
 
I agree...greentrout...

With Queen Cutlery now out of the picture things have changed.

Oh Mr.Hubbard........hint,hint....
 
Good. People are too quick to assume the worst. Good news jeff
 
JD Bear said:
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...
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That’s a relief. I gotta send in 2 347’s for new washers. Oh wait, that’s a 300 series! Guess I’ll have to find the washers myself.
 
Yep.. Nail breakers are no fun!!:mad: I kinda like the softer pull on my 301..:D Nice carry too!! John
 
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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I figured you were referring to slip joints and not all folders. Thanks for clarifying.
 
greentrout said:
I really hate that the 310 whittler is gone. And I agree, I would love for Buck to offer a few more options for their traditional slipjoints! There is still a market for quality, USA made slipjoints and Buck could do more with just a few more options I believe.
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You can find it, if you do a little "fishing"
$36.00 with the fancy gift box.
:)
 
Well guess I need to post something, after all its a 300 thread.

Jeff Hubbard gives the company line, I am only a collector (and then mainly of the contract 300s). In case there are any new folks with interest in Model 300s let me answer some of the questions I read above.

Buck folders were started as contracted out models because 'way back' Buck didn't have tooling to build them. That rocked along first with Schrade and then Camillus. Schrade were really high quality, EXCEPT they were building them using the Swinden key blade rivet which would bend the blade rivet and liners if used in heavy pressure cutting. After changing Camillus made a bunch of models that had Buck stamped on their blades but were usually mirrored by another knife they made for themselves or somebody else. Case has always made many special knives in their line, its part of their mindset.

Buck was having some folders made because Buck knives of that type were wanted by folks buying other actual factory made models. The 100 series and the king 110. Buck began some in-house in the mid 80's but only made in-house the 301, 303, 309 and 305 . Later they added a whittler blade to the 309, a scissors to the 305 and trimmed a 301 down to just the main clip blade to create the 302. The Bos heat treat was a big addition to all Buck knives about that time and the 420hc blades were a compromise to give good service and be easy on the production machines.

Those other models mentioned above were Camillus made. Such as the 313 Muskrat two blade skinner or the 321 Bird Knife with a gut hook. Camillus continued to make a few of the models into the 90's slowly dropping them out per Bucks orders from declining sales. Camillus would package a handful of knives in paper sleeves and then send them to Buck for repackaging in Buck boxes and inserts. Visit the Camillus factory and you would see trays of Buck models being worked on by people who had the same pride as Buck workers do today.. Buck was good at their word and offered lifetime warranty on contract knives also.

The 307 was not ever made by Buck, only Camillus. There were several made by a Camillus worker after the factory closed with parts he bought at the closing auction. I consider these 'official' Buck knives as the same person made them at his home just not the factory. I can find no fault in them.
Changes in knife production came about as machines took over some hand finishing an flat ground punched out blades with long stamped punched pulls were dropped for new grinding designs and machine methods. I like flat ground and long pull blades. I dislike seeing grinding marks on any part of the blade. Modern 300s eventually went to one piece stainless liners, molded scales bought from a supplier and shields that would not pop out because they were molded onto the liner before the scale was pressed into place. Bos heat treatment was also a positive for the Buck made folders.

Some of the last Camillus models were special orders for SMKWs and included the California Toothpick models (fish knife look-a-likes) and David's coveted Large two blade trappers. The large 317 two blade was offered by SMKWs near its end with a bunch of special blade stampings and printing for special events and historical promotions. The 110 being top seller carries the company load, flippers and lightweights cater to large sellers and to the generation bubble buying knives of those types. When was the last time you saw a country singer promoting a model 300 ? Or a ad in a magazine featuring a pocket folder of any type ?

I fear Buck factory built pocket folding knives will need to be built for those who are at least semi-collectors, those who want a knife like their grandparents or who just enjoy a knife finished to the 99% degree using quality materials. Bringing production home will also bring back pocket folders that will need to be sold at a price the big stores will accept and Buck can make money on and build a line of knives at the same time to compete with Case and GEC quality that will likely be priced higher but compete with the other companies quality knives. I am in hope the future will eventually allow both to happen. Was on computer because it is raining...ha 300Bucks
 
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300Bucks said:
Well guess I need to post something, after all its a 300 thread.
Jeff Hubbard gives the company line, I am only a collector (and then mainly of the contract 300s). In case there are any new folks with interest in Model 300s let me answer some of the questions I read above.
Buck folders were started as contracted out models because 'way back' Buck didn't have tooling to build them. That rocked along first with Schrade and then Camillus. Schrade were really high quality, EXCEPT they were building them using the Swinden key blade rivet which would bend the blade rivet and liners if used in heavy pressure cutting. After changing Camillus made a bunch of models that had Buck stamped on their blades but were usually mirrored by another knife they made for themselves or somebody else. Case has always made many special knives in their line, its part of their mindset. Buck was having some made because Buck knives of that type were wanted by folks buying other actual factory made models. The 100 series and the king 110. Buck began some in-house in the mid 80's but only made in-house the 301, 303, 309 and 305 . The Bos heat treat was a big addition to all Buck knives about that time and the 420hc blades were a compromise to give good service and be easy on the machines.
Those other models mentioned above were Camillus made. Such as the 313 Muskrat two blade skinner or the 321 Bird Knife with a gut hook. Camillus continued to make a few of the models into the 90's slowly dropping them out per Bucks orders from declining sales. Camillus would package a handful of knives in paper sleeves and then send them to Buck for repackaging in Buck boxes and inserts. Visit the Camillus factory and you would see trays of Buck models being worked on by people who had the same pride as Buck workers do today.. Buck was good at their word and offered lifetime warranty on contract knives also.
The 307 was not ever made by Buck, only Camillus. There were several made by a Camillus worker after the factory closed with parts he bought at the closing auction. I consider these 'official' Buck knives as the same person made them at his home just not the factory. I can find no fault in them.
Changes in knife production came about as machines took over some hand finishing an flat ground punched out blades with long stamped punched pulls were dropped for new grinding designs and machine methods. I life flat ground and long pull blades. I dislike seeing grinding marks on any part of the blade. Modern 300s eventually went to one piece stainless liners, molded scales bought from contractor and shields that would not pop out because they were molded onto the liner before the scale was pressed into place. Some of the last Camillus models were special orders for SMKWs and included the California Toothpick models (fish knife look-a-likes) and David's coveted Large two blade trappers. The large 317 was offered by SMKWs near its end with a bunch of special blade stampings and printing for special events and historical promotions. The 110 being top seller carries the company load, flippers and lightweights cater to large sellers and to the generation bubble buying knives of those types. I fear pocket folding knives will need to be built for those who are at least semi-collectors, those who want a knife like their grandparents or who just enjoy a knife finished to the 99% degree using quality materials. Bringing production will also bring back pocket folders that will need to be sold at a price the big stores will accept and Buck can make money on and build a line of knives at the same time to compete with Case and GEC quality that will likely be priced higher but compete with the other companies quality knives. I am in hope the future will eventually allow
both to happen. Was on computer because it is raining...ha 300Bucks
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Sir. really great info and greatly appreciated..... but please paragraphs with spaces between them. hard to read on a phone as it cant spread across the monitor screen like on a desktop or larger tablet. so it comes across on a phone as a tight narrow wall of text. even if phone is turned sideways. thank you.
 
And I thought desk tops were a new world. But yes, I don't use the phone so I need phone tricks pointed out to me. How are my edits ?

Guess I am old dog, only do phone, text, weather, maps and dictionary....ha No email or facebook, people are lurking.......
300
 
300Bucks said:
And I thought desk tops were a new world. But yes, I don't use the phone so I need phone tricks pointed out to me. How are my edits ?

Guess I am old dog, only do phone, text, weather, maps and dictionary....ha No email or facebook, people are lurking.......
300
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really great. thank you Sir. really appreciate it.
 
300Bucks 300Bucks
IMHO Buck already exceeds Case quality, and out of the box (or hang package) sharpness.
There might be some merit for a Buck with "GEC Quality" but it would likely be outside their average slipjoint customer's budget.
I don't have a GEC, and never will. I cannot afford $100 plus for a knife, no matter who makes it, how good it is, or how much I want one.
Heck, even if I could afford $100 plus for a knife, I still would not get a GEC; I'd get a Custom Shop 110, instead ... or a Custom Shop 301 when it finally becomes available. :)
 
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