Buck Schrade Contract Knives

[TAH]

A while back, I picked up a Schrade Buck 303. Tonight, I was reading the sticky thread, "300 Series History 1966 to 1990" and I'm having difficulty understanding what I am looking at in the photo below. Has the end of the knife in the photo been modified (cut) to expose the 'hidden pivot pin'?

The Schrade Bucks were designed with a 'hidden pivot pin'. The ends of the blade pivot pins are not visible on the surface of the bolster.

My knife...





Also, according to the 300 Series History thread, the supply of Schrade knives dried up in 1971. Any thoughts on why my paperwork is dated 4-4-72?

 

[bertl]

Has the end of the knife in the photo been modified (cut) to expose the 'hidden pivot pin'?

Yes, the end was cut to show the internal structure. The Schrade 301 was pretty well finished after 1971, but the 303 Schrade lasted into 1972, even though there was a Camillus 303 in 1971. I imagine Buck was still selling off inventory of the Schrade 303s. Remember that dates for the actual manufacture of a knife and dates for paperwork are two separate things. In this case, the knives were made by Schrade and the paperwork was done by Buck.

Bert

 

[TAH]

Thank you Bert! So did Schrade production (303 specifically) stop in 1970 or 1971?

Also, at a recent gun show, I was checking out an original condition, NIB early Camillus 303 with the two extra brass handle pins and noticed the operation on all three blades was extremely soft when opening and closing. The softest I have ever felt on a slipjoint. Were the early Camillus knives known for that or did that particular knife have weak back springs? I remember the spey blade was so soft, I had to help it into the open position. All three blades had retention, but they were very easy to open and close when comparing them to the operation of my 303 Schrade blades that have the perfect amount of snap and retention. Comparing just these two individual knives, the Schrade seems like higher quality with better fit and finish.

 

[bertl]

So did Schrade production (303 specifically) stop in 1970 or 1971?

TAH, I can't really answer that, but I can guess. The Swinden Key construction of the Schrade knives was costing Buck money. Buck didn't have the equipment to repair (replace blades) the Schrade knives, so in order to honor the Buck lifetime warranty, Buck ended up replacing knives sent in for warranty service with new knives. That was the main reason for the switch to Camillus, and the Camillus 301 and 303 appeared in 1971, although Schrade knives were still being sold by Buck. My guess is that Schrade models for 1971—and 1972 for the 303—were inventory knives and that Schrade production for the 301 and 303 stopped after 1970. However, that is just my guess.

Bert

 

[TAH]

My guess is that Schrade models for 1971—and 1972 for the 303—were inventory knives and that Schrade production for the 301 and 303 stopped after 1970.

Thanks Bert. Makes sense.