Buck Stockman - first impressions

M

msiley

Joined
Aug 19, 2006
Messages
542
So a few weeks ago I got a Buck Squire and was
pretty impressed.

I was interested how they did their slip joints.
I just got my Stockman today!

For $27 it is quite impressive.
It's definitely a working knife. No fancy handle material here.
The grinds are perfect. The bolsters are nicely done.
I wish the springs were a tad stronger but they aren't too bad.

It's interesting that it's a hollow grind. Most stockman are flat grinds.
Really good slicer. It came hair popping sharp.

I'm very happy with it. About the same F&F as my Queens.

I know it's only 420HC but I find Bucks 420HC to be a notch higher then
most. Also, they thin out the edge so it is quick to re-sharpen.

Did I tell you it was only $27! Hard to beat at that price. :thumbup:
 
I assume you're referring to the black delrin-handled 301 or 303 that's made in America, right?
 
Yep... 301 Made in USA.
I find it interesting that Buck has knives made in China since
the price point on their knives in general is pretty low.

I can see companies like Benchmade that usually command $100+
prices trying to hit a lower end market with Chinese or Taiwanese made
knives but Buck? It's like a $10 difference. That's a lunch. :-)

I plan on EDCing it soon to see how much I like it for everyday tasks.
Right now a Queen 1095 Canoe is in my pocket.
I reprofiled it from the factory edge and this little guy
is the most amazing slicer! My other knives are jealous.
 
The Buck 301 (Domestic) or 371 (Import) 4" Stockman are one of my favorite pocketknives, very slim and carry great!

I gotta get the new Redbone one soon!
 
The 301/303 Bucks are fine knives, great to work with. I suspect that the American made slipjoint line would have been discountinued when the Chinese versions were introduced, but the demise of Schrade, which occurred at about the time the Chinese Bucks were introduced, left an opening in the market for an inexpensive American made work knife and so the production continued. This is just speculation on my part, but it doesn't make sense to keep two production lines in different countries going to produce essentially the same product otherwise (especially when the difference in price is so small).
 
The Buck stockman is a very fine working slip joint.

I bought one back in 1967 at an army PX. I later found out that at that time all the Buck slippys were being made by Camillus. But the one thing I remember is that Buck was advertising at that time, they had a stainless steel pivot pin that made the knives stronger in the joint. I think it was true, because I used that knife for some things a pocket knife should not be asked to do. I think they are still using a stainless pin, instead of brass or nickle silver.

Another thing that makes your stockman special, is that Buck moved the sheepsfoot blade to the other end of the knife so's to have both bolsters right there, making the sheepsfoot blade more secure in a stronger joint. At least thats Buck's reasoning. The Buck family being what they are, I believe them, they are'nt given to wild claims like some other knife companys.

It took me about 20-25 years to wear out the Buck 301 I had, even then for a nominal fee, I sent it back to Buck and they rehabilitated it for me. It's still in use in my edc rotation.
 
jackknife said:
Another thing that makes your stockman special, is that Buck moved the sheepsfoot blade to the other end of the knife so's to have both bolsters right there, making the sheepsfoot blade more secure in a stronger joint. At least thats Buck's reasoning. The Buck family being what they are, I believe them, they are'nt given to wild claims like some other knife companys.
Click to expand...

That's interesting info', I've asked over in the Buck forum several times over the years as to when and why Buck switched the blade layout in the 300 series and never got an answer.

How would switching the sheepsfoot and spey blades effect the strength of the the joint, it's still the same number of blades, just in a different layout?
 
The Last Confederate said:
That's interesting info', I've asked over in the Buck forum several times over the years as to when and why Buck switched the blade layout in the 300 series and never got an answer.

How would switching the sheepsfoot and spey blades effect the strength of the the joint, it's still the same number of blades, just in a different layout?
Click to expand...

I don't know, something about the bolsters not being spaced out with two blades in between them was their take on it. Given that Buck is very modest with claims, I can only guess their engineers are way smarter than me. Not that thats saying much as I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer. :confused:
 
The Last Confederate said:
There would still be 2 blades on that end though. Do you off-hand remember where you read this?
Click to expand...

No the clip and spey are at one end, the sheepfoot is by itself at the other end.

Buck made this change when they tooled up to make them in house - they went to the 3-backspring design with the new blade configuration.
 
Darn it. I went to the local Sports Authority here in town, where I originally bought my old 303 Cadet, and they seem not to sell them anymore. Wally world only sells the chinese version (one of which I got not knowing the wood handled ones were Chinese), as does K-mart. Don't get me wrong, the chinese made Cadet I bought is still Buck quality. It's a really well made knife, but I still want to know where I can get me a Black handled, 303 or 301 USA made buck? I know I can log on to the Bay and find one there, but, anyone know what chain of stores still sells them?
 
knifeaholic said:
No the clip and spey are at one end, the sheepfoot is by itself at the other end.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's the end I meant, the end where the sheepsfoot was before.

knifeaholic said:
Buck made this change when they tooled up to make them in house - they went to the 3-backspring design with the new blade configuration.
Click to expand...

The changes took place sometime after Buck moved them inhouse, I'm sitting here holding a 1986
86_symbol.gif
, Buck in house 301 that has the original blade layout and 2 backsprings.
 
These are some of my favorites as my 1st knife that I saved for and bought was a "Companion" model 309. I bought it about '77 or '78 while in jr. hs and broke the tip off a few years later in hs when another guy and I were dropping our knives into the maple floor of english class (back when you could carry in school). Those days the bucks still had 440 steel and false edges on the blades with long pulls. I still have that same 1st buck(fixed tip), and have recently picked up another n.o.s similar vintage 309, and also it's stable mates-301, 303, 307, 305, 313, the large trapper, and the big 317.
Now need to get the sailing knife & the slim trapper (311) and the 312(punch).
Enjoy-MC
 
I have a 319 with a punch. I agree with you guys, the fit & finish is really good. No real gaps across the back, clean grinds, no blade rub. I guess it has ss pins, as they are a slightly different colour to the bolsters. the bolster to scale fit is almost perfect too.
 
ElCuchillo, several ACE hardware stores around here still stock the 303 and the 309. I picked up a new 303 for around twenty five bucks a month or so ago. Great stout bladed little knives for EDC.
 
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