Bucks USA slip joints ?

[skyhorse]

Looking on Bucks website , I'm only seeing two USA slip joint models , ( 301 & 303 ) large and small stockman . Is this it as far as their USA traditional slip joint line ?

 

[Railsplitter]

They released the 250 Saunter this year. It's a more modern take but it's a USA made slip joint.

The two that you mentioned are in fact the only current production USA models in the 300 series.

 

[skyhorse]

They released the 250 Saunter this year. It's a more modern take but it's a USA made slip joint.

The two that you mentioned are in fact the only current production USA models in the 300 series.

Wow that's sad . Imho Buck is going in the wrong direction.

 

[skyhorse]

Wow that's sad . Imho Buck is going in the wrong direction.

 

[redcanoe]

That special order 301 shows that Buck has the capability to produce excellent quality traditional slipjoints. With the success of other companies in this field I wonder why they are not heading in this direction?

 

[Smitty0315]

The last time I spoke to Buck about the 300 series, they discontinued the models that weren't selling. I can't imagine its good business to make knives with all the labor and materials that aren't selling. I was shocked with the new 250 offering. I don't think they have made a new slippy in a long time and with a S35VN steel. I bought one but it hasn't quite made it in to the rotation yet, currently the older 55BOTM is still rattling around in my pocket.

 

[skyhorse]

The last time I spoke to Buck about the 300 series, they discontinued the models that weren't selling. I can't imagine its good business to make knives with all the labor and materials that aren't selling. I was shocked with the new 250 offering. I don't think they have made a new slippy in a long time and with a S35VN steel. I bought one but it hasn't quite made it in to the rotation yet, currently the older 55BOTM is still rattling around in my pocket.

The Buck 300 line was an affordable working man slip joint it's basically the same as 50 years ago. Nowadays there's a huge demand for premium traditional knives like GEC and Case. With only two models remaining in the Buck line , I guess they don't want a piece of this growing sector of the knife market.

 

[Lesknife]

It seems like the hype now a days in the traditional slip joint knives is driven by an idea that traditional knives should be carbon steel and have flawless fit and finish like days of old. I think that’s why gec is so highly regarded and case to an extent and with some custom makers. Kinda more of an art and pocket jewelry. Blade centering seems to be a common theme with collectors, probably for display.

I don’t agree with that idea. To me a working slip joint needs to be rugged, dependable and hold a good edge. I prefer stainless and Bucks 420hc is plenty tough and holds a good edge better than comparable manufacturers. Fit and finish, blade centering is only for looks and doesn’t have any effect on performance. For me as long as it doesn’t rub or cause problems I hardly give notice.

I’ve had a 301 since 1989 and it has served me well and better than any other brand of slip joint knife. Same with all my other Buck 300 series.

If I remember correctly in 2018-19 they were talking about expanding the series but then Covid happened and all talk completely vanished. I was looking forward to seeing what they put out and I hope at some point they will put some more out.

 

[skyhorse]

It seems like the hype now a days in the traditional slip joint knives is driven by an idea that traditional knives should be carbon steel and have flawless fit and finish like days of old. I think that’s why gec is so highly regarded and case to an extent and with some custom makers. Kinda more of an art and pocket jewelry. Blade centering seems to be a common theme with collectors, probably for display.

I don’t agree with that idea. To me a working slip joint needs to be rugged, dependable and hold a good edge. I prefer stainless and Bucks 420hc is plenty tough and holds a good edge better than comparable manufacturers. Fit and finish, blade centering is only for looks and doesn’t have any effect on performance. For me as long as it doesn’t rub or cause problems I hardly give notice.

I’ve had a 301 since 1989 and it has served me well and better than any other brand of slip joint knife. Same with all my other Buck 300 series.

If I remember correctly in 2018-19 they were talking about expanding the series but then Covid happened and all talk completely vanished. I was looking forward to seeing what they put out and I hope at some point they will put some more out.

Lol , those days of old are highly overrated. I've got plenty of the oldest including Buck Camillus contract era . The deal is , people weren't so hard to please back in day, not that the knives were any made better. Never heard people complain about gaps in the liners and such . They buy one and in the pocket it went.

 

[redcanoe]

I must aggree. Even off center blades weren't a big deal and the way some folks sharpened they would be hard pressed to get more that 2 years out of a pocket knife.

 

[MT_Pokt]

Agreed x3! If not for the internet, we wouldn't know how badly made knives really are....lol

I just received a 250 Saunter. I was jonesin' for a new slip joint and decided it would be the one.
Opened box- check
Open blade - check
Is it sharp - check
Close blade - check
Centered blade - don't know / don't care

Add some paracord and into the pocket she goes.

I'll say this, this little guy hits well above its weight class. I think it's new forever home is my pocket.

I dont know why they add that little slip sheath. Nice touch, but useless like the fancy box.

 

[skyhorse]

I must aggree. Even off center blades weren't a big deal and the way some folks sharpened they would be hard pressed to get more that 2 years out of a pocket knife.

Yeah can't recall anyone checking for daylight between the springs and such then, in fact folks would have likely thought that neurotic

 

[skyhorse]

Agreed x3! If not for the internet, we wouldn't know how badly made knives really are....lol

I just received a 250 Saunter. I was jonesin' for a new slip joint and decided it would be the one.
Opened box- check
Open blade - check
Is it sharp - check
Close blade - check
Centered blade - don't know / don't care

Add some paracord and into the pocket she goes.

I'll say this, this little guy hits well above its weight class. I think it's new forever home is my pocket.

I dont know why they add that little slip sheath. Nice touch, but useless like the fancy box.

Nice pocket slip for a fancy traditional slip joint

 

[Hickory n steel]

I keep being told they're retooling but I'm not confident that anything is official.

Personally I prefer carbon steel across the board, but love Bucks blades and they don't have that high polished shine of a Tru sharp Case that I dislike most about SS knives.
I like the performance and finish of their blades, so I don't mind that theyre not carbon steel.


Honestly I think one of the reason Bucks slipjoints may not have been selling as well is that it seems the average person knows Buck for the 110 and 119, otherwise they've already got a Buck slipjoint that's been in their pocket for a long time.
Most people who'd buy one already have it.
I think if they find a way to get new people into their slipjoints without having to make them special and or desirable with custom / limited this and that like GEC, they could have sucess.
The biggest way to do this is standard offerings in a variety of cover options.
A few bone types, Ebony and walnut, and some different Valox or delrin colors.

Catering to knife nuts with the custom shop is not going to do them enough good I don't think .
Big box stores, sporting goods stores, and HDW store knife displays is a large portion of their sales I'd wager.

 

[Wildcat]

back in those days we didnt know any different. didnt have folks posting beautiful pictures of their perfect specimens.

 

[dundak]

Weird anecdote. My Dad carried a 301 for decades. He finally upgraded to one of the new 3 spring 301's about 20 years ago. He called it the best "coin catcher he ever owned". His one frustration was that he "had to pick nickels out of it every time I use it."

 

[mnblade]

Buck's ignoring the slipjoint resurgence boggles my mind! I'd love to see them at least add a trapper and mini trapper in the 300 series. Beyond that, IMHO, they should .....

Offer colors besides black! I'd nothing else, knife nerd collectors would scarf them up!

Hit their flaccid backsprings with a dose of Viagra before they leave the factory! The last one I had (a 303 stockman) was so limp it felt like a friction folder. Come on, Buck ..... how about some snap!

Go back the flat-ground blades like the old Camillus- and Schrade-made ones had.

 

[Railsplitter]

Take my word for it, I can directly relate to the loyalty applied to the old school slip joints. I'm 60 years old and I place a high value on those knives and the concept surrounding them. In almost all cases, I will choose the "they don't make em like they used to" products instead of the new stuff regardless of what the product is.

For reasons that I cannot explain, It's different for me with knives. Give me the old. Give me the new. I like them all.

 

[skyhorse]

Weird anecdote. My Dad carried a 301 for decades. He finally upgraded to one of the new 3 spring 301's about 20 years ago. He called it the best "coin catcher he ever owned". His one frustration was that he "had to pick nickels out of it every time I use i

Lol, I can definitely relate to that . I have several of the old Buck slip-joints from back in the day, my favorite being the 319 Rancher but truth to told imho build quality on the newer ones is as good and probably a little better than the old days. Back then polish and perfection wasn't a priority . This is my favorite newer Buck gifted to me by plumberdave back in 2010 . I carry it often in remembrance of a wonderful friend .

 

[eveled]

Dont forget Camillus used to be what China is now. Cheaper than making your own. Everyone used Cammilus. Now everyone is using China.

The real tragedy in this story is the loss of Camillus not Bucks lack of desire to make slip joints.