butchering with a Buck 307 vs 303

J

jpvjr71

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Feb 3, 2025
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I did 3 each (hogs).
Flat ground 307 is a better slicer.
Hollow ground 303 has better edge retention.
It's counter intuitive, but the larger handle 307 cramps up my hand a bit more.

Also since noone answered my question about Ben Davis work pants, I ordered 2prs from Madsen's. I'll see how they work.
 
jpvjr71 said:
I did 3 each (hogs).
Flat ground 307 is a better slicer.
Hollow ground 303 has better edge retention.
It's counter intuitive, but the larger handle 307 cramps up my hand a bit more.

Also since noone answered my question about Ben Davis work pants, I ordered 2prs from Madsen's. I'll see how they work.
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Was the Camillus-made 307 the same steel?
Let us know about the pants. (I hadn't heard of them.)
 
The Camillus-made 307 was in 440A steel. I have one of those, pictured below. I'll assume the 303 to be in 420HC, if it was mfr'd by Buck.

1Z9VCrc.jpg
 
I wouldn't be surprised if the Buck 420HC is run a bit harder, the factory edge is also nice and thin but I assume you had sharpened both of these so it's hard to say, thinner edge should have better retention for skinning all else equal I'd think. Great test of a fine edge!
 
When I hunted buffalo a few years back the guide favoured these. He used them until they were knackered and cracked out another.
IMG_8795.jpeg


People put far too high a premium on fancy steels these days. Before getting into knife collecting I along with my knives were oblivious as to how inferior they were. Go figure.
 
My other post about the update on another Amish guy who was beaten was moved/removed?
Can the moderator tell me why?
I want to keep the Amish man's anonymous for his safety.
 
jpvjr71 said:
My other post about the update on another Amish guy who was beaten was moved/removed?
Can the moderator tell me why?
I want to keep the Amish man's anonymous for his safety.
Click to expand...

Why are Amish being targeted for beatings?
 
lambertiana said:
Why are Amish being targeted for beatings?
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thats a good question, we dont see too many of em outside their area. in fact, the last time i saw one was on my way to rendezvous in PA. his horse died and he was trying to get a lift somewhere. but me being a new yorker and a bit of a movie buff, would never pick up a stranger on the high way. no matter where I am. just didnt seem smart.
 
lambertiana said:
Why are Amish being targeted for beatings?
Click to expand...
It started in 2009.
Slowed in 2017.
Restarted in 2021.
Fortyfour decided they are a threat because they are too independent.
One had 6 of his 12 dairy cows, a roadhorse and his dog killed.
His brother had his kitchen garden sprayed by drone (killing everything).
One 19yo woman was sa'd (which is why she's leaving the country).
This is systemic and they know they have a 4 year pause/slowdown, then rule by terror will come back with a vengeance (which is why they also are looking at leaving).
A friend heard I was mistakenly beaten (I wasn't), that person was Mennonite & told fortyseven won't save him or his family.
That might be why they voted, for a pause so they can prepare to leave.
 
I did another expirement & sharpened the 303 & 307.
Then I volunteered to debone all the pork chops at my gf's Church for their picnic.
The 303 did 133 before it tore rather than sliced the meat from the bone.
The 307 only did 38.
After that I put them to my steel.
They both did 9 more, so I had to bring out my stone.
My conclusion is flat ground (307) is a better slicer, but the hollow ground (303) has better edge retention.
Oh yeah her Minister voluntold me to come back for their next picnic.
 
I live in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. My deer camp isn't fancy, I think my camper is the newest, a 1976 and no electric and no cell service unless you drive to the top of a ridge. I've hardly ever seen anyone in my deer camp use a fixed blade for deer or bear. It's usually a Buck 110, a Case Trapper or stockman and 1 guy swears by a Case muskrat. That's just what has always been used and it's what they've bought at Walmart or the feed store and they don't buy knives all of the time. Most of these guys work in forestry, farming or clearing power lines for a living and their hunting knife is what the have in their pocket all the time. You'll read on the internet that you have to use a fixed blade for processing from people who have never done it. At our skinning shed, there is a rope, a saw, and a barrel of rainwater to clean your knife and hands when you are done.
Probably not any Buck Stockmans because Walmart and the feed store quit carrying those. I think Buck is missing out because 30 years ago, you could find Buck knives in more local stores.
 
screened porch said:
I don't know how I missed this two weeks ago. Thank you; that's what I thought. The different steels might have contributed to differing edge retentions, perhaps.
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Buck has made a lot of headway improving edge retention via thinner blade grinds and more acute edge geometry, after extensive CATRA testing. If the 303 is a relatively recent version (since 2000 or later), its edge retention is probably at least partly attributable to their change in specs for geometry. I think they called the new spec 'Edge 2000' or something like that, as they made the changes around that year. And of course, their heat treat is well reputed too in their 420HC blades.

The older 307's grind was likely thicker behind the edge, which diminishes cutting performance once the apex dulls just a little bit. I don't know how hard Camillus made their 440A blades via heat treat. But there's likely some differences there too.
 
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