China Buck vs. USA Buck

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phidz

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Aug 11, 2023
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Yeah, I could repost or search, but I want to see what others are experiencing with newer knives they have purchased. I just ordered a buck 303+ (made in USA) and a 373+(made in China) and damn, the 373 is tighter, higher quality and overall a better knife. I also ordered a buck 119+ professional with S35VN seel and the quality of the grind and handle is poor. I can only assume that Buck Knives is one shit company to work for. Forget the nostalgia, Buck sucks, they need to fix there shit and pay/train their workers. Gerber is making a comback with quality knives. #bucksucks.

Keep the language family friendly here, or find another venue to post.
 
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phidz said:
Yeah, I could repost or search, but I want to see what others are experiencing with newer knives they have purchased. I just ordered a buck 303+ (made in USA) and a 373+(made in China) and damn, the 373 is tighter, higher quality and overall a better knife. I also ordered a buck 119+ professional with S35VN seel and the quality of the grind and handle is poor. I can only assume that Buck Knives is one shit company to work for. Forget the nostalgia, Buck sucks, they need to fix there shit and pay/train their workers. Gerber is making a comback with quality knives. #bucksucks.
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Have you been drinking?
 
phidz said:
Yeah, I could repost or search, but I want to see what others are experiencing with newer knives they have purchased. I just ordered a buck 303+ (made in USA) and a 373+(made in China) and damn, the 373 is tighter, higher quality and overall a better knife. I also ordered a buck 119+ professional with S35VN seel and the quality of the grind and handle is poor. I can only assume that Buck Knives is one shit company to work for. Forget the nostalgia, Buck sucks, they need to fix there shit and pay/train their workers. Gerber is making a comback with quality knives. #bucksucks.
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Enjoy your knives.
 
First post even.😕

You lost my interest with your language.
We try to be family friendly around here.

There's lots of other places on the Internet where you can find like minded people.
Good luck.

✌
 
I think the smiley face should have shown that I was joking.

Buck and Spyderco are solid, irrespective of where they are made, as they set good standards for their manufacturers , choose them well, and check their products, before they are available to the public.
 
MolokaiRider said:
Welcome to BladeForums.

In regards to the 119, are you seeing uneven grinds on the secondary bevel, or the primary? Can you describe the issue a bit better?

Ad far as the handle, what specifically are you seeing?
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MolokaiRider said:
Welcome to BladeForums.

In regards to the 119, are you seeing uneven grinds on the secondary bevel, or the primary? Can you describe the issue a bit better?

Ad far as the handle, what specifically are you seeing?
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handle on the 119 is two pieces glued together, unevenly. The USA made 303 blades are loose when out compared to the china one. The 303 also has see through gaps in the wood when closed. Ill post some pics later
 
phidz said:
Yeah, I could repost or search, but I want to see what others are experiencing with newer knives they have purchased. I just ordered a buck 303+ (made in USA) and a 373+(made in China) and damn, the 373 is tighter, higher quality and overall a better knife. I also ordered a buck 119+ professional with S35VN seel and the quality of the grind and handle is poor. I can only assume that Buck Knives is one shit company to work for. Forget the nostalgia, Buck sucks, they need to fix there shit and pay/train their workers. Gerber is making a comback with quality knives. #bucksucks.
Click to expand...
Can you post pic of the 119 handle? That is made from block not two piece, so I am very curious as to what you are seeing.
 
OK so I understand the opinionated stance. I agree with a part of your comment: my BUCK 371 Stockman's purchased at local retailers are at least as good, in my opinion, better, than the USA made 301. F&F was better, item came cleaner, still had light oil on the hinge - great products for sure. My 301 was sharper, but the blade travel was filled with gravel and the bolster slightly misaligned. I agree, USA made Bucks need better QA - unquestionably.
But to say Buck sucks is absolutely absurd. They make amazing, sharp, durable knives at a reasonable price. We all know the Chinese have caught up, and for the money on the sub $50 knives might be better, but classic Bucks like the 112, 110, 55, 117 are worth every penny!!!!! For that reason, they are still my personal favorite Knife Maker. Even my wife carries a small pink Buck 283! Does everything she needs!
 
It'll be interesting to see the pictures, if they even show up. I don't know what a 303+ might be, unless it's a knife from 1991. If it is I don't think the 303 was offered with wood scales then. If it was then the natural instability of wood migh account for gaps. Ditto the 119+, if it's a Pro it has a one-piece Micarta handle.

Loose blades on the 303? Loose as in side-to-to-side play, or loose in terms of the backspring tension?

Grind quality on S35VN... the edges on these blades seem 'toothier' than on the usual cutlery stainless, I assume this is due to the nature of the steel. These things are sharpened on belts, and not honed at the factory. Anyone who has been around knives for any length of time should know this. There was a time when knives didn't even have a factory edge, the user had to put his favored edge on a knife himself.
 
Hmm. I have Bucks from around 1970 through 2023, folding hunters, rangers, 300 series, 3 119’s, a 120, a 102, a 105, a 470, a 475, a 180, and a couple others I can’t remember the model numbers of right off. I’ve never had any quality issues out of them and that includes carrying Buck folders on duty as a city fireman and later as a sheriff’s deputy before I got out of all that, and Son, I used them hard.

But then I’m not trolling either.

Edited to add, I forgot the 7 or so 500 series I’ve owned for a long time. How silly of me!
 
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