Comparison of American made Buck with Chinese version.

D

Doug S

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Feb 1, 2006
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I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know anything about knives, so I won’t pretend to do a real review.. That said, I thought I’d very superficially compare the American made Buck 301 I received today, with the Chinese made Buck 371 my son got for Christmas. I much prefer American made knives, and couldn’t bring myself to buy a Chinese Buck, but after looking at the 371, I decided to order the American version. I’ve seen a fair about of talk about the Buck Chinese knives, and people being concerned about the possibility of their being lesser quality. Well, I still would opt for the American knife over the Chinese one, but if these two knives are at all representative, I’d only be doing so for the American made stamp. In truth the Chinese knife is put together better. There is no blade play on any of the blades on the Chinese knife, and it has a very strong snap to the blades when opening and closing. The blades are polished nicer (not that it matters). In contrast, the American made 301 does have noticeable side to side blade play on two of the blades (the main blade being the worst). I guess it isn’t bad, but after playing with the Chinese knife, I expected the American one to be at least as good. Quite honestly it’s not. The one thing that I did like more on the American version is that the blades are thicker.

So, should I send it back and try to get another without the blade play, or is this pretty typical on the 301? Thanks for any feedback.
 
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Sorry Doug,

I'm not a real big slippy fan...so I only have one 301 & 303 to look at. Both of these are US made. The 301 has a small amount of play on both of the outside blades. The 303 has a small amount of play on only one of the outside blades. These look like nothing to worry about.

One of the big time slippy guys should be able to give you a better opinon. Hay 300Bucks where are you?
jb4570
 
Thanks very much for the info. That is exactly the kind of feedback, I'm looking for. This is a pretty new to me also, so hearing the experiences of others is very helpful.
 
I have well over 20 303's and 5 or 6 301's, mostly USA made, but I do have a couple Chinese as well; none have "noticeable" (as you describe it) blade play. I agree that the Chinese slippies appear to be very well made although I have never EDCed one to see how well they hold an edge with use. I would be a little concerned with "noticeable" play as to whether that would get worse with use/age. I most likely would return it to Buck; however, with their lifetime warranty, you certainly could go ahead and use it and return it at some time in the future if you think the condition warrants it. Incidentally, word on the street is that there will be an addition line of slippies for 2009 (different handle scales and logo, I think).
 
Variations, variations, variations my kingdom for variations.......

First off my knowledge is more in the pre 1990s than in the
2000s. And I do not know how a knife, especially the folders, are given their final factory inspection. By the hand of a experienced employee, no doubt, who has a feel for too much wiggle.........
The few ChinaBucks I have handled have been finished well, the few "new" AmericaBucks I have handled have been finished well also, not as much polishing as you say. But you can paint a skunks stripes black and call it a cat and its still a skunk.
For some reason, the middle blades wiggle more than the outside blades on the AmericaBucks. I only have one unused three blade ChinaBuck and it is tight(er) but it did a couple of micrometers of movement. (First model imported). My other CB is a two blade trapper I EDC, main blade has use movement, spey blade is tighter.
My just arrived limited edition AB 301s with fancy scales both show the middle blade wiggle oh so slightly. Movement is what I consider quite normal and well within my expectations of good quality.

What is allowable or tolerated by each enduser I do not know, you decide for yourself. With any folder "I" do not expect it to feel like a sheath knife.

Buy what you want to feel good about. If my AB folders are too loose for my feel then I will send them back or pick out another. So, far I have not 'had' to do that. If you like the CBs, get'em while there hot.

To wrap up, my two China Bucks were sweet finished, if I was trashing knives or losing them or buying for kids I would get them because of the good finish and the price.
If my American Bucks come out of the box poorer than my personal standards then send/give them back, you may have a lemon or Buck may have a bad batch. As mentioned, ABs are made of a grade, treatment and stoutness of steel that the low cost of a CB can't equal.
Go to a knife store and test wiggle some before buying. (that is why I dislike blister packs)
Buck has had a bank vault reputation I am assuming and counting on that to be true now and in the future.
300Bucks
 
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Tin Sue,

Thanks very much for the info. I'll think I'll give Buck a call tomorrow, and see about having it replaced. Even if the play isn't that bad, it's enought to bother me.
 
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