Did Buck make 300 series w/brass bolsters?

Joe58

Joe58

Joined
Nov 11, 2002
Messages
1,969
I came across this old 301 on the evilbay and for some reason decided I needed it. It’s the one with the 301 stamp on the back of the blade. Blades still look in decent shape so I’ll make it a user. I’ve another in pretty near new shape that’s tucked away.

I’m assuming the bolsters are just way tarnished to the point they look like brass, but it made me wonder if there were any 300 series done with brass?

I have a set of the 700 series done with brass bolsters, so that’s why I thought about it.

Not too good of a picture I know, it’s from the listing. The seller didn’t post very good pics.98B2274E-A7D3-4D5F-9244-2E985246F303.jpeg
 
There have been some recent limited runs of some with brass, but those old Camilllus made, no, none were brass. That's tarnish.
 
I have never seen or heard of brass bolsters on the Camillus knives. It's such a neat patina I think I would leave it.

Bert
 
bertl said:
I have never seen or heard of brass bolsters on the Camillus knives. It's such a neat patina I think I would leave it.

Bert
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Yeah, I figured I’d just leave it tarnished. Has that lived in look. Lol.

The Camillus were in 440C? If I read that other thread correctly.
 
I read that steel thread again....so maybe/probably/could be, 440C. Lol.

Not that it matters too much to me. For my needs, it’s all plenty good.
 
I think it's a safe bet that Camillus did not use 440C, but what they did use is open to question. For most of the Camillus Buck contract knives, 440A is probably likely, maybe; it's a rumor that it's a fact or maybe a fact that it's a rumor.

Bert
 
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When I called Camillus back before they went under about the steel in the old Buck contract slipjoints, the best answer anyone could give me was "whatever we could get cheapest at the time".
 
Bear Claw Chris Lappe said:
When I called Camillus back before they went under about the steel in the old Buck contract slipjoints, the best answer anyone could give me was "whatever we could get cheapest at the time".
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That's exactly what I was told by a Camillus employee when I was trying find what steel was used on 317s
 
Makes sense I suppose to go with what’s cheapest. I’m gathering then Buck must not have really specified then for blade steel in the contract specs.

It does take a really good edge, but doesn’t hold it for a long time. Easy to touch back up though, so no biggee.
 
If I had to make a guess,and that's all it is, based on my experiences with different steels over the years, I'd say 440A or 440B. And those are fine in slip joints like these IMO, not like you're gonna really beat them up.
 
bertl said:
For most of the Camillus Buck contract knives, 440A is probably likely, maybe; it's a rumor that it's a fact or maybe a fact that it's a rumor.
Click to expand...

Bear Claw Chris Lappe said:
If I had to make a guess,and that's all it is, based on my experiences with different steels over the years, I'd say 440A or 440B
Click to expand...

I probably shouldn't have been so definite.

Bert
 
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I was told as u were Bear Claw that whatever was the cheapest and available during the run. The slip joints were everyday knives used buy everyday people for everything from kitchen work to field work and didn't require 440c. Mostly an economic decision though think of the economy in the 70s.
 
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