After a lengthy and brain crushing search for my everyday carry I finally settled on a buck 301. It's what everybody said it was. It's built like a tank, best fit and finish on a knife that I have acquired in a few years. No blade wiggle, no gaps, thick ol work blades. Great handle thickness for my big paws. I love this knife! It compares with my favorite knife of all time the 8ot. Love how its just a plain work knife. To be honest this my second buck pocket knife I've ever had.
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First 301
- Thread starter FarmKid
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2012
- Messages
- 1,336
i have a 301, its the leftmost knife in the pic with the yellow handles;
ill say this; i looked through more than several samples of the buck 301 at a big knife store and many of them had really awful blade play or wobble or whatever you call it. maybe it wouldnt matter for a work knife on one hand but on the other hand if the blade wobbles out of the box what will it do after a couple years of work?
still, i like my buck 301 but i havent carried it a whole lot yet.
ill say this; i looked through more than several samples of the buck 301 at a big knife store and many of them had really awful blade play or wobble or whatever you call it. maybe it wouldnt matter for a work knife on one hand but on the other hand if the blade wobbles out of the box what will it do after a couple years of work?
still, i like my buck 301 but i havent carried it a whole lot yet.
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2005
- Messages
- 5,533
Well I just got the new ---------Brass liner and bolstered, cherrywood scaled (no signature) 303, 309 and 305 in my hand. Will attach a photo shortly. I should get the 301 and 302 single blade soon. You can see these in the Buck catalog, but I won't copy the page here so as to keep my reputation pure. The brass is still shiny and the likelyhood is I won't carry any of these. If I want EDC will eventually get one with one of my two BCCI at cost slips. Have I mentioned if you join the Buck Collectors Club you get two knives a year at cost from the Buck store at the factory....maybe I have.
These look good, as will the 301 version. I still have not totally warmed up to the blue Buck scale emblem........300Bucks
Photo here
These look good, as will the 301 version. I still have not totally warmed up to the blue Buck scale emblem........300Bucks
Photo here
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Can't go wrong with a 301, if you're after something utilitarian. Not the prettiest (though the new brass/rosewood combo looks great to me), but very useful, I'd go as far to say that about the entire 300 series. The only improvement I could mention, and still feel like I'm nitpicking is for Buck to bring back the nice thin fully flat ground blades of years past.
dannyp
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2007
- Messages
- 2,257
The 301 is a great size for my personal taste. It's long enough to get a full grip on, but still narrow enough to keep it from being too bulky. I like the blade orientation with the sheepfoot at the opposite end from the clip. The price is right also for anyone who just wants a good, no frills, hard working knife. This one was my EDC for a good portion of last year.
I like the blue shield on the charcoal and yellow versions, but it stands out too much on those new brass ones. Instead of adding visual interest, I find it distracting to the overall attractiveness of the knife.
I like the blue shield on the charcoal and yellow versions, but it stands out too much on those new brass ones. Instead of adding visual interest, I find it distracting to the overall attractiveness of the knife.
Well I just got the new ---------Brass liner and bolstered, cherrywood scaled (no signature) 303, 309 and 305 in my hand. Will attach a photo shortly. I should get the 301 and 302 single blade soon. You can see these in the Buck catalog, but I won't copy the page here so as to keep my reputation pure. The brass is still shiny and the likelyhood is I won't carry any of these. If I want EDC will eventually get one with one of my two BCCI at cost slips. Have I mentioned if you join the Buck Collectors Club you get two knives a year at cost from the Buck store at the factory....maybe I have.
These look good, as will the 301 version. I still have not totally warmed up to the blue Buck scale emblem........300Bucks
Photo here
Yesss!!! I'm glad to here they will have the 301, 302 in this guise as well. Thanks for mentioning this! I did wonder how the 300 series would be in brass.
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2006
- Messages
- 44,435
I know that Case has bone scales and that they feel more rounded in their shapes.
But, the if I compare the half dozen or so Bucks I have to the half dozen or so Case knives I have, the springs on the Bucks are closer to flat in the open and closed position and have fewer gaps between them then my Case knives do.
Now, I like Case knives, but I cannot say they are better finished than the Bucks.
But, the if I compare the half dozen or so Bucks I have to the half dozen or so Case knives I have, the springs on the Bucks are closer to flat in the open and closed position and have fewer gaps between them then my Case knives do.
Now, I like Case knives, but I cannot say they are better finished than the Bucks.
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2000
- Messages
- 6,685
Amen! I had a 303 but couldn't get used to the (in my opinion) clunky, too thick blades, so I sold it off. I love the 300 series in theory, but really wish they'd do the blades like Schrade and Camillus used to.
-- Mark
I like the saber grinds on this knife. At first I thought I would hate the thick blades and grinds but I got it razor sharp with a diamond stone. I just plain like its simplicity. Nothin fancy no special care needed done dropped it twice and ain't worried bout cracking scales. I like the Spey blade shape on these bucks with the deep bellies.
Will Power
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 33,654
I've only the smaller Bucks 303 309s but I've been really pleased with their quality. They seem to get spring tension just right-is this due to non crinking?- even if I am a fan of heavy springs. No gaps or raised springs, play etc, just really sound quality. I like their use of stainless liners as I prefer these or nickel/iron over brass. As a non American, these Bucks seem like an American version of SAK to me: robust, reliable and durable. I'm fond of their belt knives too, great value and quality.
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2005
- Messages
- 5,533
Folks,
If you want a flat ground blade 301 get one with a Buck shield or X or + date codes. They will have 425M steel which ain't shabby and heated treated by Buck. Flat grinding went on a couple more years but metal switched to 420hc. One key element that you can ID one of the these 425M flatgrounds is the BUCK on the shield.
555, There are lots of Camillus contract made 307s sold on the bay. I bet we could go find six or seven right this second. There are original made ones and some really new looking ones that are parts knives put together of the left over contract parts and sold at the end.
300
If you want a flat ground blade 301 get one with a Buck shield or X or + date codes. They will have 425M steel which ain't shabby and heated treated by Buck. Flat grinding went on a couple more years but metal switched to 420hc. One key element that you can ID one of the these 425M flatgrounds is the BUCK on the shield.
555, There are lots of Camillus contract made 307s sold on the bay. I bet we could go find six or seven right this second. There are original made ones and some really new looking ones that are parts knives put together of the left over contract parts and sold at the end.
300