Knives that have been around forever

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CodeArmadillo

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Nov 19, 2014
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Lately I have been wondering what kind of knives were carried by my grandfather. He recently passed away so I never got the chance to ask him. I know for a fact he carried Buck and it wasn't a 110. It was some type of pocketknife. Just thought it'd be cool to own a knife that he once carried. Also, how long has the Buck 302 been around? Looking at that one too.

-D
 
CodeArmadillo said:
Lately I have been wondering what kind of knives were carried by my grandfather. He recently passed away so I never got the chance to ask him. I know for a fact he carried Buck and it wasn't a 110. It was some type of pocketknife. Just thought it'd be cool to own a knife that he once carried. Also, how long has the Buck 302 been around? Looking at that one too.

-D
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The Buck 302 was introduced about 4 years ago.

Buck started selling slip joint pocket knives in 1968, I believe. The first couple of years they were made by Schrade. After that they were all made by Camillus until 1985. From 1985 on, Buck made the 301, 303, 305, and 309 in house. Other slip joint models were still made by Camillus until Camillus went bankrupt in 2007.

I think the most popular Buck slip joint was the 301 Stockman, with the 303 cadet (a smaller stockman) being second most popular.
 
I know that Buck has made (or had made for them, both Camillus and Schrade did them) the 301/303/305 series since at least the late 1960s. I don't know how far back they go. I also don't know when they introduced the single blade 302. (Edit - or what Knarfeng said above)

Generally speaking these are all based on very old patterns. Barlow, Stockman (like the 301), and Trapper patterns have been around at least 100, if not 200 years or more.
 
I think I might just end up buying the 302 with rosewood and brass. Looks great IMO and its only $25. Still looking for some of the older style blades.
 
CodeArmadillo said:
I think I might just end up buying the 302 with rosewood and brass. Looks great IMO and its only $25. Still looking for some of the older style blades.
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If you mean flat ground instead of hollow ground, Buck has been using that intense hollow grind since roughly 2000 on the models they make in-house. They developed that shape after a great deal of testing. Older Buck knives with flat ground blades frequently show up on eBay, pawn shops, etc.
 
If you get the chance, talk with some relatives or friends of your grandpas, they might know the model of knife that he carried.
 
I will try and find an older one sometime. I like how the older knives feel, but the newer ones are more of my "work" knives. My only problem with the 301 are the multiple blades on it. I feel like I will only use the clip blade on it. That's why I was leaning towards a 302.
 
CodeArmadillo said:
I feel like I will only use the clip blade on it.
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You'd be surprised how useful those other blades are. I have a newer Black Saw Cut 301 I could pass onto you if you're interested. PM or email me, unless you want to hold out for the older flat grind model.
 
knarfeng said:
The Buck 302 was introduced about 4 years ago.

Buck started selling slip joint pocket knives in 1968, I believe. The first couple of years they were made by Schrade. After that they were all made by Camillus until 1985. From 1985 on, Buck made the 301, 303, 305, and 309 in house. Other slip joint models were still made by Camillus until Camillus went bankrupt in 2007.

I think the most popular Buck slip joint was the 301 Stockman, with the 303 cadet (a smaller stockman) being second most popular.
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Frank,

I have a few of the 700 series slipjoints. One of my 703's was made between 1980-1985 before Buck started using date symbols on the tangs. Any chance that knife was made by Camillus?
 
Buck 301 is a great full-size Stockman pattern. I have one, a recent production Buck US-made with the saber/hollow ground blades.




As you can see, the other blades do not sit especially proud when the main clip is open, unlike some other stockman patterns:





However, being a 3-spring knife (each blade has its own separate backspring) it is a little thick. Makes for a good hand-filling grip, but for carry is a little bulky for just casual attire.

A 302 would be a great choice if you like the size and style but don't need the extra blades. The pics I've seen of the brass and rosewood version are gorgeous -it would be an instant classic that some day you could pass down to a grandson.
 
Railsplitter said:
Frank,

I have a few of the 700 series slipjoints. One of my 703's was made between 1980-1985 before Buck started using date symbols on the tangs. Any chance that knife was made by Camillus?
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Hey Rick, the 700 series were always manufactured in house.
 
But, It looks to me I was not needed, you guys were right on the money all around.

What did Grandpa carry ?, consider this. Its a picture of Bucks first store display cases. And I bet a dollar to a donut that Grandpa bought his pocket knife out of one. Later, the blank space either held a 307 large stockman or a small two blade 309 model. For the folding knives bottom to top its, 110, 301,303 and 305.



These were on the counters up to the beginning of the 80's and likely some after. But new cases were then put out because not all models were being shown.

Toward the end of the displays lifespan in the fancy shores with lots of knife trade a second box could have been added and all the other folders of the 300 series were added (Camillus era contracts plus some other Buck folders). For you BCCI members these displays and old catalogs pictures are all available on the BCCI website.



The unwritten rule seemed to be, if you worked outside you carried a 301 if you worked in a building a 303, the 305 was for doctors and lawyers and judges. And ladies and preachers if they were wearing their suit.........300Bucks
 
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300Bucks said:
But, It looks to me I was not needed, you guys were right on the money all around.

What did Grandpa carry ?, consider this. Its a picture of Bucks first store display cases. And I bet a dollar to a donut that Grandpa bought his pocket knife out of one. Later, the blank space either held a 307 large stockman or a small two blade 309 model. For the folding knives bottom to top its, 110, 301,303 and 305.



These were on the counters up to the beginning of the 80's and likely some after. But new cases were then put out because not all models were being shown.

Toward the end of the displays lifespan in the fancy shores with lots of knife trade a second box could have been added and all the other folders of the 300 series were added (Camillus era contracts plus some other Buck folders). For you BCCI members these displays and old catalogs pictures are all available on the BCCI website.



The unwritten rule seemed to be, if you worked outside you carried a 301 if you worked in a building a 303, the 305 was for doctors and lawyers and judges. And ladies and preachers if they were wearing their suit.........300Bucks
Click to expand...

Good information as always. Look like he carried a 301. Thanks for helping out.
 
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