- Joined
- Jul 20, 2005
- Messages
- 27
greebozz said:
Hi greebozz,
Well for what it is worth, here goes.
My reasons for going for the 301 were already mentioned here and on another thread. I was perfectly happy with my 110 and still have a huge affection for it. Unfortunately I am just not prepared to risk EDCing it on a regular basis at the moment. Something else was required and I started looking around. Looked at Sheffield made penknives, looked at the Spyderco UK penknife, looked at Case. Then I stumbled on the Buck 301. Being a fixed and locking blade type, I had never even looked at Buck's slipjoints. However when I saw it and read the specs on Buck's website I knew that would be the only thing that would do. I looked around at prices and finally bought from the company I mentioned above.
When it arrived I was initially somewhat disappointed. The quality and looks of the knife were everything and more that I had come to expect from Buck. The knife is incredibly pretty to look at and feels very robust. I was also lucky enough to get one of the Idaho "first production year" models which added a bit to the look of the main blade IMO. My disappointment stemmed from the fact that it just didn't feel right. It was too light! It felt small in my hand, and the blade just felt really small. Then I realised that this was unfair of me as I was unconsciously comparing it to my 110.
I gave it a couple of days. Handled it lots, (much to the annoyance of my girlfriend!), carried it around in my pocket, used it for daily duties etc. And amazingly I got used to it very quickly. It sits a lot lighter in my trouser pocket than the 110 ever could, and having the choice of three blades opens up more possibilities. I can honestly say that the quality of the springs on mine makes me more than confident in it. I have never worried about the blade folding closed on my fingers while using it, but then, as you said above, I don't use it for stabbing anything. The only other thing I would say is that the one I ordered didn't arrive in the same "scary" sharp state that I have now come to expect from Buck. It was sharp, just not as sharp as other Bucks I have purchased. However, a short spell with the sharpening stones and it was up to par with any of the others I have living with me
.All in all I am now over the moon with my purchase and would certainly not hesitate to recommend it to anyone. Nor would I hesitate over buying another should anything unfortunate befall this one.
I wish you luck if you do decide to track one down. You certainly won't be disappointed.
