My old 309...

TAH

TAH

Joined
Jul 3, 2001
Messages
6,135
This is my very first knife. It has been my "companion" since 1971 at age 10.

Main blade stamped:

BUCK
MADE IN
U.S.A.

Reverse side stamped:

309

It has stainless bolsters, brass liners, and a brass pin. A few years ago, it was sent back to the shop for light polishing. Current location: my pocket. :)


IMG_0722-1.jpg
 
BUCK
MADE IN
USA
I love them and can't get enought of them. When I see them for sale or bid I can't resist. I have a few of each 301,03,05,07, 09 and it's never enough.

Beautiful knife
 
mb,

What year did Buck delete the "MADE IN" and bring the model number around to the front side?
 
Made by Camillus.
Offically 1972 - 1974, but yours could have been made in late 71, hence your remembered date.

Two versions, one with a notch on top of back scale for access to small blade nic and one with no notch.....guess someone forget on the first run.

Steel is standard Camillus heat treated, likely 440c. Good enough to look everyone in the eye.

I find this size to be a overall better choice for EDC than the 305. The smaller 305 might be OK for purse carry or as a suit knife. I had Leroy put some axis deer stag on a 309 for me and I EDC as a second knife with a Vantage or as a really dressed up slacks knife. I am attempting to go thru life without a two piece suit. I am a Blazer man only at last resort.

Well maintained for its age.

300Bucks

Edit for age question. There can be a slight variance by model, but 73 -74 should cover the change to Buck, 309, USA
 
Last edited:
300Bucks said:
Two versions, one with a notch on top of back scale for access to small blade nic and one with no notch.....guess someone forget on the first run.
Click to expand...

Thanks 300. My 309 does not have the notch. What year was the 309 introduced and when did Buck/Camillus switch to nickel silver bolsters?
 
Buck contracted with Camillus and produced the 309 in '72 or late '71 and Buck picked up the line in '85, and they have always used NS for the bolsters on the 300s
 
mbjannusch said:
they have always used NS for the bolsters on the 300s
Click to expand...

Always, as in, since 1971? The reason I ask is because the bolsters on my 309 are magnetic and the escutcheon is not, which I assume is nickel silver.
 
Last edited:
Matt, Is right on, he has been studing the data .
Be sure your not picking up the SS pivot pins, I have a hard time with the magnet test myself trying to stay away from the pins...

300Bucks/ch
 
300Bucks said:
Matt, Is right on, he has been studing the data .
Be sure your not picking up the SS pivot pins, I have a hard time with the magnet test myself trying to stay away from the pins...

300Bucks/ch
Click to expand...
Didn't know about a problem with SS pivot pins.What's the story on those?
 
I think he meant he can't keep the magnet from getting stuck on the pin, which "ruins" his test of the bolster material.
 
300Bucks said:
Be sure your not picking up the SS pivot pins, I have a hard time with the magnet test myself trying to stay away from the pins...
Click to expand...

The magnet I use is small - only 1/8" diameter. It solidly sticks anywhere on the bolster. The bolsters "look" stainless. They are brighter and are a different color than my other knives with nickel silver bolsters. Also, they never tarnished. :confused:
 
T,

You may be correct. Will investigate. Some early 300s were made with SS, the 311 was its entire history as the 315 yachtsman, says my crappy memory...

ch
 
Not to beat a dead horse, but after closely re-examining these bolsters, I am now 99.5% sure they are stainless. Using a magnifying glass, I can accurately place my little magnet all over the bolster material and I stay clear of the stainless pivot pin. The magnet is sticking everywhere solidly.
 
The magnet still may be attracked to the center of the bolster or the center bolster material. The magnet test on a fully assembed knife really doesn't make sense. I think if this test was to work you would have to disassembel the knife( wihich I'm sure you don't want to do) and test the parts individually.
 
mbjannusch said:
The magnet still may be attracked to the center of the bolster or the center bolster material.
Click to expand...

You might be correct, but the magnet is not being "pulled" (at all) to the center of the bolster where the pivot pin is located. The magnet freely sticks, with the same force, to all parts of the bolster material including the ends and corners.
 
Well you guys finally did it! :D
Forced me to dig out this baggie of 9 or 12 300's.

TAH, you might try a weaker magnet. Yours may be strong enough that it is attracting steel under the bolsters.

All of the ones I tried there was no attraction on the bolsters, till I hit the pivot pins.

There was even minimal or no attraction on the 309's around the pivots. Tried it on 5 of those.

I hope yours is SS like you say. Will be unique for sure. :thumbup:

Wish you had some others to compare yours to.
 
OK,
Its winter, its cold, fishing is slow, duck hunting slow, deer season over. I will read all the old catalogs and dig into the SS issue, I will get a very small magnet and try and compare to printed info. and we will get this settled. Most likely will only test ALL the 301, 303,309 and 305. Then will send out info to the people with a pile of 300s to check me out. Then will post the list. Will start the PM....If anyone says the crappie are biting at the lake dock then you will wait another day or two.....300Bucks

(I can't work on it too long on it as I promised a article for the youth newletter on record keeping. If anyone has any good ideas on getting kids to keep a record of the knives they are given or buy, I am all ears.)
 
Pack Rat said:
TAH, you might try a weaker magnet. Yours may be strong enough that it is attracting steel under the bolsters.
Click to expand...

To add to the mystery, the magnet that I am using is pictured below. It is not strong by any means.

917.jpg


When I place this magnet on the black handle, it isn't strong enough to go through the handle and pick up the steel blade.

I did find a small, flat, weak magnet that barely holds a paper clip. Purposely keeping it away from the pivot pin, it too is sticking at different points all over the bolster material. This magnet sticks with the same force if I touch the corners of the bolster, blades, or back spring.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top