Need a little Model 303 progression history please....

[Joe58]

Hi guys - having not kept real close track of the changes made to various models, I've a question on the 303. Mine are all the older models till this new one.

I recently received a 1998 made 303 Limited with the jigged bone handles. I like the jigged bone and think they did a nice job with it. I'll have to watch for others now with different materials.

Anyway, I was comparing it to my old 303 and noticed a few changes. When did they switch over to a three back spring construction? Appears they thinned the blades and springs a bit so they could get three springs in there and keep the same knife thickness pretty much. Handle material is thinner too a bit it seems as compared to the delrin.

The blades in the 98 model look thicker from the top but it looks to me that's just do to Buck not rounding the edges and leaving them more square off. Not sharp though. The newer blades are hollow ground more so than FFG like on the older 303.

I also notice the two smaller blades have been shuffled too between the two knives.

Just wondered if these changes were gradually applied, or if it all occurred in one years release.

I've a couple newer ones coming so I'll be curious to compare it to this as well. I think actually I may kinda prefer my older one. Not sure why really. Maybe cause I'm an older one myself. Lol.

Thanks! Joe

 

[bertl]

Joe,

I am sure 1988 was the year for the change to 3 back springs and for the position switch of the 2 secondary blades. Also in 1988, the brass mid-spacer was eliminated. From 1974 on, there had been a brass side-spacer, but this was eliminated when the 3 spring model was introduced. So with the elimination of those 2 brass spacers there was more room for the third spring.

Bert

 

[bertl]

I looked at some 303s and when Buck went to 3 springs they made the middle spring narrower than the 2 outside springs. The Delrin looks like it stayed the same thickness. These are eyeball estimates, not actual measurements.

 

[DocT]

Is that when the springs got weaker?

 

[Bladester]

Really like that jigged bone! --Larry

 

[Joe58]

I looked at some 303s and when Buck went to 3 springs they made the middle spring narrower than the 2 outside springs. The Delrin looks like it stayed the same thickness. These are eyeball estimates, not actual measurements.

Thanks for the info Bertl. Interesting to know.

I'm a bit surprised I guess that the changes occurred all at once. I wonder why the change occurred though. I would think that if it wasn't broke why fix it. I'd like to know what the Collector Club reaction was at the time. Pro or Con.

It does seem that the change did eliminate, or at least greatly reduce, the degree of crinking needed to fit the blades.

Perhaps making them stronger and reducing blade rub? Looks like it just visually anyway.

Don't know about the strength part though. Wouldn't think such a smallish knife would have too much load put upon it anyway.

Always more to learn. Thanks!

 

[bertl]

Joe,

300Bucks may have more information, or corrections, when he gets back.

 

[300Bucks]

Someone will likely slap me for saying this but it is true. I do not have a quick index of past fourm posts. If you do a search on the 303 it will likely have some good info on this area, especially from 10 years or more years ago. I will eventually go look also. 300

Joe, Here is a old 303 group photo showing 303s from first Schrade made model thru Camillus models then the Buck made models with Buck shields and date stamps. Black sawcut only. Some other scales were issued in late 80's also. This is a quick grab will see if I can do better. These are the lineage issues. Minor changes make the difference in 'variations' but are considered their own model to a collector. An example of such would be a Camillus contract model made from 74 - 79 but early years have double brass liners and later years have only a single brass liner. Schrade contract - big scale rivets, Camillus - early on small rivets and then no rivets. Buck - no rivets. 300



Here is another old fuzzy photo of various 303 and 303 sized overseas models. Red and yellow delrin, jigged bone, stag, pearl , grey delrin Workman model and one in the back left from the beginning of overseas production. Not shown is the sawcut red delrin and recent models.