New 301 stockman?

[jackknife]

I had a Buck 301 stockman back in the early '70s and carried it untill the mid '90s. I pretty much wore it out using it as a working cutting tool in a machine shop and out on construction sites. it was built like a tank and I believe it had a stainless piviot pin instead of brass or nickle silver.

Now my question- I want to buy another one while they are still made in the U.S. of A., and want to know if they are still being constructed in the same manner? I'd also pick up a cadet while I'm at it.

 

[JD Mandrell]

Pretty much the same, the one you have from the 1970's was actually made by Camillus under contract for Buck, but now they are made inhouse at Buck.

I have 3 301's Camillus, Early Buck and brand new Buck and all 3 seem about the same high quality.

 

[WilltheBarb]

There are a number of differences between the old 301s and the new ones. The old ones where made briefly by Schrade (66 to 68) and then by Camillus (68 to 86). From 1986 on they are made in house by Buck. I would never say that the Buck made knives aren’t good knives. I like pretty much everything that this company makes but I have to say I think the old Cami knives are in some ways better. The new knives have stainless steel liners and three stainless steel back springs. The old knives had brass liners and two carbon steel back springs. The brass liners where thinner and could not rust no matter what. Carbon steel back springs are springier so they could put two blades on a single spring and still have better snap than the current knives have. This means that the older ones are not so bulky in your pocket and had better snap.

I have at least one of all the generations of the 301 and I have to say the one I like the most is the first generation Camillus knife made between 1968 and 1972 but that’s just me. I’ll get off my soapbox now but I do wish they would heed what I say at least about carbon steel back springs.