New Buck 301 Stockman question.

coyote711

coyote711

Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Messages
1,679
I just looked at a 371 at wally-world and liked what I saw and how it felt in the hand, but I prefer Made in the USA so I'm gonna get a 301. The local 'mart didn't have any 301's, so I'll be ordering online. I have a couple of questions before I order, tho:

1) I saw mentioned in another thread that the shield fell out of one of the new yellow handled Bucks. That's not a problem as it can easily be fixed, but I'm just wondering if it's indicative of a lack of attention to detail or a "cheapening up" of the yellow ones? I would assume/hope not, but would like your opinion.

2) Looking at the yellow, the dymondwood, and the sawcut black, I noticed all were different as far as the pins showing on the handles. Yellow shows 2 pins holding the handles on; dymondwood shows the same 2 pins and the pin for the backspring; sawcut black shows only the backspring pin. Is any one of these inherently better/worse-stronger/weaker than any other, or is it just a manufacturing expedient or a totally cosmetic issue? :confused:

(Probably "much ado about nothing" as I'm sure any of the three would be great).

OK, I lied - three questions! Do they all have 3 backsprings, or do any of them have just two? I'm thinking I like 3.

Thanks for your help! ;)
 
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coyote711 said:
I just looked at a 371 at wally-world and liked what I saw and how it felt in the hand, but I prefer Made in the USA so I'm gonna get a 301. The local 'mart didn't have any 301's, so I'll be ordering online. I have a couple of questions before I order, tho:

1) I saw mentioned in another thread that the shield fell out of one of the new yellow handled Bucks. That's not a problem as it can easily be fixed, but I'm just wondering if it's indicative of a lack of attention to detail or a "cheapening up" of the yellow ones? I would assume/hope not, but would like your opinion.

2) Looking at the yellow, the dymondwood, and the sawcut black, I noticed all were different as far as the pins showing on the handles. Yellow shows 2 pins holding the handles on; dymondwood shows the same 2 pins and the pin for the backspring; sawcut black shows only the backspring pin. Is any one of these inherently better/worse-stronger/weaker than any other, or is it just a manufacturing expedient or a totally cosmetic issue? :confused:

(Probably "much ado about nothing" as I'm sure any of the three would be great).

OK, I lied - three questions! Do they all have 3 backsprings, or do any of them have just two? I'm thinking I like 3.

Thanks for your help! ;)
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Cyote, I'm no slipjoint expert, or expert in any other knife area, but am an equal opportunity poster:p 1st-I figger the loss of the shield is an anomalie(sp) and relatively rare, although I believe Buck does have a few QC issues to iron out. Certainly not cheapening up on the yellows. 2nd, I think they are integrally molded and the posts are just anchor points and cosmetic and can vary. 3rd, they all indeed have dedicated springs for strength and longevity-sure on that. 300bucks will be along to comment as an expert on the 1st 2.
 
Thanks 'fritz! :thumbup:

(I've been figuring 300 will show up sooner or later!)

I don't post much here on the Buck sub, but recently bought a 55 (in person, not over the 'net), and am impressed with everything about that little knife! I was actually pretty darn pleased/surprised with that china made 371 I saw at the 'mart also ..... so I just ordered a Buck Mini Trapper to have a look at that one too. (Must have caught a small dose of Buck Fever from somewhere). ;)
 
coyote711 said:
(Must have caught a small dose of Buck Fever from somewhere). ;)
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Be careful, its hard to cure! :D

I wouldn't worry about any of the slippies myself. Buck has a lifetime warranty, if there ever would be a problem. I love mine, and have never had any issues. I believe the pins to be cosmetic on the different models as well.
 
postfallsidaho said:
Be careful, its hard to cure! :D

I wouldn't worry about any of the slippies myself. Buck has a lifetime warranty, if there ever would be a problem. I love mine, and have never had any issues. I believe the pins to be cosmetic on the different models as well.
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Postfalls is right, no such thing as a small case of Buck fever, its all or nothing. Those 371's are very solid. I hope they will be picked up for US production with 420hc or better steel. I like the wood handles
 
Brought my fever down a little last night at 11:00 - made a run back to the 'mart and got that 371 - I couldn't not get it - know what I mean? I wasn't going to wait around 5 or 6 days for the post office!

In the meantime I had done a little more research - found an old thread by Bear Claw Chris Lappe who spoke highly of the 301's and the 371's, and found a review on youtube that was equally accepting of the 371's. What pushed me over the edge (besides being impatient) was the shape of the spey blade - much more "pen blade like" on the 371's and black sawcut, than on the yellow or dymondwood.

I am so darned impressed with the F&F and apparent quality of this 371 - and for $20!!! I've spent 2 or 3 times as much and not had a knife that was this well built. I'm not going to sit here and rant about other knife brands, or name names, but in my own mind there is at least one company that I've "had it" with - they will get 0 more dollars from me. I'm sick and tired of spending $40 - 50 for what turns out to be a piece of crap. Buck has earned my business!

For the past few weeks I've really been eyeballing those yellow 301's & 303's (couldn't make up my mind which one) - since the 371 is pretty much a china made 301, I think I'll put my money where my mouth is and support Buck a little more by buying myself a yellow 303!
 
Well done, Coyote! Now, to save time, just start mailing your paychecks to Post Falls. ;)
 
Coyote, Thanks for your kind words . When your yellow 303 arrives compare the two and let us know what you think . ie. how they sharpen and cut . Thanks . DM
 
David Martin said:
Coyote, Thanks for your kind words . When your yellow 303 arrives compare the two and let us know what you think . ie. how they sharpen and cut . Thanks . DM
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Hey, good to see you again David! I know you're a loyal & long-time Buck man. My first real pocketknife, back in the 1970's, was a Buck 301 Stockman - didn't know it was called a "301 Stockman" at the time - just knew it was a "3 bladed pocketknife", knew Bucks were good knives, and that if one blade was too dull to handle the farm chores there were always two more available. I'm long removed from the farm these days, but this 371 sure feels nice. Looking forward to the yellow 303!

Take care. ;)
 
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coyote711 said:
Hey, good to see you again David! I know you're a loyal & long-time Buck man. My first real pocketknife, back in the 1970's, was a Buck 301 Stockman - didn't know it was called a "301 Stockman" at the time - just knew it was a "3 bladed pocketknife", knew Bucks were good knives, and that if one blade was too dull to handle the farm chores there were always two more available. I'm long removed from the farm these days, but this 371 sure feels nice. Looking forward to the yellow 303!

Take care. ;)
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Farm boys never die . They just get old and fart dust ! DM
 
I agree with Bear Claw, the 301 is the perfect pocket knife. I'm sure the 371s great too. To tell you how well built they are mine accidentally got run over by a Chevy 3500 in a gravel pit and was perfectly fine. I loved buck knives even more after that.
 
31hobo13 said:
I agree with Bear Claw, the 301 is the perfect pocket knife. I'm sure the 371s great too. To tell you how well built they are mine accidentally got run over by a Chevy 3500 in a gravel pit and was perfectly fine. I loved buck knives even more after that.
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They are VERY well built!!! Unfortunately I just dropped my 301 overboard last night while bow fishing for carp... :(

It now lies in Lake Winnebago in about 8' of water, sturdy as the day she was made.... :o
 
David Martin said:
Post, You didn't go in after it ?? DM ;)
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LOL
It was tempting, but in 8' of water there was 6' of weeds and 2' of mud :D It wouldnt have been too bad but my brother and 2 of my sons were along :o

I better just save another $30.00 and help support Buck ;)

-Jim
 
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