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Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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new buck 301s are they as good as the old ones?
- Thread starter buckgen5
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- Sep 28, 2010
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this one seems to be easy to pull open but has a good snap. there is a lack of brass on this new model which may or may not be good i don't know. also it seems to me the nickel silver bolsters seem to chip quite a bit. other than that i haven't noticed any other things that i don't like about it. it's a very sentimental knife and would like to carry and use it but, also i don't want to destroy it before it gets inherited by my son.
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They're great! One of my fav stockmans. I wouldn't worry about anything buck has a nice warranty. To me bucks are the workhorse of the slippy world, some might be a little rough around the edges conpaired to high dollar knives but that is their beauty. With all stainless steel and delrin design, you don't have to worry about keeping it lookin purdy, and just use the hell out of it.
I say keep the one you have now and buy a new one to use.
I say keep the one you have now and buy a new one to use.
I doubt you'll do any damage to it.
While there are some differences between the new and older models, it is still a Buck, which means it is still a tank of a knife.
Carry it, put it to work, and accumulate the memories. It'll be that much more special when you grandchildren inherit it.
While there are some differences between the new and older models, it is still a Buck, which means it is still a tank of a knife.
Carry it, put it to work, and accumulate the memories. It'll be that much more special when you grandchildren inherit it.
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- Apr 19, 2005
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Gen5,
There are several models of Buck 301s, please let us know what version of the knife you own and are commenting on.
I do not know your level of knowledge on Bucks so let me give a brief history of what constitutes 'old' for your considered comparison.
Buck 301s were first made on contract in 1966 by Schrade and then by Camillus up to 1986, when they were made in the Buck factory for the first time. Over a period of a few years Buck went to stainless springs, From Delrin to Valox plastic. And settled on Paul Bos heat treated 420HC steel for the blades. More changes in scale attachment and materials along with rounding of the bolsters have occurred recently.
So you can see that we may venture mostly into raw opinion if we aren't careful.
Nickle silver bolsters carried in pants pockets full of coins, keys, etc. will take a beating over time. Have you carried yours for a period of time in like manner. Even better a photo would be great.
With some of that information I am sure some folks with experience will make comment.
300Bucks
There are several models of Buck 301s, please let us know what version of the knife you own and are commenting on.
I do not know your level of knowledge on Bucks so let me give a brief history of what constitutes 'old' for your considered comparison.
Buck 301s were first made on contract in 1966 by Schrade and then by Camillus up to 1986, when they were made in the Buck factory for the first time. Over a period of a few years Buck went to stainless springs, From Delrin to Valox plastic. And settled on Paul Bos heat treated 420HC steel for the blades. More changes in scale attachment and materials along with rounding of the bolsters have occurred recently.
So you can see that we may venture mostly into raw opinion if we aren't careful.
Nickle silver bolsters carried in pants pockets full of coins, keys, etc. will take a beating over time. Have you carried yours for a period of time in like manner. Even better a photo would be great.
With some of that information I am sure some folks with experience will make comment.
300Bucks
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New Bucks with the integral bolsters, like you have, are made of soft stainless. This will have a tendency to dent and scratch easily in the pocket with other items. It is not a concern and the knife will last a lifetime.
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- Jan 24, 2010
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I have one of the new 301 single blade stockman knives and it's an okay knife (300bucks will be all over me) but it doesn't really seem "wonderful" to me. I am not fond at all of the blade grind (that's personal) or the finish of the blade (maybe that too) and was not as sharp as I expected it to be. To be sure it is sharper than the Queen sodbuster, but not as sharp as the Rough Rider stockman or copperhead I bought a while back. I really do like the fit and finish of the rest of the knife. Like yours, the blade has good snap and the perfect amount of pull in my opinion.
I'm sure it's a serviceable knife and I'll keep it because it is "new and different". I'm not sure whether I should sharpen it or just put it back in the box and put it away.
I bought this knife to see if I could become a Buck slippie fan. Uh, I don't know if it's going to happen for me. If I decide to use it, I'm going to put some polishing on the blade, knock the rough edges off a tad and put a good edge on it.
Since I have no experience with it as an EDC, I can't help you that much, but the materials should be plenty good and the assembly of the knife looks fine. I don't know of any reason it would not be a good EDC.
Ed
I'm sure it's a serviceable knife and I'll keep it because it is "new and different". I'm not sure whether I should sharpen it or just put it back in the box and put it away.
I bought this knife to see if I could become a Buck slippie fan. Uh, I don't know if it's going to happen for me. If I decide to use it, I'm going to put some polishing on the blade, knock the rough edges off a tad and put a good edge on it.
Since I have no experience with it as an EDC, I can't help you that much, but the materials should be plenty good and the assembly of the knife looks fine. I don't know of any reason it would not be a good EDC.
Ed
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- Sep 28, 2010
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- 186
mine is the three spring model. i don't carry any of my knives with keys or coins or anything. the bolsters are one piece with the liners. one pin in the scales that is centered and hold the construct together. this particular one has an upside down T next to the 301 tang stamp. strangely this one was brand new in the box yet it had the spey blade bevel that looks like it was mirror honed and the clip and sheepsfoot both looked like the normal factory edge. this was the last one they had at the store my wife bought it from and it was the display model. i would post pic but not able.
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- Apr 19, 2005
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- 5,533
Ok,
Some hard info. Your upside down T is a date stamp for 2004. Here is link over to the Buck forum for the date code chart. By the way FYI anyone, the chart is updated to 2022.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=716179
The bolsters and liners are all one piece. They are a metal Buck describes as nickle silver, a mixture of copper, nickle and zinc, in its standard Stockman offerings. But, I have no text proof of its exact makeup. Some special run versions, such as the faux Buffalo scale 301 are described in the catalogs as ALL stainless bolsters and liners, I believe some other limited edition 301s are also SS liners and bolsters.
Black sawcut, Dymondwood and new yellow valox scales are constructed of liners and bolsters that appear to me as all nickle sliver and catalogs state that those bolsters are. Since they are one piece construction they have to be. Or not, website says black sawcut scaless are SS, and Dymondwood scales are nickelsilver. I will have to figure this out a make a list.
See close-up of the liners and bolsters of the three stated scales but in 303 new models. Liners and bolster have a slight golden hue. SS or NS ?
The amount of zinc used in the mixture would effect hardness of the metal and reduce some scratching.
The grinds on your blades are called the Edge 2000 grinds and are semi-hollow ground.
Buck states this is the best method to achieve a good edge on the 420HC and to help with owners ability to maintain the edge. Over in the Buck forum this is debated quite a bit. I go with the idea that Buck believes in a slight sawtooth like micro profile on their factory edges.
So really its your call on what you want, you will have to go find a used brass liner, flat ground 301 from the late eighties or go with the new updates. My current favorite is the stockman version 303 or 301 in the smooth yellow scale with rounded bolsters. The single blade 301 spoken about above is a production test run to develope a new model for the upcoming year.
Here in the traditional forum you will see many quality knives, as a EDC user Bucks are generally considered to be equal to many. I don't favor a particular year .
300bucks/ch
Some hard info. Your upside down T is a date stamp for 2004. Here is link over to the Buck forum for the date code chart. By the way FYI anyone, the chart is updated to 2022.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=716179
The bolsters and liners are all one piece. They are a metal Buck describes as nickle silver, a mixture of copper, nickle and zinc, in its standard Stockman offerings. But, I have no text proof of its exact makeup. Some special run versions, such as the faux Buffalo scale 301 are described in the catalogs as ALL stainless bolsters and liners, I believe some other limited edition 301s are also SS liners and bolsters.
Black sawcut, Dymondwood and new yellow valox scales are constructed of liners and bolsters that appear to me as all nickle sliver and catalogs state that those bolsters are. Since they are one piece construction they have to be. Or not, website says black sawcut scaless are SS, and Dymondwood scales are nickelsilver. I will have to figure this out a make a list.
See close-up of the liners and bolsters of the three stated scales but in 303 new models. Liners and bolster have a slight golden hue. SS or NS ?
The amount of zinc used in the mixture would effect hardness of the metal and reduce some scratching.
The grinds on your blades are called the Edge 2000 grinds and are semi-hollow ground.
Buck states this is the best method to achieve a good edge on the 420HC and to help with owners ability to maintain the edge. Over in the Buck forum this is debated quite a bit. I go with the idea that Buck believes in a slight sawtooth like micro profile on their factory edges.
So really its your call on what you want, you will have to go find a used brass liner, flat ground 301 from the late eighties or go with the new updates. My current favorite is the stockman version 303 or 301 in the smooth yellow scale with rounded bolsters. The single blade 301 spoken about above is a production test run to develope a new model for the upcoming year.
Here in the traditional forum you will see many quality knives, as a EDC user Bucks are generally considered to be equal to many. I don't favor a particular year .
300bucks/ch
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2010
- Messages
- 186
thank you! you seem to be pretty knowledgeable on bucks(hence the name i would guess so). i feel a little better about my knife now. peaceOk,
Some hard info. Your upside down T is a date stamp for 2004. Here is link over to the Buck forum for the date code chart. By the way FYI anyone, the chart is updated to 2022.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=716179
The bolsters and liners are all one piece. They are a metal Buck describes as nickle silver, a mixture of copper, nickle and zinc, in its standard Stockman offerings. But, I have no text proof of its exact makeup. Some special run versions, such as the faux Buffalo scale 301 are described in the catalogs as ALL stainless bolsters and liners, I believe some other limited edition 301s are also SS liners and bolsters.
Black sawcut, Dymondwood and new yellow valox scales are constructed of liners and bolsters that appear to me as all nickle sliver and catalogs state that those bolsters are. Since they are one piece construction they have to be. Or not, website says black sawcut scaless are SS, and Dymondwood scales are nickelsilver. I will have to figure this out a make a list.
See close-up of the liners and bolsters of the three stated scales but in 303 new models. Liners and bolster have a slight golden hue. SS or NS ?
The amount of zinc used in the mixture would effect hardness of the metal and reduce some scratching.
The grinds on your blades are called the Edge 2000 grinds and are semi-hollow ground.
Buck states this is the best method to achieve a good edge on the 420HC and to help with owners ability to maintain the edge. Over in the Buck forum this is debated quite a bit. I go with the idea that Buck believes in a slight sawtooth like micro profile on their factory edges.
So really its your call on what you want, you will have to go find a used brass liner, flat ground 301 from the late eighties or go with the new updates. My current favorite is the stockman version 303 or 301 in the smooth yellow scale with rounded bolsters. The single blade 301 spoken about above is a production test run to develope a new model for the upcoming year.
Here in the traditional forum you will see many quality knives, as a EDC user Bucks are generally considered to be equal to many. I don't favor a particular year .
300bucks/ch
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