Old 301 or 303 question

R

ranchmanben

Joined
Jan 18, 2011
Messages
704
I could use some help identifying a knife that was given to me today. Is there a way to date this and is it a 301 or 303? Thanks in advance for curing a little bit of my ignorance.

Thanks
Ben

IMAG0184.jpg

IMAG0185.jpg
 
Mr. Ranch, By this time of evening our resident expert on these models has turned in. However, he's good about correcting me. So, I'll say your model was made under the Camillus contract from 1973-81 and looks to be a 301 thats had a hard life. Welcome and nice photos. DM
 
Ben
Thats a second version Schrade made Buck 301. These were produced in 1967. If the secondary blades are marked BUCK it was made from '67 to '71. If the blades arn't marked it was the earlier 1967 model.
 
I appreciate the response. I'm pretty curious about how anything can be learned from so few markings.

Ben
 
DM is mistaken, this knife was made by Schrade and is recognized by the grind that ends in the middle of the nail nik. The Camillus made 301s have a grind that ends before the nail nik. Schrade made Buck also have a nail nik that appears to be shallow, as apposed to camillus made knives appear darker thus they look deeper.
 
These are very collectable. Buck contracted with Schrade to produce a stockman pattern because at the time they didn't have the ability to do it themselves. Most other American cutlery companies were already producing slip joint pocket knives. Their contract didn't last very long, and they went to Camillus Cutlery Co. to produce their slip joint knives all the way until they closed their doors. Some of Bucks knives were always produced by contracting with other companies, and never produced in house. It is a direction that can be collected, and can last for a life time.
 
Mb, thank you again for the information. You have been very helpful. Is there a list somewhere that has the dating information on these? I tried a search and only found a list dating the 110.

Ben
 
ranchmanben said:
The stamp on the main blade is the only stamp on it. Are these common?

Ben
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They are becoming harder to find and the price is going up. To find one in great shape can cost a pretty penny. They aren't common, nor are they scarce. They are a great knife to put in a collection. They are the start of the stockman for Buck Knives. The only one older has grooved bolsters and are amazing knives.
 
ranchmanben said:
Mb, thank you again for the information. You have been very helpful. Is there a list somewhere that has the dating information on these? I tried a search and only found a list dating the 110.

Ben
Click to expand...

I can recommend the Buck collectors club web site (membership needed), and you can look in the old sales catalogs, otherwise a few of us here on the forum have detailed documentation, dating the 300 series. Allot of long hours studying the little details that make collecting interesting.
 
Here is a picture of the first model made by Schrade in 1966. This model has grooved bolsters and is only marked with BUCK, MADE IN, USA



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