Old New Member With A Couple Questions

S

Spartanden

Joined
Dec 27, 2016
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Have not been on here much and have some questions you experts may be able to answer. I have carried a pocket knife since I was a young teen....living on a farm necessitated the need for one! Well I had carried a Boker Tree Brand since late 80's early 90's. Lost it about a year ago. Searched and could not find it. So I bought a Buck 3-blade knife. Wouldn't you know it, 3 days after I found my Boker!!! Well that is set aside and I won't be carrying that again. Also have a Schrade 34OT that I've had probably longer than the Boker. That has been sitting in my tool box for a long long time. Seeing you tube videos on the Work Sharp systems, I've been getting videos on knives. Which brings me to these questions.
1. I spoke with my son and he is ok with me giving the 2 grandsons a knife. I have 2 Buck 379 coming that I will give them. Wise decision for their first knife?
2. Saw several videos on my Schrade 34OT.....can anyone give me an approximate age on this? The blade does show Schrade in first line, NY USA on second, and 34OT on third. Is this an old knife?
3. I have a Schrade+ LB4 folding knife. I bought that in the late 70's from either Snap-on or MAC tool sales guys. Any thoughts on passing that down? That would be several years from now.
Sorry for lengthy post....but seeing the videos and my memories has brought these questions up. Appreciate your help/response. And I'll try to get in here more often and figure this place out!!!
Thanks
Denny
 
Seems like a good first knife for some kids, although I personally would be tempted to go with a Swiss army knife instead. I can't tell you anything about schrade knives I'm afraid, but someone will be along who can I'm sure.
 
Hey Denny, welcome to BF. I’m not an expert, just an old guy who likes 3-blade stockmans also. Although the 34OT is a little small for my taste, I like that old 1095 steel.

So your Buck 301/303/whatever, long ago I understand those were made by Schrade. Then Buck contracted with Camillus because the Schrade ones were not cost effective to warranty repair without Schrade’s Swinden key tooling. Later Buck brought them in house, these can be identified by three springs - no liners (which style I think was exclusive to them).

Nothing wrong with a 379 for young boys, kinda like a simplified stockman. Best of luck to you.

Parker
 
Schrade now makes cheap outsourced knives that aren't very good; the older American-made ones like yours are pretty collectible and have a following (although I'm not too familiar with that niche). Buck has both American and Chinese made models, but their Chinese ones are actually decent. Boker is still going strong, although now they have some diffusion lines that are a little confusing. The ones that say "Germany" on them are assembled in Germany from Chinese parts and have mixed reviews. The ones that say "Solingen Germany" are entirely made by them. They also have a couple lines that are entirely outsourced.

There's a traditionals subforum here that would be a good resource to find current information on the type of knives you like. Some of the better-liked brands are now defunct or not what they used to be, so collectors often hunt down deadstock and used pieces. In the past few years there has been a resurgence of interest in these classic knives, though, so a few new makers have also entered the market.
 
Thanks for the replies! I appreciate your thoughts. And any other who wish to comment. The Buck 379 came in the mail today. I will give these to the boys in a few days.
I'm a bit torn between carrying the 379 I have and the Schrade 34OT. I do like the Schrade but the Buck is a bit smaller. I do like the smaller Buck, and have a keen edge working with my Work Sharp. The Schrade has the clip blade which I find useful out in the garage! But I will always carry a pocket knife!
Again, thanks. And I will try to get on here more!!
 
I think you should always start them off with a slipjoint/non locking knife, to teach them proper discipline and respect for the tool. My go-to is a SAK because it offers multiple tools that can be useful to a kid.
 
Well I did give the boys their knives. They looked like they appreciated the gift, but I think they may have just put them away for awhile. Told them they should not carry these to school or school functions. I just hope they hold on to these, use them as they feel necessary, and remember the gift 20-25 years from now.
Thanks for all the advice you've given me. I am going to make a serious try to get in this forum more often. Lots of knowledge here!!
 
ill suggest swiss army knife classic SD. My first knife was a swiss army. Also you might consider a Christy knife for them as well.
 
Spartanden said:
I have 2 Buck 379 coming that I will give them. Wise decision for their first knife?
Click to expand...

Meh. Look, it'll work. It will open, and close, and cut stuff, so it meets the basic requirements of a folding knife. BUT...

Buck's USA made slip joints were quite good. They had Buck's fantastic 420HC, and while, in my experience with them, they were always going to open and close very softly (never any snap), their build and materials were quite good.

The 379, merely has buck's brand name on it, but it's a Chinese made knife made of cheap soft 420j.

Now, there are reasons to give kids an inexpensive knife. Kids lose knives. Also, perhaps a softer steel might be easier for them to learn to sharpen. So I'm not saying the 379 a terrible choice. I can say, though, that for even less, is the Opinel, which is a lovely option, uses great steel, and is a knife they could be proud of in the future not just because it's a gift from a loving family member, but because of the quality of it. My boys started with fixed blades, and when they showed competence enough for folders, I got both of them Opinels.


I should add to the above... you said you already have these knives coming, that you're going to give to them. Wasn't the time to ask if they were a good choice, before committing to them?
 
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My first was a Buck 303. I wouldn’t have picked any different for a number of reasons but you do you.
 
Nice of you to start them off with a knife and pass on your passion. But, I think a Hinderer XM Slippy would be a better choice. You have a track to attach the thumb disc to and tune the opening. That way it could be adjusted to their growing hands over the years.

Just kidding, I can't imagine how much worse my knife spending would be if I had stated off with something like that.
 
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