Older Buck 301's

S

Spectrum

Joined
Oct 15, 2006
Messages
100
I recently won an auction for a nice Buck 301 from a former Camillus employee ( top knife in the photos) and it arrived just as described in the auction listing.
I bought the other Buck in the Navy Exchange store in Millington,TN in 1968. I can't remember what it cost at the time but it was a fairly expensive item for an Airman Apprentice (E2).
The older knife is a tad larger overall and the blades are more robust. I don't know if they have the same steel or not. Anyway, I like them both but if I had to sell one- the newer one would have to go!


 
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Boy, Spectrum, that one you bought at the Navy Exchange hasn't held up well, has it? I mean at this rate, it'll be plum worn out in another 75 or 80 years! ;) :D
 
It is pretty obvious that the 40 year-old 301 has not seen much use- only the sheepsfoot blade shows any wear at all. I later bought a Buck 303 that saw a lot of use as an EDC. I guess the 301 seemed a little big for a pocket knife, and I never got a sheath for it.
 
The vintage, this sounds more classy than older, knife is a Schrade contract made knife. Most likely 440 steel. The value is two or three for one, old over new.
Newbie was made up to 85/86 when Buck went in house and off contract. If you abuse the vintage knife by whacking with a hammer or prying off the lid of a 5 gallon pail three or four times you can loosen the pivot pin and it is NOT warranted for repair. All you will get is a new modern knife. So my advice is clean it up good, carry it on special days only, the rest of the time fix it up a place of dignity and visibility for the memories. 300Bucks
 
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Thanks for comments and feedback. Until I found this website, I never knew that the older Buck folders were contracted out to Schrade and Camillus.
 
BJM12,

There is a 307 'sittin on the dock of the Bay' now. Purty near mintola I believe.

300bucks
 
Thanks, but I've been watching that. I'm getting ready to leave on an antelope hunt and will do something about it after I get back. There is a big NW knife show coming up in Oct. and know there are a few available.

Regards,

BJM 12
 
Like those 301's, thanks for sharing them with us, it's always great to see Older Knives.:cool::thumbup:
 
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