One I've been looking for....317

imafritz

imafritz

Joined
Dec 30, 2008
Messages
4,879
Hey guys, I was gonna wait til the Sunday picture show, but I just cant:D

I have been stalking the 317 Pathfinder for a while but either the go too rich for my blood or arent nice enough to have(unspa-able...new word:)) I saw this one the other day with only a short time left in the auction and kinda half-heartedly bid on it with 2 minutes left. I was at work and a customer required my attention so I couldnt wait to the bitter end to bid:grumpy: I have a valentines day gift comin from the wife and have really been figgerin on a Vantage Force Pro...anyway, I come back in and check and holy crap I won. At that point I cant decide if I'm happy or not cause I really want a Force. When I go back and check the pics, turns out its a reverse tang stamp indicating first generation 71-72:thumbup: Things are now pretty rosie in my lilttle world, closer look shows it may be in better shape than I thought and a spa would make it mint. I got it today and after cleaning, I find it in very good to excellent, nearly mint condition. It may even have original factory edge:D:D Anyway, enough talk, here a couple pics-will save bulk for SPS.

317Pathfinder004.jpg

317Pathfinder009.jpg

317Pathfinder008.jpg


Thanks for lookin:cool:........and reading my longwinded story.:yawn:
 
Long winded? It's only one paragraph!
Nice score. I've been on a buying spree and don't remember seeing that one...lol, good for both of us. You're right, it really does look in pretty good shape.
Congrats,
Russ
 
imafritz said:
Hey guys, I was gonna wait til the Sunday picture show, but I just cant:D

I have been stalking the 317 Pathfinder for a while but either the go too rich for my blood or arent nice enough to have(unspa-able...new word:)) I saw this one the other day with only a short time left in the auction and kinda half-heartedly bid on it with 2 minutes left. I was at work and a customer required my attention so I couldnt wait to the bitter end to bid:grumpy: I have a valentines day gift comin from the wife and have really been figgerin on a Vantage Force Pro...anyway, I come back in and check and holy crap I won. At that point I cant decide if I'm happy or not cause I really want a Force. When I go back and check the pics, turns out its a reverse tang stamp indicating first generation 71-72:thumbup: Things are now pretty rosie in my lilttle world, closer look shows it may be in better shape than I thought and a spa would make it mint. I got it today and after cleaning, I find it in very good to excellent, nearly mint condition. It may even have original factory edge:D:D Anyway, enough talk, here a couple pics-will save bulk for SPS.

317Pathfinder004.jpg

317Pathfinder009.jpg

317Pathfinder008.jpg


Thanks for lookin:cool:........and reading my longwinded story.:yawn:
Click to expand...

First editions were from '72-74 according to my paperwork...
 
mbjannusch said:
First editions were from '72-74 according to my paperwork...
Click to expand...

Yeah Matt, that seems to be the most consistant dating, but I have been searching old threads and BCCI newsletters and at least a couple times, those in the know have said they may have been produce as early as '71, most notably Larry Odens artical in the March 2005 newsletter. Here is a snippet.

Capture-1.png


Just like what steel camillus used at any given point, so there is debate as to when these came out. Thats what makes it fun.:)
 
imafritz said:
Yeah Matt, that seems to be the most consistant dating, but I have been searching old threads and BCCI newsletters and at least a couple times, those in the know have said they may have been produce as early as '71, most notably Larry Odens artical in the March 2005 newsletter. Here is a snippet.

Capture-1.png


Just like what steel camillus used at any given point, so there is debate as to when these came out. Thats what makes it fun.:)
Click to expand...

Fritz, The artical does say '71 OR early '72, the reference material I have is from Larry. I replied this way because the way you posted gives the idea that this knife was made duing '71 to '72 and that is incorrect. They were made maybe late '71 or early '72 through '74. Either way it's a beautiful knife and I love those old ones...
 
mbjannusch said:
Fritz, The artical does say '71 OR early '72, the reference material I have is from Larry. I replied this way because the way you posted gives the idea that this knife was made duing '71 to '72 and that is incorrect. They were made maybe late '71 or early '72 through '74. Either way it's a beautiful knife and I love those old ones...
Click to expand...

Thanks Matt, and Russ, I am certainly no expert, this is my 1st an only US made 300. I have craved one for a while because it fits my "big honkin folder" lust. Now I need a 301 and another 317 to edc as a user.



oops, correction, I have the single blade 301 also.
 
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The 317 "Trailblazer" is a nice knife and yours is the earliest model and in good shape . I'd agree with 1971 as Camillus began making the Buck slip locks in 1969 . Did it come with the sheath ? DM
 
David Martin said:
The 317 "Trailblazer" is a nice knife and yours is the earliest model and in good shape . I'd agree with 1971 as Camillus began making the Buck slip locks in 1969 . Did it come with the sheath ? DM
Click to expand...

I went back and reread some of the searched threads I had checked the other day. It is vague at best. Pile side 317 definitely 72-73 with possible some 71and 74 fringe. Most commonly 72ish to 74ish terminology used. There, clear as can be:confused::)
 
No, and thats another issue. I read that the earliest may not have come with one. Again, I dont know how early mine is or if that is even true for sure. I saw one on the bay, but I have been consulting with the Wizard who says they should be stamped 317 on the back of the sheath. The one I am looking at does not according to the seller. I'm guessin its a 137 sharpener sheath.



ps: of course the Wizard is 300Bucks:)
 
Fritz,

Looks like factory edge. Those light 317 tang stamps were the norm.

David,

I know you were going to ask what did the sheath look like, we have been talking about it for two days, maybe you can tell us for sure. I only have two, both marked 317 on bottom back, single Buck stamp on snap, top of knife pouch tapers down, belt loop goes almost to top of flap fold.......so what do you think ?

300/ch
 
Craig, Sometimes you read me too well ... ;) But the 317 sheaths were : 1) only made and stamped as such for a short time and they were as Craig describes, 2) thus I suspect these came w/ the first production knives, 71 and 72 . The reason for the above situation is Buck then discovered the 317 would fit just fine in the 110 sheath . So, the 317 stamped sheath was dropped . This information I obtained from Joe H. over the course of a week or 2 telephone conversation which took place in 2004 shortly after their move to Post Falls . About a week later I recieved a package from Buck having not ordered anything, naturally I was curious . Inside the box was a new sheath stamped 317 as I opened the sheath there was a note in the pouch that read, "scarce as hen's teeth" . I still have the sheath and it is as Craig described . Over the years I've seen maybe 3-4 of the 317 sheaths all the other 317's were in a 110 stamped sheath . I think this model has always had a sheath . DM
 
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That's why I have four 110 sheaths and only two 110s.......

David,

Did you go search thru the dozen big boxes of loose sheath out in the side shop during the Idaho BCCI celebration ? I did not but now wish I would have taken the time....

300
 
Yes, I did and didn't find a single one stamped 317 . It was sort of embarrassing as the other members began talking . But I didn't leave the room with hardly any sheaths just looked .DM
 
What ? Thats the same year as my 317 . Nice photo . Craig, do you think any made it out not being stamped with a model number ? DM
 
The way the sheath situation has gone for a bunch of other models, I would not be surprised.....just a FYI for anyone not knowing, for a large number of years,after the early hand-made sheath, but before Buck move from S.CA ,sheaths were not made at the main plant but at subsidary company - Merit Products....

300/ch
 
That's a really nice 317 Kevin!Heck it looks like it's never been used.If I remember right there was a 317 for sale at the show where I met David Martin.The man wanted at least $100 for that one and it looked like it was rode hard and put up wet.
 
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