Opinion? The better Stockman

MarkPinTx said:
Actually, I guess I should clarify that I have heard that the bolsters are SS and it is said upthread and elsewhere that they are integral. But it has been confirmed again that neither is true. The pins wouldn't show as well as they do if they were SS, I believe.
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Thanks for the clarification. I did go straight to your post without reviewing the earlier posts so I thought you were the first to mention it. My apologies.
 
Circa mid 1970s, this was my brother's knife. It's still going strong.

Zieg

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I have the Case Caliber. I got it cheaply, but I just can't carry it. The scales are way too thick for the knife. The Buck is better built and a much better knife overall.

Dean
 
I have that model Buck that I was able to get used at a good price. I don't carry it too often but it's a nicely done knife that feels sturdy in the hand.

If you can, try to handle the Case if you go with that, before you buy it. I haven't purchased a Case for over a year and the last couple I bought, the regular productions, I wasn't too impressed with fit & finish. I've seen others here make mention of that as well. But not so much here lately so perhaps they've gotten better. Hope so.
 
Wow, a stockman thread where Buck 301s are talked about and I am late to the dance.

I really am not a drum beater just a collector. Case makes good knives and lots of different models. Buck makes fewer models, some might say that is good and some wish it wasn't so. I will say that a black delrin Buck 301 is a classic traditional knife that seems to take care of business 99.9% of the time. I would be happy to have a Case or a Buck in a survival situation. I can likely name a couple of other companies that make a shiny, fancy scaled, well assembled stockman but with a healthy price. One thing no one mentioned here that is talked about over in the Buck forum all the time. Bucks forever and ever warranty. Your knife doesn't meet the challenge, Buck will make it right. I think Case has good customer service also. But, bottom line is - that when you pull that black sawcut scaled knife out of your pocket, anyone with any sense knows you carry a Buck knife. I can maybe think of only one other ( red handled ) company where that same awareness might happen.
300
 
The long pull. All the in-house made knives had nicks.

Schrade made the 301 and 303 until I think 71. They used a different bolster design.
Camillus made the entire 300 line until 1985.
After 1985, Buck made the 301, 303, 305, and 309. Camillus made the other 300 series knives.
 
Ah! Well it's definitely pre-1985 as I remember pulling it out of the newly dried laundry when my brother had left it in his jeans while visiting in the early 80s. And if it's technically a Camillus, no matter. It's an outstanding knife. And I actually like the long pull instead of the nick. Gives it a sleek look.

Zieg
 
The Buck 301 is a classic, solid, work horse knife.

Case Zytel? Not for me. For about the same price as a Buck 301, you might check out the Case 3375 Large Stockman in CV Steel with the classic Yeller Handles.... or maybe the American Workman Blue handles and Stainless.
 
Way to go Frank.

I don't want to kidnap the OP, but if he is leaning to the Buck, a trip to the Buck area of BladeForums (what we call Buck Land) might be in order to help him narrow his thoughts down to a point.

But, before I am done with this thread let me give a speech........Schrade and Camillus made Buck model 300 knives in the early days of Buck. Buck was in on every decision. Camillus was going strong and I have personally talked with some of the guys who made those knives. They received as much skill and care in there construction as the best Camillus knife. I find no fault in there ownership. Buck felt good enough about them to give them their forever warranty. If you want a good user pocket knife you can still find almost brand new ones really cheap. That said, I have a special place in my heart for the first ones Buck made in-house with Buck shield, 2 springs and 425m steel. There is nothing wrong with the brass bolstered wood scaled models of the recent couple of years either. I do not draw a line in the sand at 1985 they are all Buck knives. Buck knives of your brothers and grandpa's and if you take care of yours likely your kids...... 300Bucks

Just so you can't call me a flag waver, the same thing can be said for Case and one or two others.
 
Well, the Buck 301 was delivered to the office on the 14th. :) Now, I just have to get there ... :o
 
I purchased a couple of Bucks over the winter, one being a 301. Great traditional knives. The quality is just as good as the Bucks I purchased 20 years ago.

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Happy Happy Happy. :)
Made it to the office today (truck needed a minor fix, and I was "only" 2 hours away, so I came in)
First impression:
This thing is great! No blade rub, all the blades are sharp. No gaps except a very minor one, (less than 1/1,000 inch) between the springs on one end (might be a optical illusion).
The main blade says "USA" so they sent the knife I ordered.

Happy Camper. :)
 
afishhunter said:
Happy Happy Happy. :)
Made it to the office today (truck needed a minor fix, and I was "only" 2 hours away, so I came in)
First impression:
This thing is great! No blade rub, all the blades are sharp. No gaps except a very minor one, (less than 1/1,000 inch) between the springs on one end (might be a optical illusion).
The main blade says "USA" so they sent the knife I ordered.

Happy Camper. :)
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There you go! Buck will leave you smiling, and it won't hit you as hard in the pocketbook.

I'm glad you're satisfied.

Captain O
 
I don't know where you shopped but there are a couple places you can pick up Case 6318 (3 5/8") and 6347s (3 7/8") for the same price or less than a Buck 301. And you don't need to settle for the Zytel handle either! Don't get me wrong I own a couple 301s. Solid knives, I just never really liked the main blade profile. Too abrupt a clip and prefer the long clip Case offers. Plus with Case you have the option of CV or SS and their SS hold an edge just as well as Buck.
 
Due to enablers in this thread I was forced to track down and order the old Buck 303 with the long pull. Supposed to be new. I've a 391 already but it's a tad big. Now I'm debating on a Schrade Walden. Old one. Not the off shore stuff. Thanks guys. Got me crabbed at when my wife noticed I tapped her PayPal account. Lol.
 
knarfeng said:
That is not the general experience. It certainly does not match my experience.
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Agree on that. Buck's edge seems to last forever. And their knives consistently come sharp out of the box; while not a requirement for me it shows they care about them being used, not looked at.

I have a lot of Case, but although they are doing much better in the sharpness they still seem to need sharpening more often.
 
My experience lies strictly with two 301's and a 303. The 301 are both made in 2009 and the 303 is from 1996. I seem to sharpen just as often as my Case folders. Although I admit I do not use the 301's all that often because of the blade shape. The 303 is a favorite that I use a lot and while it stays fairly sharp it loses the hair popping edge just as fast as any Case I own.
 
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