Pattern recognition: Stockman (Buck 303 inside)

quattromori

quattromori

Joined
May 7, 2011
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3,426
Hi traditionalists,
here I am, on the road again, with a couple of new knives fighting for pocket time, and myself enjoying the discovery of new American patterns. So many people suggested me to get a stockman, and I did. Before I go on with the talk, I want to thank knarfeng and 300bucks for their kindness and valuable answers.
So, here I am, with my new yellow delrin Buck 303. It's my first stockman, first US made Buck, first yeller knife, first in many things, so here I will write random thoughts about it. But first, and to keep you going, here's a picture of my knife, along with one of the few American things I have here at home :D :

image-2323_4FDC924B.jpg


So, let's discuss the pattern first. I have to be honest, three blades is still overkill for me, but in the end this knife is not bulky at all, and rides very well in my pocket. As for the blades...well I knew before getting the knife how it would be. Clip blade for food tasks. It's relatively long, considering the knife is not big, and has blades on both ends; the serpentine handle is comfortable for both frontal cuts and peeling moves, which makes it very good for those tasks. Sheepsfoot for "dirty" tasks; much better on frontal cuts (possibly too small for peeling cuts), has enough point for me, and its length makes it easy and safe to use in "busy" situations (where others keep their hands in the way). Spey for...mmmm...don't know yet. I haven't really used it so far. As I guessed from the beginning, it's the "surplus" blade. Still, the knife looks fine just like it is. I just wish the sheepsfoot blade was not behind the spey, to make it easier to nick and pull.
I love the fact that this knife, despite being relatively thin, has one spring for each blade. No rub, no crinking, straight blade, straight cuts. I wish they put a flat grind on the blades though (I know some older versions have flat ground blades). Still, the blades are not too thick, and the pull is perfect (for me). Light and continuous. I know some of you might consider it blasphemy, but the easy pull and the pocket friendliness are the two features that, I suspect, will keep this knife in my pocket pretty often, along with its size (3,25" seems to work perfectly for me).
My knife came without flaws (or what I would consider flaws), apart from weird edges (especially on the clip) and bevels (particularly on the sheepsfoot), but I consider it a minor flaw, since I would sharpen it anyway. Yellow delrin has been a great surprise. I have to say, I was always curious about it, but it does look even better "in person" than in pictures. Also, as many of you already know, I prefer smooth handles, and the grip on my Cadet is good enough.
I heard many times that Buck knives are considered "work knives", and that's exactly what I was looking for when I bought it...still, my 303 looks good and I like it alot. It came here to become my "resident work knife" (meaning, the knife that stays in my job uniform), but it might climb up to get in my jeans pocket. Actually, that's where it is right now.

Fausto
:cool:
 
Nice little write up. I've found it to be a nice comfortable knife of just the right size. I know many folks prefer a two spring design but I really like the 3 springs as well. The only flaw in it for me, and it's not really a flaw per se, is its just a tool. It doesn't have the allure or personality for me that jigged bone or wood, a little brass, and carbon steel does. But that also means I won't be afraid to use it and if it's lost the next one I get will be almost exactly like one I lost. I guess you could say it's almost like the Swiss Army knife of small stockmans.
 
Hi Fausto!

These are exactely my thoughts about the stockman pattern. Functional working horses.

I think, being a sceptical about the yellow handle is typical european ;) I was in the same way - should I should I not. But I did. And you re right. The yellow handles look much better in person than a pic could judge, imo.

Buck makes great knives - all the pros you posted, is what I can 100 % agree with. They are great knives. But not really known or even famous here in Europe. I think, this should be changed ...

Kind regardsA
Andi
 
Humppa said:
I think, being a sceptical about the yellow handle is typical european ;) I was in the same way - should I should I not. But I did. And you re right. The yellow handles look much better in person than a pic could judge, imo.
Click to expand...

Also? Try this: throw a yellow-handled knife and a brown- (or other natural colored) bone-handled knife out into the yard.

Which one did you find again? (Ever?)

Ta Da!

:-)

(Very nice write-up, Fausto!)

~ P.
 
Hi ~P.!

That makes sense - especially because these knives are made for workmen or farmers. Fields or building-lots can make a knife easily disappear anywhere around. A good visuable handle material is helpful when it should be found again ;)

Kind regards
Andi
 
Yella handles have always symbolized an outdoorsmen's knife in my mind. When I was a kid, all the fishing knives were a yellow handle toothpick design, as well as some jacks came with a yellow handle. Easy to spot if dropped in a stream or woods. Easy to spot on a crowded workbench or shop floor.

Carl.
 
That was a nice review. Good observations. I'm very glad you like the Buck 303.

I have a lot of knives these days. I have a lot of stockman pattern knives these days. But my Buck stockman patterns, 301 and 303, still get a large share of pocket time. As a matter of fact, I have a yeller 301 in my pocket right now. I just find the Buck interpretation of the stockman pattern to be eminently satisfying.
 
Frank,
that's what I'm thinking as well. Of course, I can't make comparisons, since this is the first stockman I handle. Still, the whole "project" behind the knife seems to work really well just the way it is. No wonder there are so many Buck 301/303 around.

As for the yellow thing, it always caught my eye, because, as Andi said, it's pretty distant from what you see around here. No matter how unusual it looked (to me), I just liked it, be it Buck, Case, GEC's smooth yellow rose, and so on. It has nothing to do with finding it in the woods, or grass. I just like the look of it :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Yellar, It just looks like a knife a grandpa would pull out to cut a thread off of a dolls apron or scrape a splinter out of little finger. One that you would look at about eye level on a dresser beside a billfold and well worn wristwatch. One that a old man would pull out of his pocket to trim a leaky carburetor hose from a young mans old pickup. One that your Grandma would hand you with a tear in her eye......tradition.......

300
 
You know, it's one of the first things I thought when I took the knife out of its box.
Don't know if it's due to the yellow delrin, or (my guess) to a combination of factors. Either way, this knife looks like a jack of all trades in a way.
It's traditional (a yeller stockman!) yet modern.
It looks almost funny...yet it's a serious knife.
It's not what I'd call an elegant knife...yet it wouldn't look out of place if I pulled it out of slacks.
It's not a big sturdy knife...yet it feels like it was made to handle hard work.
It's not "perfect"...but it works perfectly.
It's just good. And in my pocket right now :rolleyes:

Fausto
:cool:
 
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