Picked up a Buck 301

[neverone99]

Whoa...what a tank! This thing makes my Case large stockman look dainty. No blade wobble and is probably one of the sharpest knives out of the box I've ever bought.

 

[shrapne1]

yea on paper the difference between a 303 and 301 seems negligible, until you hold them in your hand and realize how much bigger that 301 is!

Buck definitely puts their edges across a leather wheel cause they are sharp!

 

[jackknife]

Great knife!:thumbup:

The 301 I carried for 25 years never failed me, and was a battle tank of a pocket knife. There may be prettier stockman's around, but I don't think you will find a more rugged one.

Carl.

 

[Humppa]

These Buck 300 series are real working horses. Imo they are that what a pocket knife is made for - cutting.

You won´t be disappointed with this tank.

 

[LKJW]

You just got the last knife you'll ever need (notice I said need, not want).

 

[DrPenguin]

I agree that the 301 is a very sturdy knife and you have gotten a good one.... but still, taking a good hard look at it? I can help but think we get so caught up in how suited the Buck knives are for a working knife that we forget how pretty they are. Always have liked the lines of those Buck knives. To my taste they are a fine looking tool.

Will

 

[jwren]

Good choice! And as we learned from 300 Bucks - the black delrin model has a pinned shield :thumbup:
Great knife

 

[neverone99]

You're right Will. The 300 series has a uniqueness to them that makes them quite handsome in a very utilitarian way. Every thing on the 300 series has some purpose.

Yes I learned from 300 bucks that the shield on the black plastic models is one big cast pillar of metal. Impossible to fall off!

 

[wouldestous]

i have the yellow 301. wanted the sawcut black one but the place had only one left and it had significant blade wobble. so be it; thats what i get for shopping at a big store a few days before christmas. lol
still, i like the yellow one. been carrying it a little more lately. though i generally prefer single blades its a fine old knife nevertheless.

 

[jwh]

I love my bucks. Here are the non-locking folders that I have. They are all great little knives. I think you will really enjoy yours.

Buck Lancer 305GYS Black Dymondwood
Buck Solitaire 302CWS Cherry Dymondwood
Buck Companion 309YWS Yellow Delrin
Buck Cadet 303GYS Black Dymondwood
Buck Stockman 301YWS Yellow Delrin


jwh

 

[whetrock]

Glad to here you're satisfied. I too am a big 301 guy, and carry mine (yellow delrin) quite regularly, they are incredibly utilitarian, and certainly made, with looks in second place. I feel like mine will last all of my lifetime, and then some.

 

[knarfeng]

I have several and have given a number of them as gifts.

I love the design and execution of the Buck 301 (and 303).

• The fact that they have three springs, yet are no thicker than most 2-spring stockman knives of the same length. I love having straight uncrinked blades. They work so much better than bent blades. And they nestle right next to each other and never rub.
• The change in blade organization compared to most stockman knives.
• The sheepsfoot doesn't ride high, so the knife is comfortable in the hand when using other blades.
• The thickness of the blades. Very robust.
• That they always come sharp and that the edge angle is maintained all the way to the tip, unlike so many traditional knives.
• The tolerances they routinely hold while making massive numbers of knives. On average, the springs on my Buck knives are more even than several knives I bought for 3 times what the Buck costs. Tolerances? Buck holds 'em.
• Love the 420HC blade steel, hardened to a 58HRC. Hard enough to hold an edge noticeably better than most 420HC. Yet still supremely easy to sharpen.

Good knives. Highly recommended.

 

[jwren]

All excellent points Frank! :thumbup:
For me, this one is the one that really makes the 301 (and 303) stand out - it's just so comfortable to use!

[*] The sheepsfoot doesn't ride high, so the knife is comfortable in the hand when using other blades.