Pint sized pen knives, the 305 lancer club

Hickory n steel

Hickory n steel

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Feb 11, 2016
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It's time for a thread dedicated to the mighty little 305 lancer, 305 clipper, and 306 Duet.


For me it all started with a thread discussing small Bucks, and seeing pictures of the well loved and clearly very capable 305 posted by member Tecate if I remember correctly.

I went on Ebay and mistakenly bought a 309 companion which my uncle carries every day and loves, then a Camillus made 305 which I didn't like that much either.
From there I went on Ebay and found a dealer with a stock of NOS 305's from 2003, and for the reasonable price of $30 I had a winner.
The knife just really made an impression on me and 2.5 years later I now have 6 different 305's with a list of others I'm looking for.

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I would say this 1998 limited edition in brown bone is my favorite when it comes to the blades.
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As far as cover , shield, and frame / bolster option I really like the brass and rosewood diamondwood.
I need to score a better example though because the wood is rough and chattery on this one.
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This charcoal diamondwood on this example I just got last week was finished much better.
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bertl said:
with handle pins (1968-1971); T4 smooth red (1989) and saw cut yellow (1988)

Bert

View attachment 1957514View attachment 1957515
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Love the sawcut yellow.

'68-'71 you say, I didn't even realize the model had been around that early.

Made by Camillus right ?
I know Schrade had the slipjoint contract very early on, but I also know the Camillus made 305 is just a Buck version of their #881.
 
Hickory n steel said:
'68-'71 you say, I didn't even realize the model had been around that early.

Made by Camillus right ?
Click to expand...
The 305 with handle pins was made by Camillus and is the first version of the 305. Schrade was not involved with the 305. If you look closely you can see the E-Z open notch on the back side of the frame. The 1st version had a small notch and the 2nd had a larger notch. I'll see if I can get a photo of those two together so you can see the difference.

Bert
 
bertl said:
1st Version with small notch and 2nd Version with large notch

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Interesting, thanks for the pictures.


I never really noticed the pin differences before.
It looks like I've got 2 rocker pin only, 1 no pins, 2 with 3 pins, and 1 with just the handle pins.
I wonder why the rocker pin isn't exposed on the 2017 brass and wood I have ?
 
This is the only Buck 305 I have ever owned, not even sure where it is anymore. It has never been carried by me (it was a used one I bought off the bay years ago). The blades touched so they had to be carefully placed and nested. I think if I had bought a Buck manufactured one instead of this one, that I would have a better opinion of the 305. OH
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A Camillus manufactured 305 knife with the model number stamped on the backside of the clip blade. Also notice the frame recess notch for the secondary blade. Paperwork dates it to about 1972 or soon after. Comparing to bertl bertl 's I guess this is version 3 with pyle side model nummber and without handle pins.
305.Camillus.1972 1_zpsxti9lsf7.jpg305.Camillus.1972 2_zpsqsiov06p.jpg305.Camillus.1972 5_zpsvdrwzqtf.jpg
 
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A 305 Lancer from 2010 in gray Dymondwood. The Lancer is a fun one to collect and I have a bunch of them but is too small to ever be a "user" for me. It's lost in my big 3XL hand.
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Got it, thanks. I missed that. Will edit.
Now I'm gonna have to dig thru all the cabinets and drawers.
If I once knew there were variations without model #'s I've forgotton.
 
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