Question on 317

B

Brian Lavin

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
1,290
I picked up a model 317 at the Buck Company store the other day. I know this is discontinued, but could I get a little bit more info on it? Like, how long since it's gone out of the line, is it a contract made or Buck made and is it considered a large trapper ?
Thanks
Brian

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Buck Collectors Club Member # 572
Dedicated ELU
Talonite fan
Knifeknut(just ask my wife)
 
The model 317 is the Trailblazer. To the best of my knowledege Buck never made it. It was a contract knife made by, I beleieve Camillus. Before Camillus made Buck's 300 series pocket knives, Schrade made them. Schrade may have made some of the 317's. I am not sure. It first appeared in their catalogs sometime in the 70's. I believe that it was dropped from their product line in the mid 80's. CJ or Joe can probably give you some more info on the specifics. You might want to get yourself a copy of the Story of Buck Knives, it explains alot about the 300 series. That design of knife has been popular with hunters who prefer a folding knife for years. It provides an advantage to them in having two blades. Having two blades eliminates some resharpening during dressing, and is good in the event that one blade should break. Incidentally, there have been many versions of Buck's Trailblazer made with different tang markings. Some of Buck's craftsmen have even customized them with different handle materials. The blades are made of carbon steel. The Trailblazer was truly a great knife. I do not believe that it is a Trapper design though. I own a few myself, one of which I keep in my truck as a utility knife.
Originally posted by Brian Lavin:
I picked up a model 317 at the Buck Company store the other day. I know this is discontinued, but could I get a little bit more info on it? Like, how long since it's gone out of the line, is it a contract made or Buck made and is it considered a large trapper ?
Thanks
Brian
Click to expand...

 
Thanks Buck Man, great details. Where do I get the book ? I've heard of it, but not seen it anywhere. I looked in Levine's guide, but the 317 was not specifically mentioned.
Thanks again,
Brian

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Buck Collectors Club Member # 572
Dedicated ELU
Talonite fan
Knifeknut(just ask my wife)
 
Since you are in San Diego you can pick up a copy of it at Buck Knives. Just ask them there at customer service, or in the company store. If you're interested in Buck Knives you might consider joining our collector's club. Our club director, Joe Houser might even consider writing a article for our club newsletter on the 317. The newsletter comes out every other month and always has a piece on an older Buck product. You are welcome, BILLY
Originally posted by Brian Lavin:
Thanks Buck Man, great details. Where do I get the book ? I've heard of it, but not seen it anywhere. I looked in Levine's guide, but the 317 was not specifically mentioned.
Thanks again,
Brian
Click to expand...

 
Sorry Brian just now noticed that you are already a member, my apologies. BILLY
Originally posted by BUCK MAN BILLY:
Since you are in San Diego you can pick up a copy of it at Buck Knives. Just ask them there at customer service, or in the company store. If you're interested in Buck Knives you might consider joining our collector's club. Our club director, Joe Houser might even consider writing a article for our club newsletter on the 317. The newsletter comes out every other month and always has a piece on an older Buck product. You are welcome, BILLY
Click to expand...

 
Billy and Brian,

The 317 was one of the knives made on contract by Camillus. It was one of 5 new pocket knives made by them for us starting in September of 1972.
It was discontinued in 1990.
Shrade actually only made the 301 and 303 for us. We switched to Camillus because Shrades design, which was really a cool concept, did not make repair possible. We soon found out that when a knife was sent in for a blade replacement, we had to scrap the entire knife! We tried to get the folks at Schrade to change their design but i think it would have been too costly for them.

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Joe Houser
Director of Quality, Buck Knives Inc.
Buck Collectors club Administrator
 
Thnaks Joe. The 317 just jumped out at me when I was in the Company Store, knew I hadn't seen these for a long time. There were a bunch of the SwissBucks there that were very tempting as well, but I managed to hold myself back 1
wink.gif

Thanks for the help from you too, Buckman.

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Buck Collectors Club Member # 572
Dedicated ELU
Talonite fan
Knifeknut(just ask my wife)
 
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