Questions about my 303

Badhammer

Badhammer

Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
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My wife bought me a 303 back in 1988 when we lived in El Cajon, CA. I believe she picked it up at the Buck factory store. It's in pretty fair shape with normal wear from pocket carry however it 's got some side to side play with the clip point blade, not so much with the others. Was wondering if it's got much collector value? Also can I tighten the pivot myself and or is this something I can sent back to Buck for some TLC? TIA
 
Hammer, The 300 slips are not my forte' but I would think any Buck knife thats 22yrs. old would have some collectors value and it could have a blade steel thats no longer used . So, yes worth sending to Buck for a spa treatment . DM
 
Thanks. Unlike the current 300 Series in the catalog mine has the sheepsfoot blade on the same end as the clip point. The spey blade is the one by itself at the other end.

Do you know what type of steel was used on mine? I have to confess that I've not be able to get it very sharp on my Sharpmaker.
 
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If it's a 88 model it was made by Buck .I know I should know what steel it is
but can't find my notes from 300.:D I think it's 440c but not sure.Can you take a picture of it for us?
Hawkeye
 
Hammer, If it was a 303 Buck mfg. ? As I was of the information that Buck didn't take the 300's back in house until 1990 . So, if it is a Camillus made we're unsure of the steel . But if its a Buck made the steel they were using in the year you mention was 425M and it has vanadium in its mix which makes it difficult to sharpen, especially on a Sharpmaker . Get the diamond rods and you'll realize a difference and see it hair popping sharp . DM
 
Well David the notes I got says that.In about 1984 Buck began to make four of the most popular models in their own plant.On these models ,the 301,303,305,
and 309. But you could be right about the blade steel. But I could be wrong.:eek:
Hawkeye
 
Thanks to all. I'll try a take a decent photo a little later today and get it posted.
 
Here are a few, not so good photos. If there is some particular feature of the knife that someone would like a better/closer shot of I'll try my best to accomodate.

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100_1874.jpg


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100_1873.jpg
 
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With your 303 having the 'new' shield I'm mostly positive it was mfg. by Buck . As 300 has discussed this feature before . DM
 
It has the ^ marking for 1988. Would either of the other companies Buck used have put that mark on their production?
 
Hammer, Sorry I can't help you . However, Tin Sue, Bear and 300 would know this area of Buck history . They'll check in soon . DM
 
David Martin said:
Hammer, Sorry I can't help you . However, Tin Sue, Bear and 300 would know this area of Buck history . They'll check in soon . DM
Click to expand...
Yes those are the guys to ask for sure.:thumbup:

I don't think the other would have put the mark on the blade.The way I can tell is the short nail nick. That is a Buck made one for sure, as I understand it.

Maybe one of the above guys will chime in.They know a lot more then me about it.

Hawkeye
 
I was off at family reunion and everyone carries on just fine without me.....everyone did good. Training is sinking in....all info correct.

BH,

You have a BUCK manufactured knife. It has 425m steel. It can be fixed up by Buck, look up the Buck website under repair work, and email or call Joe Houser at Buck.
They are not common but show up once in a while. The next year the Buck scale plate showed up changed back to the knife, bolt and hammer because everyone was mouthing about the BUCK shield, but actually it was a interesting situation as the ink worn off and left the plate just with shallow indents of BUCK. I myself would like to see a deeply stamped plate of that sort but am also tied to history by the knife,bolt and hammer stamp.

Here is a line-up (wrong info deleted) Yours will be the fourth down on the right. YOUR KNIFE - I would fix this one up and buy a new black sawcut scale to carry but that is just me the collector talking. Others will tell you to use it, that is what it was made for.....your call
300Bucks
This is historical line up from beginning to 1990- top left to bottom, then top right to bottom. Yours is fourth down on the right side
DSCF03382.jpg
 
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Boy, you got your moneys worth on that one Hammer . Heck, that info. alone was worth the price of the club membership and you still have knives coming . DM ;)
 
Boy, I am glad I did not make any mistakes on that test.

Thanks (Teacher) I mean 300.:D

Hawkeye
 
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