Should I try a Buck?

I'd say go for it, :thumbup: they are tough little knives, ready for work out of the box. If you find the 301 too big, the smaller 303 cadet for a smaller stockman is always a good choice.
 
I'm racking my brain, but I don't think I've ever gotten a Buck with a good edge out of the box. Kinda decent, but no edges that I felt comfortable leaving alone. So far most that I've purchased have had cosmetic issues, some minor some not. Having said that however, a Buck 309 Companion rides in my pocket everyday, even if I already have another knife on me. I also have several Bucks in my carry rotation, from the 110 to the 301 or 302. The 309 feels tough for its size, and once you get the bevels set right, it takes and holds a great edge. The same goes with any Buck really. Get the edge where you want it, and sharpen it now and then. Send it in 20 years later for a cleaning or repair, and put it back in the pocket.
 
Photo%2520on%25202012-02-26%2520at%252014.32.jpg

Thanks to all who helped push me over the "edge." Picked up the 309. Just a quick photo from my laptop. Nice little EDC. It will make a nice summer carry when traveling because a) it won't rust and b)if it gets confiscated, it's less money to replace than a Peanut.
 
Congrats. You have to be careful though, because that's one knife that's easy to forget you have on you.
 
Glad you got one.

I've got 3 Buck slipjoints, a yellow Solitaire given to me by a fellow forumite, a 309 in sawn delrin I won and a 309 yelllow comfortcraft I bought. Buck doesn't set out to be an eye-catcher or an aesthete knife but they are very ergonomic.Feel good in the hand and are ruggedly unassuming.These are plus points in my book. The non-crinked blades of their Stockmans are appreciated by many, so too are the stainless liners for those who dislike brass, also cuts down on gaps it seems. I must try out a 303 in yellow. Their GEN5 Skinner is one of my favourite sheath knives, ideal travel knife that can slice everything, again, very good in the hand.:thumbup:
 
SubSpace said:
Thanks to all who helped push me over the "edge." Picked up the 309. Just a quick photo from my laptop. Nice little EDC. It will make a nice summer carry when traveling because a) it won't rust and b)if it gets confiscated, it's less money to replace than a Peanut.
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I see I'm a day late and a dollar short as far as influencing your decision. But I'm still going to put in my 2¢ because I am passionate on this particular subject. As, of all knives, the Buck 30X series comes closest to my ideal knives.

  • Buck's 420HC alloy is about as fine a blade steel as is available in an American made, production, traditional, pocket knife. It takes a finer edge than 440C because it does not have carbides. As heat treated by Buck to 58-59 HRC, it holds an edge well enough. Holds it better than any other 420HC I have tried, because it is harder. It holds an edge better than CV, but maybe not as well as some 1095.
  • The geometry of the blades has been optimized such that they will outperform blades made of "Higher end" alloys. (Geometry being more important than alloy in such matters.)
  • the three spring design of the stockman, while not as elegant as a two spring design, is more user friendly. The blades, especially the sheepsfoot, are easier to use and sharpen because they do not come out of the knife at an angle.
  • the fit and finish are good for the price. I have a 301 in my pocket now. The springs are exactly flush when the blades are opened or closed. The blades all have good snap. And, of all the Buck 30X knives I have owned, I have never gotten a nail breaker. Are they GEC level? Absolutely not. But they are about 1/3 the price.


Buck 30X (301, 302, 303, ...) traditionals are all made in the US.

If you want a knife for daily use, they are highly recommended. For collectors, not so much.
 
NO FAIR, Just cause I'm late, and I don't get to play. I call do-overs...... whatu-da mean collectors not so much.....:cool:

300Bucks






PS: Looks like I can't add much anyway. Any questions, just let me know.....I know; photos.....yeah.


Here is the rest of the crew, you have sawcut valox scaled. I sorta favor SC or this yellow delrin scaled model.
Modern309.jpg


If you get to looking at pawn shops, flea markets, some mail order sites, etc. you may run on to a 309 kissin-cousin. The Buck 310 Whittler is the 309 with a third blade added especially for whittling. But also useful to everyone. Sort of a near Stockman. At the current time most of them will have a 309 stamped main blade, but don't fret all is well. Jigged bone is discontinued.
310group.jpg


You fall in love and have to have the prettiest girl at the dance, you can go on a search for this one. David Yellowhorse.
YHDavid309.jpg


The old school class photo, all discontinued.
309Group.jpg


Now what was that talk about not collectable.......
 
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"If you want a knife for daily use, they are highly recommended. For collectors, not so much. "

Exactly what I found so appealing about it.
It's exactly what it is, and doesn't pretend to be what it isn't.
 
If you manage to pick up a 302 Solitaire model, you'll pretty much have all your knife needs covered.:)
 
Rsmith_77 said:
well, i appreciate the find, for reasons that are not appropriate on this forum, i'd prefer something manufactured a little closer to home
but thanks for the link and the looking out :thumbup:
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Check the popular intenet auction site. Back in time, Buck produced trappers, a stockman with a leather punch, and a folding hunter--all U.S. made-- before they stupidly dropped all of them from their line up.
 
Glad to see you finally got a Buck knife. :)

My favorite Buck products are the phenolic-handled fixed blade knives like the Special, Pathfinder, and Woodsman.

Embarrassingly, I don't have one of their traditional pocketknives. :(
If I could find a new one Made in the USA with bone or other natural handles, I'd sure be tempted.
 
Well, your excuse is made weak by a few quick movements of the fingers.....they are available. 300

Here is photo of Elk scaled 309 found at a popular location to show you they exist.

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Here is one from the same in horn.

141.jpg
 
henryhide said:
Check the popular intenet auction site. Back in time, Buck produced trappers, a stockman with a leather punch, and a folding hunter--all U.S. made-- before they stupidly dropped all of them from their line up.
Click to expand...

Those were all made for Buck by Camillus.
 
Frank,

That last post gave me hint that maybe Buck school needed to be reposted. BUT, I say instead for anyone interested in Buck slipjoints who has joined forum in last two years or so to do a search of my posts to learn the real Buck truth. I say that without vanity, only hoping to keep new posts that repeat themselves down to a tolerable level. Specific questions always welcome.

300
 
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