I have seen only a very few 300 series that were what you might call lunch box knives. Most of the 300 models you have seen here were just slips out of quality control. Others just home modified versions.
Camillus built all 300 models before 1985 and a large percentage of them after Buck took home the 301,303,309 and 305, they would use same shape but different stamped blades to fill an order if they ran out. They usually overproduced parts to have enough. After Camillus was sold in the mid 80's and the factory and contents auctioned, a few knives were made, some equal in all aspects to the Camillus produced Buck orders. Actually some were made by the same craftsmen, they just bought some parts already printed with Buck stamping and went home to make them. I consider those 'real' Buck knives. A few other odd ones found there way from the auction of parts also.
My personal experience is that in all groups of people numbering more than two, someone will pull some tricks. Usually just for laughs, but some to get something.
300Bucks
