So why did they do it?

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henryhide

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Back in time, Buck produced a large stockman ---the #307--and they produced a stockman with a leather punch---The "Buck Rancher." If I remember correctly, they also produced a trapper pattern. Now, other knife companies still produce these models and make a profit by doing so, why did Buck stop production of them? I know that they now produce a trapper in China, I am not talking about that, these were the knives with the black delrin handles, just like the current #301 has.
 
Here you go Trax its a 301 with a harness punch instead of a sheepsfoot.
buck319.jpg


Henry,

I'm with you on "why stop production of a great knife pattern like the 307 Wrangler or the 319 Rancher?" I'll take a shot at this but I should defer to 300Buck as he'll be the best source for this question.

So Buck contracted the 300 series out to Schrade for a few years starting in 1966 but gave Camillus the contract in 1972. I'm not sure exactly when the 307 debuted but around '72 I think. The Rancher was offered for the first time in 1976. In the late 80s and early 90s Buck began to a) produce some of the 300 series in San Diego b) discontinue some of the 300 line. The 307 got canned in 1998. The 311 trapper in 1992. The Rancher in 1991.

It was lack of demand that got some of the discontinued models or in the case of the trapper, newer designs were introduced in 1990 with the large 314 trapper and the 312 mini-trapper. I also believe Buck was winding down its production arrangement with Camillus and some models got canned in the Divorce procedings (just a guess).

Buck did try to replace the 300 series with the 700 series but that didn't go well as the dealers raised hell and Buck backed down...despite the 700 series being higher quality knives. Kind a interesting that the 700s got the ax enventually and the 300s are going strong with current US production (delrin and charcoal) and Chinese (brown wood).

So it probably got down to Buck had more patterns than demand justified. I love the 307 and have one in my pocket right now...maybe they'll do some special run with it for a BCCI knife.
 
The 307's are still sold on e-bay, I bought one there and it is one of the best knives I have ever seen--razor sharp out of the box and solid as a rock. It's just that the decision of Buck seems a little short sighted and self defeating. Back then, one of the main markets for their products were people who really used the knives on a daily basis. Certainly, the 307 and the Buck Rancher would have had a market. As you know, similar styles have been produced since then by many manufacturers---- and for example, still today by Mooremaker. There still is a demand for those styles and I really would love to see Buck bring back the 307 and the Buck Rancher.
 
Henry bear in mind that two factors probably played into the drop in demand for Buck's slippies 1. lots of cheap but reasonably built knives from China ie Steel Warrior. Sad but true. 2. Changing taste in the knife buying public...ie the rise in popularity in one hand, clipped style knives like Spyderco and Benchmade.

Knive Manufacturing is a hard business to be in esp with the added issues that the government seems to want to create on top of the competative pressures.
 
I guess I don't expect either the Wrangler or Rancher to ever go back into routine USA production. Maybe LE sprint runs.
 
Flatlander1963 said:
Henry bear in mind that two factors probably played into the drop in demand for Buck's slippies 1. lots of cheap but reasonably built knives from China ie Steel Warrior. Sad but true. 2. Changing taste in the knife buying public...ie the rise in popularity in one hand, clipped style knives like Spyderco and Benchmade.

Knive Manufacturing is a hard business to be in esp with the added issues that the government seems to want to create on top of the competative pressures.
Click to expand...

Maybe. But didn't the production of the 307 and the Buck Rancher cease before the invasion of the convenience store tacticals? I'm not sure exactly when that started. At any rate, the cheap tacticals-- and the better ones from Spyderco, for example-- don't seem to have hurt production of the #301 and the Buck Cadet, they are still being made. But, we will probably never see new versions of the 307 or the Buck Rancher, you are right. There still is a demand for them, however. Watch how fast the old ones go on e-bay and at what price.
 
First if you are a BCCI member there is a 319 Rancher history on website.
Second :
Photo of the two 319s, L shaped awl in back, L is visible from reverse (Trax)
319Forum.jpg



Three of the four 307 Wranglers, missing is yellow scale. Back one is marked: BUCK,MadeInUSA, 307 on reverse of tang.
DSCF14432.jpg


Here is wild as guess, mostly said by Flat already:

In 1989 the last of the brass liner knives were made for Buck by Camillus, with the 1990 model design change Buck went in house making them in all Stainless, lintergal bolsters and liner and SS springs. This design change eventually ousted the brass liner knives as the parts ran out. The 'fab' four were manufactored by Buck in plant. I guess they didn't want the expense of all that extra tooling for lower volume sellers....plus what Flat said about the 700 series. Some 'other' models were occasionally made by Buck such as the 312 and 314 Trappers but Camillus made a few models also, contracted by Buck thru them for other people, i.e. SMKWs 329,322, 331, etc. What was interesting was all the new Bucks that were on _bay as Cami.factory was closing. You think they were real, but then you see the brass spring rivet where a SS rivet should have been...haha odd. The 307 was a big stockman, good for country boys and cattlemen, not so desired by sub-urban caboys.

Flatlander was right on...
300Bucks

PS. The 319 spiral awl was carbon steel and will rust.......
 
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Craig,

The buckskin work gloves as a backdrop to the two Ranchers is a very nice touch.
That's a quality picture of some of that Buck candy we are all infatuated with!
 
Gordon,

I try for one "scene' picture for each history. Will see about 307s soon.

In the recent newsletter article on the Clippers I was considering that these Clippers were good enough for high class key chain knives. I started to include a empty bottle of bubbly and glass to show the quick undress after a night on the town. But, it is expensive and I would have to have drunk it all first. 300

KnifePhotoHighHeels.jpg


This was actual 319 history photo, with cuttin' horse spur.
319Final_edited-1web.jpg
 
Picked bone for the fella
and pink for the gal...nice touch with the pink heart on the key chain.
You know this is showing off your creative side!! :)

The spurs are even better than just the gloves.
 
henryhide said:
It's just that the decision of Buck seems a little short sighted and self defeating. Back then, one of the main markets for their products were people who really used the knives on a daily basis.
Click to expand...

On what do you base these assertions? Have you worked in Buck's sales and marketing division, or done paid marketing research for them?
 
Flatlander1963 said:
Here you go Trax its a 301 with a harness punch instead of a sheepsfoot.
buck319.jpg



Buck did try to replace the 300 series with the 700 series but that didn't go well as the dealers raised hell and Buck backed down...despite the 700 series being higher quality knives. Kind a interesting that the 700s got the ax enventually and the 300s are going strong with current US production (delrin and charcoal) and Chinese (brown wood).

So it probably got down to Buck had more patterns than demand justified. I love the 307 and have one in my pocket right now...maybe they'll do some special run with it for a BCCI knife.
Click to expand...

Gentlemen,

If you do own a 700 series, compare it to some of the customs in the market today. I reckon the fit and finish is just about the same ! A real crying shame it got axed
 
300Bucks said:
Photo of the two 319s, L shaped awl in back, L is visible from reverse (Trax)
Click to expand...

Thanks! So that one is an "awl", and the other one in the post way up above is a "harness punch"...I was wondering if the "punch" was like I use to make gaskets with...

Like many here, I occasionally need to make adjustments to my belts...I've used the L shaped thingy and didn't like the hole it made...The best tool I've used to hole my belts is to heat up a 16ga nail red hot and burn the hole through...If you try this, don't breathe the smoke...If you've ever owned a British motorcycle, it will bring back painful memories... :(
 
I appreciate the honors on the photos, but anyone can take a good digital photo......even with a cheap camera. I am hijacking thread here, but this is important....

If you have access to Buck Collectors Club Newsletters I did a story on how I do knife shots and how you can do yours or at least improve them.

If enough folks want to see it who can't go into the BCCI website I will make it a thread.

But maybe I have already, I will search.

Example: Shot made outside on patio, under white plastic trash bag using a $99 camera.
NUMERO UNO is buy and use a tripod...........300

 
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