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- Apr 19, 2005
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Here is a partial photo presentation from the 300 seminar at the recent SMKWs BCCI meeting. All seminars were excellent and the DVD should be worth your investment when it is available soon. I am sure notice of DVD sale will be given here. I will throw out some of my seminar photos for your education and entertainment. 300Bucks
In the Beginning.......
There were surplus knives from Navy lifeboats they were altered with improved blades forged in the Buck lean-to and then placed in the original handle. They are rare , expensive and can be easily FAKED....so be careful.
Several years later a contract was made with Schrade to make slipjoint knives because Buck did not have facilities to make their own. The first model was the grooved bolster 3 blade stockman, it was not marked but is generally considered to the the first 301 model, although slightly longer. After a couple of years the grooves were dropped and two versions continued. The front tang stamped BUCK, Made In USA with blank rear tangs and then second with BUCK stamped on both rear tangs of the secondary blades. 1967- 72
Then in 68 - 72 an additional model was added that was called the 303 Stockman and was the forebearer of our modern 303 Cadet (medium stockman) ,also not marked.
It also was first made with front tangs stamped with BUCK Made In USA and blank rear tangs, then with the second version having rear tangs of secondary blades stamped BUCK.
But there were issues, lots of pivot pin problems.
The Schrade method of blade pinning was using the Swinden or 'Hidden Pin" method of construction and the pins were breaking or bending. Also the liner that the pin slid locked into would deform (brass), causing problems
Camillus construction method with exposed bolster pivot pins.
So after some consideration of the issues (a large part being repair cost), it was decided to switch contractors to Camillus Knife and new pivot pin method and a new era begins. There is nothing wrong with Schrade made 300 knives. They were difficult (and costly) to repair back then, not abused they will give good service even today. (NOTE: No parts are available for repair at factory, you will only be offered a new 301 or 303). I have always been attracted to their 'curvy' shape. In this photo Schrade 303 on left and the next model 303Camillus made edition on the right. With an exposed pin the Camillus required only knocking out the pivot pin to replace a broken blade, not completely taking the knife apart. Notice the swedge on the Schrade goes over the long nail nic, notice the difference in appearances in the nics for depth of cut, also the size of scale pins and the overall shape, especially the bolster ends.
Coming next will the the Camillus era 1971 - 1999
300
In the Beginning.......
There were surplus knives from Navy lifeboats they were altered with improved blades forged in the Buck lean-to and then placed in the original handle. They are rare , expensive and can be easily FAKED....so be careful.
Several years later a contract was made with Schrade to make slipjoint knives because Buck did not have facilities to make their own. The first model was the grooved bolster 3 blade stockman, it was not marked but is generally considered to the the first 301 model, although slightly longer. After a couple of years the grooves were dropped and two versions continued. The front tang stamped BUCK, Made In USA with blank rear tangs and then second with BUCK stamped on both rear tangs of the secondary blades. 1967- 72
Then in 68 - 72 an additional model was added that was called the 303 Stockman and was the forebearer of our modern 303 Cadet (medium stockman) ,also not marked.
It also was first made with front tangs stamped with BUCK Made In USA and blank rear tangs, then with the second version having rear tangs of secondary blades stamped BUCK.
But there were issues, lots of pivot pin problems.
The Schrade method of blade pinning was using the Swinden or 'Hidden Pin" method of construction and the pins were breaking or bending. Also the liner that the pin slid locked into would deform (brass), causing problems
Camillus construction method with exposed bolster pivot pins.
So after some consideration of the issues (a large part being repair cost), it was decided to switch contractors to Camillus Knife and new pivot pin method and a new era begins. There is nothing wrong with Schrade made 300 knives. They were difficult (and costly) to repair back then, not abused they will give good service even today. (NOTE: No parts are available for repair at factory, you will only be offered a new 301 or 303). I have always been attracted to their 'curvy' shape. In this photo Schrade 303 on left and the next model 303Camillus made edition on the right. With an exposed pin the Camillus required only knocking out the pivot pin to replace a broken blade, not completely taking the knife apart. Notice the swedge on the Schrade goes over the long nail nic, notice the difference in appearances in the nics for depth of cut, also the size of scale pins and the overall shape, especially the bolster ends.
Coming next will the the Camillus era 1971 - 1999
300
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Eagerly awaiting part 2.