Square bolsters

R

Russell Payne

Joined
Oct 9, 2000
Messages
183
Seems I have a lot of questions. I am one of those guys who likes the traditional pocketknife. I have some Lightnings and a few other "high tech" type knives but still favor the 300s, 700s and 500s. Just wondering why all Buck 300s I've ever seen have square ends? It seems the rounded ends are a little more pocket friendly. Is it stronger with the square bolsters? The 700 and 500 series are somewhat rounded. I have never worn a hole in my pocket with a Buck. Maybe because I usually carry a smaller knife like the 303 or 503 as a daily carry. The 301 or 701 are used for yard work and outside work. I would love to see a round bolster 303 size knife with nice jigged bone or delrin handles with the clip and sheepfoot blades. This would be thin and have the two blades I use most. I guess if we all had the knives we wanted Buck would have to make as many patterns as there are users. This is just one of those nagging questions that I thought was time to be posted. I enjoy the forum and thanks in advance for any help. Sorry for rambling so much.
 
First, let me apologize in advance for a "me too" post. ;) I'm also a big fan of traditional pocketknives - seems I've inherited some of my Grandad's ornery opinions on knives (locks belong on the knives of guys who don't know how to handle knives, can-openers belong in the kitchen, etc.). That's not to say I'm completely against locking knives or multis, but it helps explain why I just can't give up my slipjoints. Like Russell, I've always wondered why Buck pocketknives have square ends. Rounded ends are a LOT more pocket friendly and I HAVE worn holes in my jeans with a square-bolstered stockman. I would buy a serpentine Buck stockman (either 300 or 700 series) in a heartbeat. In fact, this is the only reason I ever bought a Schrade Uncle Henry. :barf: I'll second the plea for a Buck-made round bolster 303 size knife with jigged bone or delrin handles.
 
Hmmmm..... Pocket friendliness. I wonder if Buck could take a shortcut and put a little pocket clip on my beloved 303. :)
 
I actually prefer the 300 series bolsters to the 700 series. My 303 does have square bolsters but the edges are smooth and they don't really tear up my pocket.
 
>"I wonder if Buck could take a shortcut and put a little pocket clip on my beloved 303."

To each, his own .... but :barf:
 
I would just love to see slipjoint patterns with one or two blades in the same size as 701.
Built with the same materials as 700 or 500 series. Trapper, canoe, jack etc.
Oh, AND built by BUCK....

john
 
Just as a guess I'd have to say that square bolsters are part of the "pattern" used by slipjoint makers.
It saves a bit of work in making the knife. I too much prefer the slipjoint with round bolsters,but
carry a square bolster because they don't make the Buck 307 in round bolster. One of these days
I'm gona' get brave and round off the corners of the bolster just to see what happens.
 
I did grind the ends on a Colonial Ranger 4" 3 blade knife and it did not hurt it at all as to opening and closing. I have not gotten the nerve to do it on any of my Bucks. It would probably work if you could polish it but I did not have the equipment for that.
 
Russell, You got me to thinking about doing this "rounding thing" on my 307. I looked very closely
at the clearances at the corners of the bolster, did a bit of measuring to find that all I'm going to be able
to do is break the corners of the bolster without really rounding the bolster. Darn....
 
I guess the Colonial Ranger is not as tightly made as the Buck. It is a pretty good cheap knife. I'm glad you checked before you started grinding a nice Buck knife. I don't always think that far in advance.
 
Russell, No worries, mate. I've still got a darn good pal the way the 307 is anyway. You know how it is
us knifenuts just can't quit fiddiling. Now if I could just find a Buck mini-Nighthawk........
 
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