The 300 series nicklesliver/stainless bolster and magnet investigation

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Apr 19, 2005
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Well, I could wrap this up in one sentence. Get a small magnet.

Yes, you can figure out a feel for the few stainless steel bolsters vs. the nicklesilver bolsters on 300s.

While SS bolsters were found on some early Camillus 300s, it jumps around a little. I went thru every catatlog. Only in 72 and 73 is SS mentioned as bolster material. Then for a few years only a SS pivot was mentioned. When the fancier catalogs came out no mention of 300 bolsters till, 2010 when NS bolster are mentioned. There is a catalog or two where they talk about 700s having NS and then allude that 300 are like 700s.

I found an old give-away screwdriver with a small 1/8 inch magnet on top end. It was not a strong magnet. I cut off screwdriver. (It was bent)
magnetonly.jpg


I wondered if there was some household chemical that might indicate the difference in metals but not damage knife. I tried to see if mustard, which is used to patina carbon steel blades, would even color either NS or SS. After waiting 10 minutes wiping off no chemical change occurred to surface. Maybe both got a better shine. I put if on the pivots also but no effect. Maybe someone out there knows a test without getting nitric acid involved.
mustard.jpg


I then tried the magnet on every 303 in collection, it stuck on some early Camillus made. I tried it on old 311 trappers and it stuck on the early ones with tang stamps Made In U.S.A. I had the 307 Stockmen out so tried them all and yep, stuck only on Made In U.S.A. early cami models. I had very little luck in seeing if magnet would stick to pivot pins, I would say forget that as a deal that would mess up test. (So what the heck are pivots made of ?) After finding a correct size magnet and checking some knives, when you find the SS bolster you will know the difference instantly. All springs were attractive to magnet. But do not interfer with testing on the ends.
magnet307.jpg


So what does this tell us, its likely the early camillus contract 300s with Made In U.S.A. tang stamps were stainless steel bolstered. Maybe 72 and 73 as catalogs suggest. It tells me and I think you will eventually agree when you fool with it that TAHs magnet test is true. This also tells me I can cut a mustard chili dog without coloring my bolsters,pivots or blades...... This wasn't rocket science but there it is..........300Bucks

PS Keep all magnets away from camera memory discs and computer flash drives. No matter how small they are.
 
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Some stainless steels with a high nickel content are nonmagnetic or at most very weakly magnetic (cold working can make a nonmagnetic stainless weakly magnetic).
 
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First of all 300Bucks, thanks for taking the time and giving us an excellent review of your test results and taking photos! :thumbup:

1) When the fancier catalogs came out no mention of 300 bolsters till, 2010 when NS bolster are mentioned.

2) So what does this tell us, its likely the early camillus contract 300s with Made In U.S.A. tang stamps were stainless steel bolstered. Maybe 72 and 73 as catalogs suggest. It tells me and I think you will eventually agree when you fool with it that TAHs magnet test is true.

1) What's strange is Buck's website says that the 300s have stainless steel bolsters. :confused:

2) I'm glad your test results were the same as mine. I was starting to think I was the only one with magnetic nickel silver bolsters. :eek:

And for the record, I would like a disclaimer from you stating that no magnet or mustard was harmed during this experiment. :mad: :D
 
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