Torn between buck 303 and 309

J

Jessero

Joined
Jan 12, 2011
Messages
168
Hello everyone,

I am looking to buy my first slip joint that isn't a SAK and was wondering if you fine folks would help me make a decision.
I have it narrowed down to a buck 303 or 309. Most likely going to get the chairman edition of either one.

My main concern comes down to size. I like a knife with some "substance" to it, yet at the same time don't like too much bulk.

I have a Vic farmer, and find it to be a bit too thick to carry comfortably in the "watch pocket" of my pants.

The farmer is 14mm thick. Does anyone know how thick a 303 is?

I don't necessarily "need" the third blade on the 303, but I find the extra 1/4 inch closed length appealing.
Carrying a knife in the watch pocket, it needs to be a minimum length for me to be able to easily pull it out with my fingers.
I have two keshaws that I sometimes carry in that pocket- the corral creek and grant county. The corral creek at 3 3/8 " is perfectly accessible, while the grant county at 2.65" is impossible to get without fumbling.

So it really comes down to how thick the 303 is that will make my decision. Does anyone have or would be willing to take some comparison photos?
 
looks like the 309 is shorter and doesn't have the spey blade. 303 a little bigger with the spey blade and probably easier to handle.
 
303 will be thicker. 3 backsprings versus two for the 309. For my money it would be the 303, but I love a Stockman pattern. If you want a larger but thinner 2-bladed knife, consider the Case Pen knife which is available in both stainless steel and chrome vanadium steel, but currently only in yellow Delrin.

I found a good YouTube video of a guy showing off his new 303 and comparing it to a Case Peanut. Just search for "Buck 303" on YouTube and you'll find it. It should give you a pretty good idea of the size and thickness compared to the guy's hands.
 
I have a 309 and the import version of the 303. I'll try and get some comparison photos up in the morning if no one else has. For me the 303 with its more substantial girth is a little too wide for watch pocket carry, but the length is perfect in my book. I have a 3.25" Case medium stockman that is much better suited for watch pocket carry if you want a thinner 3 bladed stockman the same length as the 303. I'll put the case in the comparison photos as well for your consideration. I love the 309 as a pen knife, but find the main clip blade a little too short...

I'll edit this post to add photos as soon as I can..

Sorry for the delay in getting photos up, unexpectedly busy for a Sunday. Here is the import (373), the 309, and the Case 6344 I believe. I should clarify my mini review from above to add that I like to carry a slim knife in my watch pocket as I keep my wallet in my right front pocket and I find the wider the knife the easier it is for my wallet to get hung up in my pocket. All three are excellent knives, even, and perhaps surprisingly the import. I don't think you can make a bad decision here.





 
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My 309 is 3/8" thick. It's blades are 1/16" thick. Assuming the 303 is made from the same blade stock, it will be 7/16" thick.

If you ask me, I'd say the extra 1/16" between the 309 and 303 will be palpable, but not significant. Meaning, you can learn to live with the thicker (and heavier) 303, if it is important for the knife to have an additional 1/4" length. I think the 303 main blade is a bit longer, which is a plus. The 309 clip point could have been 1/8" longer and still fit in the same frame. Hopefully, the 303 hasn't been short-changed in the same manner.

Me, I like the 309 as is; don't need the 3rd blade. In fact, I've shifted over to single blades, partially because I always have a Victorinox classic on my keychain.
 
I have both 303 and 309, and like them both a lot. Measuring from the one end of the pin in the middle of the knife to the other end, the 303 is 14mm (looks to be about 12.5 thick if only going by the scales). Main blade is 2-9/16", sheepsfoot is 1-7/8", and the "spey" is 1-3/4", and is more of a pen blade shape than a spey blade. Its length is 3-1/4" long.

On the 309, the pen blade is 1-5/8", and the main clip is a hair over 2", on a good day, maybe 2-1/16". Pin to pin, it is 11mm, and 9.5 at the scales. It is exactly 3" long.

The snap in my example of the 309 is much snappier than either one of my 303's. Much...snappier.
 
I have both and prefer the added size of the 303. However, I don't carry a knife in my watch pocket. I did try putting each in my watch pocket. Each of them fits. A black 303 is almost exactly 1/2" thick.
 
I like both! But in the case of the 309, the Yellow Delrin one is much more slippery than the black Sawn Delrin, this can make it more fiddly to extract from the pocket than its grippy sibling. Great knives mind, quality,value,use.
 
Wow thanks for all the info everyone! I am now leaning towards the 303... still on the fence though. Going to at least wait until Monday to order one. Too many impulsive buys in the past :)
Now im torn between the "classic" black plastic handle or the chairman rosewood edition. I like the look of the rosewood but am slightly concerned about durability vs. the plastic. I want this knife to be a keeper.
But seriously thank you guys you have been helpful in my decision making process.
 
Jessero,

Buck's dymondwood is actually a laminate between wood/plastic. I would not worry about its strength.
 
i gots me a 309 in yella and i loves it
i also gots me a 301 (not 303) in saw cut black

i carry the 309 ALOT more than the 301
for what its worth, i have no need for the 3rd blade and (to ME) the 3rd blade makes it less comfortable to hold/use than the 309
 
Thanks again for all the information guys, quite a knowledeable group. Really told me exactly what i needed to know. Ordered a 309 chairman edition just now. Couldnt help myself and ordered a 503 Prince while i was at it :) Ive been wanting it for a while... but now im going to have to decide which one to carry each day lol. Such problems :)
 
Nice choices! I have both and I have to say that the 503 is a perfect compliment to the 309...you would be absolutely justified to carry both :)
 
I only have a couple pictures of my 309 but I do carry it quite often because of it's size while wearing my dress pants at work and it's small enough it doesn't draw attention from the non knife people. :) It's actually in my pocket today matter of fact. These pictures were taken when it was still pretty new but so far the dymondwood seems to be holding up great and this knife gets put in the same pocket with my keys. The bolsters have some little scuffing going on that you can see but not feel. Overall it is still in excellent condition. When I first got this knife I was not impressed at all though as it had tons of side to side blade play on both blades but the main clip blade had the most. I sent it back to Buck and they fixed it up and now it has no play and excellent walk and talk and I really enjoy it.

These pictures really don't do the dymondwood any favors as in person it really does look much nicer. They are polished smooth and look nice.


Only other picture I have right now is a group shot with a couple of my GEC #66 Calf Ropers
 
Looks like it's too late for me to respond, but there was one other option: the 310 Whittler, which is the size and frame of a 309 (blades marked as such), but with an added coping blade. It's only available at one dealer that isn't a BF dealer, but if you google "buck whittler gift box" it'll come up.
 
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