-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Trying to find old 301 age
- Thread starter akeegan
- Start date
DeSotoSky
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2011
- Messages
- 6,999
The 301 has been in continuous production since the late 60's......it's gonna take a picture....
For starters though, if there is a symbol after "301" that's a date code and makes the knife newer than 1986 and the year can be identified by the code. No date code would make it pre 1986.
For starters though, if there is a symbol after "301" that's a date code and makes the knife newer than 1986 and the year can be identified by the code. No date code would make it pre 1986.
DeSotoSky,
I've uploaded pics before, just not today apparently. A link is all I can do until I figure it out.
Thanks a lot.
http://s1172.photobucket.com/albums/r570/akeegan2/?action=view¤t=_DSC0020copy.jpg
I've uploaded pics before, just not today apparently. A link is all I can do until I figure it out.
Thanks a lot.
http://s1172.photobucket.com/albums/r570/akeegan2/?action=view¤t=_DSC0020copy.jpg
Last edited:
David Martin
Moderator
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2008
- Messages
- 19,520
Akee, Yours is a 1973-83 mfg.. A nice 301. DM
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2005
- Messages
- 5,533
Like a good teacher I will correct gently.......two versions of the above mentioned version. One with brass spacer and one without.....details, details, details....
You know it all probably just adds up to a machine just not quite set the way it was on the second run of blades. Had to have spacer because the two secondaries got a little more 'krinking' than the first run and one was rubbing....only the engineer at the time knows for sure.....
300
You know it all probably just adds up to a machine just not quite set the way it was on the second run of blades. Had to have spacer because the two secondaries got a little more 'krinking' than the first run and one was rubbing....only the engineer at the time knows for sure.....
300
300,
Thank you; I live to learn. So the center brass plate is what you are calling the spacer?
http://s1172.photobucket.com/albums/r570/akeegan2/?action=view¤t=_DSC0023copy.jpg
DM, thanks for your comment and input.
So, y'all think this is a '73-'83ish 301?
ak
Thank you; I live to learn. So the center brass plate is what you are calling the spacer?
http://s1172.photobucket.com/albums/r570/akeegan2/?action=view¤t=_DSC0023copy.jpg
DM, thanks for your comment and input.
So, y'all think this is a '73-'83ish 301?
ak
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2005
- Messages
- 5,533
Akee,
Yes, as everyone above has said 73-85, the last run of the 301 as a contract made knife by the Camillus factory.
The picture below shows the backs of knives with spacers. Your knife does not appear to have a "SIDE" spacer on the secondary blade side, all of that model up to this point have center spacers. The side spacer allows a little more room in a slot that two blades, whose tangs are slightly crinked or bent, can fit together side to side. Turn your knife over and look down from the top with the blades closed and you can see the adjustment that allows the secondary blades to 'snuggle' together in one slot. This photo of the bottom shows an additional side spacer that is cut-out to the shape of the blade well. It will be visible on the ends and bottom but not the top. This cutout portion gives the extra room. There were also some made in this time period when the spacer was not needed. The blade stock could have been thinner, the spring was a little wider or the crinking of the two tangs was more precise. This version game of these small details is what makes collectors pull there hair out. (why I have to wear cap outside). There is no difference in value of this era 301. If you want to play the collector roll then you will need to find one with two side spacers to have the set. If you just want a nice user knife, you are good to go.
300Bucks
To complete the story from the spacer angle, here is photo of the change in the early 90's when Buck had taken back the manufacturing of the 301 ( in 85) and changed from brass liners with spacers to a all SS three spring, one for each blade, method of construction. This eased and quickened assembly and ended the need for crinking. Each blade has its own spring.
EDIT: This will be 1990 dated knives or later (X).
Yes, as everyone above has said 73-85, the last run of the 301 as a contract made knife by the Camillus factory.
The picture below shows the backs of knives with spacers. Your knife does not appear to have a "SIDE" spacer on the secondary blade side, all of that model up to this point have center spacers. The side spacer allows a little more room in a slot that two blades, whose tangs are slightly crinked or bent, can fit together side to side. Turn your knife over and look down from the top with the blades closed and you can see the adjustment that allows the secondary blades to 'snuggle' together in one slot. This photo of the bottom shows an additional side spacer that is cut-out to the shape of the blade well. It will be visible on the ends and bottom but not the top. This cutout portion gives the extra room. There were also some made in this time period when the spacer was not needed. The blade stock could have been thinner, the spring was a little wider or the crinking of the two tangs was more precise. This version game of these small details is what makes collectors pull there hair out. (why I have to wear cap outside). There is no difference in value of this era 301. If you want to play the collector roll then you will need to find one with two side spacers to have the set. If you just want a nice user knife, you are good to go.
300Bucks
To complete the story from the spacer angle, here is photo of the change in the early 90's when Buck had taken back the manufacturing of the 301 ( in 85) and changed from brass liners with spacers to a all SS three spring, one for each blade, method of construction. This eased and quickened assembly and ended the need for crinking. Each blade has its own spring.
EDIT: This will be 1990 dated knives or later (X).
Last edited:
David Martin
Moderator
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2008
- Messages
- 19,520
Thanks, Craig for the write up and good photos. Well done. DM
DeSotoSky
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2011
- Messages
- 6,999
I guess I havn't been paying close enough attention to lessons in the past.....I thought Buck brought production in house about 85-86 and that loosely coincided with the introduction of date codes. Are there Buck manufactured 301's pre date code? Do they have a long or short nail nic?
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2005
- Messages
- 5,533
De,
Don't fret, I missed the editing.....Went and changed to 85, corrected SOME spelling and added a couple of dates.....
OK, now the other question. Yes, there are Buck made 301s with no date code made by Buck. But, they will have small nail nics and BUCK shields, just no date code. They ran up a few (late 84 or early 85 ?) before kicking in the date stamp system. Camillus made only long nail nics in 307,301,303,309 and 305s. They made small nics in others. (Edit: since the 319 shared the 301 clip blade, then it was long also) Buck ONLY made (makes) small nics. (PS I do love a match strike nail nic for some reason)
300
Don't fret, I missed the editing.....Went and changed to 85, corrected SOME spelling and added a couple of dates.....
OK, now the other question. Yes, there are Buck made 301s with no date code made by Buck. But, they will have small nail nics and BUCK shields, just no date code. They ran up a few (late 84 or early 85 ?) before kicking in the date stamp system. Camillus made only long nail nics in 307,301,303,309 and 305s. They made small nics in others. (Edit: since the 319 shared the 301 clip blade, then it was long also) Buck ONLY made (makes) small nics. (PS I do love a match strike nail nic for some reason)
300
Last edited: