Weak springs on the 301

orca8589

orca8589

Joined
Jan 27, 2007
Messages
6,518
I know this has come up before, but I need to ask again. I have a 301 bought in 2008, and the springs were somewhat soft when I bought it. The springs seem to be even softer now. In 2008, I'd have considered them a "2" or "3" at most. Now they seem to be no more than a "2". Are current production 301's made with stronger springs these days?

I filed the blade kicks to lower the blade profiles; it's a lot more pocket friendly that way. The 301 I've got has lived a rather adventurous life since I bought it. It's been washed down rain gutters; been dropped off the roof & stepped on; it's trimmed shingles and cut up dozens of cardboard boxes; it's cut 1/8" poly-pull line for the entire time I've had it; it's cleaned half a dozen paint brushes, scraped battery terminals, and stripped the rubber seal out of a screen door. I buggered up the tip of the spay blade using it as a screwdriver (and later turned it into a pen blade). I carried it on a three-day Scout campout, to prove that a regular traditional knife and a hatchet was all that's needed to set up & maintain a camp.

I guess I can send it back, but if there aren't stronger springs available, I may just have to retire this one. This knife has such a history now I'd hate to have to give it up, but I'm concerned about the springs growing weaker over time.

~Chris
 
I would send it back to Buck... With a note telling them about the problem you're having with it and you would like it fixed... You want the same knife back not a different one... also I would call Buck and ask them if they can fix it... And a email to Joe Houser wouldn't hurt... Good luck... ☆☆☆

:)
 
It's been my experience that the older 2 spring Camillus our early Buck made models have pretty stout springs. At least on the 303...

The 3 spring models (late 80s on) feel significantly softer to me. I think the springs changed from carbon steel to stainless with the 3 spring models. Not that the steel type has anything to do with the strength.

I don't know how much love you'll get from Buck if you've filed on the blade kicks.

I'd find an old 2 spring model and take it for a ride if I were you.
 
My 301 springs are so bad I only carried it a few times before I gave up on it. Which is a shame because it's a great stockman. There was a post about this issue a little while ago and someone mentioned that this was an issue Buck would NOT address because there is no defect or performance issue. More of a personal preference in spring tension. If it is something they could resolve I'd be pretty happy because I love that knife, just can't get past the non existent springs...
 
The older ones still made by Camillus have a better back spring, and the 701/703 models from the late 80's/early 90's are great models and the spring tension is about just right I think. They can be found pretty readily on the auction site. I like them better than the 300 series myself.
 
The 379's have slightly ... stiffer ... springs in my experience. I'd hazard a guess my 301 is around a 4 pull on all three blades, the two 379's are maybe a 5 to 5.5 on their three blades.
 
I've heard the Chinese made models have better spring retention. Unfortunately, they're made in China. It's still a Buck, but I prefer made in the USA.
 
I have a couple 301's (an older 3-spring and a brand new 3-spring) and a 303 and consider them all to be no more than a "3" in the pull. These are amazing Stockman knives and I are the pull as just the way they are. I prefer a nice 5-6 pull but I'd much rather have light springs than nail breakers.

Every 2 spring Buck Stockman I've owned (a couple 307's, a 301, and a 303) has had a really stiff Spey blade that often was a nailbreaker. I much prefer the new pull on my Buck Stockmen.
 
My still new 301 has a just right snap on opening but on closing it's slightly soft but it has definitely gotten better over the last six months. This is on the main blade only the spey and sheepsfoot are perfect! Since it is one my most sharpest slip joints I'm glad of it!
 
My older 301 that was stolen during the move had perfect springs. My newer one is a bit soft.
 
Just picked up one form a dealer, but I think its old stock as it didn't have a box and is yellow Derlin. The pull on it is noticeably weaker than my Case Stockman and other traditionals, but its not too bad.
 
There have been a lot of complaints regarding this and I am at a loss to understand why Buck does not do something about it. Buck's Stockmans are superior in every way to Case except the spring tension.
 
DocT said:
There have been a lot of complaints regarding this and I am at a loss to understand why Buck does not do something about it. Buck's Stockmans are superior in every way to Case except the spring tension.
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I agree with the good DocT. They just do not need to be as soft as they are. It actually makes me uncomfortable using any knife that is that light. Not just the Buck. Any amount of pressure in the wrong direction will cause that blade to close. And yes I know how to properly use a slip joint knife. These are too light.

The last BCCI 301 I purchased was like this. Just ridiculously light pull. I exchanged a couple of emails with Mr. Houser and he started off explaining that slippies are normally lighter than some other knife types and we then had a discussion about the topic and he agreed mine may have went out too soft. He had me send it back, attention to him. When it came back, it is a bit heavier, but still a little lighter than I like, but more usable. I still do not carry it too often, mainly just due to those darn light springs.

I like my slippies to be a tad light perhaps just due to stiffer hands and weak nails sometimes, but these are something that Buck can be easily correct I'd think. It seems as though most people consider the Vic SAK a 5 on the 1 to 10 pull scale, since almost everyone is familiar with one. And my alox electricians, I consider to be just right.

Which is right around where I find the 701/703 models to be. A great Buck model stockman I wish they'd do a short run in with better steel. Be awesome. I've no complaints on the pull for these models. :)
 
IMHO, the Buck-made 301 and 303 knives are stouter springs and a flat grind away from being perfect. I had a 303 for awhile, but really disliked both the thick blade grinds and limp backsprings.
 
mnblade said:
IMHO, the Buck-made 301 and 303 knives are stouter springs and a flat grind away from being perfect. I had a 303 for awhile, but really disliked both the thick blade grinds and limp backsprings.
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Definitely agree here. Would have to buy an old two spring buck 303 for that flat grind reason alone at some point. Had my 301 and 303 reprofiled because of it.
Still use my reprofiled 303 from time to time.



 
I, too, have disliked the easy springs in the current 301. It is puzzling to me that some customers commenting negatively to the product over time hasn't moved Buck to at least look into making the springs a little heavier. This isn't the first time I've commented on the light pull.
 
brianv said:
I, too, have disliked the easy springs in the current 301. It is puzzling to me that some customers commenting negatively to the product over time hasn't moved Buck to at least look into making the springs a little heavier. This isn't the first time I've commented on the light pull.
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I agree. I think it would be a good idea to remedy the springs if someone sent one in. It seems a lot of people don't mind, but I think there might be more that do. I still think mine is unusable. I could say that since it's not a dirt cheap knife, it should be a little stronger, but on that note I could also blame myself for buying something online sight unseen.
 
I've yet to find a 301 or 303 since the change to 3 backsprings, from the older 2 spring design, that has anywhere near the "snap" of the older design.
 
Yes, they do not have the same snap. Also, the hollow ground blades do not cut as good as the old full flat ground blades. I want Buck to fix both issues.
 
This might be an opportunity for a dealer to have a special run produced by Buck in a certain quanity for us. Similar to the 110s in different steel, Pig sticker, Marksman etc.
 
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