Where are the new 301's & 303's ?

[AR-Trvlr]

I received my fire red 301 from Red Hill Cutlery yesterday as well. Nice knife. The bright red is a nice contrast to my older red 301s.

 

[guy g]

I'm still curious why the blade configuration changed, two blades next to each other.

It seems the sheep's foot is more common on the other side. I hadn't paid attention to this until the New Bucks were introduced.
There was one post here someplace where the Poster said something like ' finally the sheep's foot is on the correct side.

 

[MattWRog]

I was hot on picking up an Ebony but after seeing the blade arrangement and how chonky they are I’m kind of lukewarm now. I’ve been spoiled by the two blade 301’s and don’t really need or use the Spey. I think it’s shuffled down the list a bit.

 

[FranklinG]

I've been sitting with my new 301 for the last couple of days. It's a little disappointing. I really love the 301 (and 303, and 309, and 371, and... ok ok, I have a thing for Buck slippies). I was bummed but not entirely surprised about the gaps in the back springs. I had hoped that Buck would address this with their new versions, but it must not have made the to-do list. I was, however, completely surprised that the spey blade cannot be opened at all when the sheepsfoot blade is closed. It only opens freely once the sheepsfoot is in the open position. Conversely, if I close the sheepsfoot and then attempt to close the spey blade, the spey blade does not fully close.

The color is nice though. I'll send it back next week and see what Buck says. I've always had excellent (and few) experiences with their warranty department.

Here are a couple comparison shots with an older 301:

 

[mbkr]

I've been sitting with my new 301 for the last couple of days. It's a little disappointing. I really love the 301 (and 303, and 309, and 371, and... ok ok, I have a thing for Buck slippies). I was bummed but not entirely surprised about the gaps in the back springs. I had hoped that Buck would address this with their new versions, but it must not have made the to-do list. I was, however, completely surprised that the spey blade cannot be opened at all when the sheepsfoot blade is closed. It only opens freely once the sheepsfoot is in the open position. Conversely, if I close the sheepsfoot and then attempt to close the spey blade, the spey blade does not fully close.

The color is nice though. I'll send it back next week and see what Buck says. I've always had excellent (and few) experiences with their warranty department.

Here are a couple comparison shots with an older 301:

View attachment 2963716View attachment 2963718View attachment 2963719

I feel the same way. This is the third Buck I've bought in the last 3 years that wasn't up to the standards I expect from Buck. I initially thought I was pushing the spey into the sheep and causing the problem, but no, the spey is in fairly serious contact witht he sheepsfoot. I'm filing the spey blade so it clears the sheepsfoot. Killed any desire I have for one of the 303s.

 

[bertl]

I was, however, completely surprised that the spey blade cannot be opened at all when the sheepsfoot blade is closed. It only opens freely once the sheepsfoot is in the open position.

I haven't had that problem.

Bert

 

[FranklinG]

I haven't had that problem.

Bert

I'm not surprised that it's rare. I have a couple stockmen, and this is the first time I've encountered something like this.

When I first opened the main blade, I thought, "Come December this is gonna be my Buck of the Year." I still have hope. It's a sweet knife if I skip over the part where 1 of the blades doesn't open.

 

[DrMegabyte]

I haven't had that problem.

Bert

I was, however, completely surprised that the spey blade cannot be opened at all when the sheepsfoot blade is closed. It only opens freely once the sheepsfoot is in the open position. Conversely, if I close the sheepsfoot and then attempt to close the spey blade, the spey blade does not fully close.

I've bought three of the 2025 redesigned 301s. All three have had this issue. :-( Two have been back to Post Falls, One came back working GREAT, one can back with seemingly the same problem. Next week, I'll be sending that one back Post Falls for the second time along with my new Red Hills that has the same issue. I'm convinced the issue isn't directly the Spey binding on the Sheepsfoot, rather it is that when the Sheepsfoot is not strait, it pushes the Spey against the liner and it is the liner that the Spey catches on.

Anyway, two more 301s going back to the warranty department next week.

 

[mbkr]

I'm convinced the issue isn't directly the Spey binding on the Sheepsfoot, rather it is that when the Sheepsfoot is not strait, it pushes the Spey against the liner and it is the liner that the Spey catches on.

 

[SharpBits]

I haven’t looked at the two I received from Red Hills. Now I’m not sure I want to.

 

[Railsplitter]

I've bought three of the 2025 redesigned 301s. All three have had this issue. :-( Two have been back to Post Falls, One came back working GREAT, one can back with seemingly the same problem. Next week, I'll be sending that one back Post Falls for the second time along with my new Red Hills that has the same issue. I'm convinced the issue isn't directly the Spey binding on the Sheepsfoot, rather it is that when the Sheepsfoot is not strait, it pushes the Spey against the liner and it is the liner that the Spey catches on.

Anyway, two more 301s going back to the warranty department next week.

I clicked on the “Like” button because I didn’t see a “Dislike” button. I am sorry for your bad experience but thank you for sharing it with us.

 

[FranklinG]

I've bought three of the 2025 redesigned 301s. All three have had this issue. :-( Two have been back to Post Falls, One came back working GREAT, one can back with seemingly the same problem. Next week, I'll be sending that one back Post Falls for the second time along with my new Red Hills that has the same issue. I'm convinced the issue isn't directly the Spey binding on the Sheepsfoot, rather it is that when the Sheepsfoot is not strait, it pushes the Spey against the liner and it is the liner that the Spey catches on.

Anyway, two more 301s going back to the warranty department next week.

That's a huge bummer!

I wonder if our 301's will run into each other in the warranty department. Maybe they'll become camp buddies, as it were. I'll send a sticker along with mine and ask Buck to put in the package with DrMegabyte's knives. I just need to dig around and see if I have any Case stickers...

 

[SharpBits]

I opened my two last night and I find it hard to believe these were ever released to the public. Especially considering that they were a special order. To say I’m disappointed is an understatement. These look like some apprentice’s very first attempt at making a knife. I’m may have sworn off Buck knives forever.

I’ll try to get some pictures up after our home internet is restored.

 

[GPyro]

I'm not really a slippy fan, but I've been tempted to grab one of those red ones....

Nah.

 

[jmh33]

Sounds like BUCK needs a MAJOR overhaul on those!!
I too was thinking about getting a red 301 also but ain’t up for that nonsense!!
John

 

[kyhunt]

While I haven’t seen one of these new stockmans,, I’m honestly shocked with the issues. It’s not like it’s a new model that needs kinks worked out. The 300 series has been cornerstone product of Buck for along time.

I hope they get it resolved before to many bad knives tarnish their reputation.

 

[brianv]

Why did Buck even change them? Was there something wrong with the 301's I have that I don't know about?

Wait, wait! Something is coming through the fog of my ol' brain. The voice is saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Does this mean anything to any of you?

 

[AR-Trvlr]

Why did Buck even change them? Was there something wrong with the 301's I have that I don't know about?

Wait, wait! Something is coming through the fog of my ol' brain. The voice is saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Does this mean anything to any of you?

Comparing the construction of my new fire red 301 to the older 301s it appears that there was significant change made to the construction process. I assume that they changed the process to make it easier/cheaper to make.

 

[brianv]

Comparing the construction of my new fire red 301 to the older 301s it appears that there was significant change made to the construction process. I assume that they changed the process to make it easier/cheaper to make.

I know prices are going up. There are things that I will no longer pay for or consider buying. If it takes $100 or $125 to get a decent slip joint from Buck, I'll pay it. For me that would be preferrable to spending $200+ on a Magnacut, thumbstud flipper that takes too much rroom in my pocket. I know I am in the minority so I'm moving along.

 

[DrMegabyte]

I've bought three of the 2025 redesigned 301s. All three have had this issue. :-( Two have been back to Post Falls, One came back working GREAT, one can back with seemingly the same problem. Next week, I'll be sending that one back Post Falls for the second time along with my new Red Hills that has the same issue. I'm convinced the issue isn't directly the Spey binding on the Sheepsfoot, rather it is that when the Sheepsfoot is not strait, it pushes the Spey against the liner and it is the liner that the Spey catches on.

Anyway, two more 301s going back to the warranty department next week.

To give you all a picture of the reoccurring issue, here is a picture of one of my 301s. I sent this into Buck with that 301 and it is the one that came back fully functional. I did not think to send in a picture with the second one, but now that the second is returning to Buck for the second time, I'll be sending in more pictures. Plus, I'll take pictures of the 3rd 301 I am sending in at the same time.