Buck 315 ?'s

[garddogg56]

Needing a riggers knife I came across a Buck 315 @ a pawn shop Well the bail looks like it is to supply compression to the spike or back-springs when turned up or down,does anyone know what it is for??Also what year she may be and if she was made inhouse or contract?Thanx guys

[jerryd6818]

dogg -- the bail serves the dual purpose of a regular everyday bail like on any knife and an unlocking device for the marlin spike.

Your picture of the tang stamp is too blurry to make anything out of it. Maybe one of the Buck guys (500Bucks where are you?) can help you out on that and the maker.

[garddogg56]

Thanx Jerry can allways count on you

[jerryd6818]

One of us just got lucky dogg. That's about the only thing I know about 'em.

[300Bucks]

Man I have to change models to the 500s. I wasn't aware...what am I gonna do with all these other knives.........ha

ALL Buck Model 315s Yachtsman knives made by Camillus. 300Bucks

[jerryd6818]

Jesus Christmas, didn't anyone make their own knives? Did Camillus make 'em all?

Thanks for clearing that up 300Bucks.

[300Bucks]

Buck started as a straight knife company, then invented the 110. When it decided to go into the folidng knife world to capitalize on their name, I guess they didn't want to invest or wait for the space or equipment to make folders. The Camillus contracted era got going and Buck went wild with Camillus offered models. They took over four models in 1985 but kept the different models , like the 315 Yachtsman, going. Over several years they slowly dropped models like the 307, 313, 311, 321, etc. SMKWs almost exclusively kept some Camillus made Buck models going into the late-90s with their special SMKWs only offers such at the 322 Congress, Buck Barlows and the 2000 Trapper.

So after 1985, the standard Buck made models 301,303,,309 and 305 have been only added too by Buck one or two times. Most of those usually just special variations of one of those four models. The additions were the 312 and 314 Trappers. Recently they tried a new modern version of the Buck 'altered' 305 clipper with scissors. It now has been cancelled. They added the model 302 but it is just a one bladed 301.

There, that is a quick summary in answer to your question.........500-200 = 300Bucks

[garddogg56]

Thanx gentlemen 300 I found one of your threads on another forum that dates this knife from 1988-98 am I right?

[300Bucks]

Yes, the last of the era....300

[jerryd6818]

300 -- Thanks for all that information. You've put together some great visuals. Very professional and very helpful.

[Old Hunter]

I've been watching this thread with interest as I knew nothing about the 315 - thanks to 300Bucks I am much more educated now!

[garddogg56]

Thanx 500-200=300 knowledge Here is a pic of her ready for work tomorrow with my 303 I always like new to me tools

[300Bucks]

Here we go just for a climax, a stag handled 315. This was rescaled in the lon gone old Buck Custom knife shop in CA. I got it from someone else. No shield and scale rivets. Next to it is the 321 Bird Knife..........300Bucks

[garddogg56]

BEAUTIFUL

[Old Hunter]

Well Dogg, it took me three months but I finally landed a Buck 315 (very late one - a version 6 - w/ double back springs). I bought it off an AAPK member about a week ago - came in todays mail. I have since found a bolster version for sale, but I think one of these big knives is enough; I have no plans to become a sailor. This one appears to be made of carbon steel as it has a couple of small rust spots on the back of the blade and the springs were well speckled with rust - I thought all of the Bucks made by Camillus were stainless? It was dull when I got it however it sharpened very easily, much easier than I am used to with Buck stainless, which further leads me to think it is carbon steel. I have it pretty well cleaned up now and sharp - nice knife! OH

[jerryd6818]

Congratulations Colonel. I may be wrong about this (leaving myself an out) but it's my understanding that if the marlin spike locks, it's a riggers knife and if the marlin spike does not lock, it's a yachtsman.

As long as this is turning into the Buck 315 thread, I might as well post my riggers knife.

[Old Hunter]

Nice Buck knife Jerry - does yours have a solid back spring or a two piece back spring? As to nomenclature and Buck Knives - as with the Moose vs. Muskrat thread a couple of weeks ago, I have decided to call any Buck knife whatever label it is that Buck markets the knife under (that way my nomenclature matches that of other Buck collectors). OH

[jerryd6818]

You forced me to go dig it out and look. Mine is the two piece back spring.

[300Bucks]

I believe that Jerry is correct. But I vote with OH, lets call it a Yachtsman since that was its name in catalogs and displays for up-teen years. Everyone can be on the common page.

300Bucks