All About Pocket Knives

My friend you will need about 55 different knives for the the black sawcut 301,303,309 and 305 versions to get you to 1990. (one 309 is very hard to find, I don't have it)

I have never taken the time to count up the 'other' Camillus versions. A couple of those are really rare, like the serrated trapper bladed 311.

Some of the SMKWs you may find in the catalogs are pictured but I have never handled one. Such as the yellow 301 with a BUCK shield. It was either not produced after prototypes were photographed or in very small numbers that were spread to the wind.

I have been going at it for over 20 years, your course is set, full steam ahead. The first the thing you need to do next is decide if they all have to be mint in the box. If that is your goal, I bow before you. I take'm as I find'em, then look for a better one. What about mistakes, such as your 319 above but with 313 blade, I have one and have seen two so surely more are out there.

You will also need to create a portable shirt pocket record of what your looking for, to carry with you when possible, have one in the car also. Mine is two and half index cards full using small printing........

300Bucks

300Bucks - Thanks for the reality check! I am going about it in a much less methodical manner than you are (much like I used to collect Model 70 Winchesters). I am only looking for representative samples, in either new or very nice condition (nice EDC grade), whichever presents itself to me. I might add a 315 with bolsters (mine has none), but not interested in every variation (unless they fall into my lap - I will take a target of opportunity!) Right now I am finishing up with the 1985 catalog page - one of each as pictured there. I will also work on the various Buck made examples now that the Camillus 1985 line is complete. I also need a few more Schrade's. OH

Ok, I have heard those words before, "I am not really collecting", and before long they are pleading for money to stay out of debitors prison and pay for knife rehab treatments.....

Everyone with a few knives they don't carry frequently or at all, should keep a record of model, details of knife, cost, location of boxes, etc. Make that list with each knife getting a serial number. Then write it on a small sliver of paper in pencil and with a toothpick push it down in the bottom of one of the blade wells so you can read the number but the blade closes easily over it. Make a slip of paper with info and put on box if you have one with a rubberband. Reference the serial number of the knife. I know, I know you guys only have a few knives. But four or four hundred this little action with pay for itself in memory heartache ten times over.

On your list have a comments section where you can write stuff like, need to find better one.blade heavily sharpened, etc. Actually, draw a liist with boxes on a page using a Sharpie or pencil, ballpoint ink fades. Put it in one of those clear page protectors. You can take it out of that when want to write something on it.

I am hearing in the distance "I am not a real collector, just like to have a few different knives", well Mr. Non-collector these little actions are good for you anyway. This gives you something for insurance, God forbid an event, gives you something in case you don't happen to be around, especially if you got kids. Good ones anyway. And believe me as you near the age of social security your mind is a little less than the ole steel trap it was in your 20's.

Another method I will mention is index card method. Using same info. with one knife per card.

Over in another web site there is a set of knives for sale in one of those zip open cases with elastic holding the knives. It is selling for a good amount. But think how a list of the knives or even each slot with a slip of paper with knife info would boost up the price even more.

Start now before you wake up and say, I wish I would have listened to the voice of experience back when......

300Bucks

300Bucks -- Excellent suggestions. Now if I would just get off my lazy arse and follow your advice...

What happened to me; I fell in love with a pattern and in my naivete believed there were only a handful of variations. Thinking it would be simple to corral less than a half-dozen knives, I started a journey with an illusionary end point. Very slowly and seductively that end point changed as each new variation surfaced in a most insidious manner.

They're still coming out of the woodwork and I'm just now realizing, there must be a ton of these things out there. It's a bit of a shock to suddenly wake up and discover the monkey on your back and you're not exactly sure how or when he climbed aboard.

This tiny pen knife, a Buck 305 Lancer arrived today. Like my tiny Case pen knives, the blades touch - these knives are just too small - the blades snap nicely individually, but just too much steel in the blade well with both of them. This is a used knife; the main blade wobbled (somehow overlooked in the e-bay seller's description), however a squeeze in my copper-plate faced Craftsman vice fixed that issue. I oiled and sharpened it, photographed it, and put it away - this one won't ever be an EDC, but it does fill a spot in my Buck collection. I think a Buck 303 is as small a knife as I like, and a Buck 307 is as big as I like - a Buck 313 is the closest pocketknife to perfect I have found. OH

I have never found the perfect Buck folder.

However, if the 303 marked knife, which has had its spey blade removed, were scaled in some really nice stag, It would be as close as I will ever get.

For some reason , in a two bladed knife,I prefer opposite ended blades, like your 313, but a nice slightly longer sheepsfoot or a warcliff as the second blade would cause me to be short of breath. If you go to make one of these, do it with a black sawcut scaled 303. I will be much easier to remove the spey and re-pin the clip blade than these hidden spring pin Dymondwood versions. You will have to grind off the pillar shield to rescale but it can be done easily. 300Bucks

Nice300 this fixed blade is proof my brother has the FEVER.

lI FINALLY got my 317 trailblazer what a great handfull.gut to love them 300 series knives.I do have the fever.

Just got back from Texas to visit Grandkids. Went to Katy Bass Pro Shop, and my Grandson picked out the Buck Vanguard fixed blade, really a nice knife. He could'nt have been more excited. I told both Grandkids to pick out what they wanted: he got the Buck, and my Grandaughter picked out a Case Burn't amber Peanut. Also a really nice knife.

ken6 wrote:Just got back from Texas to visit Grandkids. Went to Katy Bass Pro Shop, and my Grandson picked out the Buck Vanguard fixed blade, really a nice knife. He couldn't have been more excited. I told both Grandkids to pick out what they wanted: he got the Buck, and my Grandaughter picked out a Case Burn't amber Peanut. Also a really nice knife.

Ken -- My daughter has said on more than one occasion, "You just come down to see your grandkids." Well, duh. Isn't that the reason you gave them to me? I gave one of my grandsons a Buck 119 for Christmas. I think he likes it. Building memories. That's what it's all about.

I've said, "I would kill for my children, but I would die for my grandkids."

jerryd6818 wrote:

ken6 wrote:Just got back from Texas to visit Grandkids. Went to Katy Bass Pro Shop, and my Grandson picked out the Buck Vanguard fixed blade, really a nice knife. He couldn't have been more excited. I told both Grandkids to pick out what they wanted: he got the Buck, and my Grandaughter picked out a Case Burn't amber Peanut. Also a really nice knife.

Ken -- My daughter has said on more than one occasion, "You just come down to see your grandkids." Well, duh. Isn't that the reason you gave them to me? I gave one of my grandsons a Buck 119 for Christmas. I think he likes it. Building memories. That's what it's all about.

I've said, "I would kill for my children, but I would die for my grandkids."

Jerry, That is sure right. I have 3 of 8 G'kids that love knives, but I love all of them. My Texas G'son is getting quite a collection already - he is 11 - with 3 Bucks in it. I got him a knife roll for his birthday and he is having fun adding to it. Semper Fi my brother, Ken

Do or die, brother.

Dogg, nice Buck 317 you snagged - great price too - that is a HANDFUL of knife. Ken, sounds like you (and Jerry) know what making memories is all about - my most valued possessions (knives, guns, other stuff) came from my grandparents, my parents, my wife, and my kids. Stuff is just stuff unless you can tie it to a person you love - then it has a value all out of sort to what it cost. OH

I had a great week for gaining some new Buck knives for my collection; this one is a 303 X (1990), modern style Cadet as made by Buck in their CA plant, flat ground blades, brass liners, and shiny shield with the "half-hammer" - early style of Buck production. OH

This Buck 307 Wrangler is of the second design as contracted with Camillus; it has the model number stamped on the front of the tang. This one compliments my earlier, and more used, 307 that has the model number on the reverse of the tang. You cannot appreciate the size of the 307 Wrangler until you hold it in your hand alongside a 301 Stockman - then the huge size really becomes apparent. OH

This Buck 505 Knight completes my "basic" collection of the 500, 501, 503, 505 with the Olde English style block tang stamp. I still need a 506 Lady Buck or White Knight. This 505 has the deep red Micarta handles of the early production runs. OH

This Buck 703 Colt (second style, 1980 - 85) is my first 700 series Buck - I like the engraved Olde English shield (first model had the printed block "BUCK" shield). I think going after the five of these will be right fun - very neat, very heavy duty pocketknife. OH

This 426:


Cute as a kitten! First Buck I can get SHARP!
Got it out of a passaround box of goodies.

Here's two I picked up at a local pawn shop:A Bucklite 422+ and an 0525 with the NRA-ILA stamped on one scale and the American Eagle embedded in the other.$20 for both.

Any one know the model number to this smallish lockback in this pic with my 288???

Just picked up this Buck Spitfire. It should be here by Friday or Saturday. I'm really eager to get it.

Edited to include Specs:
Blade Style: Drop Point
Blade Edge: Plain
Blade Finish: Satin
Blade Length: 3-1/4"
Steel Type: 420HC Stainless Steel
Length Open: 7-1/2"
Length Closed: 4-3/8"
Pocket Clip: Tip Up or Tip Down Carry - Right or Left Handed
Handle Material: Anodized Aluminum
Handle Color: Orange
Locking Mechanism: Lock Back
Country of Manufacture: USA

jerryd6818 wrote:Just picked up this Buck Spitfire. It should be here by Friday or Saturday. I'm really eager to get it.

Handle Color: Orange

Hey Jerry that is one cool looking knife!....and imagine that, it's orange! Whoodathunkit?

Mike

Buck Spitfire huh
I like the looks of it.
Let us know how she is when you get her in hand

Mike -- I'm hoping it's ORANGE.

Cutty -- Yeah, that's the problem with AAPK. I see a knife on here I've never seen before so off I go to research it. It leads me to another knife that peaks my interest, which leads me to another. Two hours later I stumble onto BADDA BING!! My eyes light up, my wallet heats up and starts to glow, eventually burning a hole in my pocket and before I know it, there's one more knife in the pile. One I didn't know existed two or three hours ago. What's a fella to do? Occasionally, as with this one, I'm able to hold off and put it on the watch list until the credit card rolls over to a new billing period.

I know your pain Jerry

But it sure is fun