All About Pocket Knives

Big ol thang. Tried to find a date reference but I guess I was looking in the wrong places.

Any body got an idea when this old plow horse was made?






Thanks,
W

Well,
Remember this for crude black scale Buck 307 aging. Oldest usually have tangs marked, Made In USA, long pulls, with model number on back of clip blade (1971-74), Middle age ( 1974-88) have tang marked Buck, 3XX, U.S.A., with BUCK shields only from 85 to 89. The last ones (89 - 98) are marked Buck,3XX, U.S.A. With a knife bolt and hammer shield, also long pull. Blades were always ground flat, even into late production.
The 307 was dropped from production in late 90's, the big four, 301,303,309 and 305 continued on. It was always a Camillus made contract knife. Steel likely 440A. For those that like BIG stockmen folders it fits the bill. One of the rarest forms was a yellow scale from the very end of its production life.

300Bucks

Thanks for the info.

Guess mine is one of that late models.

Camillus made contract knife....... Most likely 440A.

I agree. The tip on the main blade on this one was bent a bit. I figured I'd see if it would straighten or snap off. It straightened. LOL Put her on the anvil and tapped it right back where came from.

Tried that with a Carl Schlieper sodbuster one day. It was bent from the factory and I should have taken it back to the dealer. Knife ended up about a three fourths of an inch shorter than it started out. Still got it.

Didn't they start adding a year mark after the model # in 1986?

Jack

jemjr wrote:Didn't they start adding a year mark after the model # in 1986?

Jack

They sure did Jack. Here's a link to a thread with a copy of the date chart.

http://allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_f ... 53&t=11920

Philco is correct, but only for Buck made models.......some 'contracted' models, like the 307, 329, 322, etc. are not date stamped even though they were made after 1989. These were the Camillus made Buck contract models, mostly made for SMKWs. They are stamped Buck, but made by Camillus. Just like all the 300 series before 1986.

300Bucks

440A or 440C ? I hear they used both at different times.

If you twist my finger, I will say 440A. But, remember this is a Camillus made knife, what ever metal they were using on Camillus knives of the same design at the time would likely be used on the 307 as well.

CH/300Bucks

Yellow was a special run for SMKW, correct??

Yes.

Got my 307 from a big box o' knives in a pawnshop. Took me half an hour to sort through the box, mostly China and Pak stuff, then found the Buck near the bottom. Dirty, but mostly full blades, some snap (snap hard now with a little oil and working). Got it for $15. Looks like the big Remington green handle 9501 (also made by Camillus). I always liked folders with visible steel pivot pins; seem stronger somehow. Like German Eyes. Those get wicked sharp, but the steel is a little brittle and will not take any abuse before breaking.

Brittle what angle are you sharpening your blades at?