New 2011 303 Cadet

[Jigslinger]

I'm a medium and small stockman fan and have recently been adding to my collection after a hiatus of several years and pursuing other hobbies (guitar, fishing, rod building, lure collecting, grandkids, shooting, etc.!). I have several Case, Old Timers, and Bear and Sons. Always wanted a Buck 303 so I bought one via Internet last week. I really like the traditional look of the knife and the different blade configuration (the SF being on the single blade end) is interesting. Buck303's info has been most enlightening and I noticed how Buck is using a back spring for each blade with no liner between the springs. Also of note is it appears Buck has drilled holes into the liners, I presume for weight reducing purposes. The knife does not feel as heavy as others in its class or older 303s. Overall I like this knife and plan to carry it. It is a little rough around the edges, literally. I took sandpaper and smoothed out the top of the liners and the fit of the springs is a bit uneven on the bottom. For each blade having its own spring, the snap of the blades and hold open is a bit weak but satisfactory. Also, I prefer the thin nail nick over the crescent moon shaped one on the 2011 version. I give the knife a 7 out of 10. Hopefully I'll be able to find an older example in the future.

[TripleF]

Knice review!

[300Bucks]

Holee Liners-

Buck uses the same liners for the Dymondwood, Yellow and Chairman versions. Only the old sawcut black Valox scale is different on one side, with a added solid pillar that the knife, bolt and hammer shield is stamped on.
Scales on the three top versions are held on by two scale rivets and the spring rivet, the black sawcut scale is hot-pressed into place over the shield pillar, using the holes in the liners as reverse plastic rivets. The scale is made with 'bumps' in the back which go thru the holes and are melted and pressed smooth in the blade well. This sort of smears the plastic into a thin 'rivet' like head that hold the scale on tight.

FYI 300Bucks

[Jigslinger]

Very interesting, thanks for that. Sorry I used incorrect handle when referring to you on the initial post. I was in the ballpark at least. I will remember 300Bucks from now on.