several 300's...one unique one

[prairiedog]

needless to say I love the 300 series...showing some of my favorite ones. The top photo are all pre-86...next photo includes my reds, yellows and blue...and the final pictures show a couple unique ones...a bone Buck 301x...and another one in particular that I had never seen before. It's a 301v, made in 1989 according to the date chart...and it has a saw blade. Hoping maybe 300Bucks or some of the other Buck collectors might be able to give a little background info on this knife. Wondering if this pattern was common production with the serrated blade? Appreciate any feedback or comments. Thanks, Perry

[ken6]

Perry, you sure have a nice collection of Buck's - I enjoyed the pic's. Thanks. Ken

[prairiedog]

thanks Ken!

[Old Hunter]

Perry, you sure have a very nice 300 series collection - thanks for the pictures! OH

[prairiedog]

Thank-you Old Hunter ...appreciate the compliments!

[Old Hunter]

By the way, I meant to add (but forgot) that quite a few of the odd ball/limited run Buck 300 series knives were SMKW exclusives (such as the 322 Barlow and the 332 Congress). It wouldn't surprise me if the serrated sheepfoot bladed 301 you have was a SMKW exclusive, but that is pure SPECULATION on my part! OH

[prairiedog]

Old Hunter...you're probably right ...I've heard of the Buck Barlow and Congress ...but wasn't familiar with their origins...thanks for that info.

[300Bucks]

Be careful your nice group of knives was how I went over the edge.......

There actually are a couple of models with serrated edges. The 1989 301 will be your most commonly encountered one.
It was actually made by Buck, even showed it in the catalog. Some of the earlier Camillus contracted models had serrated blades also. None are common. Camillus was making knives like them for other people with serrated blades, what can I say it was a fad for time. As you speculate most odd deals can be associated with SMKWs, as is the case here. I do not have the SMKWs catalog pages showing all of those models, or even a complete list. I have a 311 with a serrated blade and am ever watchful for a 313 which shares the same blade design. The 315 Yachtmans knife with the marlin spike is suppose to come with a partial serration but I have not found one. Have found the Camillus stamped exact copy of the Buck (or vice-versa) with the serrated blade, so there has to be one out there somewhere.
Be watchful if acting like a collector that you don't get someones homemade serrations. You can tell the difference. As far as being useful, I find little desire in having one for use. Maybe if I was in the first responder role to cut seat belts with. Or on a bread knife........300Bucks

PS As a side note, I have contacted SMKWs and they did NOT keep a record, listing or even a copy of their old catalogs. There are a couple of collectors who have a bunch of them from the 70s and 80s and one was kind enough to give me copies of some of the Bucks ads from back then. I remember seeing the catalogs , I wish I would have kept them.

[prairiedog]

300Bucks, thank-you for responding... ... your expertise is appreciated along with all the other great insight provided here at AAPK.
As you can tell, I have recently caught "Buck Fever"...and according to my wife I have already went over the edge...but personally, I believe I'm still of sound mind. Unfortunately, my sickness is compounded with pre-1980 Case-itis and a German-Eye infection...along with Dorton Dog fever and Rooster-pox. I guess my wife is actually right...I'm a mess and need help!
But anyways, I agree with the serrated edge not having a lot of common function...not something I'd personally have a lot of use for...but being that it was different I wanted it. Still in search of the Barlow and Congress...seem to be a little harder to find.
Again, thanks for the feedback.

Perry

[300Bucks]

This applies to anyone "love-sick' on Buck Knives. You might think about joining the Buck Collectors Club (BCCI). For your yearly dues you get two Buck knives of your choice at dealer cost. Also specail members only limited edition knives are offered yearly. Quarterly newletters with good information in them. I even share some detailed 300 information once in a while. You get access to the website where you talk to other Buck Nuts, you can advertise to sell or buy Buck knives and you can research all the old catalogs. There is even a section where you can read individual histories of Buck models. Several of them I wrote myself.....AND at the end of July they will be having a big club shin-dig at the Buck factory in Idaho. A three day event including seminars, a knife swap/sale, SPECIAL factory tours not open to the public and a lunch on the lawn at the companies president Chuck Bucks home. Go to http://www.buckcollectorsclub.org/Login.aspx

To get started.......300Bucks

[prairiedog]

now that's a great deal...definitely something I'll be looking into! Didn't realize all the special privileges that came with being a member...thanks for sharing the details!

Perry

[JAlmon73]

Hello Buck Knife Enthusists!

I go this Knife from my Dad shortly before he passed away. He said that it was my Grandfathers before him. Just wondering if you could shed any light on when it was made and such? The only Identifying marks that I can find is that it says that it is a "301^" at the bottom of the knife blade. I attached some pictures of the knife:

[Old Hunter]

First - WELCOME TO AAPK! Glad to have you here, especially with us "Buck Loonies"!

Your knife is a Buck 301 Stockman, made by Buck in 1988 (the upward pointing arrow on the right side of the 301 stamp is the date code). You have a fine quality pocketknife - made even finer by the fact that it was your Granddad's, your Dad's, and now yours. The Buck 300 series have been made since the mid 1960's - first by Schrade Cutlery (under contract from Buck), then beginning around 1970/71 by Camillus Cutlery (also under contract). In the mid 1980's Buck began making some of the 300 series in house (and dropping others from the catalog) - yours is an early 301 made in the Buck facility - the 301 is probably the most prolific of the entire 300 series. All of them are well built (to Buck standards) and are worthy of collecting and using. Once again, glad to have you here. OH

[prairiedog]

Welcome JAlmon ...great knife you have there...your father and grandfather had a good eye for picking a quality knife!!