All About Pocket Knives

Here is a 303 where the date code isn't much help.

Bert

Okay, I'll bite. Why?

Uh, because it doesn't have one?

OK, here's the deal. Buck started using date codes in 1986. When you look at this knife you can tell it's more recent than 1986. The position of the sheepsfoot blade indicates a 3-spring design from 1988 and later; the hammer handle on the shield is relatively long and straight with a closed end which indicates 1995 and later; and the blades are hollow ground which indicates 1999 and later. By all accounts there should be a date code. The one exception was 2005 when the main blade had no date code but the sheepsfoot blade did have an Idaho tang stamp.This is either a 2005 knife that didn't get the correct sheepsfoot blade or maybe a knife from 2006 and Buck was using some main blades left from 2005. Take your pick, but I consider it 2005.

Bert

Very interesting, Bert. I'll bet you can identify this mark. Not found on any of the date charts. I asked around and I've already gotten a pretty good answer but it threw me for a loop at first.

Not my knife anymore but another member of this forum might recognize it.

Railsplitter wrote:Very interesting, Bert. I'll bet you can identify this mark. Not found on any of the date charts. I asked around and I've already gotten a pretty good answer but it threw me for a loop at first.

Not my knife anymore but another member of this forum might recognize it.

The short answer is, "I don't know." A lot of times a mark like that indicates some minor change during production. I like the 500 series but I only have a couple of them.

What's your thought?

Bert

Hey! I know who that kid (505) is, and where she is right now!
I've read quite a bit following your links (RS) backwards, and it seems the most convincing answer is 1984 using the single dot to indicate a blade steel change from 440c to 425m for that particular model. It was only the statement made by a member of the Buck family that brought that info to light.

I THINK I have that right but any new insights are more than welcome.

I think you guys are both right.

Bert, I didn't realize it until I went back and looked just now but you were one of the members that replied to my question. Thanks for your help, by the way.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/505 ... n.1501458/