All About Pocket Knives

Hi Guys!

I’m back after a very long hiatus due to some longlasting health issuses. Sold most of my Swedish knife collection but lately I bought a large collection of mostly American folders.

A few of them are Bucks and I would like to know a little more than what I’ve found online. And I hope you Buckaroos have some input to models, history, reasonable value etc etc. I know it’s hard to value sonething from bad pics but ballpark estimates will suffice. All knives are said to be new and unused but they have no boxes or papers except for one. And they are in great shape but may have slight traces from handling and age.

I have 8 as follows:

Buck 317 Trailblazer made 72-85
Buck 531 made 2008??
Black 301 Stockman made 1990
Red 301 Stockman made 1988
Black 303 Cadet made 1990
Black 701 Bronco? Made 72-85 but the Buck logo differs from the others
Bone 301 Stockman made 1988
Buck Limited edition 1 of 250 #206

All the best!

Jim

The two 531 knives are 1988 dates. The LE one could possibly have collectors value. Same with the 317. Not sure about the other ones, but you have some nice older ones.

Thanks for the prompt reply!

Yeah they are nice and old in some cases.

From what I’ve read online, some of the early Buck knives where made by Camillus and other makers, right?

And some had Swedish Sandvik steel, which is kind of neat since I am Swedish.

Cheers!

Jim

I have sold all these 301 and the 303 in the past 90 days as I’ve transition to contract knives only. The bones were real rare for several years but I’ve seen a glut recently. Bone 301 excellent + without box and papers call it the 45-60dollar range to collectors on a forum. Might get a sucker to pay 70-90 on the bay. Add maybe 5 bucks or so for the 303 as for some reason there always seems to be more buyers. Prices have slipped in the last couple months as the market has become flooded as folks are dumping their collections to raise cash right now.

As for Camillus making the early knives yes. Schrade did as well. All of the 300 series knives were contract knives until Buck took the 301,303, 305 and 309 in-house in 86. The others continued to be made by Camillus until the late 90s The 303 and 301s are Buck made. That 317 is a Camillus knife.The seem to be selling in the 80 range from those in the know and upwards of 125 on the bay.
Nice knives that would make a great foundation to any Buck collection.

Enjoy your new collection
Clay

Edit - checked my notes and adjusted the prices I had listed.

Great info, Neal...thanks for adding to the post. You have more expertise on a personal level about the 300 series knives, then I do.

The 531 (bottom picture) looks like a rare Sawby by the lack of a mid handle lock release. That is easily a $200.00 Buck. Some of the others are desirable too..