Buck 302 Solitaire Select Pocket Knife, 3-7/8" Valox Handles

(5 reviews)

3.8 out of 5 stars

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

Vegemite
Oakland, CA

Jun 11, 2013

Pros: Blade Material, Overall Quality, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

Well done, Buck!

This is currently my favorite EDC. It's a simple knife, and simple is good. Quality and construction is what you expect from Buck 300 series: strong, tight and reliable. Walk and talk is very good. No blade play. Back springs are flush when open or closed. 420HC holds an edge well and is easy to sharpen. Because the 302 has only one blade, its slimness makes it easy to pocket carry, and the handle is more comfortable without extra blades . I find the single blade knife more handsome as well. Blade length is very versatile. It can handle big jobs and it's easy to choke up for smaller jobs. Blade geometry is not the best for slicing, but gets the job done. This is a well built, good looking, made in USA knife. I think you can't go wrong with any Buck 300 series knife.

Terry M.
Florida

Apr 29, 2012

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Handle Feel, Weight, Handle Material, None

Cons: Overall Quality

The handles on the Buck Solitaire were something I noticed on this knife,has saw-cut grooves like an Old Timer knife,it gives some nice texture to the grip.What does Valox feel like? stiff delrin plastic.The opening/closing of the blade is just like any other slipjoint and has a good snap to it.The blade came pretty sharp and was highly contoured,it's a pretty attractive blade.I think the design of a single bladed stockman was a good concept by Buck,makes a good EDC or small game hunting knife.The craftsmanship was downhill-the emblem in the handle was raw and had machine marks where polishing was attempted.The liners where the blade closes looked like they came from a pile of scrap steel...they were unpolished/raw and riddled with what I can best describe as 'nicks' or 'hack marks'.For a pocket knife it was solidly constructed but the quality just wasn't there.I gave the knife 2-stars because the QC was bad on a american-made knife,at least I could spend less on an imported knife and get something better....shame on you Buck!

Alan G.
Byron, GA

Aug 29, 2011

Pros: Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

Buck 302 GREAT

I will be using this for an EDC.It's a Buck USA lifetime warranty, need I say more? Having owned several Buck knives over the last 30-40 years, I know this knife will perform. It's a nice slim, single blade piece that sits well in the pocket. I love it.