110 w/ bone saw or additional blades?

J

jbaltes

Joined
Jun 13, 2008
Messages
10
I've been lurking for a while and still somehow missed the news that Buck is in financial trouble. Is this true?

At the risk of inviting opposition, I haven't been terribly impressed with their "newer" offerings like the crosslock or the alpha hunter. It doesn't seem that their "tactical" or "everyday" knives fare well against the competition. As my previous post suggests, however, I think the 110/112 are unbeatable.

Why doesn't Buck concentrate on their workhorses by invigorating them with additions? I, for one, would love a 110 with a lbone saw or a second skinning blade.

Wouldn't you? Wouldn't everyone who hunts, camps, etc.? Or is this shrinking demographic the reason behind Buck's attempts to court the "tactical" set?
 
jbaltes said:
I've been lurking for a while and still somehow missed the news that Buck is in financial trouble. Is this true?

At the risk of inviting opposition, I haven't been terribly impressed with their "newer" offerings like the crosslock or the alpha hunter. It doesn't seem that their "tactical" or "everyday" knives fare well against the competition. As my previous post suggests, however, I think the 110/112 are unbeatable.

Why doesn't Buck concentrate on their workhorses by invigorating them with additions? I, for one, would love a 110 with a lbone saw or a second skinning blade.

Wouldn't you? Wouldn't everyone who hunts, camps, etc.? Or is this shrinking demographic the reason behind Buck's attempts to court the "tactical" set?
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Just conjecture on my part, but I don't think that Buck is in financial "trouble" per se, but they have scaled back staff to weather the downturn in the US economy. Just sound financial planning, IMO.

Yes, I too would welcome some variations on the 'bread 'n butter' classics. Even some expanded slip joint offerings would be great. I do however differ on the Alpha class knives. Personally, I love the designs and consider them as a New Age 'classic', if you will forgive the oxymoron. ;)

Don't forget that Buck weathered the rough economy of the 70's with success. I have no doubt that they will overcome these times too.
 
I agree that Buck can weather this storm, although I have some suspicions that the failure of Schrade may bode ill for more traditional knife manufacturers.

Tactical knives, to continue your use of oxymorons, seem far more popular than traditional hunting knives. I'd like to see some hard data on market share, but I'll guess that the big money is there. BM and Spyderco seem to be doing well, as they should given their excellent products. I entertain something stronger than doubt about whether Buck can compete on their terrain.

Buck does the folding hunter as well as it can be done. Here they have an advantage, and here they can weather an economic storm--IF AND ONLY IF this storm is not accompanied by a massive demographic shift away from the very activities requiring these excellent tools. But I fear just such a shift may be underway, and that the "temporary" problems may not be that at all.

I'm also guessing--but just guessing--that Buck can't compete in the SAK/multitool category either given the brand strength of its competitors.

A.P.F., I find the alpha hunter rather clunky and un-elegant in comparison with the 110--or a Mora style fixed blade. I don't like the exposed metal and smallish scales of the alpha for hard use or cold weather, but perhaps full wooden handles in something soft like birch...now that too would be something to see: a Mora style, full tang, 420HC Buck for bushcraft and hunting!
 
jbaltes said:
...a massive demographic shift away from the very activities requiring these excellent tools. But I fear just such a shift may be underway...
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I dunno...I haven't hunted in over 20 years; but I'm trying to regain my Small Game License so I can once again go hunting...I don't really *need* the food [rabbit], and the gas $$$ will probably be excessive...but I think I'll still enjoy it... :)

Deciding on what to process the rabbit with is the biggest consideration...120???...124???... :D
 
powernoodle said:
This is how internet rumors get started.
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Actually, PN, were just continuing a topic from another thread, but I do hear you.

jbaltes said:
...A.P.F., I find the alpha hunter rather clunky and un-elegant in comparison with the 110--or a Mora style fixed blade. I don't like the exposed metal and smallish scales of the alpha for hard use or cold weather, but perhaps full wooden handles in something soft like birch...now that too would be something to see: a Mora style, full tang, 420HC Buck for bushcraft and hunting!
Click to expand...

You make some good points, jbaltes, as I too prefer the 110 to any other offering from Buck or most anyone else for that matter. Curiously enough, it was my Spyderco collection that re-kindled my affection for Buck knives. Spyderco make great knives, but they are all 'new age', high tech knives for the most part. I found that when compared to a Buck, they lacked the solid weight and classic look of a Buck. It is difficult to explain, but for me, a Buck knife gives me a feeling of continuity, that no other maker of folders can provide.
 
I'll second that.

I switched from a Lone Wolf T2 because I found that strong pressure on the handle rendered many bushcraft chores were unpleasant. Hard cuts left my hand sore--the grip-inducing measures feel great when not actually being put to the test.

When I tried my venerable 110, things went much, much better.

I appreciate the solidity, function, and elegant form of the 110. It's weight isn't cumbersome--it assures its user that it is in fact a quality tool.
 
Bear Claw Chris Lappe said:
At one time they had something similar called the "Selector".
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Is the OP thinking of interchangeable blades, or a second blade in the 110 frame??? :confused:

(This reminds me of a book I read in the 50's called "Crash Club"...One of the characters drove a 57 Chevy with Fuel Injected 283...The car was described very clearly...I envisioned a black 2-door Bel Air...but the cover art was of a Corvette...In 57, they both had FI...Just goes to show that viewpoints differ...)
 
chickentrax said:
Is the OP thinking of interchangeable blades, or a second blade in the 110 frame??? :confused:
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First time I read it, I thought interchangeble, but now that you mention it, could go either way.

"If" anyone here fishes in the 'bay, a Selector with 5-6 blades surfaced today. :D
 
I'm thinking two blades, no changes. Changeable blades are interesting, but I'd lose them or forget to carry them in the field.

I'd prefer the 110 with both the normal blade AND a second, locking, full-length saw blade.

In stag, that would be a winner in my book.
 
jbaltes said:
I'm thinking two blades, no changes. Changeable blades are interesting, but I'd lose them or forget to carry them in the field.

I'd prefer the 110 with both the normal blade AND a second, locking, full-length saw blade.

In stag, that would be a winner in my book.
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One of the selector versions has one fixed non-removable clip blade and one removable blade...that would fill your bill...but, not the stag part;)

jb4570
 
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