112 Slim Pro: Pinned Construction a ‘Weakness’?

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sharkattacksw

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Aug 4, 2008
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Hi guys. I have a 122 in marbled CF (torx construction) that I’m very fond of. I’m interested in getting a couple/few other 112 and have been looking at the 112 Slim Pro.
I normally like torx screw construction in my knives. Is pinned construction a weak point in this design? Can you think of any negatives in the design of the 112 Slim Pro?
Thanks for all the help you can offer.
 
I wouldn't call pinning a weakness. 100 years ago all knives were pinned. many have survived and still workin fine.

this knife has lifetime warranty so if pins come loose, send it in and they'll repair it.

screws came about to make assembling easier at production....we've just come to love them for tightening and some folks love to take knives apart for various reasons.

only real downside is the thinness. some dont care for a knife that thin.
 
I haven't had any issues.

From what I've seen of the 2022 catalog, it appears they will only be available in g10.
Tho they are still making the micarta handled ones, so if that was a problem they wouldn't still be making them.
 
Pinned knife construction goes back over 50 years ago with the 110, since then millions of 110's have been sold and many put to hard use. Back in the day these, knives were more so everyday working tools, than recreational use. What gave out was blade tips from prying, wood from weathering... I dare say that nary a knife suffered from a rivet failure. The 112 is having it's 50th Birthday next year. same rivet construction, same durability as the 110.

My cousin had a 110 in a sheath on his belt when he crashed his motor cycle, and skidded on the pavement with it. The sheath was shredded, the side of the knife suffered from a bad case of "road rash" (better it, than his flesh), the rivets held firm, albeit the heads abit flatter than before. I have no concerns at all about rivet construction on a buck folder.

The only issue I see with the slim knives is just that... the thickness. I have a 112 Select, I like how easy it is to pocket carry due to its thickness and lightness, but I much preferred the tactile feel of the regular (thicker) 112.
 
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If anyone is considering adding a Slim Pro 112 may I suggest a Slim Pro Plus in S35VN..I consider it the absolute best steel Buck uses for the 112 and other model folders. Cost is just a little more but it takes some time to find one. In over 15 years of collecting 112's my Slim Pro Plus was the absolute sharpest knife of any kind I have ever owned or in fact used. Maybe I got lucky but you might too..
 
bucksway said:
If anyone is considering adding a Slim Pro 112 may I suggest a Slim Pro Plus in S35VN..I consider it the absolute best steel Buck uses for the 112 and other model folders. Cost is just a little more but it takes some time to find one. In over 15 years of collecting 112's my Slim Pro Plus was the absolute sharpest knife of any kind I have ever owned or in fact used. Maybe I got lucky but you might too..
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I wholeheartedly agree with bucksway on this. The Slim Pro Plus are great knives.
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The Slim Pro series is definitely a sturdy built knife that can handle tough work and the regular slims are tough as well. I used a pro for edc at work for several weeks and it did great never showed any signs of loose pivot or slop. They fit in the pocket nicely and don’t feel like anything there and they’re very handy. The only thing for me is the slim handle is not as hand filling for heavy work and becomes uncomfortable in extended use. I prefer a thicker handle in heavy work for less hand fatigue. That’s why I carry a standard size 110 LT in my pickup for heavy work and it has pinned construction like the slims and no problem with them either. Pinned construction is not a weak point, mostly that depends on the maker and Buck makes them to last for decades and generations!
 
It has only been in the past few decades that knives have been commonly assembled with screws. In the centuries prior to that, they were all made with peened pins of some sort. Not that long ago, people had one or two pocketknives, not an EDC rotation, and used them much more than most of us use our knives today. They got sharpened down to toothpicks without being taken apart for maintenance. The ability to disassemble a knife is a solution in search of a problem.
 
As a mechanic and working with design engineers in light and heavy equipment. I’ve learned that a solid pin is stronger and more durable than a screw and nut assembly of the same bore size. The screw together designs are plenty strong for the purpose and I have some bearing flippers in regular use, and then there’s the convenience aspect but the pinned models have endured for decades upon decades. The Buck 110 being the most legendary and iconic example of pinned construction and probably the most used in various vocations and afield.

I don’t know if screws make manufacturing and assembly any easier but it does require more machine work and precision for a close fit tolerance. I don’t know but maybe the bearing pivot design that’s so popular brought about the need for screw together construction to enable adjustment of the pivot bearing load.
 
Lesknife said:
As a mechanic and working with design engineers in light and heavy equipment. I’ve learned that a solid pin is stronger and more durable than a screw and nut assembly of the same bore size. The screw together designs are plenty strong for the purpose and I have some bearing flippers in regular use, and then there’s the convenience aspect but the pinned models have endured for decades upon decades. The Buck 110 being the most legendary and iconic example of pinned construction and probably the most used in various vocations and afield.

I don’t know if screws make manufacturing and assembly any easier but it does require more machine work and precision for a close fit tolerance. I don’t know but maybe the bearing pivot design that’s so popular brought about the need for screw together construction to enable adjustment of the pivot bearing load.
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I've read screws came into assembly as tolerances got better on parts and due to ease of assembly with less training required and faster. pinning knives was always harder to do properly. especially with scale materials that could crack from the peening.

same kinda applies to that Schrade use of the Swindon key in the Buck 300 run they did. as in ease of assembly..but fixing one....much harder ironically.
 
jbmonkey said:
I've read screws came into assembly as tolerances got better on parts and due to ease of assembly with less training required and faster. pinning knives was always harder to do properly. especially with scale materials that could crack from the peening.

same kinda applies to that Schrade use of the Swindon key in the Buck 300 run they did. as in ease of assembly..but fixing one....much harder ironically.
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Yes I think I read that somewhere awhile back and that is understandable. Technology has come a long way and made things possible that at one time was unthinkable.

I have nothing against screw together construction and I’d like to get one of the 2022 110 models, hopefully in s45vn or s35vn or similar.
My main point is that the pinned construction shouldn’t be considered as inferior to screw together. I’ve seen several comments from some on the forums that seem to indicate that thought or consensus. Maybe old school or behind times to the young whipper snappers. 😆
 
If you put all 3 in rotation S30V or S35VN you will have a sharp, classy 112 for a long,long time before you need to resharpen. I'm sending off one of mine for a Christmas present and hope to find a odd one or maybe a advertising or safety award version. I haven't noticed a odd one yet.
 
I have all three versions of the 112 Slim Pro, but can't find a "+" model in S35VN. Any help here would be appreciated...
 
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