1974-1980 Buck 110 with 3 pins vs 4 in handle

G

germanshepherd13

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Jan 4, 2014
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Hello, I purchased some 110 folders from ebay today and one of them is what I believe a 1974-1980 model since the date code is ".110." if reading the date code chart correctly. I noticed it only has 3 bolsters total in the handle where most others have 4 bolsters.
Is this how they were made back then or did they make them with 3 and or 4 bolsters? In looking at photos form the older models they seem to have 4 bolsters (assuming 3 brass and one stainless).
I already have a 1993 110 with finger grooves and best knife ever but wanted to get some older ones.
Just curiuos as to the history of the 74-80 models and number of bolsters.
thanks
 
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GS,

See it your first post here, so welcome. A 110 expert, not me, will be along quickly. I myself think there should always be 4 bolsters. What's in place of the missing bolster ? Photos of unusual knives are the fuel to generate a good discussion if you are able. Send me a Private message if you need additional BF rules and methods help. 300Bucks, Buck forum moderator
 
Hello, thank you for the welcome. Where the normal 4th bolster (pin? not sure I am using the right terminology etc) would be its just solid. I am going to see if I can post a photo of the knife for viewing. thanks
 
having some trouble posting a photo of the one I purchased but after looking at some more photos of older 110's seems 3 bolsters (pins) was the norm...
 
Someone will likely help or correct me soon but I believe some older 110 versions did NOT EVEN show any "pins" on one side of the bolster. I believe several are three pinned.

What your first question appears to state is that there are only 3 brass bolsters on the knife. A bolster in this case being the metal that lies at each end of the knife, with the appearance of four pieces two on each end split by the blade well.

Pins are used to hold the parts of the knife together and one pin is used to hinge the blade on. Other pins hold the knife parts together some thru bolsters and some hold on just the scales. Usually a single pin at the bottom of the scale half is used to hold the spring in place. To make a long story short, a bolster is the metal ends of a folding knife, Pins are the things that hold everything together. Bolsters can have pins, usually polished down even to surface and flat.

Any of that make any sense.. 300
 
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german, Welcome. Bolsters are the large brass plates on the ends of your 110. There are brass pins thru these and other pins are holding the wood on the handles. Usually 3 brass pins and one stainless pin holds the wood on the handle. Which pins are you referencing? DM
 
germanshepherd13 said:
having some trouble posting a photo of the one I purchased but after looking at some more photos of older 110's seems 3 bolsters (pins) was the norm...
Click to expand...

Host your photo somewhere like photobucket.
Then just paste the direct link for the image right into your post.
 
Thank you David, it would be the pins then since they are in the handles. It has two brass and one silver (stainless) in the handle itself.
Hello Chris, tried the photo bucket thing but the image is all pixelated and unable to see anything and not sure why. Even when I saved the photo from the ebay site it made it very tiny and when trying to enlarge it gets pixelated and cant see much..
 
Welcome germansheperd!

There is a lot of leeway in exact birthdates to most Buck knives from one year to the next.

The one you are describing with two brass pins and one ss rocker pin is what I always consider to be a 1974-1975 110.

There is actually one that was produced in between the 2 pin and 3 pin 110's. It has 4 brass pins and a ss rocker pin.

Like I said…there is overlaps of time, but to lessen any confusion in my collection, I figure the .110. (2 dot) with 2 brass handle pins and one ss pin to be 1974-1975.
The 4 brass handle pin and one ss rocker pin to be 1976.
The three small brass handle pins and one ss rocker pin to be 1977.
And finally, the three large brass handle pins and one ss rocker pin to be from 1978-1979.

See….that wasn't confusing at all, right?? :)
 
Here's what's being described.

P1010322.JPG
 
Axesbold, great comparison photo, I'm going to save that one for reference. OH
 
Lets all call the brass pins in the wood, scale pins. The stainless steel pin in the wood, the spring pin. The pins visible in the polished brass bolsters, as bolster pins. Then call the pin the blade pivots on, the pivot pin. Then everyone is on the same page. 300
 
Stumps, good explanation. Axe, a good photo of the 4 knives of the 2 dot 110 era. Those knives are not easy to find, especially with box and papers. A real treasure to a collector. Nice set. The stainless pin is often referred to as the rocker pin, lock bar pin or spacer pin. 300, that spring you mention is at the end bolster and is held there by it's own spacer and the sides of each bolster. Still, I know what your saying and am just giving the more common terms I run into. I've seen these terms get so far off that I don't even know what is being talked about. DM
 
german, a little more history on your model is that those knives were mfg. with 440C blades. Whereas your 93 model has 420HC steel. The former being a much higher grade blade steel. DM
 
WOW, thank you to everyone for the explanations and photo etc. What a great forum. You all could not have said it any better and the photo is awesome. The one I won on ebay is the top one, at least based on what I can tell from the ebay photo.
Once it arrives I will get some good photos of it and get it posted on here. its funny, I was bidding on several items and really did not think I would win any of them and only wanted to win one of the auctions, guess what, I ended up with 3 knives. I'm a little bit sick in the stomach for the money I spent since I ended up with all 3 as I could have bought almost 3 brand new ones for same price but what the heck, now I have a vintage one. The other one is an X year and 3rd one has two dots after the 110 (the photo does not allow me to see how many dots before the 110).
They look fairly beat up but not horrible so thinking maybe I will send them in for the "spa" treatment and will buy some new sheaths for them.
thanks again gentleman for the help, detail, explanations of the parts and photo.
Jeff
I tried photobucket again and lets see if this link works. its not the best resolution but may work.

http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy314/germanshepherd13/buck11_zps12f513ef.jpg
 
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Welcome to the forum German!

There could be some collector value to keeping the original sheaths with the knifes. Sometimes a little black shoe polish does a sheath good.

Larry
 
Hi Larry, two of the knives do not come with any sheaths (at least they were not shown in the ebay photos nor mentioned as being included so assuming no sheaths.) I am also going to debate on whether or not I will send any or all of them to Buck for the Spa treatment until I see them once they arrive. Part of me thinks it may be neat to just let the wear and tear show and always wonder about the history of the knives from the prior owner(s). thanks for the Welcome..
 
german, from your description and the photo your other 110 procured in the biding is referred to as a 3 dot 110 as it has one dot to the left of the 110 stamp and two to the right. It's blade is also of 440C steel.
Both of these are desirable not just among collector but users as well. Your X stamped year date blade is 1990. It's steel is of 425M a good steel. Plus, all your 110's have handles of solid macassar ebony. Which
Buck discontinued in 1994. So, they are all desirable. DM
 
Thanks David, that is good to know and helps with the tiny bit of buyers remorse I had. I never thought I would have ended up with 3 knives by bidding but excited now and looking forward to them coming in the mail. I always loved the 110 and as a kid, remembering the Duke boys wearing them on their belts. I was around 10-12 when that show came out and unable to afford the real thing and had some imitation version that is in the house somewhere.
I have a 1993 with Finger grove, never used it as I just like to handle it and admire its beauty and craftsmanship. I gave it to my wife to hold and admire the craftsmanship etc the other night and she just rolled her eyes at me lol.
since my current 93 has the macassar ebony, that is the only thing I am not too crazy about since its so dark and can barely see any grain in it but good to know it is a desirable wood.
 
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