4-dot 110... Best forgotten or underrated?

D

Doc1911

Joined
Jun 25, 2000
Messages
71
I see lots of interest (well deserved, IMHO) in the 2 & 3 dot 440C versions of the iconic 110, but how about the 4-dot in 425M? I'm not a metallurgist, but I read that 425M isn't markedly different in performance to 420HC. So how about it 110 devotees? Would a 4-dot ride proudly on your belt, or should it be merely a footnote in the history of the venerable 110?
 
Boy Doc, you are all over it tonight ! Yes, I like the models with 425M steel blades and consider them an up-grade . In two departments, they also had solid macassar ebony scales . The steel sharpens up nice and holds a good edge and its an item of history with Buck . Only don't try to mirror polish the steel as its known to have inclusions in the blades and polishing reveals this . We've been to the water park at Sandpoint . DM
 
I've got a 119 in 425 m,i see no difference in that steel compared to my 440c or bg-42 for that matter,performance is there if its sharpened properly it will cut and hold an edge.
 
Hi Doc. Heck yeah,those 4 Dots are sort of like a 1911.I still wear one on my belt sometimes.
 
Oh yeah......my EDC is a mint Four-Dot 112.

My 110 carry (when I want something larger) is a mint and very early Finger-grooved Four-Dot with very nice wood.

The 121 I carry when I want a fixed blade is also 425Mod steel.

I do carry other knives, but these are my favorites.
 
I have 2 4dot 110s, one a finger grooved the other plain. These find their way into my EDC rotation. Im not metal expert either but I cant tell any difference in them compared to other 110s I have.
 
The 425Mod is great.

I wouldn't say it's underrated, because those in the know rate it quite highly.

It's just not talked about much......under-known more than underrated.

It's the stealth steel.

;)
 
Agreed . A good collection of Bucks would be these early 4 dot 110's as like 4 variations (perhaps 5)came out with this model during its 3-4yr. span . A interesting model, very similiar to the 2 dot history . DM
 
David Martin said:
Boy Doc, you are all over it tonight ! Yes, I like the models with 425M steel blades and consider them an up-grade . In two departments, they also had solid macassar ebony scales . The steel sharpens up nice and holds a good edge and its an item of history with Buck . Only don't try to mirror polish the steel as its known to have inclusions in the blades and polishing reveals this . We've been to the water park at Sandpoint . DM
Click to expand...

Hey David.

These inclusions, how would they reveal themselves at the very edge, if the edge were polished? I have a 4-dot 112, on which I've convexed the edge (sandpaper & leather backing). The edge has been polished up to 2000 grit, then I've stropped it. Just curious to know if these inclusions are known to affect the edge. Might seem like an odd question, I know, but I'm curious.

Thanks. :thumbup:
 
Last edited:
Inclusions at the edge could most likely be hidden or not as noticable . I doubt if it would even cause the edge to hang when cutting but maybe . Were as on the flat surface of the blade under light it appears as a speck or dot and more polishing does not remove them . Very frustrating to obtain a nice mirror polish on a custom knife requiring much more work than other steels . DM
 
David Martin said:
Inclusions at the edge could most likely be hidden or not as noticable . I doubt if it would even cause the edge to hang when cutting but maybe . Were as on the flat surface of the blade under light it appears as a speck or dot and more polishing does not remove them . Very frustrating to obtain a nice mirror polish on a custom knife requiring much more work than other steels . DM
Click to expand...

Thanks David.

I've been experimenting a lot lately with sandpaper, stropping compounds & such things. Part of that has involved touching up the edges on several Bucks I have on hand (111, 110 w/damascus blade, 2-dot 112 and the 4-dot 112). The 4-dot isn't quite where I want it to be (edge still seems a bit rough), and I suspect it's got more to do with my technique (I'll probably thin it out just a hair more, at the edge). But, after seeing your comment about the inclusions in the 425M blades, it made me wonder, just a tiny bit. It's something I'd not heard, or even considered, before.

Thanks again, for the info.

Best regards. :)
 
OWE, I've chatted with the knife makers from Buck's old Custom Shop and they told me about not using 425M much because of that malady . Instead 440C was their first choice as it gives a better mirror polish . DM
 
David Martin said:
OWE, I've chatted with the knife makers from Buck's old Custom Shop and they told me about not using 425M much because of that malady . Instead 440C was their first choice as it gives a better mirror polish . DM
Click to expand...

That doesn't suprise me at all. My 2-dot 112 also has a convexed & polished edge on it, and it shines very brightly. Just in the last couple days, I started experimenting using simichrome polish on a strop, so it's all-the-more shiny now (and the edge is pretty good, too :p).

Thanks again, David. :thumbup:
 
BG42EDGE said:
Oh yeah......my EDC is a mint Four-Dot 112.
.
Click to expand...

some nows i figured ya fer a girly knife type of feller there bg..

yes sir re the 425 had some junk in the steel some times
had a 3d inlay handle with polished 425 and it come up outa the
polished top of the blade
sent it in and the buck shop put a satin blade in it fer me

as fer as a useing blade ... nothing wrong with it atall
thiner edge then the old 440 C stuff but lots easer to
get sharp if ya lets it go to dang long and real dulll

for show .. dat 440c were good stuff all shiney like
wander dey never put out a chrome plated blade ?
 
i figured ya fer a girly knife type of feller there bg..
Click to expand...

Hey, the 112 is a tough and manly knife.....and the fact that any girl would be proud to carry one don't prove a thing.

:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top