Buck A fair review of the 110 and 420HC

How do you feel about 420HC and the 110?

  • The 110 is deservedly a classic, but has been eclipsed for practical purposes.

  • The 110 is deservedly a classic and hasn't been eclipsed.

  • The 110 is not really a classic, in my opinion.

  • Buck's 420HC was good in its day, but its day has passed. It's a budget steel now.

  • Buck's 420HC is not a budget steel, because the BOS heat treatment has kept it relevant.

  • Buck's 420HC is a budget steel; they're just being cheap by still using it.

Results are only viewable after voting.
Ozmose said:
Buck kinda reminds me of Glock in a lot of ways. They gained a huge reputation and dominated the market for years and years, then just rested on their laurels. In the meantime the rest of the industry was making huge strides in materials and manufacturing techniques. Don't get me wrong, I grew up with a 110 in my pocket, so I'll always have a fondness for it. I just have so many better knives I'd rather carry. I still pull it out every so often for the memories though. Always reminds me of the times I spent growing up, out tending the garden with my gramps.
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I’d like to retort by noting that my three favorite knives in my meager collection are newer model Bucks. That remains even with the recent acquisitions of a couple of CRKs. Flippers with newer steels, excellent F&F, fantastic action, and very attractive styling. They have not been resting on their laurels, just because they’re still selling many of their old classics.
 
Smaug said:
I mentioned recently in a thread somewhere that 420HC is a junk steel, EVEN with the famous BOS heat treatment. There were a few members that quickly fetched their torches and pitchforks in defense of Papa Buck.

I will admit that it's about the best VERSION of 420, but the best version of a budget steel is still budget steel.

These two Dutchmen do a pretty fair and unbiased review of the knife and the steel, in my opinion. You'll have to put aside any sentimental attachments to appreciate it though. I also got a chuckle out of their imitation of an American accent. :-D :

Also to be fair, I added a comment to their video that Buck realizes this and now makes it in S30v. (to stay relevant)

Lastly, I'm adding a poll to get a general reading on the BF feeling on Buck's 420HC steel and their 110 knife. Please take two votes; one for the 110 and on one their 420HC. (Yes, it has been discussed for dozens of pages, but I think it's nice to just see a nice bar graph from a poll)

Mods: would you do me a favor? Once you feel this thread has run its course, please move it to the Reviews subforum instead of locking it.
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Big brass bolstered knives like the Buck 110 certainly make me nostalgic for the knives of my childhood. If I didn't feel that way, I wouldn't have been drawn to the Benchmade Crooked River, which feels like an homage to the Buck 110, with more modern materials. I currently have seven Buck knives, including the traditional Buck 110 and the new Slim Select. I bought the Buck 110 Slim Select as a budget folder to have use at a work station around the home or tossed into a tool box, but I like it a lot more than I thought I would and use it more than I thought I would. It's still got the great ergonomics and the same blade but it's also incredibly light. One of these days I might have to get myself the pro version.

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Just like the way in photography you balance ISO, exposure, and depth of field, when it comes to knives it's a balance of ergonomics, blade shape, grind, and type of steel. It doesn't matter how good a steel you put into a blade if the other parts of the knife make you not want to use it or aren't right for what you want to use it for. Provided it isn't one of their overseas knives, like a lot of people I have a high regard for Buck's treatment of 420HC.

 
I voted, it’s a Classic and I don’t think it’s a budget steel. Generally I stay out of these threads but I’m bored today. I have a Buck 110 and a couple 112s, all with 420HC. They work as intended, kinda like a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife, easy to use and easy to maintain. The true beauty about the 110 is all the variants you can get it in and a few steel options. So if you like the true classic version, it exists or some updated version, that too exists. Think of it as an evolved classic…
 
I voted. I love my 110s and a 420HC LT hangs in my barn as a go-to for anyone not carrying a knife (surprising how many horse folks don't). It gets the jobs done and does not require much sharpening. Budget? Well, every knife is someone's budget knife, but I would never call the 110 in 420HC a gas station knife. It won't fold on your fingers and isn't made of pot metal. It's a GOOD knife.

Zieg
 
Voted. 110 definitely is a classic, it might not be the knife with best value but a solid knife nonetheless. 110 Slim select on the other hand is definitely a knife with good value for "practical purpose" or non-enthusiasts, IMHO.

Somehow I wish there is an option between item 5 and 6:
420HC has its days, it maybe viewed as a budget steel now, but BOS heat treat does keep it relevant.

For the mass market, it really is not a bad steel (don't know where this stigma coming from...), rustproof, easy to sharpen and it will stay sharp if you use it for what it meant to.
 
Great replies from most. Glad bought my Alpha folder for $50 a few years back. Not just for skinnin either!
 
A Danish cousin of mine was (he died a couple of years ago) an avid deer hunter there. His favorite hunting knife was an American Buck 110. Tell me again was actual field use these Dutch guys put there knives too?
 
I just got a new 112 in today & I cant say I'm impressed. The knife has signifiant blade play; side to side, and more importantly, up & down. There are big gaps on the back, and the action is bad & stiff to the point the tip sticks out of the handle when closed casually.

I can accept a little bit of side to side play in a pinned knife or a stiff action out of the box of this price point, but up & down play and stiffness to the point its unsafe to use is unacceptable at any price point. The sharpening is also severely asymmetrical. Ergonomics are dodgy, due to combination of the thick handle and how rectangular it is (no rounding or contouring).

Positives: The clip is an actual false edge, that's good. It came sharp out of the box, even if asymmetrically ground. Finnish of the brass, blade and ebony is acceptable. No gaps around the scales. Pins weren't ugly or sticking out too far out of the handle. Tip is centred.

Suffice it to say it's going back. It's a shame because I kinda wanted to like it. The action might get better over time, but the play is always going to remain. Overall it just doesn't inspire confidence. To me it just ends up feeling like a gas station knife.
My final assessment: If you want to buy a buck, (if possible) do so at a brick & mortar store where you can inspect the knife beforehand. Don't buy blindly online, chances are you're gonna be disappointed.
 
Olumin said:
I just got a new 112 in today & I cant say I'm impressed. The knife has signifiant blade play; side to side, and more importantly, up & down. There are big gaps on the back, and the action is bad & stiff to the point the tip sticks out of the handle when closed casually.

I can accept a little bit of side to side play in a pinned knife or a stiff action out of the box of this price point, but up & down play and stiffness to the point its unsafe to use is unacceptable at any price point. The sharpening is also severely asymmetrical. Ergonomics are dodgy, due to combination of the thick handle and how rectangular it is (no rounding or contouring).

Positives: The clip is an actual false edge, that's good. It came sharp out of the box, even if asymmetrically ground. Finnish of the brass, blade and ebony is acceptable. No gaps around the scales. Pins weren't ugly or sticking out too far out of the handle. Tip is centred.

Suffice it to say it's going back. It's a shame because I kinda wanted to like it. The action might get better over time, but the play is always going to remain. Overall it just doesn't inspire confidence. To me it just ends up feeling like a gas station knife.
My final assessment: If you want to buy a buck, (if possible) do so at a brick & mortar store where you can inspect the knife beforehand. Don't buy blindly online, chances are you're gonna be disappointed.
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I recieved a Micarta 503 like that a few years ago. Send it to Buck and it will come back perfect. No excuse for the crap that gets past their QC but they will make it right.
 
Kettleman said:
I recieved a Micarta 503 like that a few years ago. Send it to Buck and it will come back perfect. No excuse for the crap that gets past their QC but they will make it right.
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That'd be a good option, except I'm in the EU. For US customers this is probably the best course of action.
 
Kettleman said:
I recieved a Micarta 503 like that a few years ago. Send it to Buck and it will come back perfect. No excuse for the crap that gets past their QC but they will make it right.
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I went through three 110s before I found one that had good QC. It’s a gem but Buck’s quality control sucks. No excuse for stuff like that going out the door. Their fixed blades have been very good but their folders (the traditional ones) in my limited experience, really need some attention before being mailed out. I don’t get it, why not get it right to begin with? It just causes problems for Buck and the customer down the road. Frustrating
 
Speaking from a manufacturing perspective, you do your best to make sure everything goes out in pristine condition (because that's what you want), but sometimes despite your best efforts some things do go out in less than perfect condition which can happen for a number of factors. This same topic of quality is always present no matter what I'm buying, for any hobby on any forum... I think Buck overall has a pretty low rate of return and a decent warranty.

I carried my 110 pro all last week. I like the weight and without a clip it's very comfortable in hand. Either the 110 or 112 are always a solid backup for me, especially while traveling.
 
In Vietnam a lot of my friends had Buck 110's, I had a Puma Game Master that a friend brought back from an Extension Leave and gave me. I preferred it as it was a thinner handle. I cannot say it was any better than a Buck 110, but certainly as good, and I also like it as it had a lanyard hole. A couple of years ago I bought a Buck Folding hunter for a very good price. Red Nylon (?) handle and a CPM-154 blade with a Bos Heat treat, with a Black nylon belt sheath, with red trim. I want to say I paid less than $40 and that was with postage. It was sold as a "Smoke Jumper" after the men and women who jump into remote areas to fight first fires. I just saw on the belt sheath it is labeled "Buck 110-BK4". John
 
John A. Larsen said:
In Vietnam a lot of my friends had Buck 110's, I had a Puma Game Master that a friend brought back from an Extension Leave and gave me. I preferred it as it was a thinner handle. I cannot say it was any better than a Buck 110, but certainly as good, and I also like it as it had a lanyard hole. A couple of years ago I bought a Buck Folding hunter for a very good price. Red Nylon (?) handle and a CPM-154 blade with a Bos Heat treat, with a Black nylon belt sheath, with red trim. I want to say I paid less than $40 and that was with postage. It was sold as a "Smoke Jumper" after the men and women who jump into remote areas to fight first fires. I just saw on the belt sheath it is labeled "Buck 110-BK4". John
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yep that was a special run for a dealer called skblades. he shut down the business when Buck shut off their special runs to dealers. he used to have some great stuff made and at great prices. I still have a lot of his knives in my collection including that one. the blue handle 110lt version "the shield" in cpm154, I gave to John Jmh33 while back.
 
It's not a competition.

The people who wore a 110 in the 60's/70's/80's were bikers, farmers, builders, hunters and rednecks like myself who used them. They were prybars, hammers, screwdrivers, hatchets and stuff. Most of them had been hit by a hammer at least a few times.

An expensive, brittle blade wouldn't have survived or ever been sold by the millions in the first place.

Immortal can't be eclipsed.

Or canceled.
 
John A. Larsen said:
In Vietnam a lot of my friends had Buck 110's, I had a Puma Game Master that a friend brought back from an Extension Leave and gave me. I preferred it as it was a thinner handle. I cannot say it was any better than a Buck 110, but certainly as good, and I also like it as it had a lanyard hole. A couple of years ago I bought a Buck Folding hunter for a very good price. Red Nylon (?) handle and a CPM-154 blade with a Bos Heat treat, with a Black nylon belt sheath, with red trim. I want to say I paid less than $40 and that was with postage. It was sold as a "Smoke Jumper" after the men and women who jump into remote areas to fight first fires. I just saw on the belt sheath it is labeled "Buck 110-BK4". John
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I bought my first 110 in 67 and carried it through most of 68 and 69 in Viet Nam. Buck collectors probably know the steel used during that period but I have never been sure. I would touch it up on a hard Arkansas before each mission without any complaints about edge holding.
 
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