Attention: Buck has Drop Point S30V and 420HC NS bolster 110s and 112s on their site

I find it interesting that a 4" long piece of S30V costs $40 more than a 4" piece of 420HC.
For the most part I assume the manufacturing cost is about the same or am I wrong on that?
 
DeSotoSky said:
I find it interesting that a 4" long piece of S30V costs $40 more than a 4" piece of 420HC.
For the most part I assume the manufacturing cost is about the same or am I wrong on that?
Click to expand...
can't comment on how Buck applies cost of wear and tear on tooling to products...but s30v wears tooling much faster than 420hc. one of the reasons s35vn was made was to keep most of the attributes s30v had, but do less wear and tear on the tooling.
 
jbmonkey said:
can't comment on how Buck applies cost of wear and tear on tooling to products...but s30v wears tooling much faster than 420hc. one of the reasons s35vn was made was to keep most of the attributes s30v had, but do less wear and tear on the tooling.
Click to expand...
That's a very good point. It's often evident on the tang of the blade. At least with late model knives anyway. 420HC models will have a stamped tang and harder steels like S30V will be etched. A tool saving maneuver if I ever did see one.
 
jbmonkey said:
December 2021..I went and looked it up in the botm sticky thread. screw together aluminum one.
Click to expand...
There was also the 2018, 30th Anniversary 110, aluminum, take-a-part, that was offer in ironwood with several other options for the scales.
SnKxgxP.jpg
 
The aluminum 112 Take-Apart with Koa came with a S45VN clip blade and so far is the only 112 with that steel. It was one of the more expensive BOTM folders ($250.00 ?) I'm glad Buck finally is selling DP 420 and S30V 112's especially in Nickel silver but I think after this Web special run I think it might be years before we see them again. The price IS ok and fairly reasonable on both 112's because of the rarity of nickel silver frames and DP combination..To try to find past S30V DP LE's is extremely difficult and expensive when you do. I bet quite a few will be bought by Customizers for 1 of 1 Customs. Even a bare blade is scarce!
I check Bucks website regularly to see if Buck FINALLY will give us the option in the Custom shop like they do for the 110..It's been a long long wait so far and I might not last long enough to actually see it happen. But if they do I'll order one or more that very day.
 
DeSotoSky said:
I find it interesting that a 4" long piece of S30V costs $40 more than a 4" piece of 420HC.
For the most part I assume the manufacturing cost is about the same or am I wrong on that?
Click to expand...
It's also an economy of scale. The cost of the tooling is spread across fewer blades, there is a cost of downtime and labor to switch the line over so S30V and then switch it back, additional cost for a smaller heat-treat process or if they out-source it, and additional cost for the separate marking and handling of those different knives. They do a *lot* of 420HC and are *very* efficient with their process. Anything else requires a change in process and is therefore more expensive.
 
jbmonkey said:
never thought about the stamping logo part. good point as to maybe why.....
Click to expand...
S30V is much more expensive raw and is much harder to manufacture into a knife blade. From the original blade cut out, additional tempering, flat grinding, hollow grind, CNC, stamping/marking and edge/sharpen. All of those process are more difficult on the tools than 420HC. We did move away from stamping S30V because of the wear on the tooling but the other processes are necessary and are just the cost of using S30V.
 
Buck Knives Inc. said:
S30V is much more expensive raw and is much harder to manufacture into a knife blade. From the original blade cut out, additional tempering, flat grinding, hollow grind, CNC, stamping/marking and edge/sharpen. All of those process are more difficult on the tools than 420HC. We did move away from stamping S30V because of the wear on the tooling but the other processes are necessary and are just the cost of using S30V.
Click to expand...
makes sense. thank you, Sir.
 
Gah, which version of the 112 am I going to regret not buying more, the S30V or the 420HC?

I don't have a Buck in my collection at the moment, and nickel silver bolsters plus a drop point is riiight up my alley.
 
Dadpool said:
Gah, which version of the 112 am I going to regret not buying more, the S30V or the 420HC?
Click to expand...
Given the fairly light duty my pocket knives will see, I don't have a strong preference for any particular steel. Since these two look pretty much the same (ok, some differences in stamping/etching) I just went with the less expensive.

I have a couple 112's in S30V as well as a couple in 420HC. They're all great knives. I use them for mostly light pocket-knifey things like opening packaging, slicing snacks, sharpening pencils, harvesting veggies from the garden, etc. Sometimes, I'll need to make a featherstick for a backyard fire or a campout. I don't hunt, so I never need a knife to process a large animal. I wouldn't think of using a 112 to baton firewood. I'm sure you get the idea. Light duty.

You really can't make a bad choice though. Either would be great.
 
Railsplitter said:
That’s a mighty fine 112. I got one but I waited too long and paid the aftermarket price.

I’m sorely tempted to carry mine. Probably will someday but so far I have resisted the temptation.
Click to expand...
Some knives are for collecting, but when you own a knife that is begging you to use it. Use it. Life is too short to miss out on simple pleasures.
 
My work edc is a basic 110 with 420hc blade and it's done everything I've ever asked of it.
And it's done plenty of things you shouldn't do with a knife.

I missed out on earlier BOTM's with the ebony and nickel, and always liked the looks of them.
I prefer a clip point as a user, but I couldn't pass up on these. Besides I think the drop points look great.

I like the ease of sharpening Buck's 420hc, so it was easy to decide to just stick with that.
A 110 and a 112. And I can always use a new hat!

Thanks for making these Buck.
I look forward to them.
😎
 
I’m interested in getting the 110 but besides the Danny Collection 110 which is rock solid, every 110 I’ve bought recently has had sun standard fit and finish and blade play. Interesting to see when some of you get them in hand if they are rock solid or not.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top