Buck 110 2021 Limited Edition... the GBU

[timberweasel]

Just got one in the mail yesterday, and thought I'd share my impressions.

The Good:
- S45VN with the Bos heat treatment.
- Nice hollow grind and factory edge.
- Solid lock-up, well centered.
- Lighter at 4.8oz as opposed to 7.2oz.
- The marbled carbon fiber is gorgeous.
- Screw construction.
- Pocket clip carry.

The Bad:
- A bit too expensive for what you get. It's aluminum, not titanium.
- Fit and finish was disappointing. I know Buck can do better. Lots of gaps, a grinder error on the ricasso. I feel mine really should have been a factory second.
- Hideous after-thought of a thumb-stud. Luckily, it can be removed. I got rid of mine, ASAP.
- Laser etching looks super cheesy at the best of times, and worse when it's off center or misaligned. A blade worthy of a 'Legacy Collection' should be stamped or engraved, IMO.
- Pocket clip design. Cut-outs on clips shred pockets faster, IMO. Simple is better.

The Ugly:
- Grittiest pivot out-of-box I've ever received on a new folder.
- Back-lock is stiffer than many Tri-Ads I've owned.

Summary:
It's ok but doesn't blow my hair back. The price on Buck's website for the 2021 Legacy Collection 110 is $214.99. I priced out a 110 from the Custom Shop (nickle, satin S30V, water buffalo scales, black leather sheath) at $165. Custom Shop is the better deal, IMO.



Hope this helps someone out there who's thinking of getting one of these. Thanks for reading!

-Brett

 

[The Zieg]

Just got one in the mail yesterday, and thought I'd share my impressions.

The Good:
- S45VN with the Bos heat treatment.
- Nice hollow grind and factory edge.
- Solid lock-up, well centered.
- Lighter at 4.8oz as opposed to 7.2oz.
- The marbled carbon fiber is gorgeous.
- Screw construction.
- Pocket clip carry.

The Bad:
- A bit too expensive for what you get. It's aluminum, not titanium.
- Fit and finish was disappointing. I know Buck can do better. Lots of gaps, a grinder error on the ricasso. I feel mine really should have been a factory second.
- Hideous after-thought of a thumb-stud. Luckily, it can be removed. I got rid of mine, ASAP.
- Laser etching looks super cheesy at the best of times, and worse when it's off center or misaligned. A blade worthy of a 'Legacy Collection' should be stamped or engraved, IMO.
- Pocket clip design. Cut-outs on clips shred pockets faster, IMO. Simple is better.

The Ugly:
- Grittiest pivot out-of-box I've ever received on a new folder.
- Back-lock is stiffer than many Tri-Ads I've owned.

Summary:
It's ok but doesn't blow my hair back. The price on Buck's website for the 2021 Legacy Collection 110 is $214.99. I priced out a 110 from the Custom Shop (nickle, satin S30V, water buffalo scales, black leather sheath) at $165. Custom Shop is the better deal, IMO.

View attachment 1656817

Hope this helps someone out there who's thinking of getting one of these. Thanks for reading!

-Brett

Thanks for this!!

 

[Lesknife]

That’s a shame, sorry about the disappointment! I’m sure they will make it good for you. It’s a pain in the back to send it back and all but they will cover the cost for the return. I hope you get it taken care of and satisfied completely.

 

[jbmonkey]

disappointing. send back and ask for a better one. I have two i got from Larry..both really good examples. i like this knife as a user. lightweight but still thick handle to do real work with. ease of carry being a pocket clip. yep thumbstud aint great on this one. agree on that.

 

[GPyro]

Thanks.

I agree. The custom shop options are more attractive.
...and that's a positive really. It proves the value of the custom shop knives.

 

[mhasman]

Thank you for review! Me, I like it, and would get one if titanium
Also, wish there is 532 in similar concept, design and materials

 

[Lesknife]

I’ve thought about getting one but I keep thinking about the things I don’t like. But, There’s things I do like, like the take apart construction, s45vn blade, light weight aluminum, pocket clip carry and that’s about it.
What I don’t like is the smooth carbon fiber, I just don’t find it appealing, maybe a different color or some texture idk. I’m kinda split on the thumb stud, but mostly the price seems a bit high. I’ve also seen some other qc issues, blade grinds and such and I don’t want to mess with sending in a brand new knife that costs that much. If they offered other handle inserts in different materials and with some texture and blade grinds were like they should be I probably would already have one.

 

[Jeff of the North]

I’ve thought about getting one but I keep thinking about the things I don’t like. But, There’s things I do like, like the take apart construction, s45vn blade, light weight aluminum, pocket clip carry and that’s about it.
What I don’t like is the smooth carbon fiber, I just don’t find it appealing, maybe a different color or some texture idk. I’m kinda split on the thumb stud, but mostly the price seems a bit high. I’ve also seen some other qc issues, blade grinds and such and I don’t want to mess with sending in a brand new knife that costs that much. If they offered other handle inserts in different materials and with some texture and blade grinds were like they should be I probably would already have one.

I'm in the same boat. If I could get Ironwood scales I'd have purchased one months ago. Decisions, decisions...

 

[tiguy7]

Just got one in the mail yesterday, and thought I'd share my impressions.

The Good:
- S45VN with the Bos heat treatment.
- Nice hollow grind and factory edge.
- Solid lock-up, well centered.
- Lighter at 4.8oz as opposed to 7.2oz.
- The marbled carbon fiber is gorgeous.
- Screw construction.
- Pocket clip carry.

The Bad:
- A bit too expensive for what you get. It's aluminum, not titanium.
- Fit and finish was disappointing. I know Buck can do better. Lots of gaps, a grinder error on the ricasso. I feel mine really should have been a factory second.
- Hideous after-thought of a thumb-stud. Luckily, it can be removed. I got rid of mine, ASAP.
- Laser etching looks super cheesy at the best of times, and worse when it's off center or misaligned. A blade worthy of a 'Legacy Collection' should be stamped or engraved, IMO.
- Pocket clip design. Cut-outs on clips shred pockets faster, IMO. Simple is better.

The Ugly:
- Grittiest pivot out-of-box I've ever received on a new folder.
- Back-lock is stiffer than many Tri-Ads I've owned.

Summary:
It's ok but doesn't blow my hair back. The price on Buck's website for the 2021 Legacy Collection 110 is $214.99. I priced out a 110 from the Custom Shop (nickle, satin S30V, water buffalo scales, black leather sheath) at $165. Custom Shop is the better deal, IMO.

View attachment 1656817

Hope this helps someone out there who's thinking of getting one of these. Thanks for reading!

-Brett

The gritty pivot should be easy to fix as it is removable, cleanable, and lubable. Other detachable thumb studs are available. Because the pocket clip lacks a U bend, it wouldn’t be hard to make one without cutouts.View attachment 1657170

 

[timberweasel]

That’s a shame, sorry about the disappointment! I’m sure they will make it good for you. It’s a pain in the back to send it back and all but they will cover the cost for the return. I hope you get it taken care of and satisfied completely.

I don't wish to paint a false picture of the Buck 110 LE, so maybe I ought to show some photos. My issues with the fit and finish are very minor cosmetic flaws. I don't think a trip back to the Buck mothership would do much for me. Here's a couple pics to illustrate just how petty these nit-picks are:


Laser etch too high on the tang distorts the anvil logo. Meh, hardly the end of the world.


Grinder oopsie on the ricasso. Squint, you'll see it...

These blems might be a problem for a more picky collector, though. In which case, I'd recommend buying one in person from a B&M store or getting your steel pharmacist to cherry pick one for you. Not going to bother trying to snap a pic of the gapping, which is perhaps the most pronounced issue.

 

[timberweasel]

disappointing. send back and ask for a better one. I have two i got from Larry..both really good examples. i like this knife as a user. lightweight but still thick handle to do real work with. ease of carry being a pocket clip. yep thumbstud aint great on this one. agree on that.

I think you nailed it, JB. My disconnect might be in the 'Legacy Collection' designation of this knife; it really feels like a slightly dressed-up user. Pocket clip carry, premium steel, screw construction--these are features I look for in a 'daily driver' folder. Perhaps they should have swapped the carbon fiber for G-10 and branded this model as something more along the lines of a 'Workman Series.' Just spitballing the idea.

And check out the crazy packaging! Buck even included a cloth knife pouch a la Benchmade (useless to me, but I digress.) I would opt to forego the fancy box and pay a bit less for the knife inside.

 

[timberweasel]

Thank you for review! Me, I like it, and would get one if titanium
Also, wish there is 532 in similar concept, design and materials

I really like the 532. Of course, I don't have one. Wish it was readily available, even if only through the Custom Shop. I'd buy one yesterday!

 

[timberweasel]

The gritty pivot should be easy to fix as it is removable, cleanable, and lubable. Other detachable thumb studs are available. Because the pocket clip lacks a U bend, it wouldn’t be hard to make one without cutouts.View attachment 1657170

You are quite right, tiguy7. The Ugly points on my list are easily addressed. I've already gotten rid of the pivot grit myself, and efforts to loosen the lock are underway. It still a bit disappointing to me that Buck let this one out of the gate in the first place. But don't worry Buck... I still love ya.

The pocket clip is functional and I won't bother getting a custom replacement--I've spent enough money on this knife already. However, in some dark corner of my covetous knife-hoarding heart, there lurks the idea of taking advantage of the screw construction by sending the knife off for full custom scales. In which case, a new pocket clip would be in order.

 

[Lesknife]

This 110 legacy just begs to be a great user. I’m still on the fence because I have several great users already. I think my biggest hold up is the price point. There’s a few dealers that are bumping 200 and through Buck store it 215. If it had some natural micarta inserts or even some ebony I’d be more inclined to pull the trigger but paying for a set of custom made inserts makes me balk after paying 2+ bills. Maybe I’m being to much of a titewad. I might have to sell a couple other knives to justify a purchase to ease the mind. Lol

 

[timberweasel]

This 110 legacy just begs to be a great user. I’m still on the fence because I have several great users already. I think my biggest hold up is the price point. There’s a few dealers that are bumping 200 and through Buck store it 215. If it had some natural micarta inserts or even some ebony I’d be more inclined to pull the trigger but paying for a set of custom made inserts makes me balk after paying 2+ bills. Maybe I’m being to much of a titewad. I might have to sell a couple other knives to justify a purchase to ease the mind. Lol

I think you're on the right track, Les. It is a spendy knife as is. If this one doesn't check enough boxes for you, I'd skip it. Maybe 2022 will see the release of something you like better...

 

[Lesknife]

I think you're on the right track, Les. It is a spendy knife as is. If this one doesn't check enough boxes for you, I'd skip it. Maybe 2022 will see the release of something you like better...

I sure hope so !

 

[kreole]

Seems like another case of a brand moving up in materials and price but not in quality over their regular production line. Put another way, all these seem acceptable and dare I say not extraordinary to see in your $35 Buck 110 Walmart purchase (and at that price it isn't a big deal).

If Buck could do better in consistency on their regular production, surely they would. For whatever reason though they can't, and that's carried through to the more expensive models. In the end you're paying more for the materials and it being a limited edition, not for extra quality. Good to keep that in mind when deciding if they're worth the price. I appreciate the review.

 

[Makael]

NNedd

Seems like another case of a brand moving up in materials and price but not in quality over their regular production line. Put another way, all these seem acceptable and dare I say not extraordinary to see in your $35 Buck 110 Walmart purchase (and at that price it isn't a big deal).

If Buck could do better in consistency on their regular production, surely they would. For whatever reason though they can't, and that's carried through to the more expensive models. In the end you're paying more for the materials and it being a limited edition, not for extra quality. Good to keep that in mind when deciding if they're worth the price. I appreciate the review.

Seems like another case of a brand moving up in materials and price but not in quality over their regular production line. Put another way, all these seem acceptable and dare I say not extraordinary to see in your $35 Buck 110 Walmart purchase (and at that price it isn't a big deal).

If Buck could do better in consistency on their regular production, surely they would. For whatever reason though they can't, and that's carried through to the more expensive models. In the end you're paying more for the materials and it being a limited edition, not for extra quality. Good to keep that in mind when deciding if they're worth the price. I appreciate the review.

Need to remember most knives are good to go. Like anything one bad one gets all the attention while the good ones dont get counted. Just like any other thread on BF. A guy gets a unsatisfactory knife and they claim they will never buy from that brand again. Biggest 1-800-WAAAA on bf.

Lots of perfect examples otherwise. Nothing wrong with a great honest review but stating thats common and another case of paying for higher end material's and limited edition and not better quality is hardly fair.

 

[MolokaiRider]

It pains me to say this, but I have to return or replace BUCK knives more than any other manufacturer.

Common reasons for returns:

Over ground blades.
Nicks on the ricasso from the grinder.
Lopsided bolsters from uneven grinding.
Blade play in all four directions.

Common annoyances:

Lots of leftover buffing material caught in pivots, needing a few minutes of time trying to get it cleaned out.
Blade centering hit or miss.
During shipping, most knives shipped in a standard yellow box have fallen out from one end, as no tape is applied.

That was painful saying all that, because I love the company and it's products. The value is there.

It seems like the main cause of the issues are from the people finishing up the knives. People in the States are distracted, and it's difficult to keep people employed and producing at a high level.

I know this is an excuse though, and hope that Buck can tighten up QC. I want to not only endure these crazy times, but thrive into the future.

They still have a top notch warranty, make classic and new and interesting designs, produce a lifetime product, offer a high value product, and still work and manufacture in the US.

 

[kreole]

NNedd



Need to remember most knives are good to go. Like anything one bad one gets all the attention while the good ones dont get counted. Just like any other thread on BF. A guy gets a unsatisfactory knife and they claim they will never buy from that brand again. Biggest 1-800-WAAAA on bf.

Lots of perfect examples otherwise. Nothing wrong with a great honest review but stating thats common and another case of paying for higher end material's and limited edition and not better quality is hardly fair.

Totally agree. My comment is that the $35 110 and the $215 110 come from the same factory, probably from the same workers, and have the same likelihoods for quality traits. The higher price does not imply better quality (or worse).