Buck 110 2021 Limited Edition... the GBU

MolokaiRider said:
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.
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fair and accurate points, but I'd bet Case has earned the honor of the manufacturer with the most requiring work and fit and finish issues....

don't think I've bought a case yet that was completely perfect. I do have a bunch of Bucks though that are......

having said that Buck does need to up their fit and finish consistently.....if they continue down the path of higher prices and better materials, etc......
 
jbmonkey said:
fair and accurate points, but I'd bet Case has earned the honor of the manufacturer with the most requiring work and fit and finish issues....

don't think I've bought a case yet that was completely perfect. I do have a bunch of Bucks though that are......

having said that Buck does need to up their fit and finish consistently.....if they continue down the path of higher prices and better materials, etc......
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I hear ya.

I want Buck and Case to keep on keeping on. I personally support them, and buy their stuff.

What worries me is the future. History has shown US knife making companies disappearing due to not being able to compete with the influx of cheap foreign made knives, and that we are a society made up of people who would rather throw away a cheap knife after it breaks rather than own and care for a tool made for a lifetime.
(Whew! Holy run-on sentences!)

I REALLY want to hear my great grandkids talk about their first 119 on their first hunt.
 
MolokaiRider said:
I hear ya.

I want Buck and Case to keep on keeping on. I personally support them, and buy their stuff.

What worries me is the future. History has shown US knife making companies disappearing due to not being able to compete with the influx of cheap foreign made knives, and that we are a society made up of people who would rather throw away a cheap knife after it breaks rather than own and care for a tool made for a lifetime.
(Whew! Holy run-on sentences!)

I REALLY want to hear my great grandkids talk about their first 119 on their first hunt.
Click to expand...
yep, with ya on all of that. let's hope they figure out how to survive and stay relevant....
 
kreole said:
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.
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Good point.

To wit: Victorinox produces more knives than any other manufacturer on the planet. Their regular QC is good enough that they can get away with just changing the colour of an alox model, up the price, and call it an 'exclusive.' Perhaps not worth it to everyone, but anyone purchasing one will know exactly what they're buying.
 
Makael said:
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.
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While I might agree with your general sentiment, Makael, I think kreole kreole 's point was valid and well-said. It's an excellent segue to a broader topic: what should we expect from a 'premium line' from any manufacturer?
 
MolokaiRider said:
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.
Click to expand...

You really did a great job (with as much love and respect while being honest, as possible) of pointing out some of the 'low-lights' of Buck's general Quality Control. Nothing I haven't heard before from other sources. I agree on all points.
 
jbmonkey said:
fair and accurate points, but I'd bet Case has earned the honor of the manufacturer with the most requiring work and fit and finish issues....

don't think I've bought a case yet that was completely perfect. I do have a bunch of Bucks though that are......

having said that Buck does need to up their fit and finish consistently.....if they continue down the path of higher prices and better materials, etc......
Click to expand...

I'm glad you mentioned Case, and I agree with your assessment of their spotty QC. I know some folks who refuse to buy Case anymore unless they can do so in person.

But...

Case does offer a legitimate 'premium' line that is of demonstrable higher quality than their regular offerings. Better materials, better F&F, and priced to match. My Case/Bose Coffin Jack could hold it's own against custom Maker pieces--but this is merely an anecdotal claim at best.

Perhaps GEC is a better example with their Tidioute and Northfield lines. Same excellent QC applies to both, but Northfield tends to offer a bit more... detail? More elaborate bolster work, shields, etc. Priced accordingly.
 
I have no trouble with Case knives. Never recieved one bad out of the box. Only sent one back for repair and the problem was my fault. My Mayo's been back twice repaired under warranty due parts defects.

There is nothing in the Buck product line that can match the Bose-Case designs and factory builds. Plus AFAIK Case doesn't have knives made in the Peoples Republic of China.
 
timberweasel said:
While I might agree with your general sentiment, Makael, I think kreole kreole 's point was valid and well-said. It's an excellent segue to a broader topic: what should we expect from a 'premium line' from any manufacturer?
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Even premium lines get less than perfect product now and again. Tired of the subject in any thread on any manufacturer cause someone gets a knife not quite perfect.
 
timberweasel said:
Good point.

To wit: Victorinox produces more knives than any other manufacturer on the planet. Their regular QC is good enough that they can get away with just changing the colour of an alox model, up the price, and call it an 'exclusive.' Perhaps not worth it to everyone, but anyone purchasing one will know exactly what they're buying.
Click to expand...
I dont purchase SAK knives. Dont find them appealing or even handy. Their must be something to them as minimalists seem to love them. Cut strings, tweezers, scissors, flat standard screw driver etc. I wish i could get away with using such a light duty knife. Most of the use one of my knives get is peeling nail fins off windows, cutting reinforced hose, etc.

I lean towards Leatherman products for the all in one tool.
 
Makael said:
I dont purchase SAK knives. Dont find them appealing or even handy. Their must be something to them as minimalists seem to love them. Cut strings, tweezers, scissors, flat standard screw driver etc. I wish i could get away with using such a light duty knife. Most of the use one of my knives get is peeling nail fins off windows, cutting reinforced hose, etc.

I lean towards Leatherman products for the all in one tool.
Click to expand...

Ok. My point was that Victorinox manages to pull off highly consistent QC, I like Leatherman, too. :thumbsup:
 
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