Buck 110 - CPM 154, S30V or 420HC?

I like Buck's 420HC. A lot. It sharpens easily, takes a scary sharp edge, is tough, stain resistant... what's more to like? I have other folders, in S30V and D2 (Benchmade), which are awesome, but also much more expensive, like, five or six times more. If that's worth it to you, fine. You will get slightly superior edge-holding qualities, but maybe lose a bit in corrosion resistance (at least for D2). And 420HC is easier to sharpen than D2, and S30V (although S30V is easier to sharpen than D2, IMHO). For the best bang for the Buck (sorry, that just slipped out), a 110 in 420HC at Wally World is darned hard to beat. The ergonomics of the venerable 110 are also hard to beat; it just weighs good in the hand.
 
I vote starting out with the stock 420HC. Then, when you're completely enamored with the Buck 110, buy a Custom Shop version in BG-42.



Blade steels you see there are 440C, 425M, 420HC, ATS-34, S30V, and BG-42. ATS-34 is essentially the same as 154CM. However, I don't know if 154CM is significantly different from the 154CPM in the Bass Pro knife. Anyone?
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Now that is one nice collection of 110 you've got going on there Guyon!!
 
I have several knives with ATS-34/154CM, and edge retention is excellent. I imagine that VG-10 and the higher grade steels offer a bit more, but you reach a point of diminishing return. Just as an aside, how would you Buck owners like it if Buck just began making all its folders with finger grips and phased out the standard ones?
 
Thanks for all the replies! I've been busy of late and haven't been around for the last couple of days. It's nice to see the full palette of replies :)

I've given serious consideration to each of the blade steels on the 110. I know I like the basic pattern because I have a Klein Tools knock-off that I carry daily. Everything about it has grown on me except for the blade... the Klein is a totally solid knife in its own right, but the blade steel is certainly lacking!

My EDC for the last 4 years has been my D2 Griptilian. After much effort :P I finally learned how to sharpen D2. I'd initially planned on buying the S30V model of 110 but, lately, I've become concerned with resharpening in the field. Granted, I'm well-accustomed to my double-sided diamond hone and can get a very serviceable edge with it in the field, but since I've never owned an S30V knife, I've no idea how difficult it is to sharpen.

I do know that I have a strong preference for wear resistance. I have a SOG in AUS6 which is a good knife in many regards... except for the darn blade steel! I kid you not, i can sharpen it to shaving sharp in the night, put it in a drawer, unused for a couple of days, take it out of the drawer and it will no longer shave. It's quite annoying.

The 420HC is very economical, but the upper-end steels aren't that much more expensive, relatively speaking... of course, I could start with the 420, carry it for a few months and wilderness trips, then have a better idea of what I want in the 110... that's actually a reasonable suggestion...

Thanks for the responses, y'all! I'll let ya know what I decide :)
 
I'll do a tally later tonight if someone else hasn't. Good idea, silverdagger.

Here's another wrench to throw into the mechanics :D I also love the 112. In fact, my ideal would be a 112 that's built to the size of the 110 and with the 110's blade steel options.

So, in order to evaluate Buck's 420HC, I can buy a 112, use it for a couple months around town and in the wilderness, then make a more informed choice concerning the 110 and have 2 different, very serviceable knives to show for it. Hmmm... this is making sense to me... :)
 
The results are in! Here's a tally of the votes on different blade steels for my first Buck 110:

420HC - 9 votes
CPM 154 - 7 votes
S30V - 1/2 votes, depending on how you read certain posts ;)

I'm strongly leaning towards getting a 112 in 420HC first and trying the steel out via a different model. We'll see what happens in the next couple of days. Thanks again for the replies, y'all!
 
It seems like the option for a BG-42 blade is no longer available on Buck's webpage. Is there still a way to order one of these directly from Buck?
 
Confederate,I just got my Buck c.s.110 in S30V last week.I ordered it off Bucks webpage,build your own knife.It's got black asian water buff.scales,and it is SWEET!
 
I posted another question tonight regarding this thread, but how do you tell the difference between the different blades once you own them? I have 4 110s, and I have no idea what they are. Thanks -DYD
 
I have 4 110s, and I have no idea what they are.
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If its a premium steel it will be stamped in the blade. BG-42 and ATS-34 are stamped on the left side along the upper side. S30V and CPM-154 seem to be stamped on the right side tang. I'm not aware of any other premium steels being used other than damascus and you don't need a stamp for that one.

You can see the stamps on these knives of mine.
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Notice the Paul Bos S30V stamp on the two Buffalo knives.
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If you don't have a stamp its going to be the house steel for what ever period the knife was made. So Start of Production to 1980 is 440C, 1981 till 1992 it was 425M, and after 1992 it has been 420HC.

So you need to learn to date your Buck 110s. Go over to the Buck forum and download Joe Housers data sheet on 110s and find a list of the date codes that started in 1986 (google is easy). Or you can PM with your email and I'll send them to you.

Even better start a thread on the Buck Forum and show a picture of your four knives and say what's stamped and you'll get an answer.
 
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