Buck 110 or Alpha Folding Hunter?

G

Goombas

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Nov 6, 2005
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The title says it all. I'm looking at both the Buck 110 (or 112, what's the difference exactly?), or the Buck Rosewood Alpha Folding Hunter. Which, in your opinion, is the better knife generally speaking?
 
The 112 is a bit smaller than the 110. It has a 3" blade and the 110 is 3.5" I think. I prefer the 112.

I've never owned an Alpha, but I hear they are thick and just "so-so".

I would say either 112 or 110.
 
I figured the 112 or 110 would be a better choice, but I've been asking various people what they thought and most have been choosing the alpha. Probably just because it looks bigger though... I'm still pretty undecided. Is the 110 noticeably beefier than the 112, and if so, annoyingly beefier?
 
I really like both the 110 and 112, but the 110 is just a tad too heavy for me to carry in my pocket. If you're going to carry in a sheath then go with the 110. The 112 is like the perfect size to do everyday chores with I think. It's not too big that it scares people either. Just my $.02

Welcome to the forum by the way. :thumbup:
 
I've got an Alpha, and it's a handful. The liners are massive, seem almost as thick as the blade. The scales are very thick, too, IMO too thick; it's definitely a belt folder, unless you wanna carry it in a cargo pocket!

As thick as the handle is, the blade seems relatively thin, maybe 1/10" or so. And the liner lock is typical Buck — very thin, but very hard steel. I beat on mine for a while, and as thin as the liner is, the lock-up was always rock solid.

Oddly enough, i never got around to getting a Buck 110, although once upon a time, it was going to be my first locking folder. I saved up all senior year for it, but when I went to the sporting goods store to buy one, I spotted the newly-introduced Schrade LB7. I'd grown up on Schrade Old Timers, and really liked the more comfortable, bevelled edges on the Schrade. And it was on sale, too, for $10 cheaper than the Buck. So I bought it and carried it for about ten years!
 
Allen:
Cool. I just ordered a 110 in the S30V steel. I also just got one (a 110) from the custom shop Elk handles and BG-42 blade. These 110's are a lot of knife for the money!:eek: :p :cool: ;)
 
The Buck custon shop offers the 110 in many different steels. If I remember correctly ; ats-34, BG-42 and some other choices too. The custom shop allows you to build your knife the way you want it. They have some very nice handle materel choices. Finger groves and serreted blades are an option too. I have visited the site and have been tempted to get me one too, but I like my knives with a clip. I think the 110 would be an awsome knife with a clip on it. Almost everyone is putting clips on their knives; I can't imagine why Buck hasn't come out with a model of the 110 with the clip?
 
either the 110 or the 112. either in good old 420 hc or the hooky dooky steels is hard to beat. got an alpha kept it for a day and took it back for another 110. Of course I'm an old guy and afraid of change. I've had several 110/112 and have always been very pleased with them. plus I couldn't break them and that's saying something. bottom line, go with what you like, ahgar
 
The 277 is a hugely thick, very heavy knife that IMO is for belt carry only.

Even too much for cargo pockets.

It's very nicely made, looks great, and its a lot of knife for the money - but I wish the liner lock was thicker, it doesn't go with the overbuilt style of the rest of the knife

I think you'd find yourself using the 110 more because it's so much easier to have with you

The Cabela's recommendation & some of the others are terrific

(But the 277 is - obviously - a one hand opener, and, by the way, has a real nice & slick action, too)
 
The steel is in a completely different category than the standard 110 which is made of 420HC.

Also the Cabela's version has a rosewood handle. That's purely aesthetic though.

Also, the Cabela's blade is coated with nitride. Some people don't like coated blades because the coating can mar or scratch. Nitride is very tough to scratch, though. Generally if you see a coated blade it's because the blade is not stainless steel. However, the S30V of the Cabela's is stainless steel.

And so what does that all mean, practically? You'll have a sharper edge that stays sharper longer. (Only thing is that there have been some complaints about S30V chipping; it's a point of discussion on bf and elsewhere. I personally never have had S30V chip; I don't know anyone who's had it happen, I think it's a big step up from 420HC.)

Then there are customizations other than the Cabela's, though -
the BG-42 from the Buck custom shop which someone mentioned sounds phenomenal.

IMO get a 110 with a steel better than the basic 420HC, you'll appreciate the sharper edge and having to sharpen less

hope this helps
 
I've got a Rosewood Alpha and i much prefer it over a 110 , yes its big and fat and you wouldnt want it with small hands but the build quality is very good and the opening is really very good , so smooth and i mean smoother than a Sebenza . I wouldnt get the rubber handle version because its only got a 420HC blade while the Rosewood has ATS-34 Bos heat treated .Although the rubber handle is more practical i would get the Rosewood one for the ATS-34 then buy some rubber grips which Buck sell if you want too ( i prefer the wood though ) . One thing worth noting is Buck are now making them in 154CM instead of ATS-34 ( 154 being made in the US and ATS-34 in Japan ) . Is there any way you could compare the 110 and Alpha side by side because i feel they are very different knives and i sold my 110 because of the Alpha one handed opening and different blade shape .Also the Alpha has a lanyard hole which might be of some use to you and i like the way you can place your thumb on the top of the blade for close up work .I think the 110 is a great knife but an old design and things have moved on in the knife world .
Hope this helps

Duncan
 
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