Buck 110 or modern folders

Z

znapschatz

Joined
Jan 24, 2005
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While the Buck 110 is universally regarded as a classic, I wonder if that is because of its history, beautiful design and build, or its continuing utility.

It seems to me, from my limited experience (none with the Buck) that many modern designs, like the Spyderco Endura, can pretty well do the same job and are just as durable as the 110 with the added convenience of one handed opening and much lighter weight.

I hope this isn't one of those topics that has been beat to death, but I would like to know from Buck enthusiasts (or otherwise) what they think.

Thanx for your opinions.
 
sometimes a buck is just a nice knife! like buffalo and bg-42
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I carry Opinels and SAKs the most, but my 110 sees a lot of pocket time too. I just like the feel of the knife a lot. I don't ever mind lacking one handed opening and I take the clip off all my modern knives so that's no issue. An Endura is a good knife, but more often than not I'd take a 110 over it. Just personal preferance I guess. Neither knife is really better or tougher than the other in my eyes.
 
Buck 110 is most comfortable design i know for folders. Because of well weight balance (which is unique among modern knives) and probably best blade geometry it is continue to be most popular knife from 1963 when it was introduced. This balance - is what make it most comfortable in use, plus nice handle etc... And it is most affordable. If you want upscale with better steel and handle choise you may order 110 from custom shop with something like BG-42, Cabela's has special edition CPM S30V. So if you are not knife collector and need it for use - good choise. If you are collector - again this one you must have.

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Thanks, Vassili.
 
i carried buck 110s for many yrs but not since i got my first "tactical" a spyderco police, the police is lighter, a little longer, thinner, one hand opening, and most important to me anyway it has a pocket clip, havent carried a 110 since that day in '93 and frankly dont miss it either the new ones carry a lot better for edc, its not even close.

not that 110s are bad mind ya, i never thought they carried well in the pocket.
 
There are modern knives that do everything the 110 does, but better.

It is simply inferior to many modern knives.

But people will continue to love it for the look and feel.

A modern car may be superior to a 1956 Thunderbird in every objective way, but many people still love the classic.

Much of why people like knives is subjective. Some will prefer a 110 to a Delica. Some will prefer a Delica to a 110. Some will prefer some junk Chinese swap meet knife to both of them. It's just a matter of taste.
 
A Delica offers advantadges over a 110 and vice versa. The ones it has matter little to me though. Clip, one-handed opening, low weight and fancy blade steel. I care more about ergonomics (Traded my D4 for this reason), good handle size, blade geometry (Delica and 110 are both good in this respect, but I like the 110's better) and scale material. I really like wooden scales, they go great with the brass.

The Delica / Endura is superior in many ways, but the 110 still has its advantadges.
 
Every knife has advantages over every other knife. But I was talking about objective advantages, not ones like "I like wood scales" or "I like how knife A feels". That is subjective, and if we are talking about subjective issues than all knives are basically equal since someone can prefer an Mtech to any Buck 110. There is no accounting for taste.

Things like faster opening, a clip, better steel, etc... may not matter to you, but then you may not really care about how good your tool is as a tool, and instead care about things like wood. Some may prefer a 56 Thunderbird for the porthole window, while others prefer gas milage, acceleration, brakes, safety, and handling. One cares about something subjective, and one cares about actual performance and quality. One is not better than the other, and it is a matter of taste, but in terms of which is a better transportation method (or in the case of a knife, a better tool) isn't really determined by whether you like wood or FRN.
 
Just got a buck 110 in the new CPM 154 CM from crucible steel. Beautiful, and no doubt right out of the custom shop but without the wait. I can'y wait to see if the talk about better performance is true. In looks alone, it's a winner. QC is excellent.

The CPM154cm version can be found at the Bass pro shop. Regards, Joe
 
I'm not claiming they're objective advantadges, just saying that despite the features of a Delica, there are reasons I go after the 110.
 
I understand, Vivi. Different knives have different personalities, and they can be as or more important than performance and speed.

But in reference to the topic, I am just saying that the Buck 110 remains popular because some people like it for subjective reasons (the personality, if you will), not because modern knives are not superior to it in objective ways, which he asks about comparing a 110 to an Endura.
 
The Mastiff said:
Just got a buck 110 in the new CPM 154 CM from crucible steel. Beautiful, and no doubt right out of the custom shop but without the wait. I can'y wait to see if the talk about better performance is true. In looks alone, it's a winner. QC is excellent.

The CPM154cm version can be found at the Bass pro shop. Regards, Joe
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! This is second poduction folder (after first SpecBump) with 154 CPM (PM ATS34- same as RWL34).

Thanks, Vassili.
 
Hair said:
I understand, Vivi. Different knives have different personalities, and they can be as or more important than performance and speed.

But in reference to the topic, I am just saying that the Buck 110 remains popular because some people like it for subjective reasons (the personality, if you will), not because modern knives are not superior to it in objective ways, which he asks about comparing a 110 to an Endura.
Click to expand...

Understood. Sometimes something lacking in many ways, stands out so much in others you're just attracted to it. The comfort and balance of a 110, the sheer slicing ability of an Opinel or the breadth of functionality of a SAK. Just some examples of knives I strongly prefer over many modern, high-end knives. We all have our reasons. :)
 
Where to begin....

I suppose it really depends upon how you use your knife.

If you just need a sharp object to open the mail or cut the occassional loose thread, then you really don't need more than a simple $3.00 dollar "box-cutter" (and replacement blades are very cheap too so you don't even need to buy a sharpener).

But if you want cutting performance (not chopping, not prying, but cutting), then the Buck 110 is very hard to beat.

It's all about the design....
The Buck 110 is simply one of the best designed knives of all time.

Consider the handle:
The handle is nearly perfect in size and shape.
It fills the hand just enough without being to wide or too narrow, and there are no sharp edges to the handle that might cause a blister or hot-spot.
The Buck 110 handle was made for long term comfort for hours of cutting.
I've never known anyone who thought that the Buck 110 handle was uncomfortable to hold and to use.
In thread after thread concerning the subject of "comfortable knives to use" the Buck 110 is always named and recommended.
And the Buck 110 handle is secure in the grip too.
And if does not need to rely upon "traction grooves" or rough texture...the design of the handle itself makes it secure in the grip.
Even covered with deer blood, it is secure.

Consider the lock:
The lock-back design has proven itself to be reliable, safe, and long-lasting for nearly forty years.
The lock-back is even used in many of today's most modern folders (like the Spyderco Manix).
Is it the strongest lock on the market?
No.
But it is more than strong enough for a folding knife of its size.
I have never known anyone to break the lock on a Buck 110 without doing something that they knew they should not have been doing with a folder.
It simply will not "just break" with normal folder use.

Consider the price and origin:
The basic Buck 110 can be had for about $30.00 dollars....and it's a USA made knife!
There are very few USA made folders, of equal design in comfort and performance and durability, for that price.
The Buck 110 is truely the working man's folder.
No one is ever ashamed to be seen with a Buck 110.

Consider the performance:
The blade geometry and design of the Buck 110 is simply fantastic!
The precise needle sharp tip and the high hollow-grind, combined with that comfortable handle makes for an incredible cutting machine.
Even the basic Buck 110 with 420HC blade-steel will out cut many knives with superior steel.
And when you step up to a Custom Shoppe 110 with BG-42 or ATS-34, or the Cabela's Alaskan Guide 110 with S30V, you have a knife that can stand toe-to-toe ,for cutting performance, with any folding knife its size....bar none!

Oh yeah, and it's beautiful too!:)



To address a few concerns....

It has no pocket-clip:
True.
But this not necessarily a negative.
Pocket-clips are handy to be sure, but they also have their drawbacks:
The can cause hot-spots and blisters (especially during long-term cutting).
They can scratch furniture and damage things too.
They can catch on things and dislodge the knife from your pocket.
And they advertise that you're carrying a knife.
On the other hand, the belt sheath is not only secure and comfortable, but it also protects your folder from being affected by pocket debris (lint, coins, keys, etc...).
I've carried pocket-clip folders for years and the clip always catches more than its fair share of abuse.
Still, if you simply must have a pocket-clip, one can be added aftermarket.

It is not a "one-hand-folder":
Well, this is simply not true.
I, and plenty of other folks, use our 110's with one hand all the time, everyday.
It just takes a little practice.
No, it's not as quick to deploy as a dedicated one-hander, but it is not slow by any means.
It's not like opening a Victorinox Soldier, or getting to the blade of a Leatherman SuperTool....
I can draw my 110 from it's sheath and have it open in my hand in about 4 seconds.
And I've never known of any situation, where I needed to cut something, that a couple of seconds made a difference....and if a few seconds DID matter, it would be better to carry a fixed-blade anyway.

It's heavy:
Yeah, the Buck 110 is a little heavy, but not to the extreme.
It is only about 1.5 oz heavier than a Spyderco Manix.
About 2.5 onces heavier than a Spyderco Police.
And only about 3.5 oz heavier than a Spyderco Military.
And the weight and heft give a certain inertia to some cuts....like a nicely weighted golf club.


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Allen.
 
I am constantly amazed at the quality of discussion on these forums. Although packing knives for more than half a century, almost everything I really know about knifecraft was learned from these posts. Whenever I research on any aspect of knife design, maintenance, purchase, whatever, the consensus has guided me correctly every time.

Thank you, one and all, for the benefit of your experience, and put so well.
 
Great post Allen. A 110 is one of the knives that I think everyone should own. As far as carrying it goes, I think I'm one of the few people who has no issues carrying it in a pocket. Usually vertical in the rear next to my wallet, but I'll carry it in front too without being bothered.
 
Three reasons the Buck 110 is the best knife I never carry:

It's too damn heavy.

It's too damn heavy.

And it's too damn heavy.

To me, the Endura IS the new Buck 110.
 
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