Buck 110 or modern folders

bladeprince said:
...it opened up my eyes to a whole new world of knives and knife collecting. Buck 110....everyone has to own a Buck 110.

Regards
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Excellent point. It was same way for me. Buck 110 is first knife which start this hobby for me (and second was KaBar). Interesteng - I came to OSH to buy just some knife and with all possible choise I picked up Buck 110 even there were many similar knives and clones of it for lower price.

Thanks, Vassili.

P.S. I asked Buck while ago to make some "modern 110" which I guess will left behind many current knifes:

Buck110NG.jpg


With Titanium, G10 - same as they did for 880. While they stop production of 880, they may use same equipment to produce modern version of 110...
 
Hey Vassili, thats a great concept.I wish Buck would take your advice.A 110 with ti and g-10 would be fantastic.It would really take the 110 to the next level.
 
I think Buck is to congratulated for making production very efficient and supplying those $20 Walmart 110's. I think the ubiquity and low price will keep them in market share for some time.

But sooner or later, IMO, the demand for Buck 110 will fall unless they can keep their brand identity strong. I don't really see any innovation coming from Buck.

IMO 110's are too heavy, and to un handy because of lack of pocket clip and opening device.
 
DaveH said:
I think Buck is to congratulated for making production very efficient and supplying those $20 Walmart 110's. I think the ubiquity and low price will keep them in market share for some time.

But sooner or later, IMO, the demand for Buck 110 will fall unless they can keep their brand identity strong. I don't really see any innovation coming from Buck.

IMO 110's are too heavy, and to un handy because of lack of pocket clip and opening device.
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This is not quite true. They have models for Cabela's with CPM S30V and for Bass Pro 154CPM, as well as BG42 etc from Custom shop in addition to 420HC basic model.

I think this is pretty smart policy. I do not think WallMart shoppers will buy a lot of premium knives anyway, but while they pump Buck with their money, for "advanced" customer there are special models etc.

I do not think that supplaying WallMart was desperate attempt to survive - highly unlikely. For my point of view it is good sign for the company if WallMart start selling their product everywhere on any corner of USA. This is why Sal start selling Spyderco Native with WallMart.

I absolutely agree that unfortunately innovations are not coming from Buck, they got their market and just keep it - this is old and looking tiered company. But if they want they may came up with something amaizing like 880 or 888 (designed by Strider. but produced very well by Buck). However if they just will sit on their marketplace waiting for retairment they will face problems, but not in the nearest future.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
I'd rather the 110 or any of the older designs over the modern ones.

I still don't have a 110, just a Camillus and Schrade clone, but I'm saving my pennies to pick up one this winter- once Wallyworld has the $20 ones again.
 
nozh2002 said:
This is what I mean by comfortable balance - best balance for working knife:

Buck110C-02.jpg


Endura is plaing in different league - clipits. Lightweight knives with excellent steel, which clipped to jeans pocket. On my opinion it is fo casuall cutting, but it will be hard to imagine to carve like axe handle from the piece of wood for an hour or two using Endura. It may stand it without falling apart, but you hand will be hurt for sire, just because handle is too thin. Also balance of 110 make it easy to hold and operate. So on my opinion it is "working knife" (which is also proven by millions of customers who use it on the field).

So if you need knife for work - get 110 (CPM S30V from Cabela's or CPM 154 from Bass Pro) - it is most comfortable for real work. If you need knife to be always on you jeance pocket - get Clipit (Delica ZDP-189 or better Kershaw Leek ZDP) - they will be most comfortable to carry, and very good if you need to do some small cutting time to time.

Thanks, Vassili.
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or ya could get a strider SmF or SnG for heavy cutting, or a spyderco Ti ATR and have a light knife that carries well and also cuts extremly well, i'd put my Ti ATR up against a 110 in cutting ability anyday.
 
Two points for the 110, both subjective.
1.) They are the ideal "boys first knife". ( Not to exclude girls, but girls in the "youngun" catagory might prefer a slightly smaller knife.)
2.) There are few folders with the ability to crack nuts that the 110 has.
 
What's your take on the custom buck 110? are they worth the money. the one with bufflao scales and Bg-42 blade on page 1 costs $116 if I'm not wrong... worth the money?? opinions??
 
How do you guys open a 110 with one hand? I have an old one from the late 60's or early 70's that is HARD to open. REALLY hard. Even tough with two hands and no I'm not weak. It feels like it has at least 15 pounds of spring tension to overcome.
Is this abnormal?
 
DaveH said:
I don't really see any innovation coming from Buck.
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nozh2002 said:
I absolutely agree that unfortunately innovations are not coming from Buck
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I wonder if you guys would expand a little bit on just what sort of innovations you're talking about. Materials, locks, styles, etc.? nozh2002, you refer positively to the 880 and 888, and while they might be good examples of the heavy duty knife class I don't see ATS-34 and G10, drop points and tanto points as necessarily being examples of innovation. Just where do you think Buck is missing the boat so to speak?
 
Lavan said:
How do you guys open a 110 with one hand? I have an old one from the late 60's or early 70's that is HARD to open. REALLY hard. Even tough with two hands and no I'm not weak. It feels like it has at least 15 pounds of spring tension to overcome.
Is this abnormal?
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If it's difficult to open with even two hands then something is definitely wrong with your Buck 110.

The good news is that Buck has excellent customer service and an ironclad warranty.
Just send it back to Buck and I'll bet that they fix the problem.

Good Luck,
Allen.
 
Tetsusaiga said:
What's your take on the custom buck 110? are they worth the money. the one with bufflao scales and Bg-42 blade on page 1 costs $116 if I'm not wrong... worth the money?? opinions??
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I say Yes!
But I might be a little biased....

knives009.jpg


Consider this:
The Spyderco Manix can be had for about the same price ($115.56 at NewGraham's) as the Custom Shoppe 110 above.
They are both are very stout lock-backs, they both have great blade-steel, they are close in blade-size, and they are close in weight.

But one has asian water-buffalo scales (beautiful and tough), the other has G-10 scales (ugly and tough, but basically fiberglass).
One has a pocket-clip and thumb-hole, the other has a nail-nick and comes with your choice of sheath (leather or cordura nylon).
And you can elect to have the Buck engraved on the blade or on the bolsters.

Both are going to have outstanding cutting performance, but I think the Custom Buck has greater heirloom quality.

EDITED:
I'll add one more thing...I still think the best deal for the money is the Cabela's Alaskan Guide 110.
 
Wow allenC, that is absolutely beautiful!

I sent my 112 in about a year ago for the bg42 upgrade, and when I got it back I thought I had the world by the tail. Seeing your beaut there makes me want to check out some more custom options.

Andy
 
Thanks Andy.
It really is a beautiful knife.

I hear that the Custom Shoppe 110's can be additive.
Already I'm thinking of a new one with nickle-silver bolsters, finger-grooves, BG-42, and Koa flamewood scales!
 
Personally, I love the Buck 110. It gets more carry time than all my "tactical" folders combined, and more than most of my slipjoints as well.
It's unbelievably sturdy, feels great in the hand, and is an excellent cutter. It's not a chopping tool, so it doesn't need a flat or convex grind, but is an optimal slicer — hollow grind works great!
It has plenty of belly, a nice pointy tip (splinter-picker), and is a perfect overall size.
It's easy to open one-handed, too. You can use the blade-drop method (hold the blade, drop the handle), or do what I do — use your thumb against the nail nick (which is rather large, so it works great) to push the blade open (a la Spyderhole).
Don't misinterpret; I'm not a luddite, and I have many nice, high-tech knives. I just keep coming back to the Buck 110.

(Also have a 112, and carry that one sometimes)
 
OK.. I'm sold.. gonna save up money for one.. :D

By the way, is BG-42 the best steel you can get on the custom one?? Best as in the one that holds an edge the best and longest?
 
AllanC,
You should work at Buck in sales or public relations. After really reading and weighing every word you wrote you have pushed me off the fence.
I have been toying with Buck's 110 from the Buck Custom Shop for quite some time now.
And this time I won't stop after I create it on paper. I do that at least 10 times a month now for half a year. I go to the Buck web page and create my ideal 110. Then I stop before placing the order. I usually add the finger groves and script engraving on the bolsters.
This time I really don't think I'll engrave it. But I am pulling the trigger this time. It truly is a classic for many reasons. Most of which you eloquently pointed out for us all. I can't wait to see what I end up with,but I know for sure that at under$150.00 I will not be unhappy with my custom made 110 by Buck.
Thanks,
Peace.
 
I've owned many knives, and the only user I haven't modified in some way is a 110 I bought new in 1987. (Unless you count busting a 1/8" off the tip and re-profiling it.)

It's still in my back right jeans pocket, under my billfold. Yeah, it's "heavy", so what? We're talking grams and ounces here, not pounds. It's also solid as a rock and I still have negligible "bladeplay" in mine. When I say "Negligible", I mean I have to really grab the blade and yank on it. It dang sure doesn't feel loose in use.

I'm not thrilled about 420HC; I confess to being a carbon-steel-snob. Toughness afficionadoes will have to get used to the fact that a Buck blade of 420HC, in my opinion, will not hold up to severe stress. (That means, don't use it to pry open a car door or chop up a cinder block.) It will chip out. It will, however, take a very nicely-polished edge and cut like blazes within its strength limitations. Perhaps this has something to do with heat-treating...

I've not had a chance to use the high-end stainless steels Buck now offers in its Custom Shop.

Having said that, so what? The 110, in my humble opinion, is much like the Fender Stratocaster and the Mauser bolt-action rifle... a well-founded, venerable design that will outlive all of us. It does what it does extremely well, and its fans far outnumber its detractors.
 
Prince of Peace said:
AllanC,
You should work at Buck in sales or public relations. After really reading and weighing every word you wrote you have pushed me off the fence.
I have been toying with Buck's 110 from the Buck Custom Shop for quite some time now.
And this time I won't stop after I create it on paper. I do that at least 10 times a month now for half a year. I go to the Buck web page and create my ideal 110. Then I stop before placing the order. I usually add the finger groves and script engraving on the bolsters.
This time I really don't think I'll engrave it. But I am pulling the trigger this time. It truly is a classic for many reasons. Most of which you eloquently pointed out for us all. I can't wait to see what I end up with,but I know for sure that at under$150.00 I will not be unhappy with my custom made 110 by Buck.
Thanks,
Peace.
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Maybe I should ask Buck for a "finder's fee".:rolleyes:

One word of caution....

The water-buffalo horn scales, and the stag scales AFAIK, are not flat on the sides like the wood scales...they swell outward abit.
Some folks really like this and say that it fills the hand more, while others don't like it that much.
I must confess that overall I prefer the flat scales...but maybe it's only because I am more accustomed to those.
Neither are uncomfortable, just different.
I'll try to do a side-by-side shot and post it later.

Allen.
 
Tetsusaiga said:
OK.. I'm sold.. gonna save up money for one.. :D

By the way, is BG-42 the best steel you can get on the custom one?? Best as in the one that holds an edge the best and longest?
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I'm not sure which is the best, but I think that the Custom Shoppe's top steels are BG-42 and ATS-34.

Unless I'm mistaken, you can only get the S30V version from Cabela's and the 154CM version from the Bass ProShop.

I have the Cabela's and my custom has BG-42....so far I can't decide which steel I prefer...they both cut so well.

Allen.
 
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