Buck 110 Slim blade length issues

[Don W]

Tx308 I still dont get it. The knives mentioned are different models. Do you expect them the same because the manufacturer states they are the same length? Because your slim pro has almost the exact same length as my slim pro. I would understand if you bought 2 slim pro's and they were 3/16th of an inch different, but that is not the case. I am really just trying to understand.

 

[colin.p]

I have a few models from several manufacturers that the blade length is different, by a 1/8" or so from specs. No big deal for me, but I admit I was slightly surprised when I first encountered it. I think Buck's answer pretty well answers the "why" and I can accept that. One of the things that people add to the "niggles" of knife ownership.

 

[DocT]

My original mid 60's 110 is 3 3/4", but my 1980 model is just over 3.5". A 1/4 inch is a lot of blade difference. It never really bugged me. I have seen many that were at 3.5". Now, with other brands, such as Spyderco, you do not see that fluctuation in length. Still, Buck makes a good knife.

 

[afishhunter]

Isn't that almost years of sharpening life removed?

What are you sharpening with? A bench grinder?

I have a circa 1993 "Schrade +" 440A blade 7OT that I keep sharp (I sharpen by hand, using Arkansas Stones), I carried and used every day for over ten years. No noticeable loss of blade steel. I'd guess my use was "medium" to "hard"; cutting reinforced automotive hoses, and belts, scraping head gaskets, stripping and cutting up to 8 gauge multi-strand automotive wire and Household single strand wiring to 10 gauge, stripping up to 0000 (4 aught) battery/ welding cable, trimming bushes and removing saplings to 3 inch diameter, gutting and peeling whitetail deer and other game, (also cleaned a boat load of fish over the years,) opening coconuts, scoring drywall, cut roofing tiles and tar paper, cut fiberglass mat used in an auto body repair shop, used as a metal scribe "more than thrice", and so on.

 

[MarkN86]

I can see both sides of this. Any product will have small variances so it doesn't pay to be too picky, but if it were taken to an extreme and a 110 was factory ground down a half inch to 3.25" and had a significantly narrower blade that would be unacceptable and it should be replaced under warranty. On a $90 knife I wouldn't be happy with losing 1/8" either, but I'm not sure I'd care enough get anything done about it.

Buck's following is loyal to a fault. I like a lot of Buck's designs and the HT is one of the best in the industry, but I do wish they would slow down a little and make each piece a little better. I'd pay $20 more for every model if that's what it took for a little better consistency. It's not doing anyone any favors to ignore the issues and try to silence anyone who has a problem with them. OP did the right thing and sent Buck an email and was pretty much blown off, I would have probably taken it badly as well.