Buck 110 vs Modern Folders

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raja

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I was hiking in a remote part of California recently and was surprised to see a back-country outfitter riding towards me leading a couple of pack mules. We were close enough that I could see he had a Buck 110 (or its equivalent) on his belt.

I thought it was interesting that out of all the knives he could carry, that's what he chose. From the looks of his supplies he had been gone several days.

This discussion has probably taken place before, but your thoughts please on how the Buck 110 stacks up against the modern one-handed opening, pocket-clip knives in real-world use.

Thanks,
Raja
 
The Buck110 is still a great knife.It being a belt knife is also a plus for horseback riders. Btw,us old timers know how to use it one handed opening.;)
 
Yeah, stack up how?

Just because something is old, doesn't make it obsolete at it's job. I'm sure just like all the new wonder auto pistols on the market, is a .45 Colt Frontier army any less deadly?

I'm sure the Buck or other game being dressed out by the old 110 on that guys belt got processed just as well as with any new wonder knife. It was a very good knife in 1963 when Buck came out with it, and it still is. Sure looks a lot better than some of the modern stuff.
 
The Buck 110 is probably the single most successful folding knife ever. There'd be the Swiss Army knife to compete, the Boy Scout knife, the Opinel. Those are very successful but they are each a range of products. The Buck 110 is a buck 110! Steel has changed a couple of times over the years...today it's 420HC done very well. Mine from the 1970's is 440C, and does not have the rounded over edges. Conversely the grind lines on my 110 are not as distinct as the new ones. But it's the same knife. And it is a good one. It's a knife they got right the first time and have changed very little. In that regard it stacks up well ahead of all of its completion. There are lighter knives to be sure. There may (or may not) be stronger locks...folks will debate that of course...but it locks up very well.

The Buck 110 stacks up very well compared to all the 21st century folders. Very well indeed. And costs less than most of them.
 
Can't find a link but recently I saw on-line a new 110 with pocket clip and thumbstud, maybe titanium and g-10 handle too.
I always like the Benchmade Hardtails they meda for Harley Davidson, like a 110 with thumbstud and axis lock.
 
Too heavy compared to modern folders and the pivot pin is tiny & unthreaded. I just don't care for the 110, Bucks fixed blades I like.
 
I have a Buck 110 and love it; having just lost a knife in the woods that was clipped to my pocket makes me appreciate the 110 even more.

Was interested in viewpoints on the advantages and disadvantages of the two styles of knife.
 
You can carry any folder in a sheath, just as you can a Buck 110, I hardly see the fact that a 110 has no clip an advantage. In fact I never hike with a clipped folder in my pocket, too many times I've had brush snag a clip and pull it out of my pocket.
 
To me it's all opinion. You can get a Buck 110 in better steel if you are will to go through customs. I personally think it is a little large for that style of knife but i still enjoy it. I wish i had got the smaller version Buck 112. It doesn't really bother me though, and it goes off well whenever i talk to an old guy or farmer and they see it on my belt. ;)
 
Why would he (or anyone) carry a Buck 110 instead of a "modern" lightweight, one-hand-opening folder? There could be a few reasons-

1. Personal preference.

2. It's what he has, it serves his needs perfectly, he doesn't feel the need to buy/carry/use something else.

3. Maybe he's not aware of what's available on the market, or simply doesn't care.

For a lot of people a knife is just a cutting tool. A lot of people don't care about having the most modern fastest-opening, one-handed knife with the latest "super steel". I'd wager that 110 serves his needs just fine.

I have a 110, been using it for over 30 years. I also have several "modern" folders. Although there are certainly differences between them, I wouldn't feel ill-equipped out in the wild with a 110.

As far as the weight of the original 110, if a person finds it too heavy to carry in the wild I would suggest working-out and building some muscle. In fact, if you find the 110 too heavy, you shouldn't be going out in the wild to begin with.
 
It's not too heavy to carry, just too heavy for it's tiny pivot pin, with no threads. The one I had came loose right away. Buck could put a bigger threaded pivot in it and it would be a whole lot stronger.
 
The 110 can do 90% of what any modern folder can do. My 110 was one of my most used/abused knives and it is still full serviceable. Never did try one handed opening though, didn't want to lose a finger because that blade takes a razor edge.
 
EDCanAdamas said:
The 110 can do 90% of what any modern folder can do. My 110 was one of my most used/abused knives and it is still full serviceable. Never did try one handed opening though, didn't want to lose a finger because that blade takes a razor edge.
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I either dig my thumb into the hollow grind or hold it by the blade and flick your wrist.
 
Lets face it, the pocket knife was pretty much perfected long ago. All the advancements in the past 10 or 20 years are great but not nesciscary. I love a clip, light weight, nice steel, etc as much as the next guy but would have no problem with nothing but a 110 for my daily carry(and I have no problem opening it one handed). Pluss it just makes me feel good to carry something with that much history. It was the first nice knife I ever bought and I carried it almost a year straight before I got into modern knives.
 
raja said:
I was hiking in a remote part of California recently and was surprised to see a back-country outfitter riding towards me leading a couple of pack mules. We were close enough that I could see he had a Buck 110 (or its equivalent) on his belt.

I thought it was interesting that out of all the knives he could carry, that's what he chose. From the looks of his supplies he had been gone several days.

This discussion has probably taken place before, but your thoughts please on how the Buck 110 stacks up against the modern one-handed opening, pocket-clip knives in real-world use.
Click to expand...

The 110 is a hunting knife, first and foremost. Horses for courses. If you like a clip point for cleaning game then the Buck 110 will be better than most modern designs. Not all, but most, at least for that design.

FWIW, I'd bet dollars to donuts the guy was chose the 110 mostly for cultural reasons (which is why most taticool people choose their knives). I'll also wager that it does good enough for what he uses it for, same as with taticool knives. 90% of knife talk is hype, I think. Like most knives made, the 110 is good enough for many things. There are differences at the limits and it's at the limits is where the 110 is not a super versatile knife, imo.


jill jackson said:
It's not too heavy to carry, just too heavy for it's tiny pivot pin, with no threads. The one I had came loose right away. Buck could put a bigger threaded pivot in it and it would be a whole lot stronger.
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I don't think a hunting folding knife needs to be strong, really. It needs good balance and be well proportioned. Needs good steel. As a hunting knife (for those who prefer a clip point), the 110 is just fine.

The problems come when you expose it to large opening (strong cutting, as in wood cutting) or strong lateral forces (prying) that the Buck design fails. For that, the lowly Opinel blows the Buck 110 out of the water, no question.


jackknife said:
Buck lightweight bantam weights 2.5 ounces.
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I wouldn't trust Buck's all plastic knives (the Bantams and Bucklite Max) as far I could flush them. The old Bucklites used a very stiff plastic and were rugged enough but the current stuff is softer and when used hard, the pivot pins open up the plastic pretty fast. IMO, Buck is flushing their reputation down the hole with those knives (well, that and their 420J2 slip joints).

From the 70s, when they were good.
Buck 110 by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
jill jackson said:
It's not too heavy to carry, just too heavy for it's tiny pivot pin, with no threads. The one I had came loose right away. Buck could put a bigger threaded pivot in it and it would be a whole lot stronger.
Click to expand...

Jill,
I'm not sure what you did that caused a loose pivot? I've never seen that issue and have sharpened and cleaned up many 110's over the years.

Along with still making this classic Americana 110 knife. Buck has an excellent warranty / service dept.
Simple mail your buck to them up in Idaho. http://www.buckknives.com/about-knives/bucks-forever-warranty/

They have always fixed or replaced any knife I and everyone I know of promptly & courteously. They will fix or replace your 110 with the loose pivot.
 
killgar said:
3. Maybe he's not aware of what's available on the market, or simply doesn't care.
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This ^

A lot of people have only ever been exposed to whatever is at the local store or they saw in a Cabela's catalogue. They just don't know that the same amount of money could have bought them an Endura or Delica or other knife that is a far better value.

I can't imagine not even knowing about things like M390 steel and properly built liner locks :(
 
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