Buck 110 vs Modern Folders

Status
Not open for further replies.
It's possible the newer generations aren't made as well as the older, one I had within last 10 years had wiggle in all directions and the edge was hitting the lock spring. But, my dad's 40 year old 110 has been to hell and back and looks like it, it's still tight! It has a wee but of up and down but that's it.
 
There was a thread somewhere here about how the molds must be getting worn. Because of the fit of the lockbar, where it meets the blade. It wasn't square like the older ones.
 
All I had was the Bucklite version for around 18 years. It was the first real knife I bought when I was in high school and if it hadn't been stolen or lost, I would have probably never gotten caught up in the knife madness. But it was the only knife I owned from roughly 1987-2005. Used it for camping, hiking, fish cleaning and probably completely cleaned/butchered 1-3 deer a year with it, opened packages. I mean it was the absolute only knife I owned and I think at the time the Bucklites cost around $10. Its sad to think about what I've spent on knives now.
 
I've owned a Buck 110 since 1972. It was "THE KNIFE" back then especially if you were a Biker. I opened it like this many times over the years without loosening the pivot or stressing the back spring. I suppose I was lucky. All of us would try to flip them open any way we could. Having said that my EDC today is a ZT 301. Either way the weight isin't a factor to me.
 
Last edited:
crom said:
It's possible the newer generations aren't made as well as the older, one I had within last 10 years had wiggle in all directions and the edge was hitting the lock spring. But, my dad's 40 year old 110 has been to hell and back and looks like it, it's still tight! It has a wee but of up and down but that's it.
Click to expand...

I was wondering the same. I have a 1971 or 72 110 that's been well used but not abused and it's bank-vault tight. My older son has one that's not quite that old but has been beaten up quite a bit, and it's still tight, too.
 
jill jackson said:
Review of the 110, the reviewer loved the knife, but it developed side to side blade play doing cutting tests.

http://www.thetruthaboutknives.com/2013/08/classic-knife-review-buck-110-folding-hunter/
Click to expand...

His actual words were "a small but perceptible sideways blade wobble". He still gave it a 4 out of 5 star rating. I don't recall if you said what you did with your 110. Seems for the cost of a priority mail box you could have shipped it back to Buck and let them fix it. If you did that then I apologize.
 
Badhammer said:
His actual words were "a small but perceptible sideways blade wobble". He still gave it a 4 out of 5 star rating. I don't recall if you said what you did with your 110. Seems for the cost of a priority mail box you could have shipped it back to Buck and let them fix it. If you did that then I apologize.
Click to expand...

Carried it on a short hike and cut very small green thorns off a hiking trail. Nothing hard use at all. I was surprised to find the blade play so bad after such short use. Wasn't worried about keeping it, as it was less than thirty dollars from Wal-Mart. I've used cheaper knives doing the same tasks many times and none developed blade play close to the same amount. Maybe the knife was defective, but I've seen a lot of other brands using the same type blade pivots in metal, with a lockback loosen up. I have a pair of USA made LB7s that are slightly heavier than the 110 , with the exact same design of course, that are dead tight I will try doing the same tasks and see how they fare.
 
jill jackson said:
Carried it on a short hike and cut very small green thorns off a hiking trail. Nothing hard use at all. I was surprised to find the blade play so bad after such short use. Wasn't worried about keeping it, as it was less than thirty dollars from Wal-Mart. I've used cheaper knives doing the same tasks many times and none developed blade play close to the same amount. Maybe the knife was defective, but I've seen a lot of other brands using the same type blade pivots in metal, with a lockback loosen up. I have a pair of USA made LB7s that are slightly heavier than the 110 , with the exact same design of course, that are dead tight I will try doing the same tasks and see how they fare.
Click to expand...

So you threw it away? I'm sure your 110 isn't indicative of every 110 that leaves the plant but I would have contacted Buck to at least give them the opportunity to examine it. Might have provided valuable feedback to their process. Heck, they might even have paid for the shipping back to Idaho.
 
DocT said:
I think Buck went through a QC problem during the Chinese years. My older Buck 110s, plus my father's 112 are still tight. My father beat the you-know-what out of that 112 and it still kept on going.
Click to expand...

The Chinese years?

My user 110 is from 2009. I have sharpened it several times in several angles (was learning how to sharpen so the 420HC would not chip with moderate to hard use), used the blade to cut many different kinds of wood, and have dropped it on concrete at least three times scarring the handle. This knife has actually lived up to the reputation of the 1970's 110's. As far as blade play, mine has a tiny bit, but unless you were to torque the blade, you would not know.

Perhaps the poster who's 110 "failed" after 15 minutes got a lemon?
 
DocT said:
I think Buck went through a QC problem during the Chinese years. My older Buck 110s, plus my father's 112 are still tight. My father beat the you-know-what out of that 112 and it still kept on going.
Click to expand...

The 110 and 112 have never been made in China or any other country but the U.S.A so not sure what you mean?
 
This reads like a Sebenza thread where one or two people got a bad one and are out to convince everyone what a crappy knife it is. The whole block laughs at 'em.

The Buck 110 is a classic and an icon. I have one (about 25 years old) and carry it whenever I can. Beautiful folder that feels balanced and weighty in hand and handles like a dream; perfect blade shape. It sings on the stone and will shave my face afterward if I wish.....then clean game for the rest of the day, cut the wood to cook it, then turn it into paper thin slices that melt in my mouth.

It's not a tactical folder nor was it designed to be. It's a well designed pocket knife made to use. Mine's still tight as a drum with zero play. Of course, it's been properly used, maintained and cared for too.
 
I've had about 100 folders through my hands now and I have alway kept my 110 along with a few other classics. I sold my 112 because for the size I prefer a FFG Delica. But if I'm going apple picking or for a quick hike I'll bring the 110. It's a great design with solid steel and classic feel. For gun guys Id compare it to shooting a steel 1911 with checkered wood grips, it just feels right. The blade grind is a bit weak vs a FFG and the 420HC isn't the best edge holder but it slices small stuff like a demon and you can sharpen it with pretty much anything. Handy to slip into a back pocket next to your wallet too. It's right under the Opinel No.8 carbon for a classic Everyman knife.
 
A knife is a matter separator, an Opinel has a better grind for actually cutting. Also the simplicity of the darn things is fantastic. But they are French so if you push the issue I'm sure the 110 is better.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top