Buck 110 vs Other Folders?

To answer your question. The 110 has a back lock. I never warmed up to a blade with a hump and a hole in it. Nor do I care for pocket clips. DM
 
From what I've heard they seem to be popularly used among hunters, is this the reason?
What kind of lock is used in the buck 110?
Also, how does 420HC compare to S30V used in Spyderco and I saw some custom buck 110s had S30V as well. Would a Spyderco knife with a nice belly to it work just as well?


Thanks!

To see how it works, look at the 110 Stumps sold. It has bullet proof glass to show how it works.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1234494-301-BG-42-Buck-LR-Bullet-Proof-Glass-110-Buck-124-s-amp-a-First-Run-Buck-Hoods-Woods
 
The 110 is timeless. You can see by browsing this forum that there are near infinite options. If you're a collector, I don't imagine there is a better platform out there to collect and show off.

That being said, it's the "Folding Hunter" for a reason. The knife was built for and is ideal for... hunting. There are many, many, many other knives out there that are better than the 110 for utilitarian purposes. Interestingly enough, there are enough options within Buck to have a knife for every imaginable purpose. Buck truly is a one stop shop for nearly every blade you could possibly need.

I own several Kershaw, Spyderco and other great knives. I can't give a specific reason but over the last 20 years, I've probably carried my 110 about 50% of the time. Earlier this year, I was gifted a 560 that solved one of my criticisms of the 110; the weight.

My other criticism is the blade steel. Though the 420HC is a great steel for "Hunting", it falls short in other utilitarian purposes. I found myself taking the 110 to the stones about every other week. What's nice about it though is that it's easy to get a hair-popping edge back on. I like a harder, more maintenance free steel.

Despite my criticism about the weight of the 110, I retired it (and the 560) to hunting only duty and purchased a CSAR-T folder. The weight isn't far from the 110 but the 154CM steel is miles ahead of the 420HC for utilitarian use. It's a knife made for work, where the 110 is made for hunting.

So, my vote is to get the 110 if you're collecting. The design simplicity is flawless. No collection is complete without it. Fair warning though, you could starting something you may go broke finishing; collecting 110s.

But, my vote for an everyday utilitarian knife is something other than the 110, but still within Buck's catalog.
 
The Spyderco Manix and Military are $150-$250 dollar knives. The 110 can be bought for $35 and sharpened on the bottom of a coffee cup and do everything a knife is expected to do.
 
The first time I opened one and heard the solid click of the blade locking.....Game over. It's just a solid knife.

Ditto.

The 110 has a back lock. I never warmed up to a blade with a hump and a hole in it. Nor do I care for pocket clips.

Ditto.


Also, the 110 is extremely comfortable in the hand due to its handle shape and length. Spydercos are great knives, but one hand opening and closing is just not important to me. I enjoy the two hand operation of the 110 like others enjoy the one hand operation of Spydercos. The simplicity of the 110 reminds me of a Colt SAA.
 
There's nothing that makes it better per se, I like my 110 for the size, weight, and lack of a pocket clip, I can put it into a back pocket next to my wallet, and I don't notice it throughout the day, aside from that, it's easy enough to resharpen, that I can take it out into the shop, use it to cut fiberglass mat for doing bondo on a vehicle, and just take it over the stones when i'm done, In short, I love it for it's simple design, heavy weight, and rugged good looks.

There is nothing that makes it better than any other folder, but there is plenty that makes it better to me.
 
Here's my 33-year-old 110 hanging out on the back porch. This guy has done it all throughout the years and is still going strong. What's not to like?

 
Personally, there are any number of Spyderco models I'd take over a 110 and, even when I carried a Buck ,it was a Prince, as I found the 110 too bulky. Still, IMHO, anything that has remained in production for 50 years has to have some good points. Just because it doesn't appeal to me doesn't mean it's not a good knife. Classical look, as you mentioned. More likely to be looked at as a tool, rather than a weapon because of that look. Less likely to be labeled as a "flick knife" by law enforcement. Less expensive. More readily available to those who still like to buy their knives in person.
 
Both threads merged and moved it to general discussion. When comparing two different brands/manufacturers please do not post in the manufacturers section.
 
Hello MT_Pokt ,
Cabela's sells a Buck 110 with cpm s30v steel , also there is one in cpm-154 still on evil-bay every now and then .
 
They're beautiful classic knives. But the main reason I prefer a modern folder is the easy/convenient one handed opening and closing. My koa bg-42 was one of the prettiest knives I've ever owned never could get myself to use it, still have an older one from the 80's
 
Last edited:
When comparing two different brands/manufacturers please do not post in the manufacturers section.

No disrespect intended, but I didn't know this was a rule. I would have posted this question in the Buck Forum too. I figured the OP wanted to know how "other folders" stacked up to the 110, so he asked his question where he felt he would receive the most knowledgeable/accurate information on the 110, since he was considering adding a 110 to his collection. He just used his Spydercos as an example. I guess I need to brush up on forum rules.
 
Hello,
I've been interested in extending my knife collection. I've come across the buck 110 and it seems to be liked among the knife communities I visit, and I was wondering why?

Can someone please tell me the advantages of a buck 110 compared to my Manix 2 XL? Or even a Spyderco Military?

Sorry for being so blunt on the topic I just never saw the advantages of a buck 110 other than the nice classical look.

Thanks!
Why the comparison? Its like comparing something from a bygone era to the space shuttle. There was a time, when the Buck 110 ruled (almost) supreme - there were no Spyderco Military etc. If you wanted a big folder, you bought a Buck. I like Spyderco knives, but the 110 holds a special place in my heart. The Buck 186 as well, for that matter. Ive used a 110 for a long time and have a handful of them. Ill never sell my first 110 and Ill never stop using it. It just has a certain something. Panache, if you will.
 
No disrespect intended, but I didn't know this was a rule. I would have posted this question in the Buck Forum too. I figured the OP wanted to know how "other folders" stacked up to the 110, so he asked his question where he felt he would receive the most knowledgeable/accurate information on the 110, since he was considering adding a 110 to his collection. He just used his Spydercos as an example. I guess I need to brush up on forum rules.

Originally two threads were started. One in the Spyderco and one in the Buck forum. Talking about another brand in someone else's "house" is doing a disservice to both brands. The manufacturers section is set up so that they can have discussion/feedback about their own product.
 
But NASA's not deciding which of those designs to shell out dough for tomorrow :p. 110's still an option for consumers, why not compare it to other available products.
Why the comparison? Its like comparing something from a bygone era to the space shuttle.
 
Back
Top