buck 110

K

KaBar

Joined
Dec 30, 2004
Messages
609
i found a interesting little buck 110 today. it looks to me to be from the late 760s and about a half inch of the blade is sharpened off but it was 15 bucks and verry solid so im enjoying it.

does any one know much about these knives.
 
it looks to me to be from the late 760s
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Would that be B.C. or A.D. ? :D

If it's from the 1960's it is probably got a 440-c blade. I believe they didn't switch steels on that model till the 70's.(I could be wrong on this)
Any way you can post a pic to see how it looks?
 
It's the classic american folding hunter!

Here are the dates for the steel:

Before 1981.- 440C
1981 to 1994.- 425M
After 1994.- 420HC

If you can describe the tang stamp at the base of the blade better, the date of manufacture can be narrowed down?
 
KaBar said:
does any one know much about these knives.
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The Buck 110 has been around for a while. Some refer to it as the original Tactical folder. Others simply refer to it as legendary, a benchmark, etc. The 110 has spawned an entire industry knocking off the design.

You can probably get more specifics over on teh Buck forum here on Blade Forums.

John
 
You can probably get more specifics over on teh Buck forum here on Blade Forums.
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Excellent suggestion!

Some refer to it as the original Tactical folder.
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This is also spot on. The Buck 110 was the harbinger of a whole new genre of folders which has changed the face of the entire cutlery industry. It took the single bladed folder and took it to new heights. Just look at the HUGE variety of folders we have to choose from today. The sheer variety is bloody mind boggling! And they're all pretty much grandkids of the Buck 110. :D

After thought: If it turns out you have a 110 from the late 60's, you have a definate keeper there. The 440-c Buck used back then was changed because people were complaining about it being too hard to sharpen, IIRC. Meaning that 440-c had a really decent HT on it. If for nothing else, you've got a good user there that's also a nice little piece of cutlery history to boot.
It's all good!
 
I would have to say it's my favorite since I have almost 40 in my collection. :D Buck and the 110 are as classic an American company and knife as you can get.
Scott
 
I've got a brand new 110 and a custom 110, with stag scales and damascus blade, and I don't think I'll ever use either. Just for show, but both are gorgeous and razor sharp. Are there any other designs of the knife, other than the handle with finger grooves? I've seen a lot of people that have more than two 110's on here, and I'd like to know why. I'll post a pic of my custom 110, it's a really neat piece :D.
 
I've got a brand new 110 and a custom 110, with stag scales and damascus blade, and I don't think I'll ever use either.
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I also have a stag scaled damascus blade model and like you, I just can't bring myself to use it. :( It's just too good looking. :cool: :D But, man is that thing ever sharp! :eek:
 
sorry for waiting so long to reply. the date was a typo, i think its from the 70s.

the blade markings are buck than 110 with usa under it if i can remember correctly. its got 3 pins on each side in the scales and the brass is squared off unlike the new ones.

im not to sure what the blade is made of but its a carbon steel, it had some light rust that cleaned off rather easily.
 
KaBar said:
sorry for waiting so long to reply. the date was a typo, i think its from the 70s.

the blade markings are buck than 110 with usa under it if i can remember correctly. its got 3 pins on each side in the scales and the brass is squared off unlike the new ones.

im not to sure what the blade is made of but its a carbon steel, it had some light rust that cleaned off rather easily.
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OK, first it is not high carbon steel, Buck never used that for 110's, from the dates, it is 440C, but any stainless (actually more correct stain resistant) will rust with time and neglect.

Yours dates from 1971, when the 3 line tang stamp began, if there are no dots on either side of the "110", then that means it's between 71 and 73, as they added the first dots in 74.

The newer rounded off corners began in 1983.

You got a good hierloom that;s for sure!
 
is there any way to swap the blades? the one that its got now is really rough and lost about a half inch due to 35 or so years of sharpening and god knows what else. other than the blade the knife is in rather good condition.
 
Buck can rebuild your 110 -- check their website. I believe the Custom Shop does this work. However, they are in the process of setting up in their new location so there might be a delay.

I'm still happy with the 110 in 420HC I picked up last year as a 'loaner.' It takes a scary sharp edge, and while it may not hold it as long as some of the premium stainless alloys, it is easier to resharpen. I'll eventually have Buck replace the blade with BG-42, but it's going to be a while.
 
Yes, Buck will replace the blade. I forget the exact price, but Joe Houser or someone from Buck will be happy to fill you in. Even better, you can get some high-end steel in that knife. The custom shop offers ATS-34 and BG-42 (or at least they did). I had an older finger-grooved Buck "upgraded" with ATS-34, and it's a great knife. I also have a custom Buck with stag scales and BG-42. Beautiful knife and I do use it.
 
Can you ask them to keep the blade? I mean it IS a vintage part of the knife you can't find new.
 
KaBar said:
is there any way to swap the blades? the one that its got now is really rough and lost about a half inch due to 35 or so years of sharpening and god knows what else. other than the blade the knife is in rather good condition.
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Yes, normally Buck does have a blade exchange to higher grade steels for $35.00, but there have been some minor changes to the Buck 110 since yours was made, so you should make sure they can put a newer blade in yours. They are shutdown for the move right now, watch the Buck forum for the reopening.
 
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