Buck 112 value

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mince22

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Hi Guys,
I have a 1986 buck 112 with newer leather sheath, I am interested in knowing what you guys think it is worth, has been sharpened once, otherwise in very nice condition.--Thanks
 
I don't believe that particular year holds any more value than a current model.

My guess would be about $30.00.The newer leather sheath makes it less valuable in my humble opinion.

Keep it and enjoy it.
 
Like sportingspecialist said, sometimes it's just an old knife but..... what I will say for your particular knife is that the blade steel is 425m. Buck did not change to 420HC until about 1992. I have a 422 BuckLite from 1987 which has the same blade as your 112 and it seems to hold an edge for a very long time. That would be a plus for your knife giving it slightly more utility value (to some) but hard to put a $$$ value on that. /Roger
 
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Thanks guys, I do know about the 425m steel may make a slight difference, I may just keep it. I am trying to sell off some knives that don't get a lot of use for knives I would like to buy. You know how that goes
 
It's invaluable if that's what you got and you need to cut something. It's a great user.

-Ed
 
If two of the same model knives were offered for sale in the same condition. One having 420HC steel and the other having 425M steel. I'd give more money for the latter. 5-10$
to get the better steel. It dates it and Buck is not using that steel any longer. The 112's sell for more than a 110. DM
 
I really like the 112; so much so in fact, that since the first time I held one, I lost my desire for most anything else. Unfortunately though, even nice older ones like yours don't seem to command very high prices. Just before the holidays, I paid $70 for a new old stock 2-dot 112 complete with its original box, sheath and paperwork. The knife arrived with a note from the seller saying that he had three more just like it. I bought those as well, gave two away as Christmas gifts and kept the extra one as a spare. My point is that these 2-dot (1974-1978) 112's in new condition only commanded $70 each. But to me, they are worth far more both as stout users as well as to collect. If you like your 112 at all, I'd say keep it, use it, and enjoy the now rare solid Macassar Ebony scales, nice blade steel, and solid feel. The moderns are nice, but for the relatively small amount of money the 112 will get, you might regret selling it one day.
 
Morton Henderson, welcome to the Buck Forum. I understand what you're saying about this model. I pick them up when I find one in good condition. People like the look of it's solid macasser ebony handles, it's frame design and the way the 440C blade cuts. It's about the right size for most cutting needs. A good quality knife, made in U.S.A. at a decent price. DM
 
Thanks for the kind welcome, David. When putting the value of the early 112's in perspective, I considered this: the Buck Custom Shop currently charges an extra $37 for its more unique and optional solid wood scales. That's what I paid for the desert ironwood on my latest. Recently, while shopping for some exotic wood for a remodel project, I ran across a dealer that had Macassar Ebony. However, the only availability was thin paper-backed sheets of veneer in 4' x 8' sheets. Price for one sheet: $739.99! That the older Buck knives used the stuff in solid form on their production knives, tells me that these early knives are now valued at less than the sum of their parts, and are maybe even taken for granted a bit. While perhaps common for an older Buck, the solid Macassar Ebony scales would be an expensive rarity at today's prices. But I admit that I'm biased toward them.
 
Allow me to add my welcome as well Morton.

I understand what you mean when you state that you like the older 2 dot 112's.I felt the same way when I became aware of the them.I was curious about what I have collected in the way of these 112's,so dug out my stash and counted six older 112's.This count didn't include the no dot version with Segua wood,of which I have two.

I was actually thinking about creating a headless version,just so I could have a variation of the 112's that I like so much.
 
About 4 years ago I found a 110 no dots in decent shape, blade and frame. Except for it's macassaer ebony handles which were beaten and damaged. I thought, well I didn't have much in the knife (costs) so I'll get some new handles on it to put it back in original condition. The wood is not cheap, plus it has to be searched and matched. After all the work was done and return shipping I had 100$ in it. Just to show you the cost of a this model knife at today's prices. Your welcome, DM
 
I view these 112's in a similar way as I do a '50's or '60's Cadillac. Those big chromed bumpers and the stainless trim were pretty common back then. Even lower-priced cars had them to some degree. However, check the cost of restoring/re-plating just one bumper today. It's disproportionately expensive. And while the big Caddy was no sports car, it's still awesome in its-own right. Back to the 112: between the generous brass bolsters/liners, the exotic wood, the good blade steel, the ruggedness, and the hand-finishing; I think the older 112's are a bargain. That's why I'm nudging the original poster to consider keeping his.

To SportingSpecialist: Making a headless 112 would be pretty cool. Kind of like a folding/locking 113. It would probably move the balance point closer to the front as well.

Regards,
Mort
 
The headless design would keep the brawny front portion of the frame but as you stated Morton it would move the balance forward.

A win,win.

I've added a picture of my older 112's.
vfywlu.jpg
 
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'86 may be slightly more valuable to the collector since it is the first year of date code tang stamps.
 
You're welcome. The scale material is Paperstone. These were offered by the Collectors Club in 2013 and 2014. One after the other, in a year following. Finger grooves, nickel frame, no nail nick, a drop point of S30V steel with full liners going to the rear. These cut very well. DM
 
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