Gentlemen --
I have a few 110 Folding Hunters and a few Alpha Folding Hunters, and each of mine came with nylon sheaths, rather than the typical/original leather versions. When I first discovered that they had nylon instead of leather sheaths, it kind of bummed me out, but, since then, I've really grown to like Buck's nylon sheaths.
So far, in six months, the only wear mark on my EDC Buck 110's nylon sheath is a small ding, down to the metal, on its snap, from when I tried squeezing around too narrow a corner. Not a problem. A knife that you're using is going to get "character marks," so why shouldn't its sheath?
If you've ever worn out a Buck folder's leather sheath's belt loop, the nylon replacement versions have loops for both horizontal or vertical carry. I personally don't have any preference as to vertical or horizontal carry, so, the way that I look at it, if/when I wear out the vertical-carry loop, I'll simply start carrying horizontally, utilizing the horizontal loops.
I used to want leather sheaths for my Buck knives, but I've learned a different perspective after carrying in a nylon sheath. I'd give Buck nylon replacement sheaths a good consideration, should you ever need to replace your leather sheath(s). Another bonus of nylon over leather is that you can store your knife in a nylon sheath because nylon is far less prone to absorbing moisture or humidity than is leather.
The current nylon folding knife replacement sheaths offered by Buck (on their web site) are for the 110 Folding Hunter, the 278/279 Alpha Folding Hunter (rubber handle models, but, I imagine it would also fit the model 277 with rosewood), and the 450 Protege. Actually, after a closer look at the nylon Alpha Folding Hunter sheath web page, the site lists that the sheath is suitable for models 110, 112, 276, 277, 278WA, 279WA, 450.
Ok, for a mini-review, the 110 nylon sheath fits snugly on a 110 Folding Hunter...the knife probably wouldn't fall out even if you were hanging upside down from a tree limb with the snap open. Same thing goes for the rubber-handled 278/279 Alpha Folding Hunter in its specific replacement nylon sheath. The Alpha won't fit into the 110 nylon sheath, and, if you were to carry a 110 in the Alpha Folding Hunter nylon sheath, well, it'll fall out of that sheath *every time* you're hanging in that tree, upside down, snap fastener undone. Maybe the extra space could be used for an extra-skinny sharpening stone...?
I don't have either a 450 Protege or a 112 Ranger to try putting them into the Alpha nylon sheath, but I imagine that they would fit even more loosely than the 110. If you have either a 450 Protege or a 112 Ranger, you may prefer the Protege nylon replacement sheath. Because I don't have a model 450 Protege, nor its nylon sheath, I cannot say whether that sheath also has both the vertical and horizontal carry loops.
Buck nylon sheaths are very tough and reliable, and, if I ever need replacements, I'd get nylon sheaths again.
Just my 2-bits worth,
GeoThorn
I have a few 110 Folding Hunters and a few Alpha Folding Hunters, and each of mine came with nylon sheaths, rather than the typical/original leather versions. When I first discovered that they had nylon instead of leather sheaths, it kind of bummed me out, but, since then, I've really grown to like Buck's nylon sheaths.
So far, in six months, the only wear mark on my EDC Buck 110's nylon sheath is a small ding, down to the metal, on its snap, from when I tried squeezing around too narrow a corner. Not a problem. A knife that you're using is going to get "character marks," so why shouldn't its sheath?
If you've ever worn out a Buck folder's leather sheath's belt loop, the nylon replacement versions have loops for both horizontal or vertical carry. I personally don't have any preference as to vertical or horizontal carry, so, the way that I look at it, if/when I wear out the vertical-carry loop, I'll simply start carrying horizontally, utilizing the horizontal loops.
I used to want leather sheaths for my Buck knives, but I've learned a different perspective after carrying in a nylon sheath. I'd give Buck nylon replacement sheaths a good consideration, should you ever need to replace your leather sheath(s). Another bonus of nylon over leather is that you can store your knife in a nylon sheath because nylon is far less prone to absorbing moisture or humidity than is leather.
The current nylon folding knife replacement sheaths offered by Buck (on their web site) are for the 110 Folding Hunter, the 278/279 Alpha Folding Hunter (rubber handle models, but, I imagine it would also fit the model 277 with rosewood), and the 450 Protege. Actually, after a closer look at the nylon Alpha Folding Hunter sheath web page, the site lists that the sheath is suitable for models 110, 112, 276, 277, 278WA, 279WA, 450.
Ok, for a mini-review, the 110 nylon sheath fits snugly on a 110 Folding Hunter...the knife probably wouldn't fall out even if you were hanging upside down from a tree limb with the snap open. Same thing goes for the rubber-handled 278/279 Alpha Folding Hunter in its specific replacement nylon sheath. The Alpha won't fit into the 110 nylon sheath, and, if you were to carry a 110 in the Alpha Folding Hunter nylon sheath, well, it'll fall out of that sheath *every time* you're hanging in that tree, upside down, snap fastener undone. Maybe the extra space could be used for an extra-skinny sharpening stone...?
I don't have either a 450 Protege or a 112 Ranger to try putting them into the Alpha nylon sheath, but I imagine that they would fit even more loosely than the 110. If you have either a 450 Protege or a 112 Ranger, you may prefer the Protege nylon replacement sheath. Because I don't have a model 450 Protege, nor its nylon sheath, I cannot say whether that sheath also has both the vertical and horizontal carry loops.
Buck nylon sheaths are very tough and reliable, and, if I ever need replacements, I'd get nylon sheaths again.
Just my 2-bits worth,
GeoThorn
) and there is a selector listed and describes this sheath. Pic is just like one I have. Good Call!!