This isn't really fair. I had to pull my massive collection of Bear MGC (Jax, AL) X97s out to compare with Buck 110s. Okay, I have an oak handled one, #297 - $51.99 in '04 catalog, and a 'India' stag handled Damascus 597D - $150. I paid $28 for the former marked down at 'Academy Sports', while the latter was a bargain via evil-bay from a retail shop for $60. They are next to a $11 closeout-priced '05 collector's tin 110 from Wally World - but any recent 110 would be the same. On the other side, a Custom Shop 110 in teardrop Damascus and flaming Koa - $170, back then (fall '07). The basic 110 has the usual brass bolsters, while the others have nickel silver.
No question, the 297 is good in fit and function, but I am a bit jaded as this is my second example, the first being 'too tight & off-centered when closed'., It's fairly sharp blade being made of a 'hi carbon SS', while they clearly indicate other knives in their catalog as 'polished 440 stainless'. Clearly, fit & finish is nearly equal, while as delivered sharpness goes, hands down, to the basic 110. So goes ease of operation, while 'feel' in the hand, due to the prominent middle swell of the scales, is a bit better with the 297. The 597D is every bit as well made as the Custom Shop 110 - they must spend a bit more time with them, even it's lockback functioned better than it's sibling 297. It's 512 layer Damascus isn't as 'sharp' feeling as the teardrop Damascus of the CS 110, but it cuts like a saw much better. I admit to very little use of my Damascus 110, however. The swelled stag scales on the Bear are comfortable - similar to the feel of my latest CS 110's swelled center water buffalo scales. My Buck Damascus, not a fair comparison, has flat flaming Koa scales - prettier, but still 'flat' - that palm swell is 'interesting'.
So, it's a mixed bag. The big Bears are better than I was led to believe by that early example. Of course, I have never bought a 'bad' 110 - perhaps why I bought that first Bear without testing it! If I had to vacate my home quickly, I'd take my 110s first... but those Bears would follow long before any Kershaws, Spydies, Gerbers, or Benchmades. If there wasn't a Buck 110, we'd likely be talking about the Bears!
Stainz
No question, the 297 is good in fit and function, but I am a bit jaded as this is my second example, the first being 'too tight & off-centered when closed'., It's fairly sharp blade being made of a 'hi carbon SS', while they clearly indicate other knives in their catalog as 'polished 440 stainless'. Clearly, fit & finish is nearly equal, while as delivered sharpness goes, hands down, to the basic 110. So goes ease of operation, while 'feel' in the hand, due to the prominent middle swell of the scales, is a bit better with the 297. The 597D is every bit as well made as the Custom Shop 110 - they must spend a bit more time with them, even it's lockback functioned better than it's sibling 297. It's 512 layer Damascus isn't as 'sharp' feeling as the teardrop Damascus of the CS 110, but it cuts like a saw much better. I admit to very little use of my Damascus 110, however. The swelled stag scales on the Bear are comfortable - similar to the feel of my latest CS 110's swelled center water buffalo scales. My Buck Damascus, not a fair comparison, has flat flaming Koa scales - prettier, but still 'flat' - that palm swell is 'interesting'.
So, it's a mixed bag. The big Bears are better than I was led to believe by that early example. Of course, I have never bought a 'bad' 110 - perhaps why I bought that first Bear without testing it! If I had to vacate my home quickly, I'd take my 110s first... but those Bears would follow long before any Kershaws, Spydies, Gerbers, or Benchmades. If there wasn't a Buck 110, we'd likely be talking about the Bears!
Stainz
