Bucks Lightweight Series Strength

Boxer .45

Boxer .45

Joined
Jan 11, 2015
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I like my Buck 110 LT, and have looked at several other Bucks in the lightweight series. I was looking at the blade pivot pin and just thinking about how strong it might be. I'm not talking about using a folder for fixed blade tasks or batoning or anything, just general and possibly some hard use (for a folder.
Do you think the knife handle construction and lock might fail first? The pivot could obviously be under a lot of stress when cutting heavier materials like heavy pallet straps, rope, wood, etc .

I'm not asking for a silly durability rating or an exact answer necessarily, just thinking out loud unless someone has a more specific idea or example. Durability long term may be the overall answer I get. I just figured you guys were the ones to ask.

Btw, I wouldn't worry about the standard 110-112 in brass or probably even nickle silver holding up against most I would ever use a folder for. I just never had any harder use experience with the lightweights.
 
I was thinking of getting my father a regular 110 or 113l2, possibly a Drop Point, maybe a Clip, haven't decided. But it occured to me he might like a LT or one of the slim models in micarta more.

He own a construction and roofing business. He often carries a folding utility utility knife with a hook blade on his pocket. A lot of times its accompanied by a straight bladed one as well. I thought an actual knife might be more useful/handy day to day than the folding straight blade (utility) knife?

The folding utility blades do wear out after a while, usually the pivot gets loose. They are probably cheap steel. Usually when they do they get replaced.
Honestly I can't imagine the Buck LT (say) 110 model wouldn't be the same at its price point. But if it were to get dangerous sooner, might rather consider the brass one?

I have done construction myself for 30 years. My last folder for the job was a Tenacious and it held up, except the edge would get dull faster than I wanted but ig would sharpen up easy enough. Only reason I'm mentioning it is to say that I do have experience with folding knives on the job. I'm not asking silly questions. Just curious about possible pivot pin durability...expectations.

Thanks
 
I cut a bunch of sugarcane last Oct/Nov with an 110 lt. did fine for that task. didnt harm the pivot that I noticed. didnt loosen the pivot pin up. i only cut maybe a half dozen into multiple pieces and removed the outer layers so i could chew on it. sugar cane is hard and solid to cut through. pretty harsh task for a folder.

my wife, Florida gal from the north western part of the state thought I was crazy for not using a fixed blade for the task. she grew up cutting and chewing cane, and well she was impressed that it handled it fine.


I should add....it was a first made version when they came with a tiny bit of up and down play. didnt seem any worse from the wear.
 
I have a couple of 110 LT and slim that I’ve used in regular and heavy work tasks and they have performed very well. I’ve cut some 3/4 inch pallet strapping and some 3/16” thick plastic with no problem. No loose pivot or any kind of damage, they’re still good as new. I think as long as they aren’t abused they should be long service life probably out last me. Lol.
 
I have used mine for a lot of heavy cutting, opening cans of beans, processing game, pruning shrubs, cutting rope, ect.. It will not fail.
It will develop some blade wobble. I think micarta or G-10 scales would fair better. But those are heavier. Use it and see. DM
 
David Martin said:
I have used mine for a lot of heavy cutting, opening cans of beans, processing game, pruning shrubs, cutting rope, ect.. It will not fail.
It will develop some blade wobble. I think micarta or G-10 scales would fair better. But those are heavier. Use it and see. DM
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I guess I'm trying to decide to get him an LT or a 110 basically. Hard to argue the regular one is nicer for a gift, just not sure he will like the weight. Don't want it to sit in a drawer.
 
IME, gifting knives is like gifting shoes or underwear.

Every plastic Buck I've owned has loosened up at around the 12 month mark.

I prefer metal bolstered ones. Today, it's a nickel bolster with flat ground drop point!
 
pinnah said:
IME, gifting knives is like gifting shoes or underwear.

Every plastic Buck I've owned has loosened up at around the 12 month mark.

I prefer metal bolstered ones. Today, it's a nickel bolster with flat ground drop point!
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When you get past teens and twenties, you realize getting socks and underwear is not so bad of a gift. Have you priced boxer shorts lately?
 
The plastics that are used in those knives is very tough. If you use the knife as a pry bar or something you'll undoubtedly snap the blade before you distort the plastic handle. Don't forget Buck's wonderful warranty. They've been making plastic handled knives for years, and if it was a problem I'm sure they would have stopped using plastics long ago.

Something to consider. If your dad is of a certain age, he might equate plastic with cheap.
 
I don't have an LT, but I bought this Bucklite for next to nothing since the blade was down to a nub. I had Buck replace the blade and now it has slight play that is barely noticeable. I figure it's good for another 30 years. I might have to get a 112 LT, just because I prefer a handle without finger grooves.

ksuH6BZ.jpg
 
Bastler said:
I don't have an LT, but I bought this Bucklite for next to nothing since the blade was down to a nub. I had Buck replace the blade and now it has slight play that is barely noticeable. I figure it's good for another 30 years. I might have to get a 112 LT, just because I prefer a handle without finger grooves.

ksuH6BZ.jpg
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I gave away 3 of those and all three are still n use. One lost its tip but even with prying history stil locks up good.
 
dsutton24 said:
The plastics that are used in those knives is very tough. If you use the knife as a pry bar or something you'll undoubtedly snap the blade before you distort the plastic handle. Don't forget Buck's wonderful warranty. They've been making plastic handled knives for years, and if it was a problem I'm sure they would have stopped using plastics long ago.

Something to consider. If your dad is of a certain age, he might equate plastic with cheap.
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Yeah. LOL, he's 70.
 
mbkr said:
The Copper & Clad aluminum is a beauty of a knife. It would be a nice gift.
Another consideration might be the SK Blades Smoke Jumper. Buck 110LT with cpm 154 blade steel.
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I saw those but didn't realize the blade steel. Not crazy about red but might have to pick one of those up for myself too.
 
Boxer .45 said:
I saw those but didn't realize the blade steel. Not crazy about red but might have to pick one of those up for myself too.
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SK also had one called the "Shield", but its sold out and is no longer on the website. It has a drop blade with the same steel. I put a clip on mine and find myself carrying and using it quite a bit. Really good knife for $40. Based on this I have no problem recommending the Smokejumper. My Shield does have the tiniest bit of blade play, like most of the LT's that I've seen. I never notice it, unless I'm looking for it.
Shield2.JPG
 
mbkr said:
SK also had one called the "Shield", but its sold out and is no longer on the website. It has a drop blade with the same steel. I put a clip on mine and find myself carrying and using it quite a bit. Really good knife for $40. Based on this I have no problem recommending the Smokejumper. My Shield does have the tiniest bit of blade play, like most of the LT's that I've seen. I never notice it, unless I'm looking for it.
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Mine doesn't either, which I was a little worried about after reading a few reviews, although most are completely great, raving even. I like my 110 LT enough I'm going to get a 112 LT.

I saw the blue ones but wish they'd get a few more in. We'll see?
 
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