Criticizing the Buck 110

[DavidABQ]

I have several Buck knives but honestly the 110 is just too large for me. It is an amazing value in the knife world not to mention gorgeous but is it big and heavy.

 

[jude_061]

I love the balance of the 110. I can cut all day when the thin grips of a benchmade or spyderco has exhausted my hand. I can hit a 110 on a stone to bring the edge back to working sharp, unlike a super steel. I use my 110 for everything and I don’t feel under-knifed. It’s inexpensive, ubiquitous like a SAK, and easily replaced for cheap if broken or lost.

 

[evergreensSequoiaseucalyptusandOaks]

Then you're exactly the guy I want to talk to about this!

First, do you understand what I mean about the balance, feeling heavy in the hand and light in the blade?

Second, does this not bother you or do find it affects your control?

Third, how do you hold it and/or what technique do you use with the Buck?

Specifically when it comes to chopping, for example pinky-sized branches off of a larger branch, I find it very awkward personally. I find that to get any power on the branch, I have to move my whole arm instead of just my wrist. Do you find that also, or is there a technique you can explain to me that I should try to master?

Here is mine it is one that was manufactured using the 425M Steel ~ I suppose they have used a few different type steels through-out the years ~ Mine is a rare one only because of its etched blade ~ "Western Farms Service" ~ Picked this up at a Swap-Meet with my father one morning ~ He purchased it for me of-coarse ~ so it was a gift ~ since 1964 ~ I would grade it and the 112 as being the Best Lock Blade ever Created "TRUE PIONEER" ~ Uncle Henry's Model LB's are pretty good too ~

 

[killgar]

Oooh, how does one accomplish something like that? Today for the first time I filed a choil in a blade, so I know nothing.

I started with a half-round file, then used a dremel with a fine sanding drum to remove the filing marks, then finished with hand sanding. The dremel wasn't necessary, it just cut the sanding time down.

 

[Sibyrnes]

I have a 110(everybody should) but I have been a big fan of the Bucklites since the early 80's. I field dressed my first buck with one way back then. Lost it on a trip to New Mexico in 2003 but found a replacement on Ebay.


The Buck 110 is still an incredible bargain for an American made knife!

 

[jayjaygee]

I have a 110(everybody should) but I have been a big fan of the Bucklites since the early 80's. I field dressed my first buck with one way back then. Lost it on a trip to New Mexico in 2003 but found a replacement on Ebay.

View attachment 2464877
The Buck 110 is still an incredible bargain for an American made knife!

I don't know the bucklite but you might look into the slim selects while they are still available. I'm really happy with mine. Pocket clip is removable if you don't like it.

 

[jbmonkey]

the paperstone 110s were much better balanced and full handle size...but those have become favored and collected and hence pricey.........

 

[tiguy7]

Since the blade weight is constant, the heavier the knife is, the further back the balance point. The only exception would be a handle that is made of 2 materials of different densities where one material is in the front of the handle and the other is in the rear. These knife weights (in grams) will let you pick your balance point.

 

[catspa]

Thanks for that, though I don't know how old you are and wouldn't assume we're from different times and places.

Well, I’m from a time and place where the 110 was fairly new and damn cool. When I learned to flip my cousin’s pre-dot open with one hand, the weight made it easier for 12 year old me to get it done. Later I mastered it with either hand, wearing gloves. That doesn’t make me special, just another in a long line of rednecks.

I careered in the construction trades, and sometimes beat my 110s hard, as did many of my workmates.

But anyway you're sort of missing the point, friend. The thread isn't about who likes what, who cares about that? It's about what you do or don't like and why. Not looking for a vote, but conversation.

Okay, we’re conversing.

I can think of a million reasons to carry the Buck 110. I also find it back-heavy. Do you not find that? Do you feel like you have control over it that you want? How about compared to something else like a Buck 113 or another knife with a different balance?

Maybe it’s that I don’t find it’s back-heaviness objectionable, I’m used to it and find a lightweight knife that size feels weird. But who cares about that?

I control it real well. Try this: wrap your pinkie around the front bolster, line your other fingers up along the top of the back hollow grind, pinch with your thumb. Now use the last inch of tip to strip 5/8” of insulation off a #12 solid copper wire, or shave an 1/8” back bevel off a piece of hemlock trim. Do that daily for 35 years (okay, take weekends off), and you’ll have muscle memory that makes it effortless.

Different place, different time, dude. It doesn’t feel odd, it feels familiar.

Parker

 

[sgt1372]

I'm late to this thread because I was watching football all day but frankly am surprised that it's still open . . . maybe this will close it.

As the old metaphor goes:

"Opinions are like a$$holes, everyone has one." LOL!!!

 

[whereismyknife]

You mean the crew knife that was made for Buck by Camillus? I have a newer Camillus crew knife, it's a good crew knife, and has one-handed opening (which wasn't really a thing back when that one came out I guess?) For me it's okay but too small for my hands. I think if I was on a boat these days, I'd get the Vic Skipper. And half a dozen others.

But... *tactical* use of the Buck 315 Yachtsman? Who is your opponent? A stubborn bowline?

I think so, I don't know. I learned this from a guy who put a souvenir mug on the table showing me that he had tactical training and posted a photo of his 315 yachtsman next to it and said it was the most tactical knife in the world. Even though he said I wouldn't understand it. I think he was trying to reference the incredible things he did with his coffee mug and his buck 315. I'm so sad that they didn't teach us such things when I was doing my mandatory military service in the Army. I wish we had important knives like the buck 110 or 315 yachtsman in our inventory. We could have killed a bear. I'm sure this guy has done great things with his buck 315 yachtsman in many hot conflicts.

"Being too humble makes mediocre people think they can give you advice."

 

[Murphy Slaw]

It's like anything else. If you carry it every day and use it every day you get used to it and it feels normal.

I carried an LB7 back in those days (late 70's / 80's) and anything else felt dainty and fragile.

 

[Planterz]

I've never owned a Buck 110 or 112 or anything like it. Way too heavy for pocket carry, and I've never wanted to wear a belt sheath. No interest in the modern variations with slim lightweight handles either.

 

[jfk1110]

It was designed in an era where bigger/ heavy is better and I remember thinking what a solid knife when she was gifted to me from my Dad... In my youth I used it instead of a roll of quarters taped up for extra weight in altercation or two.....You appreciate its weight there........anywho

Ergos weren't really a top consideration back then, the just had a homerun from jump with the handle shape..
A solid tool is what they were aiming for and they succeeded, in SPADES!!

 

[The True North]

I think so, I don't know. I learned this from a guy who put a souvenir mug on the table showing me that he had tactical training and posted a photo of his 315 yachtsman next to it and said it was the most tactical knife in the world. Even though he said I wouldn't understand it. I think he was trying to reference the incredible things he did with his coffee mug and his buck 315. I'm so sad that they didn't teach us such things when I was doing my mandatory military service in the Army. I wish we had important knives like the buck 110 or 315 yachtsman in our inventory. We could have killed a bear. I'm sure this guy has done great things with his buck 315 yachtsman in many hot conflicts.

"Being too humble makes mediocre people think they can give you advice."

What are you even talking about?

Are you sarcastically referencing the post made by Culprit99 about his Buck 315 in a different thread? What an odd way to behave.

 

[Bob Denman]

If you are in a knife fight with skilled assassins: the balance IS a bit back in the grip.
But when you're digging the guts out of a dead buck: it's what's up front that counts!
How about a pic of the deer??

 

[whereismyknife]

What are you even talking about?

What do you care? I'm talking about whatever I want, what do you care? What business is it of yours? I'm talking about "my personal opinions". Do I have to answer to you for this?

 

[jackknife]

I carried a 110 for a short while when I was in the army, back in the late 60's. Bought it at the PX for all of 12 dollars which was about half what they were going for in the civilian world. Everybody was toting one on the belt, so I, as a young trope joined the lemmings. After a while I sold it off to a young newbie just in from boot camp. Just too heavy and limited for what it was. I went back to carrying the issue 'demo' knife. More functions for the weight. But I carried a BNuck 301 stockman my last year in the service and for the next 25 years as a young soccer dad and machinist. To Buck's credit, it took 25 years of everyday use to wear it out. for 30 years a Buck 102 woodsman was my fishing/hunint/camping/hiking knife. A much better outdoor knife than the Buck 110.

It's always been a mystery to me why the Buck 110 even exists. The 102 is a far superior knife to a folder. Eerier to clean, no lock to worry about, and one solid piece of steel from tip to butt.

Edit to add; I remember in the 1960's, the German Mercator was available from surplus stores for all of a dollar something. They were a great folder for the pocket if you wanted a lock blade. I just never cared for lock blades as they were always just one blade and limited, unlike a multi blades knife like a stockman or a SAK. I like a choice of blades in one package.

 

[Skar]

I’m not a fan of the 110, I do like how it looks and is a simple working folder.
I don’t like the lock placement, I don’t remember really carrying one.
I can understand why others like it and that’s well with me.

 

[DMG]

I know, I know, it's sacrilege. But I was working with my Buck 110 yesterday and I realized I don't like it. I am not saying it's not a great knife, and if I have knife work to do and the 110 is there, I'll breathe a sigh of relief. I skinned a BIG buck with one back in October. It's great. But is it good?

I realized it's just waaay to off balance for me to enjoy. I felt like I was trying to hold a heavyish rock in my hand while also using a knife. Weird.

Anyone else got anything to say?

Just get a different knife. We dont have the bandwidth to hear everyone's complaints.