Deciding on the 110 or 112 - Not an Easy Task

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Jan 11, 2015
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I did a search using the search feature as well as Google (/bladeforums) and only a handful of results showed up believe it or not, although there are probably hundreds of subconversations within other threads.

I'll start off by saying I have a 110 and 112, and I have had lots and lots of knives from the majority of the most polular brands/makers in all sizes and blade types. I also don't ask people "what should I get" as I generally ask for others experiences with quality and fit and finish, ergos, function, etc and so on. I do believe generally each person has to make the final decision for themselves based on their experiences as well as quite a bit of research and forethought.


With that said, I can't decide for the life of me which one I like more, and I have both in hand, I've carried both quite a bit. I guess in a way its kind of good for first time buyers because, really it would be hard to go wrong with either one.

I was hoping maybe some of you could describe what appeals to you about one or the other, or both. Maybe how it fits you, what it does for you performance wise, etc. Just whatever you feel makes your commonly carried Buck 110 or 112 suit you. Why do you carry it?

This isn't supposed to be scientific or whatever, just your general feelings.
 
I like the 110 size. nice size very useful blade and in a folder. I carry it on my belt or a pocket clip version in my pocket. can handle most cutting tasks with ease and plenty of blade when I need it.

I prefer the 500 or 532 for smaller blade needs and pocket carry. the 112 is too thick for me to carry in a pocket and for sheath use I dont find it that much better than the 110 sheath size. others here find the 112 sheath better for their uses....I dont. that said I carry a 112 sometimes but just cause. not cause i need it.

plus @110Dave says the 112 is a girls knife.:p:D
 
I like the 110 size. nice size very useful blade and in a folder. I carry it on my belt or a pocket clip version in my pocket. can handle most cutting tasks with ease and plenty of blade when I need it.

I prefer the 500 or 532 for smaller blade needs and pocket carry. the 112 is too thick for me to carry in a pocket and for sheath use I dont find it that much better than the 110 sheath size. others here find the 112 sheath better for their uses....I dont. that said I carry a 112 sometimes but just cause. not cause i need it.

plus @110Dave says the 112 is a girls knife.:p:D
You could be right. If I carry a 110 its because I prefer the size, my wife carries the 112.
 
Just my opinions, so I don’t want to offend anyone.

The 110 is the perfect knife. I’ve carried one for 35+years. Every time I open a 112 I’m startled at the blade size. Just can’t get used to it.

The only reason to carry a 112 is if it satisfies a legal blade limit.

If I did have to carry a 112 I’d prefer it to be a drop point blade. On the 110 I prefer the clip. Go figure?
 
Outside of work, if it's a folding knife it's a 110. Usually a s30v pro.
Otherwise it's a small fixed blade.:thumbsup:

Hunting, I usually have a 110 on my belt, amongst other fixed blades.
I have a s30v pro with a drop point from the custom shop I like. :)

At work, it's a 112. I have a carbon 112 that I abuse the heck out of.
The 110 is just a bit big and interferes with my fall arrest harness when in an aerial lift.:oops:
I also have a 715 in my pocket. That's a stout light weight knife too.

I never carry anything smaller than that. ;)
 
I would imagine everyone on here has both. :)

I just thought it might be some entertaining conversation to see the 'whys' everyone feels one is better to them for regular carry. Might also help someone on the fence looking in or someone in the future see why people carry one over the other. I think both is a good way to go though really. But maybe one before the other? :)
 
I have and really enjoy both in several variations.

I sorta kinda teensie weensie minutely like the 112 a tiny bit more only because of the finger guard frame, and it seems to be a little
more balanced for what I use it for.

I say this and chances are by tomorrow I’ll like the 110 more. They are just both really iconic and usable knives. I personally think everyone should have at least one of each.
 
Just to be the outlier - I don't have a 110. I don't like carrying a folder on my belt (that's for fixed blades, and maybe a torch) and it's too darned heavy to be sitting at the bottom of my pocket. I have a 112, in drop point...and that feels like a (small) brick in my pocket, too; but it's tolerable.
I carry a 501 most of the time; but plan to try a 500 or 532 at some point.
 
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I somehow survived the 70s and 80s without a Buck 110. In the 90's I sought to rectify that problem. The internet was just gaining speed and eBay was an infant. So, I looked hard for a used 110 the old fashioned way. Yard Sales, second hand shops, pawn shops and antique malls. Why used? Well, because I couldn't afford a new one. They were hard to come by, beat to hell and often over-priced in the wild (Kind of like eBay today), so I had to settle on a 112 that I found at a reasonable price and very similar to the one posted above. A year older and not as nice, but it was still nickel. I hadn't realized what I had. I did realize in time that it was truly a perfect size for me. For some stupid reason, I sold that 112 only to want it back. Ultimately got myself a 110 and it's a fine user and is my go to for doing work around the property. But it doesn't have the nimbleness of the 112 and frankly, the 110 is a beast. That's why we love it. But the 112 is a beauty and given the choice of one or the other, I prefer the 112.
 
I prefer the 500 or 532 for smaller blade needs and pocket carry. the 112 is too thick for me to carry in a pocket

I've carried both a 112 or a 500 in my pocket and I don't really feel much difference in size or weight between the two. I never grew accustomed to carrying a folder on my belt, so I don't carry a 110, but I might try a 110 Slim.
 
whatever floats your boat. you got a hundred and one different needs and users out there in the multi-verse so if the 110 does it better or the 112, stick with it and give it an honest chance...then try out the other one to see if it does any better for your needs if you're not satisfied.
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the 112 is where it's at!!!
 
I started out when I was like 5 with a $1 walmart knife (if anyone is interested, they still were selling them for $5 until about 2 years ago). A month or two later, when the cheap plastic handle snapped from too much whittling, I spent the next month SOOO disappointed that I didn't have a knife.
My dad got me a buck 112. I absolutely loved it and, though it was dull as dishwasher, it was WORLDS better than that Walmart thing.

I lost it somewhere along the line, but now I have 2 110s.
Maybe it was because the 112 fit my hand better when I was younger, or maybe I liked the shorter blade for more control over splinter extractions, but its 112 for me all the way.
Dont get me wrong, the 110 is good, but the blade is just too long for me.

Since the tip snapped off on the 110 yesterday, anyone have a good idea of how to shorten the blade without ruining the temper, or taking 200 years on a whetstone? Lol


GPyro: what do you mean by 112 carbon? High carbon steel or carbon fiber? Curious because I'm in the market (I mean, when are we NOT in the market?)
 
I've carried both a 112 or a 500 in my pocket and I don't really feel much difference in size or weight between the two. I never grew accustomed to carrying a folder on my belt, so I don't carry a 110, but I might try a 110 Slim.
I'm sure that true for you. to me a 112 in the pocket feels like a brick. a 110 without a pocket clip feels like an even bigger brick. a 500 doesnt bother me. sits nicely for its size. looks and feels more like a pocket knife.

there is some 110s with pocket clips and I dont mind their thickness when upright and not falling flat. the slims are quite nice too, but I sometimes like the thickness of a regular 110.
 
The 110 is most iconic and is the one I lusted after as a kid, never even knew of the 112 back then.
At this point the 112 just doesn't appeal to me at this point, and it's smaller size makes no different when it's still way more knife than I really need ( I'm not 100% about practicality, but it matters )
 
110. If you’re gonna carry a knife this heavy, might as well have the extra size.

I don’t get all the belt carry comments. Since when does a 110 have to be carried in the belt pouch? o_O I even carried mine in my pocket when I was a kid.

My 110 fits just fine in any of my pants pockets, and I don’t find it any more difficult to carry in a pocket than any other knife.

I am a big dude though, and don’t skip leg day.
 
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