Disappointed by the Buck 110

I have a 110 custom, in 5160 with oak scales. Perfect centering is not a consideration with a 110, but my particular custom is very good in this regard. My standard 110 is not quite so good, but it's still not too bad. I don't usually carry a 110, because a White River Sendero Classic fixed blade is my EDC, along with a modern folder clipped in a pocket.

The 110 is a classic for many reasons. Light weight and perfect F&F ain't on the list! But, is a SD situation, against man or beast, the good edge geometry and smashing weight of the 110 become powerful equalizers. And, as alluded to many times in this thread, as a folding hunter, or work knife, it has few faults.
 
MolokaiRider said:
buffing compound and grit out of the pivot area.
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Yes. I am a big fan of the 110/112. I tend to find older ones. But do have a couple 2020-2023. And I will say you HAVE TO WASH out the buffing compound. Instantly better.

I have noticed the blade center issue seems more prevalent in the newer models. But none that are an issue to the knife. But can be detrimental to OCD.

Blade play seems to be more pronounced in newer models. But only when they are closed. When opened and locked they (at least mine) are locked pretty solid. Maybe a TAD side to side play. But I’m more accepting of that than up and down play
 
NeverEnuff said:
Yeah, I don't do lock backs. They're always extremely disappointing for me. I require a knife to be able to be singlehanded in operation. Lock backs and the like are not that. I too loved the look of the Buck 110, tried a 112 Elite, hated it. I like fidgety actions. It's why I also don't love CRK knives. Very rough actions in my experience. Still have a couple, because they're workhorses, but not a fan. At least they can be handled with one hand though...
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I rarely need to deploy my knife one handed but when I do, it is easy enough with the buck 110. I understand different preferences for different people but I don’t think you need to justify your own preference nor do I have to justify mine with statements of untruth. It seems that the inter webs are full of such statements. So much so, it called me out of hiding here.
 
At least we can be somewhat confident Buck won’t sell out to GSM in the near future and leave fans high and dry. They are an outstanding company and have withstood the test of time.
I own many 110s and a 112 or two, along with several of their other folders, all of which are excellent values and well made.

Priced affordably as well as designed to actually be used, makes for a knife I feel good recommending to anyone so long as they won’t have expectations that exceed that of the design and traditional aspect of the knives.
 
Mique said:
I rarely need to deploy my knife one handed but when I do, it is easy enough with the buck 110. I understand different preferences for different people but I don’t think you need to justify your own preference nor do I have to justify mine with statements of untruth. It seems that the inter webs are full of such statements. So much so, it called me out of hiding here.
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Oh don't get me wrong, I'm talking full functioning of the knife action, both opening and closing. Most knives with thumb nicks I cannot operate with one hand. I've got very weak and brittle nails. But most notably with these Bucks the lock back just isn't a one hand thing, unless you're willing to use the side of you leg to assist.

No, I prefer a blade to drop freely once I deactivate its locking mechanism and that's where I find lock backs to have their Achilles. This is what I meant when I said single handed operation. Opening is only half the issue and is the easy half.
 
NeverEnuff said:
I see your point, but for me it's easy to answer. My phone is a far more useful tool than a pocket knife. I need the use of my phone literally 10-30 times a day, for personal and work. My knife, I only carry to look at and fidget with. Knives, for me, are almost completely useless, thus they're simply a luxury item I like to have, like watches and flashlights. My phone does everything the latter two do, so I guess that gives a knife the edge there (pun totally intended).

I think lifestyle and environmental needs dictate these kinds of things. I'm a city boy with country boy goals, yet zero time to pursue them. So I have a knife out of a desire to need one. That makes absolutely no sense, but here I am collecting knives nonetheless. Lol

Also consider the times. Phones have become a tool modern societies have grown to revolve around. Yesteryear things were more "country" living centric. A knife was a daily need. Today, that's simply evolved into the cell phone replacing it. It's not really that challenging a concept honestly. An interesting topic though.
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I understand WHY people do or don’t carry phones VS a knife I just don’t see people saying “holy this iPhone is wayyy to heavy to carry in my pocket and I’m not a case on the belt guy. I only carry XYZ now because they disappear in my pocket” or something else like that. Maybe on some cell phone forum they would be disturbed over such minute things. Maybe? Just weird how I never once pondered the weight of a pocket knife until I came here.
 
NeverEnuff said:
Oh don't get me wrong, I'm talking full functioning of the knife action, both opening and closing. Most knives with thumb nicks I cannot operate with one hand. I've got very weak and brittle nails. But most notably with these Bucks the lock back just isn't a one hand thing, unless you're willing to use the side of you leg to assist.

No, I prefer a blade to drop freely once I deactivate its locking mechanism and that's where I find lock backs to have their Achilles. This is what I meant when I said single handed operation. Opening is only half the issue and is the easy half.
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I don’t use my nail either…?! It is very very simple. Lock backs aren’t for you, no problem here
 
tony281sc2 said:
If you meant G-10 scales, they make those. I have the Pro version in S30V with G10 instead of the wood. It definitely feels solid. A bit more solid than the regular 110 I had (ended up gifting it to my friend who lost his 110).
I don’t use it,’for the same reason I didn’t use my 420hc version. No pocket clip, and they can’t be opened/closed easily or quick, or one handed. I’m glad I own it tho… I think every knife enthusiast should own at least 1 Buck. And being S30V with that famous Bos Heat Treat, if I ever did use it, I have a feeling it would cut for a very long time.

ETA : I remember seeing a full titanium 110 recently, limited edition maybe, but it was like $400 :-/ IIRC it had a pocket clip, TORX screws, good steel. Just too much money unless you’re a serious Buck collector
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Buck 186. You can get them a lot cheaper than $400!
 
I agree with the desire to deploy and reholster with one hand - sometimes you’re holding onto something it’s a really bad idea to let go of. That said, I’ve been opening and closing 110/112s one handed for decades, either hand, wearing gloves in the winter, as have many other carpenters and soldiers, cowboys and truckers.

It’s not a difficult skill to learn (pinch and twist). If you don’t want to learn it, that’s okay with me, but please don’t say it can’t be done. That just makes you sound silly.

Parker
 
catspa said:
I agree with the desire to deploy and reholster with one hand - sometimes you’re holding onto something it’s a really bad idea to let go of. That said, I’ve been opening and closing 110/112s one handed for decades, either hand, wearing gloves in the winter, as have many other carpenters and soldiers, cowboys and truckers.

It’s not a difficult skill to learn (pinch and twist). If you don’t want to learn it, that’s okay with me, but please don’t say it can’t be done. That just makes you sound silly.

Parker
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Thank you. Friday I was walking back from the mail box with the mail in one hand and went to open a letter. Pulled out the 110, opened (easily and smoothly) it with one hand and opened a letter with a check in it. All while walking down the driveway holding the stack of mail. (Also folded it up when done and still walking). Those beefy solid knives have been used for decades like this.
 
catspa said:
I agree with the desire to deploy and reholster with one hand - sometimes you’re holding onto something it’s a really bad idea to let go of. That said, I’ve been opening and closing 110/112s one handed for decades, either hand, wearing gloves in the winter, as have many other carpenters and soldiers, cowboys and truckers.

It’s not a difficult skill to learn (pinch and twist). If you don’t want to learn it, that’s okay with me, but please don’t say it can’t be done. That just makes you sound silly.

Parker
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I know, im a clumsy person tho, I actually dropped my Hinderer (frame lock) a few weeks ago, the day after I sharpened it. Not a normal thing that happens, but it’s just my luck 😂
 
Not busting your chops, Tony. Just stating a fact.

A heavy bodied knife like the 110 actually works better for the pinch and twist than a lighter model. I have folders with more pinch area that I can’t flip open reliably because they have lightweight synthetic liners/scales.

Parker
 
catspa said:
Not busting your chops, Tony. Just stating a fact.

A heavy bodied knife like the 110 actually works better for the pinch and twist than a lighter model. I have folders with more pinch area that I can’t flip open reliably because they have lightweight synthetic liners/scales.

Parker
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Come to think of it, the other night I was looking at some of my knives and have always been able to drop open all my 110’s except the newest one that’s got synthetic handles. It’s a total featherweight compared to the rest. My pre-2 dot drops open like it has ball bearings lubed with Vaseline in the pivot! Funny thing, I thought (and posted in this thread) that all of mine have some blade wobble and lock rock. Not so with the pre-dot! Sucker locks up like a bank vault!
 
I had completely forgotten that I mastered the one handed open of a 110 as a kid.

I don't carry the 110 much because it pulls my pants down, but that's just me.
 
I got a DLT Trading 110 Ultimate Hunter (drop point, S35VN, black linen micarta) and got a nice sheath for it. That being said the centering is not perfect, but not terrible either. The blade angle doesn't match. That should be fixable the next time I sharpen it, but still. It does have BOS treated S35VN which is cool!

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William Rust said:
I got a DLT Trading 110 Ultimate Hunter (drop point, S35VN, black linen micarta) and got a nice sheath for it. That being said the centering is not perfect, but not terrible either. The blade angle doesn't match. That should be fixable the next time I sharpen it, but still. It does have BOS treated S35VN which is cool!

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Damn. I’m more a traditional rosewood guy. I’m not even thrilled with the ebony wood. But that black and chrome is nice! I dig that sheath too! I’ll have to check them out!

Edit: just noticed the lack of nail nick. Very sleek. I like it (I open mine one handed usually anyway)
 
Well, after reading all the responses to my original post, I decided not give up on the Buck 110 and finally found one that checks all of the boxes. Centered blade, good action, beautiful nickel bolsters and S30v blade. Cool Idaho etching to boot. Couldn’t be happier, beautiful knife. Thanks for all the feedback

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