Does anyone else have a problem using their nice 110's?

Fisher1573

Fisher1573

Joined
Sep 13, 2012
Messages
121
I can tell collecting 110's is going to be a thing for me. I see alot of you have VERY nice 110's. I've only got two and I want to use them, but I want to keep them the way they are. It's a real dilemma. One is a '78-'79 with the box and paper it came with. No sheath. I'm dying to use it but don't want to regret it. How do you guys deal with this? And what would you do with the 78-79, keep it in a drawer or use it?
 
Personally I like to use, enjoy, and make memories with my knives.

I understand the feeling though of not wanting to mar a pristine blade; especially one that has high value.

But since our time here on earth is short...and these are inanimate objects (albeit beautiful ones), I say use and appreciate them!
 
I usually ask myself if I'll ever sell the knife or gift it to someone. If the answer is yes or maybe then I won't use it. If I'm certain that the answer is no then there is no logical reason for me to refrain from using it.
 
What is the point in pay extra for a knife with premium steel, if your not going to use it. Might as well save the money and buy one with the standard steel, if it is just going to sit in a safe or display case. 420hc will hold an edge as long as any of the premium steels, as long as it just sits unused in a safe.

O.B.
 
My solution to this is to get two of them. One for a user and one for later, whether it be for increase in value or for using or gifting. Especially if it is a limited run or build out. Many times the knife is worth twice the paying price at the outset. Recent example, the 415 Kalinga.
 
No ! I will buy the version with the mostest bestest steel AND use the heck out of it ! That's what it was made for, right ? If it doesn't stand up to claims, well then... too bad. Try another, or not...
 
While I have a couple of knives that I keep back for light duty only because of sentimental value all others are users. When buying a knife I don’t buy it as art or for rarity, or as a part of a collection. My collection is more of an accumulation some of which I will either sell because I’m not using them anymore or as a gift. I view them as a tool for using and I won’t buy one unless it is made of durable materials with a blade that will hold an edge under hard use. Mirror finish is soon a dull satin and crisp lines and corners are worn or sanded smooth for comfortable handling. So I stay away from fancy, exotic, highly embellished types of knives. If I can’t use them I don’t want them. I’ll let someone else store them for examples of heritage.
 
Here is my one of 13 limited edition buffalo horn 212. Modified patinaed used and enjoyed.

view


Using is the only way to truly enjoy a knife. I only have 1 safe queen. It’s a LNIB 111. It’s made it this far unused I can’t use it.

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So I see both sides of the issue.
 
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I just recently had the same problem..I I have wanted to try S35VN steel and the only 112's I had in that steel were rare buildout's (1 of 46 and 64) so I waited until I found a Copper and Clad Slim Pro Plus..It's been in my pocket since I got it. I really feel the answer to your question is DUC.. dress up carry. A lot of us here have fancy expensive Bucks we give limited, carful use. Virtually all of us have way more than one or two knifes in rotation for different uses and many like me save the fanciest for limited use. I like to carry a Damascus scrimshawed Elephant Ivory 112 in a open top shieth when I play on a big stage (I'm a harmonica player in a 7 piece classic rock band) or maybe at the Blade Show in Atlanta. There are only a few of my 112's in my rare, odd, 1 of 1 and prototype 112 collection that I would never use and that is because I consider myself a caretaker of Bucks history for the few I have in that category. Most of my rare ones are used when I get them. My wife KathyJo asked me back in 2008 or so when I first started collecting "Who are you saving them for?"..
 
Fisher1573 Fisher1573 , welcome to the Buck forum. Those 2 dots are handsome knives.
eveled, that's a handsome 111 Classic. I don't come across those much. I have one I carry and use a 3 dot and one in my display. DM
 
That 111 is beautiful. Thank you Mr. Martin. My two dot is older than I am by over a decade. Another reason for the hesitation to use it.
 
Well, if I come across a 40.00 knife that has made it 40 years with no use, I won't use it. A 300.00 new knife will get used though.
 
Mostly it’s a personal preference. I can understand the ones who collect for various reasons and that’s good. I simply don’t have the time, knowledge, money or the space to be a bona fide collector.

For the ones who do collect I admire their intent and appreciate their loyalty and willingness to share photos for us who like to look. :):cool:
 
Fisher1573 said:
I can tell collecting 110's is going to be a thing for me. I see alot of you have VERY nice 110's. I've only got two and I want to use them, but I want to keep them the way they are. It's a real dilemma. One is a '78-'79 with the box and paper it came with. No sheath. I'm dying to use it but don't want to regret it. How do you guys deal with this? And what would you do with the 78-79, keep it in a drawer or use it?
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What do you have? Date stamps were not put on until 1986. Is it a 2 dot or a three line with no dots just saying 78 -79 does not really help and how did you find out it was from those years? I deal with it by having very many 110's and usually buy 2 new every year with the new date stamp and make one a user very lightly, I carry in an open top sheath that I bought online. With an add on quick flick it is just as fast as a auto. I use 50,000 grit diamond polish to make it shine like brand new without any scratches on the brass or blade and put it in a case when I buy the next year. I would like to see exactly what you have if possible with pictures. Is it dinged , scratched or sharpened all which matter to me if it is going to be a user, part of my collection or a gift, for me it is very easy to look and know right away what it's future hold's. One time I bought a 2005 from the bay and when I got it the blade would swing free open or closed but the knife itself was in good shape, I sent it in to Buck and they fixed it, was a broken spring but now it is in my collection. The seller blamed me for the condition and said he will not sell to me anymore, well I feel he should not be selling anything and I will never buy from him in the future.
 
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https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/1974-1980-buck-110-with-3-pins-vs-4-in-handle.1141506/

I used this thread to date it. Specifically posts #9 and #10. Mine is a two dot with 3 large brass scale pins and 1 large steel rocker pin. It has one small indentation in the handle where it may have been dropped and it looks like it still has the factory edge. My phone doesn't take good pictures but I will try to get some decent one's and post them up later. I don't think I'll use that one because of how old it is in that good of a condition. I will use my Orange G10 with CPM 154 blades. I can't help it.
 
You sound like a much more serious collector than me Joe. I'm just getting started. Thank you for the polishing advice, it saves me some research. I'm sorry to hear about your 2005.
 
I've got my collection, and I've got my users. My hunting knife is a good old two dot 110. I won't replace it until I need to. Thanks to Buck's warranty that means I won't replace it until I lose it.
 
Thought my standard 110 was too nice to use when I first got it, it was my teenage grail and I carried it but babied it so much.
Eventually it got a scratch on the blade and that was it, now it's full of them and has been sharpened so many times.
I don't like staring at brand new knives , they look better used and that's how I prefer every knife I own.
I put them to use right away and if carbon steel I waste no time cutting my dinner to start a nice patina.
 
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