First impressions of the new 110 Federal model

L

Larry Oden

Joined
Jan 14, 1999
Messages
953
I just received two of the new 110 Federal models and to say the least, I am impressed. Buck has managed to capture the essence of the first version models and maintain the overall look and feel of the originals while making them open and close like a bank vault. Other positives include the rich looking real macassar ebony inlays, the sharp frame and inlay edges and the dimensions. The knife is so very similar to the original. I love the horizontal one line "BUCK" stamp and can live with the "Bos logo 440C" etched on the tang. Both knives came with a wicked sharp edge, surely assisted by the thinner geometry blade edge. The unmarked black leather sheath will never be confused with an original 1960s soft leather version, but it is long, skinny and appears to be well-made. I think I would have included a one-line "BUCK" stamp on the snap button, but this one looks fine.
If these knives were fitted with 1964 era blades, it would be tough to tell they were not all original without a close examination. While addressing the subject of this new blade, the square hollow grind and machined nail nick really give the knife away as a reproduction. I wish Buck had at least maintained the thin nail nick of the originals in place of a machined version, but this is a very minor complaint for an excellent modern rendition of what I consider to be the iconic knife of my generation. Did I mention the knives are sharp?! Wow and job well done to our friends in Post Falls.
 
Thanks for the review, Larry. I hope you get your full allotment in soon. The other anniversary knives look good, but I think the Federal is the best way to celebrate fifty years.
 
Come on guys ya'll always ask for pictures. I really want to see what he means by 'a square hollow grind'. DM
 
Wow Larry, that sounds great. Thanks for the heads-up. I was hoping for the small nail nick too but like you said that's an insignificant thing. Can't wait to get mine!
 
This would be one of the most exciting knives buck ever put out for my collection,just what I wanted,how would I get one being in Canada?I belong to the buck collector club,can I get one that way Larry?That is the kind of 110 they should make now.
 
Razor, check the vendors that advertise on the forums . thier is one taking preorders for them that's ships to Canada. If you can't find them email me .
 
A few more arrived today and these are just as nice. However, the sheath on these knives now has the single line "BUCK" verbiage across the snap button. I guess when we make a suggestion, Buck jumps on it immediately - LOL! While discussing the sheaths for these knives, I should mention that when I did the review at the beginning of this thread, I had forgotten that the Buck catalog indicated a brown leather sheath would be included. I am not sure why they ended up using black but I suspect many will prefer what has been the norm over many years. Personally, I like either one.
 
Whoo Whoo. I just ordered a couple of the new Buck Federal 110's from someone who just got them in stock. I should get them no later than this Saturday. I will post pictures if there isn't any put on here before I receive them. Can't wait.
 
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Yea! Got my Federal in, I agree with Larry, it's one sweet knife. Sorry for the poor phone pix...

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Very nice Scott! I have mine on order.

I "pre ordered" it through the knife center and it shipped the next day???
 
I don’t know if this may spark comments on this older thread.
i have looked at blade and frame changes with the help of the great chronological resources available.
having recently scored the replica I have to say the nail nick was a huge mistake.

The vintage ‘vibe’ is stolen for me on this one.
what else could the good enough reason be to have stuck on this way out of character feature?
It can’t be protection from having someOne try to represent the replica as a true original 1964 knife to decieve?

As is the sheath it can’t be mistaken as the original, Because of the materials used.
My opinion is the vibe is spoiled by seeing this monster nick.
 
I’m not familiar with the Federal 110. I can see were the wrong nick would ruin the aesthetics of it.

I hate the nail nicks in general. I never understood why the 110 had a nick and the 112 did not. Then they added the nick to the 112, instead of eliminating it from the 110.

The 110 from the 80’s had a weird nail nick that had rounded corners.
 
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Nicely done with the comparison pictures bertl bertl

The Federal 110 seems to me to be a conglomeration of all the 110s, handle similar to early versions, bolsters quite square like the 2 dots, blade profile very similar to the newer versions.
 
I don't think of the Federal as a replica of the 1st Version. What I do think is that Buck captured the essence of the 1st Version with the Federal, and that is evident when you hold the two knives. In any case, the Federal is structurally better and more durable than the 1st Version ever was. I wish Buck would include something like the Federal in the regular production line.

Bert
 
bertl said:
I don't think of the Federal as a replica of the 1st Version. What I do think is that Buck captured the essence of the 1st Version with the Federal, and that is evident when you hold the two knives. In any case, the Federal is structurally better and more durable than the 1st Version ever was. I wish Buck would include something like the Federal in the regular production line.

Bert
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yep. I dig on that idear there. bring it back into production. I have 2 of the federal and theyre great versions.
 
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