Help with Custom 110 Handle Choices

T

Tracks

Joined
Feb 7, 2010
Messages
173
Hi Guys!

Calling on your opinions and handle choice experiences. I'm fairly new to BF and my new obsession is 110s. I hadn't owned one since I was a kid and unfortunately I really don't have a clue whatever happened to that knife but I finally decided to pick up my first one in years. I purchased my 110 at Academy for 26 dollars and change a few weeks ago and I was pleasantly surprised at how much knife I got for such a great price. So I decided to put away all of my light pocket clip benchmades and other edc blades to try out the 110 for a while just to see how I like it. Like I said now I find myself obsessed and I've really enjoyed reading all of the great info and pics you all have posted about 110s on here. Of course now I find myself wanting one from the custom shop and my question is....What are your thoughts on the available handle choices? I understand the price differences due to rare materials etc. but what about durability? Do any of you have experience with certain handle materials holding up better than others with hard use? or do you think it is all about preference and looks? Obviously I'm planning on a long term user. My current favorite is the ram horn. Please forgive me if this topic has already been covered.

Thanks!!
 
I say always buy what you like... Not what I like or anyone else... We all like something different, That's for sure.... I like ram horn and stag.... I don't have a ram horn knife yet.... I hope to someday have one... The KOA wood is really nice... Good luck on your new custom 110... What ever you pick you will love it... ITE
 
As ITE said, everyone has their own preferences. For me, I like Sambar stag, Cherry and Ironwood. Truth be told, you really can't go wrong with any of the choices the Custom Shoppe offers. Good luck with your choice. :thumbup:
 
I'll go with both of the above. Get what you like the best, but I'll bet that the Oak or Walnut would really stand up under years of use. Oak is really hard wood and they make lots of gun stocks out of Walnut.

I don't believe that Ironwood is an option anymore, or I'd suggest it also.
 
Welcome to the Buck forum, and Buck knives! Be careful they are addicting ;)
Buck fever is not easily cured :D

As far as handles, what do you consider hard use? If you use it to drive nails, none will hold up! For just using it like a knife, I think all will be good! I currently have cherrywood on mine, and they are fine, but I have only had them for 2 years+ right now. I would pick what looks good to you, and order it up! ;)

Good luck! (post pics if you can once it arrives!- We all appreciate nice pics ;)) Thank you!
 
I have Custom Shoppe 110s in cherrywood and fiji orangewood, and they are extremely durable--and beautiful, too. :)
 
Hi Tracks,You are on the same road as me.I have come full circle and back to where it all started as a kid with a Buck knife.I have used all kinds of knives in my life.I even have a Randall#1.On my job I have to search people often for weapons,so I see many knives there as well.P.S.(I always give them back) That 26 dollar 110 you got at Academy is way up at the top of the list as far as a quality knife goes!So far I only have one custom 110 with stag scales and other than looks it's about like your $26 one.That one I don't use because it will get messed up for sure in time.Some guys use their customs and maybe someday I may carry mine.The 110 I carry now is the Alaskan Guide 110 from Cabelas.As far as a super quality 110 goes,they are hard to beat.In the end we all see through different eyes.No matter what Buck you choose you're gonna be a happy camper.Just thought I'd throw that one into the mix.Wow it's one heck of a knife for the money! Good luck and welcome to the forum.
 
The KOA offers the most bang for the buck. The cheaper woods can seem pretty plain sometimes and then SOMETIMES you can luck out and get some really good grain.....but KOA is consistently pretty darned impressive.

If you like blue knives, the Indigo Royalwood can look real nice with nickel bolsters and pins and the bright polished blade for contrast. The plain buffalo can get that same effect for a few more dollars.

I'd encourage you to look at the Buck picture sticky thread and also search "custom" to see a lot of pictures before making your choice.

Good idea to opt for a nice brown leather sheath, too.......can't go wrong for five dollars. I took the free Cordura sheath with some of mine and later thought, "Why did I do that?"

Good luck.
 
Hard use? Oak or walnut with rivots and fingergrooves and s30v. Just my opinion.
 
1) Any handle you choose from the options will serve you well.

2) My opinion: For users: Go for the ones with the reputation of durability. The ones frequently used on gun handles is an indicator. Walnut and Sambar Stag. Sambar Stag has long held the reputation for a handle of choice for its hardness, lack of pith and ability to withstand mechanical shock. For gun handles American Black Walnut is a stock of choice, but I think Buck uses an English walnut. Either way. (But I would like someone from Buck to clarify this.)

3) You can't go wrong no matter which options you choose. Buck doesn't make a Custom Shop Cheapo!
 
P.S.

For blades, my favorite is S30V, but if you are going to be using your knife around salt water a lot (salmon fishing, salt water fishing, boating, etc) the 420HC is more corrosion resistant. S30V holds an edge longer, but likewise takes a little longer to sharpen. (For me it's no problem.)

Finger grooves: As said on another thread, I have large hands and I have a better grip with the non-fingergroove variety. (Finger grooves cut into the frame, making the frame [grip] functionally narrower.) Try each out at a store first if you are undecided about this.
 
Wow! Thanks a lot for the suggestions and welcomes guys, I REALLY appreciate it.

I guess my fear was to buy something I liked based on appearances and then find out years down the road that it didn't hold up as well as something simple like some of the woods. I think you are right Plumberdv and Imafritz…It’s clear that some of the simple stuff like walnut holds up really well just from the age of some of the knives still around and the good shape they are in. KOA and Cherry is tempting too. I do not abuse knives but I have a tough job as a farrier and I really do use all of my tools including my knives pretty hard. I've even had a couple of handles stepped on by horses. I don't think I own anything that hasn't been stepped on by a horse at one time or another LOL. I plan on avoiding at all costs letting it happen to my custom though. Pretty sure I'll take good care of this knife but I do plan on using it at work. I have a lot of S30V blades and I'm sure that's what I'll go with for steel. Still debating finger grooves. As far as handles... I think I'll keep staring at picks on here and researching a little longer before I order. Forgive my ignorance but what kind of wood comes with my basic model? All it said on the package was natural wood handle.
 
skyhorse said:
Hi Tracks,You are on the same road as me.I have come full circle and back to where it all started as a kid with a Buck knife.I have used all kinds of knives in my life.I even have a Randall#1.On my job I have to search people often for weapons,so I see many knives there as well.P.S.(I always give them back) That 26 dollar 110 you got at Academy is way up at the top of the list as far as a quality knife goes!So far I only have one custom 110 with stag scales and other than looks it's about like your $26 one.That one I don't use because it will get messed up for sure in time.Some guys use their customs and maybe someday I may carry mine.The 110 I carry now is the Alaskan Guide 110 from Cabelas.As far as a super quality 110 goes,they are hard to beat.In the end we all see through different eyes.No matter what Buck you choose you're gonna be a happy camper.Just thought I'd throw that one into the mix.Wow it's one heck of a knife for the money! Good luck and welcome to the forum.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Yeah I'm all about old school stuff again for some reason. Really came back to digging wood, stag, bone and leather. I even ordered a brown leather sheath from buck for my cheaper model because I'm not a big fan of black leather. Lots of guys seem to complain about the weight of the 110 but after carrying all of these light folders it just feels great. I mean sooo many guys (me included) order these light folders with plastic handles and then spend more money on wood scales etc.. to make em feel less cheap. At 26 bucks with brass and a leather sheath included I felt like I was stealing. I actually love the weight now and of all my knives expensive ones included I find myself staring at the 26 dollar one more than any. I've been checking out the Cabelas model too and I'm pretty sure I'll end up picking one of those up too especially if I end up collecting 110s.
 
Bass Pro had a killer 110 with CPM154 blade steel at a bargain price.Don't know if they still have any more,I bought mine last summer.My custom has Buff horn,nickel silver bolsters,and S30V,it's a beautiful knife.Both of those knives have leather sheaths.Recently was in Wally World and bought a standard 110 for 28 clams,can't beat that.Whatever materials you choose for your custom,enjoy it.After all it's a Buck and they have a forever warrenty.
 
087.jpg


My small buck collection so far with my Academy purchase and new edc knife at the bottom. I bought all of these within the last year so I guess it's fair to say I already have a buck problem. LOL
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top