How does the buck 110 compare to...

S

SuzukiGS750EZ

Joined
Dec 30, 2008
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newer knives. I see a lot of pictures and videos of people back in the 80's carrying buck 110's, my buddy swears by them (but knows nothing about knives). I have one that gets minimal use. I have a spyderco in zdp-189, a griptilian in 154cm, a bunch of SAK's, a blur and so on. How do the 110's hold up to everyday use? Ever seen one chip? If it were to hit the shank of a hook, or if i were to whittle down dirty wood, or cut cardboard, tape and zip ties how would the steel hold up? Build quality on the knife for the price is amazing so i trust that much. I just have no experience with the steel. I do a lot of fishing so i'm constantly cutting my line and sometimes i have to get close to the eye of the hook or lure, and the edge may slide across the metal. I also like to whittle. Cleaning game may be another chore, but isn't really a big consideration. I like the size & feel, but i need something reliable, easy to sharpen but holds an edge at least for the 6 or 8 hours i'm using it in the woods.
 
The Buck 110, Schrade LB-7 and Case Sharktooth,etc. have lots of brass in their frames and tend to be heavier than modern folders of the same size. They are durable as their longevity attests.
 
I have seen broken tips on 110's - new and old alike - in flea market knife sales. This proves the axiom that you can break anything - if you don't know how to use it!

They are generally very sturdy, long-lasting, and, from my basic models to my Buck Custom Shop 110's, finely made. An important piece of American knife history/art.

Stainz
 
They've remained popular because they work. I'll admit to affixing an aftermarket thumb stud to mine, but in all fairness, I did that in 1979, too, so I guess it still counts as old-school.

The currently-manufactured examples are, unsurprisingly, made of modern steel, and exotic steels are available from the custom shop.

The only flaw in the design, in my opinion, is that the tang is a bit small. I've never broken one, or even seen one broken, so I'm not sure how much it really matters.
 
i know they will last, i'm more so talking about the 420HC. HC i believe means high carbon, 420 being the steel. I really want to just get an EDC and stick with it. I haven't really stuck to a knife since i learned about them! Before i knew a lot about knives, one knife (my grandfather helped me pick them out) was all i needed. So i always had a good knife, but didn't know enough to be picky and choosy. I really like the 110 as a design, but i don't know how well the steel is. I need a knife i can grab with fishy nasty hands and not worry about ruining. It has to be able to sit in the sheath for up to 12 hours and me not worrying about rushing home or cleaning it on the spot. I whittle so wood may get inside it. I do take very good care of my things. I find it a pain to bring a sharpening kit with me to sharpen the knife, so i'd like it to hold an edge well. I don't know the limits of a leather sheath either. Will the wood swell? I know brass won't rust. Anything BAD about this knife? I've carried a CRKT M16-03 (before auto lawks), benchmade griptilian, spyderco caly3 in zdp-189, a few swiss army knives from victorinox, a buck x-tract, kershaw blur, kershaw wildcat ridge, a timberline kelly worden tactical, benchmade ascent and a opinel. I've had the 110 for YEARS and have yet to really use it hard because i like it so much. I've gotten more into using my knives lately. I went through a phase where i'd use my crappy knives and keep the nice ones for carrying or showing, but i've since then outgrown that phase (thank god) and now want to use them all. I carry my JK custom in the woods, but if i could carry the 110 and keep the SAK and JK at home, that would be sweet. Or carry my vic camper and buck 110. But it really need to be able to hold up to use around the water. I won't ever submerge it (unless accidentally) but it will mostly cut string or something, sometimes with fishy or dirt covered hands. Any old school 110 users that could chime in i would appreciate it!
 
A 110 would work, but it would not be my first choice for a fishing knife. If you are using it around water, you'd probably be better served by something with a synthetic handle and a lanyard hole.

Have you considered the Spyderco Salt? That's a seriously rust-free knife...
 
MikeJackmin said:
A 110 would work, but it would not be my first choice for a fishing knife. If you are using it around water, you'd probably be better served by something with a synthetic handle and a lanyard hole.

Have you considered the Spyderco Salt? That's a seriously rust-free knife...
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I have, but have no funds for knives right now. I don't want to ruin the knife by bringing it there if it's not the right one for the job, but i also want to use it. How does the blade hold up to cutting zip ties, cardboard, plastic packaging, etc that you'd run into everyday? If i can clean the knife in the sink and spray out wood and dirt and the blade won't chip i don't think it's a bad choice. I just don't know how the metal/wood will hold up to water and also the sheath.
 
I own 50 or so Buck 110's. The steels used by Buck for the 110 where:
440C
425M
ATS-34
BG-42
CPM-154
S30V
420HC
Carbon Damascus
SS Damascus (Devin Thomas).

The 420HC is currently Bucks primary steel. It is very rust resistant, holds a good edge, is quite tough and easy to sharpen to a razors edge. It is good enough to do anything you need. Wash it off, dry it, and you'll be good. I'll last you decades if you don't loose it. And it an exceptional value.

All Buck steels are exceptionally heat treated. Paul Bos is the best in the business.

Cabela's carries a S30V model...the AG110
Bass Pro carries a CPM-154 model
The secondary market has plenty of the other steels especially 440C and 425M.

It's a big knife and best carried on your belt. It's been in production since the early 60's because its a fine pattern and does what a knife is supposed to do.

If you like the pattern go to Walmart and buy one for $29 out the door and 30 years from now you'll probably still have it and be using it. If you happen to sharpen the blade down, send it in and Buck will put a new blade in for $7.

In 3 years the knife will have it 50th anniversary. There is a reason for that.
 
Your location is listed as "on the shoreline". I have spent quite a bit of time in the surf and on boats here on the west coast. A buck knife would be way down on my list of useful tools while fishing. The first thing on the list would be a pair of stainless steel needle nose pliers with a built in side cutter. A proper fillet knife would be second on the list. A buck knife is a poor substitute for either one of those.
 
For the tasks you describe I don't think you have a thing to worry about as far as it holding up. I have a 110 that see's daily use and very little care/maintenance on my part and its going strong after a few years. I can't see how i'll ever where the thing out. I do have backup just incase, but that'll be for if I lose my current user.

The fact that you already like and appreciate the design, its a bit crazy your not already carrying it!
 
GallantEdge said:
Your location is listed as "on the shoreline". I have spent quite a bit of time in the surf and on boats here on the west coast. A buck knife would be way down on my list of useful tools while fishing. The first thing on the list would be a pair of stainless steel needle nose pliers with a built in side cutter. A proper fillet knife would be second on the list. A buck knife is a poor substitute for either one of those.
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I only freshwater fish. The reason i'm looking into possibly carrying the 110 is because it's not going to be solely for fishing. I also like to just roam the woods after or before i fish. I have a 10 minute walk from my house through the woods to the spot i fish at so it's more like a hike with a fishing pole ending with a pond to fish at.
 
SuzukiGS750EZ said:
i know they will last, i'm more so talking about the 420HC. HC i believe means high carbon, 420 being the steel. I really want to just get an EDC and stick with it. I haven't really stuck to a knife since i learned about them! Before i knew a lot about knives, one knife (my grandfather helped me pick them out) was all i needed. So i always had a good knife, but didn't know enough to be picky and choosy. I really like the 110 as a design, but i don't know how well the steel is. I need a knife i can grab with fishy nasty hands and not worry about ruining. It has to be able to sit in the sheath for up to 12 hours and me not worrying about rushing home or cleaning it on the spot. I whittle so wood may get inside it. I do take very good care of my things. I find it a pain to bring a sharpening kit with me to sharpen the knife, so i'd like it to hold an edge well. I don't know the limits of a leather sheath either. Will the wood swell? I know brass won't rust. Anything BAD about this knife? I've carried a CRKT M16-03 (before auto lawks), benchmade griptilian, spyderco caly3 in zdp-189, a few swiss army knives from victorinox, a buck x-tract, kershaw blur, kershaw wildcat ridge, a timberline kelly worden tactical, benchmade ascent and a opinel. I've had the 110 for YEARS and have yet to really use it hard because i like it so much. I've gotten more into using my knives lately. I went through a phase where i'd use my crappy knives and keep the nice ones for carrying or showing, but i've since then outgrown that phase (thank god) and now want to use them all. I carry my JK custom in the woods, but if i could carry the 110 and keep the SAK and JK at home, that would be sweet. Or carry my vic camper and buck 110. But it really need to be able to hold up to use around the water. I won't ever submerge it (unless accidentally) but it will mostly cut string or something, sometimes with fishy or dirt covered hands. Any old school 110 users that could chime in i would appreciate it!
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Wow, I dont know about any knife except Buck, and I dont mean to be or sound like an a**hole when I say, If you have to worry about the things you mention in this post, you've been carrying the wrong knives for all these years. I wouldnt think twice about my 110's in any of those situations.

Of course all knives need to not be neglected, but having a knife in a sheath and wet throughout the day should be doable and the 110 certainly is. Dont leave it there for days, but thats common sense. Is the 110 the best fishing knife in the world?...probably not. Will it do the job with ease...certainly. But if you are looking for the best fishing, hunting, whittling, wire skinning, everyday, every need knife, you've found it.

I agree with flatlander about the steels and Paul Bos. In my opinion if you want the best of all worlds, go onto the bay and pick up a 2 or 3 dot with 440c and have her sharp at the beginning of the day-it still will be at the end.

ps: if it is a little too big or heavy, get a 112
 
imafritz, i don't think i've been carrying the wrong knives. I just come from a family with not so much money so i've always taken extreme care of things i find expensive. My dad abuses everything he comes in contact with lol, so i learned early on how easily things can be broken and how much abuse they can take. If i can learn from someone elses mistake, ie. using a buck 110 around water will warp/swell the wood (an example, i have no facts to back that up) then i'd leave it home and just bring a crappy knife. Do you get what i'm saying? Like, my caly3 in zdp. I can't exactly replace that knife if i break or ruin it, so i use it the way it should and don't bring it around anything i think will screw it up. Now my JK knife can handle the fishy water and all that, but i want to leave it home and test the limits of my folders. I've never carried a folder for woods use. the 110 feels right in my hand, but as far as the wood & steels used, i don't know what they can take and what they can't. I know it's a proven design, but i've seen some messed up 110's and want to ask before doing. :-)
 
SuzukiGS750EZ said:
I only freshwater fish. The reason i'm looking into possibly carrying the 110 is because it's not going to be solely for fishing. I also like to just roam the woods after or before i fish. I have a 10 minute walk from my house through the woods to the spot i fish at so it's more like a hike with a fishing pole ending with a pond to fish at.
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A buck 110 should be fine for that. I carried a 110 for years and it endured quite a bit of normal use mixed in with some abuse.
 
To comment on the wood swelling. I've had my 09 110 in contact with a fair bit of water/moisture in the past 2years and have never had a problem. I just wouldnt leave it wet for long periods of time.

On a side note, and don't ask me why he thought this was a good idea as I haven't a clue. A buddy of mine left a 110 submerged in red wine for 48hours hoping that it would darken the wood handles, to be almost somewhat blackish. It did nothing to the knife, handles, or the brass. The wood swelled very slightly and you would not notice it unless you were looking. The only result from him doing that was that the brass pins are very easy to see now, but i'm sure if he cleaned it up it'd be like new again.
 
Hmmmm. And as for the blade steel (i have it in 420HC) what have you guys done with it that ruined or chipped/flattened the blade or broke the tip. And what have you done that's suprised you?
 
Buck 110 is sweet knife that is still a great knife almost 50 years after it was introduced. I still see a lot of guys around here with one on there belt.
 
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