OK . . . old thread . . . couldn't resist answering original OP anyway. Then I will look at the most recent posts. Got to get into the spirit first.
These are old photos except the second one which I took today.
people back in the 80's carrying buck 110's
Yes; '81 was when I bought my first one (shown)
How do the 110's hold up to everyday use?
Are you kidding . . . it's a heavy duty, continuous use duty rated, truck !
Yeah that's were I start having a problem for my personal EDC use. Look at that kerf !
Bogs down in double wall corrugated boxes, the belly pops the blade up out of the cut. Awful box knife.
My favorite knives for what I do are along the lines of the one that shows zero kerf; third from left. That blade is a third the width of the 110. Maybe one day I will get another and grind it thin.
Good steel, good heat treat, all great considering the price !
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THE 110 is that wide back. See my two finger grip shown here on another knife. Also I go for a fairly narrow handle such as the knives shown; think Cold Steel Ti Lite as opposed to a Spyderco Manix.
Someone suggested if I like that why not just carry a SAK? True but not quite what I meant.
Why do I like the wide back ?
In this photo is my Brad Zinker Urban Trapper with no scales. See how tippy something like that would be . . . it just wants to flip sideways and lay flat between your fingers. (I fixed all that with some wider scales. See knife next to 110 in the second photo above).
The Case Trapper shown below, especially with the genuine stag handle, is really starting to get wide enough and the Ti Lite is even better (fatter and longer handle).
So that's what I really like about the 110 when compared to modern slab sided folding knives; handle shape. See second photo first knife on left which is a 940-1. Obviously a great knife but the handle could be fatter for my preferences even if I have to carry it in a pouch which I do with the other knives shown.