Is today's 110 as good as Al Buck's original 110?

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geothorn

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I'm just wondering. I know, things change as time passes, and I'm certain that the Buck 110 has gone through changes, as well. I'm just wondering what all of the changes are, and if those changes have resulted in a better knife, or if those changes were only made to reduce production costs, and perhaps, consequently, also reduced the quality of the knife?

The Ford Edsel was created as an answer to someone's needs and now it's extinct....

GeoThorn
 
I was just re-reading the article in a BLADE mag from last year about the 110's 40th birthday. The article mentions that the 110's changes were more "evolutionary" than revolutionary. Most changes are subtle, such as more rounding over of the handles. Also the blades are sharpened differently now (edge 2000). From what I know, all changes have in no way reduced the quality of the knife.
 
Crayola said:
From what I know, all changes have in no way reduced the quality of the knife.
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I have 2 110's, one from 2000 and one from 1974. I belive the handle material went from wood to wood laminate and the blade went from 440C to 420 HC. I would have to say that wood laminate and 420 HC are cheaper than real wood and 440C. Still the newer knives are very good looking knifes and the steel holds up well. Plus, and this is a big one, the company is still in business. They made these changes a long time ago, basically to stay competitive.
 
Thanks, peter78!

I have two 2004 110s and the sides on each knife's handle don't match each other. Basically, I have two handles made-up of four pieces of wood, and none of the pieces have matching grain. Does the handle material on your '74 110 match, on both sides? Yes, having handles that match is purely a cosmetic thing, but, if they would match, I believe that it would be evidence of more attention to detail.

Thanks again, GeoThorn

Is 440C a better blade material than 420HC, or do each have specific qualities that the other does not?
 
i have 110's from 1967 /68 (point down to read 1 line Buck ) to 2003. there are indeed many small changes. some times i take them out jest to look at and see what is diffrent as in response to your question, a pleasent thing to do...
the older ones are lighter, the back side of the blade has a sharp corner near the hinge catches dust in the lock and some of the blades would wobble after a time from realy hard use and no the wood did not always match from side to side, some like this and the blades had that hand ground, hand finished, wonderfull hand made look . then 110 then got heaver and more rounded, a - and a + to me .... the knife started to curve more and fit and quality got better and more uniform. todays handles are shaped difrently in the boosters and dont have the corner not stuck out as a ugdly edge on the back of the blade and except for type of blade and scale material all look exality the SAME...oh yes the stock blade changed both in shape and type of steel... blades are sharper - the steel of the 110 is diffrent as like to a diffrence in the brass hard to see but there humm ...sharper and with jest as hard a temper- sure why not!!...
but back to your question.... better today? you have to ask first - better for what ?! hummm... for me- as a every day user for NON hunting use= cutting rope, boxes,wood and skining wire i take the older thicker edge with 440... i will take the newer ones to hunt, dismember and skin with and wish them a bit trimer....
i learned to sharpen a knife in 66/67 reading the buck instruction pamplet and can get one face shaveing sharp -free handed and 440 was no chalenge to sharpen :D ....the newer ones DO freshen up in use easer and quicker and it is a good thing!!! they dont take the skill/time to get jest as using sharp as the 440 which is a good thing also...

NOTHING like the 110!!!
(tho pluma comes close for useing but not looks... and to start something...for a big knife like the 124 its is good useing blade and is a realy realy good looking knife, i have some, - BUT for to USE, i like what i made/make better... hobo crude looks but god offley dammmmm hard to sharpen and sceary sharp when there and stay that way a long time... wish i could make some thing equvleant to the 110....
respectfully yours, dave
 
geothorn said:
Thanks, peter78!

I have two 2004 110s and the sides on each knife's handle don't match each other. Basically, I have two handles made-up of four pieces of wood, and none of the pieces have matching grain. Does the handle material on your '74 110 match, on both sides? Yes, having handles that match is purely a cosmetic thing, but, if they would match, I believe that it would be evidence of more attention to detail.

Thanks again, GeoThorn

Is 440C a better blade material than 420HC, or do each have specific qualities that the other does not?
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First off both knives match exactly in their handles. The older knives is a little more dull, not as shiny wood. I am surprised the handles don't match as I have over 30 Bucks and all the handles match.

440 is still considered a pretty good steel, here is a thread about 440C:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=316899&page=1&pp=20&highlight=440c

420HC is considered a bit down on the totem pole of steel. It is a little easier to work with by the manufacters and of course it is cheaper to buy. Here is a thread about 420HC:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266908&highlight=420HC
 
Thanks peter78!

Thanks for looking up the thread links, as they are very helpful. I'm kinda bummed that, in the opinion of one poster, that 420HC is a steel best used for a "display only" knife's steel, but, that's how it goes, when reducing costs and keeping price levels the same becomes important.

I bought my Buck 110s at Wal*Mart and that may help explain why the handles don't have matching grain patterns, from one side to the other. Here's a web page that shows my 110s, and allows you to see the grain patterns.

http://www.geocities.com/geothorn/Handles.html

Thanks again, GeoThorn
 
One thing to keep in mind on the 420C steel, Buck is getting some pretty good rockwells out of that stuff. I would not call it a cheap steel by any means. I have gotten so many comments from knife users that say it is the best steel they have used. That comment will raise some eyebrows i know but it really boils down to the individual user. What are they using the knife for? How do they sharpen their knives? Do they know how to sharpen a knife correctly--thats a big one.
I have listened to debates over steel types many times and came to the conclusion that i can't tell a guy his favorite steel is not any good if it does everything he wants it to.
If those mismatched 112's are really bothering you, send them in and we will see if we have any that match up better. They wont end up with the exact same grain pattern, line for line, but they should match up light to dark.
Hope this helps.
 
geothorn said:
Thanks peter78!

Thanks for looking up the thread links, as they are very helpful. I'm kinda bummed that, in the opinion of one poster, that 420HC is a steel best used for a "display only" knife's steel, GeoThorn
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Remember when reading threads on this forum, they are writen by knife fanatics. If you read the thread about 440C some people blast that also. I jump for joy when I see a beautiful knife made with 440C steel.

Also remember Buck sells knives in other types of steel such as S30V or ATS-34. I have 2 buck knives with ATS-34 steel blades. And yes I like the ATS-34 blades, but I also like my Bucks with 420HC, I do not have the same opinion of the other member who considers 420HC for display only. The deer I gutted last year and he didn't seem to mind the inferior 420HC steel blade. :rolleyes:
 
Thanks for your replies!

Thanks for your kind offer, Joe, but my 110s are going to be used for working, not display, and after I give them many good work-outs and many resharpenings, I might well discover that I like that 420HC steel just fine. As you said, there are people that swear by them. If I ever need to replace those blades, I may make mention of the handles, but I like my Buck Knives for the way they feel and work, first, and how they look, second. I'd rather not be without the knives just for handles. :)

peter78, thanks for your reassurance. One can only truly use a knife to find out how well they like it's steel, no matter how many others recommend this or that. I think that I'm going to go to more auctions and yard sales, and see if I can find any of those 425CM or 440C Buck 110 Folding Hunters! That's one way to collect Bucks 110s; find the older models with the different steels, to test them as well, in a knife model that I learn and like more each day.

GeoThorn
 
334dave said:
dammm ... u one lucky guy... i only got 20 so far my self... got my first one in 68 ...hummm .. any for sale? :D
dave
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My first one was 74 when I worked in Oshmans Sporting Goods store. I still use my knives I bought in 74 and I can honestly say I never thought of selling any of my Bucks. Of course there are some I cherish more than others.
 
I think Buck does a wicked job with there 420HC. I prefer my Buck420HC blades to my Benchmade 440C blades.
 
Sean W said:
I think Buck does a wicked job with there 420HC. I prefer my Buck420HC blades to my Benchmade 440C blades.
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Me too. My 110 is crazy sharp.
 
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