Just ordered a custom 110 - quick question on s30v!

D

Darkera

Joined
Oct 22, 2016
Messages
374
Hello all,

I just ordered a beautiful custom Buck 110 and selected S30V steel, but I'm now waffling on my decision. I have 48 hours to change it so I'm hoping someone can help me with my questions soon!

I went with S30V because of what I read (hardness and ability to hold an edge), but I've read quite a few posts on S30V vs. 420HC and I think I've made the wrong choice. Is S30V noticeable brittle and more prone to chipping? This is a concern because the knife will be used a lot in the field, mostly collecting fungal specimens (long story) from wood... a little bit of prying too.

Should I switch the order to 420HC or am I overly concerned and misguided from earlier posts?

Thanks a lot, I can't wait to get this knife... I love my trusty anonymous "Pakistan" folding knife for sentimental reasons, but I just know this new knife is going to be beautiful and high quality.
 
S30V will be great for your needs. Don't be overly concerned about the possibility of chipping. Enjoy collecting your fungal specimens knowing you have a great knife to do it with.
 
Dark, I think the majority of the guys on this Forum have experienced little trouble with S30V. Other places I have read those postings about S30V and wondered as I've used mine a lot. Mostly for outdoor use, pruning trees, processing chicken or deer, cutting cardboard or sisal rope. I've forced it through finger diameter bones with no chipping or edge curling. Sharpened pencils, whittled toothpicks and such. I've not experienced chipping. I have 5 knives with that steel and they all get used. Perhaps mine was a good batch out of the heat treating shop.? I'm glad you stepped up to a better quality knife and I suspect it will greatly please you over your Pakistan knife. Should you experience chipping, Buck stands behind their product and will make it right with you. I've noticed thru the years the gentlemen on here are trustworthy in their experiences about knife items they write about. Set your mind at ease and take to heart what these guys write in answer to your concerns. Welcome and I hope you'll camp with us and learn more about Buck knives. When you get you new Custom model post a photo of it so we can enjoy it with you. DM
 
Thanks a lot for the replies, I think I needed this reassurance. Of course I'll be sure to post pictures of the knife when it arrives - S30V, nickel, w/ rivets, buckeye burl handle, I can't wait. My Buck 119 has served me well and I look forward to finally having a 110. After spending all this time researching knifes and scanning this amazing forum, I'm afraid I'm turning more and more into a knife guy!

This really is an impressive community, thanks again!
 
I've used an alaskan guide 110 with s30 v out on the Atlantic Ocean in the lobster season to cut up salt bait and fish against a steel table,no chipping in months of abuse.I was testing out cabelas/ buck special coating to see if it really protected the steel against corrosion.it passed with flying colors,anything I thought was corrosion was only a stains cleaned off with a rag.
 
Sometimes, when a knifemaker is sharpening with belts and other such gizmos they actually ruin the temper of the edge and it chips. This can be true of any steel. However, a good sharpening removes this and gets down to the properly tempered metal and there are no more issues. S30V is not prone to chipping in my experience. However, there have been some who have experienced this burnt edge problem and fixed it with a good old hand sharpening.
 
I probably would not use the knife to pry anything. Or as a screwdriver.

Awesome knife with limits
 
Makael said:
I probably would not use the knife to pry anything. Or as a screwdriver.

Awesome knife with limits
Click to expand...

Yeah I know, I should stick with my old Pakistan knife for that. I was considering getting the drop edge for rougher use, but maybe it's best to just use the Buck more respectfully (the clip point is also a lot nicer looking). A few years ago I broke the point off my first Buck 119 trying to pry a conk off a piece of wood. I had it ground down and fixed, but man was I mad. That settles it, I'll buy a chisel and not ruin anymore knives this way.

Does anyone have a buckeye burl handle on their 110 or other? They look fantastic but I couldn't find many pictures.
 
Ok, Dark here you go. A Buck Collectors Club 110 with nickle frame, S30V drop point blade with Buckeye burl. A 2004 offering. DM
 
The tip on a drop point blade might hold up better than on a clip blade for prying but I still wouldn't recommend it.

David, beautiful knife. The new buckeye burl wood in the custom shop has a gray color. I guess it can vary in color or they can make it vary in color.
 
Found a couple of Burl wood for sale.
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I have several Bucks in s30v, including some custom shop knives.

Buck has their heat treat of s30v spot on, you will no have problems with it under normal use appropriate folder use.
 
Buck Shack, thanks. A collector member Flatlander did the scales. The frame and blade is from those first BCCI drop point blade knives. DM
 
I almost exclusively buy S30v knives from buck. I have a Buck Momentum in S30v that gets used and abused from doing sheet rock to scraping caulking from who knows what and everything else you can think of. I'm not very nice to that knife but the S30v just takes it in stride no issues. I will say S30v does better with a little coarser polish I don't go past about 600 grit DMT stone when sharpening it anymore. The 1200 grit and a strop aren't needed or even advised IMO. You can take 420HC to a much finer edge but the S30v will keep that not as refined edge for an unbelievable long time, long after the 420HC is as dull as a garden hoe the S30v will still be cutting.
 
I've had mine for years--no trouble with s30v. Use it, love it. Mine, when new:
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I will also add that it's a tough steel for being what it is made out of , bg42 was awesome steel ,s30 v is awesome as well as the old buck 440c.All of these steels are heat treated by the master Of heat treating Paul Bos.you can't beat that kind of heat treat lol.
 
Kansaswoodguy said:
I almost exclusively buy S30v knives from buck. I have a Buck Momentum in S30v that gets used and abused from doing sheet rock to scraping caulking from who knows what and everything else you can think of. I'm not very nice to that knife but the S30v just takes it in stride no issues. I will say S30v does better with a little coarser polish I don't go past about 600 grit DMT stone when sharpening it anymore. The 1200 grit and a strop aren't needed or even advised IMO. You can take 420HC to a much finer edge but the S30v will keep that not as refined edge for an unbelievable long time, long after the 420HC is as dull as a garden hoe the S30v will still be cutting.
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Thanks, I looked into this and others have mentioned not needing to strop a S30v blade. Why would stropping be detrimental?

That buckeye looks great too!
 
There is not anything detrimental toward stropping a S30V blade. It can help it last longer. He may be meaning stropping often refines it too much. DM
 
Both are great steels with Buck's BOS treatment. I think Buck's 420HC doesn't always get the credit it deserves. I've several 110's with that steel and they have been through some heavy use/abuse. Hate to say it but yeah they were used to pry (which is a no no) and have held up fine. I'll say this though, make sure you are extra careful with how you handle S30V blades. Safety first. When sharpened right they are much sharper than 420HC and will slice through anything with ease and much less pressure applied pushes the steel/blade deeper. You don't want to slip up on anything and have an accident (don't ask me how I know that).
 
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