Lack of Inflation of the 110

[VTer]

I was at Kmart recently and they had a couple of Bucks, but the 110 was the only US-made one. The others were 300-series slip-joints made in China. I didn't check the packaging on the other brands.

 

[DeSotoSky]

Dymondwood < real wood
Canvas sheath < leather sheath
blister pack < box

I just don't see how these are significant true cost savers at the retail counter.
**Dymondwood is an engineered wood product using real wood assembled with resins, dye, heat, & pressure...better performance than a plain piece of wood but can't be cheaper for the product itself. I'm sure better material uniformity does simplify and speed up assembly time.
**Different box store retailers around here carry both nylon and leather sheaths for the same price. The two times this past year I purchased 110's on sale for under $30 both had leather sheaths.
**Blister packaging is about product display and anti pilferage. It is more complex to manufacture and assemble than shoving a knife into a printed cardboard box. It also greatly increases shipping volume. Doubt it's cheaper either.

I think holding the price line is about manufacturing efficiency. I can't find the reference but I recall reading Chuck Buck that they had machines today that did in 17 seconds what it took over 2 hours to shape a blade by hand on a bench grinder.

 

[JD Bear]

It very well may be a thought out ploy from Buck. The price of materials and manufacturing all increase over time, however the price tag the company puts on a product is entirely up to them. They may make a smaller profit, but the can always make that up through other products so it's not lost completely. They may feel it's beneficial to keep their flagship product at an obtainable price, which isn't a bad idea in the long run. I have quite a few Bucks and it all started with the 110....

 

[Luis G.]

A few years ago this might have been the case, but now I'm not aware of any true big box that doesn't carry a few more. I can only speak for the big blue W, but I have USA made from Gerber, Buck, Kershaw, and Ontario. Kmart might be a 110-only store, but do they really count? Target only sells Bear Grylls and Victorinox.

The store you talk about stocks products according to the city/their studies. No two big blues are alike, they can stock entirely different variety.

 

[Pondoro2310]

I've seen 110's and a few of the made in USA plastic handled folders and the no-handled (cut out in one piece) Bucks at my W. Prices are not as good as some other big stores and the sheaths are nylon. 119's and 55's can be found at a few large lumber and farm stores. All blister packed.

 

[emw479]

The store you talk about stocks products according to the city/their studies. No two big blues are alike, they can stock entirely different variety.

Wrong, from the top down there are only 7 different variations to what a store might set, and they aren't regional. Anything different is a result of a store refusing to follow directions or not moving product from the back room to the floor.

 

[RevolverGuy]

Since when is anything on Amazon more expensive than what you'd pay retail? They deal with low overhead and can afford to sell with very little profit margin. From buying online my best experience is from buying directly from the manufacturer. Yes prices are higher but they tend to ship out better quality pieces. Can't tell you how many times I have bought a knife cheaper on Amazon or Ebay and ended up having to send it back or get refunded because of poor fit/finish.

 

[Makael]

Most of their production is 110.

 

[Pondoro2310]

Since when is anything on Amazon more expensive than what you'd pay retail? They deal with low overhead and can afford to sell with very little profit margin. From buying online my best experience is from buying directly from the manufacturer. Yes prices are higher but they tend to ship out better quality pieces. Can't tell you how many times I have bought a knife cheaper on Amazon or Ebay and ended up having to send it back or get refunded because of poor fit/finish.

I have found the box stores competitive with Amazon when the box stores run sales. If you prefer to buy from a dedicated knife shop on line at a slight price penalty I salute you, and I have done that from time to time. We should support those guys when we can. The local gun store prices on Bucks are usually beyond my feelings of loyalty. But someone must buy them there, or they'd quit stocking them.

 

[canoevic77]

Since when is anything on Amazon more expensive than what you'd pay retail? They deal with low overhead and can afford to sell with very little profit margin. From buying online my best experience is from buying directly from the manufacturer. Yes prices are higher but they tend to ship out better quality pieces. Can't tell you how many times I have bought a knife cheaper on Amazon or Ebay and ended up having to send it back or get refunded because of poor fit/finish.

That's true.