My love affair with buck 110's and recent QC issues

M

MadeinUsa1

Joined
Apr 19, 2017
Messages
43
I have been acquiring Buck knives since my first factory tour in 2014. I started with the original dymondwood 110 from amazon and went next to the 124 frontiersman, 119, buck mesa, and numerous 110's and 110, slim, LT copper and clad drop point 110 etc. Just to add I have had excellent customer service from Copper and Clad particularily Claude who made a 110 finger groove cocobolo knife right and allowed me to send the defective product back with free shipping. However the knife should have never left the factory the way it was which was not as concerning to me then as what my recent experiences have been lately.

I usually have the privilege to stop by the Buck factory store and pick out a knife I am interested in purchasing if I am in the area every couple of years or so.

However when I was there this past year the store did not have any 110 420 HC drop point 110's available. So I ordered the 110 drop point and received a knife that had a recessed lock bar so deep it was obvious and looked horrible so I sent it back, 10.00 shipping to receive another one just as bad and other QC issues so back to Buck it went which customer service / warranty did a great job making it correct. The gentleman in sales was very nice and agreed the first one was defective but then sent the same one almost back to me that was almost worse so I thought at least they would go over it to make sure it was okay. I had to send it back again, on my dime and when it was all said and done I could have ordered a custom shop knife for what I paid in multiple shipping expenses etc. I am not upset at that point and understand QC can happen here and there however since then I have ordered 112 slim and 110 slim with not so great edges and hit and miss QC.

Recently I was at wall-mart looking over a 110 and for 34.00 It was a great deal but the four they had were lacking in the QC dept with off centered blades and scales that recessed below the brass creating sharp edges and not so pretty machine marks an brass chips.

Not here to bash Buck because I love them and will continue to support and purchase there knives. However I am concerned with all the options out there newcomers will be turned off and experience bad QC out of the gate and this will hurt Buck's sales.

The 110 to me is what I think of when I think of a Buck knife but I understand other's have their visions also.

I hope that things with QC get better and I just had a bad hand with a few products. I feel that some of the youtube videos hurt Buck with making strides in innovation of the 110 and 112 slim pro and the centering issues.

One quick question for all you experts in this forum. Is it normal for 110 scales to have a gap or small amount of brass showing under the wood to feel uneven or enough for your finger to run over it and be a sharp edge? Just something I have noticed recently on my experience of examining newer Buck's.

Thank you all for your help and knowledge on Buck knives.
 
It appears the Ebony being used may not be fully cured and shrinks after it has been installed on the frame.

It's just a guess but it may be plausible given your description of the relation of the handle to the frame.

A picture of what your attempting to describe would be helpful.
 
My newest 110's are all three an LT.
Two of the SK Blades "Smoke Jumpers"' and a Limited Edition "NASCAR" I think Buck called it.
No QC issues with them.

My "newest" brass 'n wood 110 is a 2017 from Wally's. No QC issues with it.

If I recall correctly, the last 110 I bought with QC issues was a 50th Anniversary from Wally's that had horrid blade centering, and horrific blade wobble when closed.
I fixed those issues with padded pliers, however, I don't have a means of peening the pin, and have not sent it in to buck for that yet.
I have "a few" other brass 'n wood 110's to carry and use, so no rush. :)
 
afishhunter said:
My newest 110's are all three an LT.
Two of the SK Blades "Smoke Jumpers"' and a Limited Edition "NASCAR" I think Buck called it.
No QC issues with them.

My "newest" brass 'n wood 110 is a 2017 from Wally's. No QC issues with it.

If I recall correctly, the last 110 I bought with QC issues was a 50th Anniversary from Wally's that had horrid blade centering, and horrific blade wobble when closed.
I fixed those issues with padded pliers, however, I don't have a means of peening the pin, and have not sent it in to buck for that yet.
I have "a few" other brass 'n wood 110's to carry and use, so no rush. :)
Click to expand...

I am always glad to hear others who have no QC issues with recent releases. I am just concerned with what I have read and observed recently.
 
I haven't seen too many issues at all. I'm positive it's the luck of the draw. Lots of 110 owners here and it's fairly rare to see too many issues. Now it does seem the ones with issues just like any knife in any thread in bladeforums seems to be the end of the world at times.
 
I haven't seen too many issues at all. I'm positive it's the luck of the draw. Lots of 110 owners here and it's fairly rare to see too many issues. Now it does seem the ones with issues just like any knife in any thread in bladeforums seems to be the end of the world at times.
 
I have purchased a number of Bucks over the last year.

The only knife I had any issue with was a delaminated dymondwood 112 from C&C. They never responded when I contacted them, nor did they post my review on their website........ I don't buy knives from retailers anymore that don't list a phone number. The knife was going to be a user so I kept it and don't feel bad at all abusing it.

Sometimes I think people are a smidge unreasonable expecting perfection at a Wally World price point.
Look at what you are getting for $34; Made in the USA , not child labor, with a lifetime guarantee...... What other knife out there has Bos heat treat, brass bolsters and ebony scales (sustainable at that)?. What are the quality of materials used on any knife you may compare it to?

If I plan on using the knife, I don't really care about centering. Does it lock open and close. That's a safety concern and to me it's worth the trade off. Does the knife feel solid during use?

I doubt many collectors are buying $34 110's or 110 LT's to store away or display. And with that in mind I wouldn't doubt Buck has allowed a level of variance in order to even build those knives at the price point they do.

Or you could just buy the Chinese knock-off that will not hold an edge that may last a few years. If you don't get sick of it and throw it away first. At least you don't have to worry about anyone stealing it tho.

Wally World has lots of those.

Buy the $34 Buck.
At least your grandson will appreciate it.
 
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GPyro said:
I have purchased a number of Bucks over the last year.

The only knife I had any issue with was a delaminated dymondwood 112 from C&C. They never responded when I contacted them, nor did they post my review on their website........ I don't buy knives from retailers anymore that don't list a phone number. The knife was going to be a user so I kept it and don't feel bad at all abusing it.

Sometimes I think people are a smidge unreasonable expecting perfection at a Wally World price point.
Look at what you are getting for $34; Made in the USA , not child labor, with a lifetime guarantee...... What other knife out there has Bos heat treat, brass bolsters and ebony scales (sustainable at that)?. What are the quality of products used on any knife you may compare it to?

If I plan on using the knife, I don't really care about centering. Does it lock open and close. That's a safety concern and to me it's worth the trade off. Does the knife feel solid during use?

I doubt many collectors are buying $34 110's or 110 LT's to store away or display. And with that in mind I wouldn't doubt Buck has allowed a level of variance in order to even build those knives at the price point they do.

Or you could just buy the Chinese knock-off that will not hold an edge that may last a few years. If you don't get sick of it and throw it away first. At least you don't have to worry about anyone stealing it tho.

Wally World has lots of those.

Buy the $34 Buck.
At least your grandson will appreciate it.
Click to expand...
C&C there is gray area with them. One condition of being a dealer is to provide a brick and mortar type of business. Yet they dont.
 
Makael said:
C&C there is gray area with them. One condition of being a dealer is to provide a brick and mortar type of business. Yet they dont.
Click to expand...
Good Point.
And not posting customer reviews they don't like...….. I don't trust that business practice.
And folks here deserve to know.
 
GPyro said:
I have purchased a number of Bucks over the last year.

The only knife I had any issue with was a delaminated dymondwood 112 from C&C. They never responded when I contacted them, nor did they post my review on their website........ I don't buy knives from retailers anymore that don't list a phone number. The knife was going to be a user so I kept it and don't feel bad at all abusing it.

Sometimes I think people are a smidge unreasonable expecting perfection at a Wally World price point.
Look at what you are getting for $34; Made in the USA , not child labor, with a lifetime guarantee...... What other knife out there has Bos heat treat, brass bolsters and ebony scales (sustainable at that)?. What are the quality of materials used on any knife you may compare it to?

If I plan on using the knife, I don't really care about centering. Does it lock open and close. That's a safety concern and to me it's worth the trade off. Does the knife feel solid during use?

I doubt many collectors are buying $34 110's or 110 LT's to store away or display. And with that in mind I wouldn't doubt Buck has allowed a level of variance in order to even build those knives at the price point they do.

Or you could just buy the Chinese knock-off that will not hold an edge that may last a few years. If you don't get sick of it and throw it away first. At least you don't have to worry about anyone stealing it tho.

Wally World has lots of those.

Buy the $34 Buck.
At least your grandson will appreciate it.
Click to expand...
I agree that for 34 dollars it’s a fantastic knife and I can live with non blade centering but not shotty scales that don’t line up or gaps that look like crap. On the Buck website these things list for a lot more. I just have higher expectations for the QC. It is not the end of the world to me but growing up Buck knives, even the beaters and torn up ones looked like works of art and seemed a little attention to detail looking in manufacturing. I will and do still plan on buying Buck knives I just would like to see better QC that’s all. Please don’t think I’m slamming the company because I am not. As you can see by my moniker I’m very pro made in USA and I am going to keep buying and supporting USA made products. I want Buck to dominate these other non USA companies.

Also why does Buck not sell the same models C&C does on their website if C&C is not a brick and mortar store?
 
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GPyro said:
I have purchased a number of Bucks over the last year.

The only knife I had any issue with was a delaminated dymondwood 112 from C&C. They never responded when I contacted them, nor did they post my review on their website........ I don't buy knives from retailers anymore that don't list a phone number. The knife was going to be a user so I kept it and don't feel bad at all abusing it.

Sometimes I think people are a smidge unreasonable expecting perfection at a Wally World price point.
Look at what you are getting for $34; Made in the USA , not child labor, with a lifetime guarantee...... What other knife out there has Bos heat treat, brass bolsters and ebony scales (sustainable at that)?. What are the quality of materials used on any knife you may compare it to?

If I plan on using the knife, I don't really care about centering. Does it lock open and close. That's a safety concern and to me it's worth the trade off. Does the knife feel solid during use?

I doubt many collectors are buying $34 110's or 110 LT's to store away or display. And with that in mind I wouldn't doubt Buck has allowed a level of variance in order to even build those knives at the price point they do.

Or you could just buy the Chinese knock-off that will not hold an edge that may last a few years. If you don't get sick of it and throw it away first. At least you don't have to worry about anyone stealing it tho.

Wally World has lots of those.

Buy the $34 Buck.
At least your grandson will appreciate it.
Click to expand...
I agree that for 34 dollars it’s a fantastic knife and I can live with non blade centering but not shotty scales that don’t line up or gaps that look like crap. On the Buck website these things list for a lot more. I just have higher expectations for the QC. It is not the end of the world to me but growing up Buck knives, even the beaters and torn up ones looked like works of art and seemed a little attention to detail looking in manufacturing. I will and do still plan on buying Buck knives I just would like to see better QC that’s all. Please don’t think I’m slamming the company because I am not. As you can see by my moniker I’m very pro made in USA and I am going to keep buying and supporting USA made products. I want Buck to dominate these other non USA companies.
 
GPyro said:
Good Point.
And not posting customer reviews they don't like...….. I don't trust that business practice.
And folks here deserve to know.
Click to expand...
I'm fairness they dont seem to publish reviews that are glowing either. I tried in the past a few times....go figure.
 
I would like to start with saying . I think the Buck Company is top notch and their customer service is the best. I love Buck knives and collect them. Unfortunately I have had issues with three out of the last four purchases and had to send back two. Customer service will always take care of you but I am concerned how and why I was shipped products that were not 100 percent.
 
I've bought dozens of knives from Copper and Clad.

They've commission Buck to build some interesting and unique knives.

They're the company that had Buck build the 75% version of the 119 Special which became the 117 Special.This is one of the best clip point fixed blade knives,for the money,in existence.

When I've had an issue Claude has always responded through email and my issue was resolved.
 
I’ll admit I don’t see the number of knives that others see but so far none of the 50+ Buck knives and tools I’ve bought and handled over the last 30+ years had any quality issues. I’ve had a few folders with a tight or gritty action but easily fixed the problem myself by cleaning and some lube and only one with a bit of wobble that was easy enough to fix. To me that’s just normal maintenance and care. From my perspective I don’t see any QC issues with Buck knives but I hear about some but very few pictures. With the thousands upon thousands of knives they produce I would expect some to slip through but I’ve not heard of any not being warranted or fixed to satisfaction. Also I know firsthand how well Buck warranty and service takes care of any problems which mine were my fault but they fixed them free of charge anyway. What more could anyone expect from a large manufacturer?
 
I think everyone has a different barometer of what is acceptable, and what is not.
I'm a lot more forgiving when it comes to a user so long as it's functional.
I have a far higher standard for customs and limited editions.
 
Pics or it didn't happen.

Every so often I see someone with very few posts make a very negative thread about a brand and paint a bad picture. But there is never any proof.

My experiences with Buck have been stellar. My experiences with C&C have been stellar. Sure, occasionally a bad product will slip through QC, but that happens to every brand. I see no reason to believe that there is a larger issue at play here.
 
Hey i buy Walmart $34 knives and leave them in the blister packs? I thought that’s what collecting was all about?

bahahahahahaaa!!

Actually i started about 5 years ago buying a Walmart 110 every time the next year came out ( around mid year). Walmart has the blister packs in the knife open position other stores have them in the closed position.
I have bought a few duplicates and give them as gifts.
 
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