Old Buck 110s

sawgrass · May 24, 2014

I collect Buck 110 knives Versions 1,2 and 3 and I have a question for you old Buck gurus. On the Version 3 knives, Variations 1,2 and 9 are easily identified not depending on the rear bolster. Variations 3 thru 8 all have the integrated rear bolster, the rear bolster is 1/2 inch thick but then you need to know how many brass rivets are on each side of the rear bolster. If I find online what appears to be a Version 3, they have usually been so buffed up that the seller can't tell me how many brass rivets are in the rear bolster, or if there are any at all, making it impossible to know what Variation it is. I can't depend on the inlay pin heads because there seems to be inconsistancies in those. If I wrote the question so that it is understandable, is there another way of determining the Variation in Version 3 other than counting the brass rivets in the rear bolster? Are there other ways that I could tell, or any other way that a seller could check. Thanks to those of you wanting to tackle this one.

USMule · May 24, 2014

Why not ask the seller what the pin count is? thats what the app is there for. I fire off allot of questions to owners of these older BUCK 110's & 112's thats all I collect.
I don't hesitate to ask questions. Especially with these old GEMS that are covered in Patina which camoflauges sometimes serious blemishes an flaws even cracks in a frame or bolster. I know I have been burned 3 xs in the last 2 months by Patina it hid cracked frames & bolsters. You need to get them on record and ask questions. I've asked for more Photos be added or ask them to send a speciific photo direct to me.

I always have it in the back of my head that I've heard thousand times "Let the Buyer Beware" & "Buyers are liars".....LOL

Scott Hartman · May 24, 2014

sawgrass said:
I collect Buck 110 knives Versions 1,2 and 3 and I have a question for you old Buck gurus. On the Version 3 knives, Variations 1,2 and 9 are easily identified not depending on the rear bolster. Variations 3 thru 8 all have the integrated rear bolster, the rear bolster is 1/2 inch thick but then you need to know how many brass rivets are on each side of the rear bolster. If I find online what appears to be a Version 3, they have usually been so buffed up that the seller can't tell me how many brass rivets are in the rear bolster, or if there are any at all, making it impossible to know what Variation it is. I can't depend on the inlay pin heads because there seems to be inconsistancies in those. If I wrote the question so that it is understandable, is there another way of determining the Variation in Version 3 other than counting the brass rivets in the rear bolster? Are there other ways that I could tell, or any other way that a seller could check. Thanks to those of you wanting to tackle this one.

I wish there were some way to tell, other than the # of pins in the rear bolster. I'm still in search of the 3rd Version, Variation 5.....and I just got tired of buying 3rd Versions......hoping for those 3 pins in the rear bolster. Those super polished brass bolsters do make it difficult to determine the # of rear bolster pins. Sometimes if you get the brass cold, and then blow your breath on it, the brass fogs, and makes the pin configuration visible.

sawgrass · May 25, 2014

Hartman, getting it cold is a good idea, thanks. I agree with USMule above, sellers sometimes will mislead or they don't want to speculate, but chilling and breathing is a great idea I will ask sellers to do. I just with they would not polish all of the surface off the knife without knowing what they are doing. Thanks to both of you.

Loneland Joe · May 26, 2014

I'm still trying to figure out the versions and variations . I have two with 2 inlay pins. One has two rivets in the rear bolster and the tang marks are inverted. the other I cant see any rivets and the marks are in the normal configuration. I've had them a long time but never knew to look for rear bolster rivets. Can you shed some light on what version and variation they are and the year?

Scott Hartman · May 26, 2014

Loneland Joe said:
I'm still trying to figure out the versions and variations . I have two with 2 inlay pins. One has two rivets in the rear bolster and the tang marks are inverted. the other I cant see any rivets and the marks are in the normal configuration. I've had them a long time but never knew to look for rear bolster rivets. Can you shed some light on what version and variation they are and the year?

Try opening the attachment in this "sticky" thread near the top: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/612901-revised-110-112-data-sheet-as-of-gt-5-1-08

Loneland Joe · May 26, 2014

Thanks Scott. I knew about the year I got the one but the other was a bit hazy. I should have bought more in the late 60's and early 70's.

sawgrass · May 28, 2014

Thanks everyone. Lots of good help here for us that love the old ones. I have included on my data sheet that Version 3 has a 1/2 inch thick bolsters where Version 4 is measurably thicker. These great knives are an interesting study.