Old Buck knives VS new Buck Knives

B

BrianArmstrong

Joined
Jun 3, 2016
Messages
21
I would like to know what y'all think about the blade steel especially but also the quality of Old vs New Buck Knives. The older men in my part of the state say they you have to have a 1970s or 1980s Buck knife to get "the good steel" this argument usually applies to Schrade, Case and Buck and pretty much everything else.
 
Schrade is better old because now it is not even the same brand. Schrade now belongs to Taylor brands, and uncle Henry and old timer knives are not even close to what they used to be.
 
One man's experience: I have two 110s, a •110• from the 70s and a 110[• from a year ago. The new one is as good as the old one. In fact, the 110[• is the one I reach for first.

Zieg
 
I knew this and was extremely unhappy that it happened because my favorite old 285UH trapper (USA made) can not be found anymore.
 
I'm like The Zieg i grab the 4 dot first. I like the squareness of the one dots but don't have one gave it away....mistake
 
Buck has made their 110 using a dozen different steels. From the 70's to today. They have put some really good steels on that one model. The grinds changed in 1999. This helped them cut better as well. Those knives of that era were good but the ones coming out today are too. Get one with a new steel and try it. DM
 
All I can really say is that I'm perfectly satisfied with bucks 420hc, I also love the feel of my 110 and can't imagine that I'd be to fond of the square edges on the older ones
 
Last edited:
D2 blade
20160606_173042_zpsvpvefegh.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
I think it was David Martin that said elsewhere that people were not using stones that were good enough to take off any metal. This makes sense because i have noticed on some Buck knives iv'e tried to sharpen seemed like the blade was gliding along the stone with the feeling that it was not taking anything off while others felt like it was grinding or that there was some resistance.
I guess those were some of the ones with harder steel and I assumed that they all came with the run of the mill steel. I always love it when I try to sharpen a knife and its very difficult to sharpen because then you know its good steel which I see in alot of old Bucks. I hear a lot of complaints about Buck old Buck knives that are hard to sharpen or "can't be sharpened" My sheriff has one now that "can't be sharpened" a 110 probably from the 70s or 80s I have offered to sharpen it for him. Then I'm going to attempt a trade buy or beg tactic.. :thumbup:
 
Then again Iv'e seen some old Buck knives that have had the blade grinned away as if someone took an angle grinder to it....probably got frustrated and did.
 
In looking at a brand new 110 that I gave as a birthday present to a deputy the other day I cant see anything about the new Buck 110 that has anything less in the strength an quality department. It look as good as an old one and I would imagine if one treated it right would last a lifetime.
I could not stand to see a deputy carrying a cheap Chinese dull knife to work. I'f i would have had a Buck 110 in by back pocket I would be missing my pinky and ring finger on me left hand. A trailer fell off a jack while I was changing a tire. The trailer had a Chevy truck on it. My pocket knife was in my left pocket and I could not get it out of my pocket to cut my fingers off. Had I had my 110, It would have been in my right pocket by my billfold and i could have opened it right handed. Luckily a Hannah Oklahoma Police Officer stopped to help and pried the jack from under the trailer with a 6 foot pry bar that was in the back of my truck. $4,000 for the doctor and $ 2,000 for the anesthesia .....I got to keep the fingers... no more going without a 110........sorry I get off topic
 
It's nearly impossible to find a 1970 Buck 110 in like-new condition. Most of the ones I have seen have worn scales and have been resharpened to the point the blade length is shorter. They're nice to admire and if you are using one that's great but I love the fit/finish on the newer 110's. 420HC with the BOS treatment does everything I need it to do and is very easy to sharpen up. From what I understand the 110 has gone through several slight revisions. The newer ones are slightly wider on the handle than the 1st gen, and for me that width balances nicely in your palm.
 
Agreed, I like the width of a 110. 420HC steel is a good stainless and holds a decent edge. The upgrade steels deliver much more in that department about as much as 2 others.
Still, I could purchase 2 std. 110's for less than one of the models with better steel. But nobody wants to carry 2 knives. Just playing out the equation. DM
 
BrianArmstrong said:
I would like to know what y'all think about the blade steel especially but also the quality of Old vs New Buck Knives. The older men in my part of the state say they you have to have a 1970s or 1980s Buck knife to get "the good steel" this argument usually applies to Schrade, Case and Buck and pretty much everything else.
Click to expand...

The best way to tell is to find a decent used Buck 110 "two-dot" (they seem to average about $40 +/- in pawnshops) and buy a current Buck 110 for about the same price - use 'em both and compare them for yourself. I own several (440C, 425MOD, 420HC) and enjoy using them all and think they are all good quality knives. Keep them sharp by touching up with ceramic sticks before they dull and you will always have a sharp knife to use. OH
 
Don't Forget.....Look for a 110/112 with good blades but be willing to take a beat up scale and bolsters. Buck will fix it almost like new for small fee, or likely nothing but postage if all they have to do is buff and polish it up.
300
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top