Old vs new buck 110

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Yee yee boy

Joined
Nov 12, 2019
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I was wondering if the new buck 110s are as good as the old ones. People seem to have mixed opinions so please tell me what y'all think.
 
I was thinking they were just as good to if anything the blades are better on the new ones because they have the Paul bos heat treat.
 
I have most of the early versions for the 110, and as much as I love them—especially the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd versions—there is no question that the newer knives from the Two Dots on, are much more durable and reliable. I can't get real excited about the new slim and light versions, but that's just me. I wish Buck would put the anniversary Federal version into production. It captures the spirit of the early knives and is actually a better knife.

Bert
 
The new ones do have better steels and heat treat and with new technology at the factory there probably put together better.
 
old knives are just that, old knives. some still good some not so much. I like old stuff due to history and some rarity.

I like the new stuff cause that's what gets the company paid, creates and keeps jobs, etc. also allows them to invest in r&d, testing, tooling, etc and better products for.us and better paid jobs for the people who work there.

choice of the two I prefer new as I dont feel bad using them and they are just as good apples to apples meaning same steel materials etc., if not better.
 
Jbmonkey you made a very good point the new knives do create jobs and we need as many American jobs as we can get. I think you replied to my 110 lite thread and I'm gonna get one of those and that will help the buck company and go good with my brass buck 110 i bought a few months ago.
 
I don’t have any 110s older than 1989 and it’s a Damascus Stag SFO I bought thru bass pro shops. It is a great knife and the one that really turned me into a Buck Knife fan. I have 7 more dated 2012 and newer in a mix of 420hc, cpm 154, s30v, and 20cv Blades in order of least expensive to most expensive and edge retention follows that order as well, for me that is. I’ve always heard the older 440c blades were very good but also harder to sharpen but I’ve never had one to work with.

You are correct about the Bos heat treatment and the 420hc bos ht is best in the economy class of stainless blades and can be easily sharpened. I don’t think you can find any 420 class stainless any better or even close to Buck Bos performance and the price point makes it unmatched in quality cutlery.

The higher end blade steels are more expensive but they are excellent and for a professional or anyone with high performance expectations they can meet those expectations. But depending on your sharpening skills they can be more difficult to sharpen. Although a diamond sharpener is best for quicker results but still requires skill. There are more I haven’t mentioned as well as carbon steels and other non stainless blades, handle materials and designs to choose from so take your time.

Buck has a lot of choices but I think the 420hc is a good place to start and work from there.
 
440c can be difficult to sharpen compared to 420hc.
Outstanding warranty,no risk to try newer models.
Almost all Bucks are mfg in USA..
 
I defiantly agree with your thoughts on the 420hc. Its not the best of the best best but it holds a edge well and is very easy to sharpen.
 
Yee yee boy said:
I was wondering if the new buck 110s are as good as the old ones. People seem to have mixed opinions so please tell me what y'all think.
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Your question really can't be answered accurately the way it has been put.

You would really have to define your terms. New? Old?

When did they start becoming "new" in your estimation?
 
Yee yee boy said:
I meant new being ones that you can walk into a store and buy old being 20yrs or older.
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In that case I'd have to say there's really little practical difference between a standard 1998 110 and a standard 2018 110.

Buck started doing Edge 2000 around the turn of the 21st Century and that may have made for slightly easier sharpening and better slicing ability......that's the only significant change I can think of.

We are now back to Macassar Ebony slabs, but I don't think that makes for a practical difference.......probably more of an esthetic and return to tradition issue.

I doubt that there's any difference of opinion. Not a lot has changed on the standard 110 in 20 years.
 
I have and use a bunch of 110’s made over a 40 year period. All of them perform well. Differences are minor or cosmetic and really only matter to a collector. For a user, all work well.
 
sv4 said:
My newest 110 is a 2019 ebony handled 420HC. Great action, solid lockup, great fit and finish. The 420HC punches way above its weight. Excellent value for money, I would say.
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Yes, I'd second that and add.........more than an excellent value for the money........a superb value for the money.
 
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Yee yee boy said:
I was wondering if the new buck 110s are as good as the old ones. People seem to have mixed opinions so please tell me what y'all think.
Click to expand...

It depends upon what "good" means to YOU.

The older (~40yo) factory standard 110s had 440C blades, keeps an edge longer, but harder to sharpen. The older handles were thicker, more squared off and heavier, not as pocket friendly, some like the squarer shape, others prefer the rounder edges of newer Bucks. Some older 110s are reportedly easier to open by gravity.

Then there are special runs, different steels, all Ti, aluminum frames, etc.

All depends on what you like. Go to a gun show, pawn shop, flea market and see if you like the older ones or the special ones best.
 
I went fishing this afternoon , the weather was nice but the fishing was slow. Not one bite!
It’s good I had my 110 slim pro because I needed a couple stakes for anchoring my chair on the sandy bank slope. It’s the first time I’ve done some heavy duty cutting with it using a fair amount of force on tough dried Chinese elm wood. The s30v blade cut super good but the slim handle does crowd into my palm. I wouldn’t want to do that for very long! I’m thinking of making a sort of overcoat made of wood or something that will slide or snap onto the handle to give a better grip and be removed to store in my day bag when not needed. That’s the thing about thin edc pocket carry knives. Nice for pocket carry but not comfortable to bare down on with the hand. Next time I’ll take my 117 in sheath for heavy duty work.
 
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