Production costs for 110, 55, 112- just curious

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germanshepherd13

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Jan 4, 2014
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I was just wondering why the cost of the smaller knives such as the 55 and 112 cost more than the larger 110. My logic is telling me larger knife, more materials etc, higher cost but that is not the case.
The CNC work is already done, the machinery has been in place for years (decades) so from a labor standpoint it seems to be a wash so the only difference is the amount of materials.
Not sure what the demand is vs supply for each model so maybe it comes down to the ole supply and demand rules?
Just curious...
 
Im taking a guess that the 110 outsells everything because of its attractive price and therefore can be sold for less. That's why I love Buck knives so much, you get a workhorse, an heirloom and a lifetime warranty for less than $50.00 give or take.
 
I think your perception is wrong. Here are the 2013 MSRP's

55 $59
112 $67
110 $69

Only a $10 spread between the three but the 110 is still the highest. I suspect that all three knives being similar in construction makes labor pretty much equal between the three and material cost differences being only minor. Not much price difference between the 110 and 112 and both can be easily bought in the high $30's. The 110 are pretty well discounted due to volume and WalMart keeps the price down with a nylon sheath instead of leather. Best price for a 55 on eBay shipped is $29.89 and that's a good bit cheaper than the 110/112.
 
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I think the OP may be referring to "street prices" - around here the big boxes (sporting goods and retail) keep the 110 in stock at a pretty competitive price - while the 55 and the 112 are usually found at local sporting goods dealers, priced much closer to the MSRP. It is a bit upside down at the cash register. OH
 
Hi, correct. street prices. Every place I checked I am seeing the 110 cheaper than the other two models.
it does make sense with the MSRP Desoto, appreciate those numbers. I guess it comes down to what the retailer decides to sell them for so after looking at the MSRP it all makes more sense now.
Those figures does take more into account of what I was thinking. thanks!!
 
As a manufacturing guy, I've always wondered how Buck produces the 110 to retail at the price they do at Wal-Mart. I know the volume is great, but geez...there are a bunch of machined parts in there, and the heat treating, finishing and packaging... The margin for Buck must be really, really low.
 
ed_bltn said:
As a manufacturing guy, I've always wondered how Buck produces the 110 to retail at the price they do at Wal-Mart. I know the volume is great, but geez...there are a bunch of machined parts in there, and the heat treating, finishing and packaging... The margin for Buck must be really, really low.
Click to expand...

totally agree.. for the quality, fit, finish etc and paying I assume decent wages to the employees (vs 3rd world child labor rates), hard to believe the profit margin is large for what you pay. I see the 110 for $27 bucks online..amazing.
 
Buck 110's have always been a high volume, but good seller...in the 90's they would give dealers some at a lower price if they ordered at least 1 of maybe 5 NEW models for that year...it got new product out there and gave dealers some 110's they could blow out at a good price....this was before walmart, basspro and cabelas got heavily in the knife biz
 
interesting that the cost of the 110 (street price), depending on where you get it is not much higher than what you would pay back in the 70's and 80's.
I got my first 110 in the late 70's, possibly early 80's but cant recall what I paid for it but it was around 20-25 bucks if my memory is correct.
 
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