Question Regarding Custom Shop 110 Scales...

[Professor]

All,

I've been thinking of getting a custom 110 done to commemorate it's 50th anniversary. Specifically, a 110 with NS bolsters with fingergrooves, S30V blade steel, and rams' horn scales. I may have the blade engraved with script "2012" and "50 Yrs" underneath. The more I think about it, however, I'm leaning toward not having it engraved since I'd be more apt to use the knife without the engraved blade.

Here's my quandry: I can't decide whether I want to have the scales pinned or not.

If you don't get the scales pinned, how are they attached to the frame? Epoxy? 3M industrial double-sided tape? Chewing gum?

If you get the scales with pins, is the adhesive still used?

In all my years of collecting and using knives, I've never had a 110. I think it's time.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Prof.

 

[BG42EDGE]

Buck's engraving is pretty crappy-looking in my humble opinion.

As far as the pins go.....it's strictly a choice based on how you want it to look.

An incredible adhesive is used and the pins don't make much, if any difference at all.

The scales stay on just fine either way.

There is a question of whether or not cracks are more likely with pins.....depending on the material used.

I don't know if Ram is more likely to crack, probably not, but perhaps someone else will comment on that one.

 

[JAGcustomknives]

Never had a 110? It is time
Rams horn is not likely to crack with pins. It's like really thick fingernail no grain really...
If pins are used I don't think they use glue. There is a machine they have that'll pin them in about 2 seconds and gluing would take more time, more mess and more chance for error.

PS Buck is calling the 110 anniversary 2013

 

[Professor]

Thanks guys. Jerad, good to know, Sir, on the true anniversary.

That makes things easier for me. I think I'll get my "user" custom made this year, with one of the lesser expensive hardwoods for scales with pins, NS bolsters with fingergrooves, and S30V. Then maybe I'll go for the safe queen 2013 custom shop with some other, fancier handle scale options.

Prof.

 

[Plumberdv]

Thanks guys. Jerad, good to know, Sir, on the true anniversary.

That makes things easier for me. I think I'll get my "user" custom made this year, with one of the lesser expensive hardwoods for scales with pins, NS bolsters with fingergrooves, and S30V. Then maybe I'll go for the safe queen 2013 custom shop with some other, fancier handle scale options.

Prof.

Here's a few to look at and perhaps help you to make up your mind. These are all the least expensive ones unless you go for the S30V blades and finger grooves and will show a little about what you can expect.

From the top down, oak, cherrywood and walnut.

My personal favorite for EDC, the oak.

Second favorite, walnut.

Least favorite (except for the indigo blue which I don't have), cherrywood.

 

[Professor]

Thanks for the pics!

I love your EDC. That's what I'm aiming at, NS with finger grooves. Is walnut any more durable than oak? Are the woods stabilized?

Thanks again.

Prof.

 

[Kyui Su Kim]

Personally, I like the look of the pins. I would imagine either way the scale will stay, and if they don't, Buck will probably have no qualms about fixing it.

Least favorite (except for the indigo blue which I don't have), cherrywood.

Least favorite? I love the look of the Cherrywood on brass. That may be my next custom next to the ram's horn.

 

[Plumberdv]

Thanks for the pics!

I love your EDC. That's what I'm aiming at, NS with finger grooves. Is walnut any more durable than oak? Are the woods stabilized?

Thanks again.

Prof.

I think the woods are treated, maybe even resin impregnated, but someone else will have to answer that. Both woods, oak and walnut are tough stuff so I don't think durability is an issue. As far as pins go, from a purely esthetic point of view, for me it depends on the handle material. If the scales are wood, I like the rivets, but with horn or stag, not so much. Here's one of mine with jigged buffalo horn scales and I don't think I'd like it with rivets. Some or all of the rivets would probably be recessed because of the irregularity of the material. I have an elk custom where that's the case and they don't look so good.

 

[Plumberdv]

Here's a couple that came from the custom shop when you could get damascus blades. They will give you an idea of what rivets/no rivets looks like.

 

[Badhammer]

Ordered one with jigged water buffalo and opted to skip the pins. Just my opinion but pins in something like horn could lead to cracks in the scales around the pins. Like I said, just my opinion.

 

[Pack Rat]

No rivets/pins for me on any custom. Like the clean look. And much prefer the two pin over the three pin on older 110's.

 

[Magnaminous_G]

Buck ram horn on N/S for the 110 is the most beautiful combo, IMHO. I've got one. I believe ITE (Its Too Early) has two or three of them! Looks better without grooves, and I agree with the above posters that Buck engraving is crap. They can't engrave long words, anyway. Better to go with a custom engraver who can do a nice job to your specifications. Anyway, enough of my blabbering, here are some pics of my 110 in ram horn N/S bolsters (pinned, as you can see). How they do the pins is up to the individual maker who makes your custom 110. Some makers put the pins at slab level. Some recess them slightly, as mine did. I like it

 

[Professor]

I like that a lot, M-G. I recall your post in General on this. This configuration with finger grooves is what I've built and oogled on their site many times. Thanks for the pics.

Prof.

 

[BG42EDGE]

Beautiful knife and well-placed for pictures, MG.

The background really brings out the colors. I've always thought that brass matches better and would be the choice for Ram.

Now I'm not so sure.....the Nickel looks real good.

 

[110 Dave]

well i have to say jiged buff or ramy are my two personal favs
as to glue and or pins

glue is always used and has been for a while
but if no pins used the knife sits in clamps for 24 hr
if pins used it dont

i like pins or no pins but like hidden rocker rivet

 

[bucksforus]

I don't have any pics., I have a custom 110 with nickle silver trim,and a b/o 112 with brass trim. I like the looks of brass on rams horn the best. Planning to order a 110 with brass in very near future. I probably will order w/o pins also.
Harold

 

[A.P.F.]

Thanks for clearing up the glue issue, Dave. I always wanted to know for certain.

Fantastic pics, MG! Thanks for posting them.

Here is a so-so image of my last Custom Shoppe 110. It is an American Oak over brass with an S30V blade. It swaps places with my Bass Pro CPM-154CM, 110.

 

[Professor]

Beautiful pics, guys. I'm undaunted! I'm going for the NS bolsters with ram's horn with pins, fingergrooves, and S30V.

One last question, do the optional brown leather sheaths have some type of protection behind the snap on the interior to prevent the back of the snap from scratching the knife when sheathed?

Thanks again, all. I'll post pics with what I end up down the line.

Prof.

 

[A.P.F.]

Beautiful pics, guys. I'm undaunted! I'm going for the NS bolsters with ram's horn with pins, fingergrooves, and S30V.

One last question, do the optional brown leather sheaths have some type of protection behind the snap on the interior to prevent the back of the snap from scratching the knife when sheathed?

Thanks again, all. I'll post pics with what I end up down the line.

Prof.

Yes, the sheaths have a circular felt 'sticker' on the back of the snap.

 

[Professor]

Yes, the sheaths have a circular felt 'sticker' on the back of the snap.

Thanks, APF, I plan on getting the brown leather sheath with mine.

So, as a result of everyone's advice, I'm going with a custom 110 with S30V, NS frame/bolsters with fingergrooves, ram's horn scales with no pins, and no engraving. Placing the order within 10 minutes. I'll post some pics when she arrives.

Many thanks to all!

Prof.