Reminded of how good the 112 is

[DocT]

I just watched the video, again, of a lock strength test and was reminded of just how good a knife the 112 really is. It is strong and capable and far cheaper than less capable designs.

I wish I had bought one of the Ecolites when they were available. But, the old 112 may be heavy, but it is up to any task. We used to use the 112 on our farm and they never let us down.

 

[Peter Parker]

I'm so glade I started collecting 112s even with them being newer models! I decided that these need a FG model to go with them so I'll wait patiently for my order to come in from the CS! All of my Bucks offer all the lock strength I'll ever need! I have another 112 size lock back from that manufacturer in Bradford, PA and I dropped it on a hard surface tile floor at work. That lock back has become hard to open and the brass bent into the handle so it had to be filed some. It still isn't right. I dropped my newer 112 in the parking lot at a department store and there is one little nick and it erased the slight side to side movement it had in the closed position! I know that the way they landed had something to do with it, but I still think the Buck is a tougher knife!

 

[DocT]

This is not about lock tests, but in that videoed test, the Buck 112 went head to head with a Triad Lock and both held 380lbs (limit of the test) without any issues. Bucks design goes back to the early 1960's and it is still good.

I like those two paperstone Ecolites you have. I hope Buck brings that back in new colors.

 

[pinnah]

Been carrying my 2 dot 112 all day. Love it.

With respect to lock strength, I don't understand that test. The kind of strength I'm interested in is the ability to withstand large cutting (opening) and prying (lateral) forces. I don't care much at all about being able to resist strong closing forces. I occasionally make piercing cuts that require some strength of that type, but I try to treat any folder like a slip joint.

The Triad lock was mentioned. It's primary virtue is to withstand hard cutting forces without developing vertical play, since the stop pin takes the cutting/opening force, not the blade/lockbar interface. Buck should adopt that design, imo.

Untitled by Pinnah, on Flickr

 

[D-RIG]

The 112 is a very versatile knife it has many shapes and forms
this one is like many 112s but this one is mine .

 

[AreBeeBee]

One of mine — from 1989. (The edge nick, a sin from a previous owner, is slowly being sharpened away.)

 

[Old Hunter]

The Buck 112 is a fine hunting knife - while I prefer the Buck 110 for big game hunting, for all other hunting I carry this 112. OH

 

[moonman]

112 is my deer hunting knife.

 

[DocT]

Great knives, everyone. If I only had one folder to take deer and elk hunting the 112 would be at the top of the list. It is plenty knife.

 

[KLJTech]

Been carrying my 2 dot 112 all day. Love it.

With respect to lock strength, I don't understand that test. The kind of strength I'm interested in is the ability to withstand large cutting (opening) and prying (lateral) forces. I don't care much at all about being able to resist strong closing forces. I occasionally make piercing cuts that require some strength of that type, but I try to treat any folder like a slip joint.

The Triad lock was mentioned. It's primary virtue is to withstand hard cutting forces without developing vertical play, since the stop pin takes the cutting/opening force, not the blade/lockbar interface. Buck should adopt that design, imo.

Untitled by Pinnah, on Flickr

Couldn't agree with you more. I've always thought of a knife as a cutting tool, Hell I was raised with slip-joints which would have failed all of CS's tests. I guess now the best knife is the one you can smack the hardest on the spine...I normally use the sharp edge of my knives and I've NEVER had one close on me while using it.

 

[JSutter]

I only discovered the 112 a few years ago, and wow! That lockback works well and is a great buy in today's market.

 

[JasonJ]

I dont have a 112, only a 110 that my brother gave me for my birthday back in December. But if the 112 is like the larger 110, it is an incredible locking mechanism! All great folding knives!