- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 1,557
Perfect for me, that is. Arrived today and to say I'm happy and pleased is an understatement. 
But first some background. Only six months ago I didn't know anything about the older variations of the Folding Hunter and Ranger. Had owned one modern example some years ago (2006 model IIRC) and sold it, as it wasn't my thing at the time. And to me all 110s were like the current production version and I thought they'd always been. But one day, there I was looking for a completely different knife on the auction site and stumbled on the 110 Federal, built to replicate the first ones. "Interesting. This doesn't look like the Buck 110 that I know. Different dimensions, different materials. What's all this about?"
Then I started reading up on the history & different variations, and soon had my first two-dot models. Very pleasant indeed, but I wanted something even older and less common.
And then came this:
112 Ranger, First Version, Variation 1. Fantastic knife with all that old-school charm, two-line inverted stamp and micarta. Seriously cool. After that one, my two-dot 110, extremely nice example though it was, just wasn't quite enough. I wanted something to match my Ranger as closely as possible.
And so, today's arrival at last:
A Fourth Version, Variation 2 in really nice condition. Yay!
Now, to the symmetry part. It was clear that I wouldn't try to match my First&First 112 with a First&First 110, those knives are waaayyy over my budget + rare as rocking horse poo and I will gladly leave them to the big time collectors.
But with this particular variant of the 110, many same details are found as on the early 112. Inverted two-line stamp, brass spring holder and steel rocker pin. No micarta inlays, obviously, but two inlay pins is always a nice looking touch. Together, they make a terrific early 1970s pair and that's exactly what I was after. :thumbup:
Both equipped with sheaths as well, thanks to some searching and buying. Not originals to the knives but close enough. Quite possible that I'll have something custom made in the future, the factory sheaths are okay and functional but my special Bucks deserve something a little more special in the sheath department as well.
Going to do some cleaning and brass polishing in the very near future and after that I think I'll just sit down and feel especially pleased with myself for a while.
But first some background. Only six months ago I didn't know anything about the older variations of the Folding Hunter and Ranger. Had owned one modern example some years ago (2006 model IIRC) and sold it, as it wasn't my thing at the time. And to me all 110s were like the current production version and I thought they'd always been. But one day, there I was looking for a completely different knife on the auction site and stumbled on the 110 Federal, built to replicate the first ones. "Interesting. This doesn't look like the Buck 110 that I know. Different dimensions, different materials. What's all this about?"
Then I started reading up on the history & different variations, and soon had my first two-dot models. Very pleasant indeed, but I wanted something even older and less common.
And then came this:
112 Ranger, First Version, Variation 1. Fantastic knife with all that old-school charm, two-line inverted stamp and micarta. Seriously cool. After that one, my two-dot 110, extremely nice example though it was, just wasn't quite enough. I wanted something to match my Ranger as closely as possible.
And so, today's arrival at last:
A Fourth Version, Variation 2 in really nice condition. Yay!
Now, to the symmetry part. It was clear that I wouldn't try to match my First&First 112 with a First&First 110, those knives are waaayyy over my budget + rare as rocking horse poo and I will gladly leave them to the big time collectors.
But with this particular variant of the 110, many same details are found as on the early 112. Inverted two-line stamp, brass spring holder and steel rocker pin. No micarta inlays, obviously, but two inlay pins is always a nice looking touch. Together, they make a terrific early 1970s pair and that's exactly what I was after. :thumbup:
Both equipped with sheaths as well, thanks to some searching and buying. Not originals to the knives but close enough. Quite possible that I'll have something custom made in the future, the factory sheaths are okay and functional but my special Bucks deserve something a little more special in the sheath department as well.
Going to do some cleaning and brass polishing in the very near future and after that I think I'll just sit down and feel especially pleased with myself for a while.
