thinkin bout a 110! but some questions first.

D

deermaster

Joined
Apr 19, 2009
Messages
271
my buddy got me really interested in knives about 5 months ago, and i have been buying and EDC'ing some modern looking blades, all stainless and g10. but lately i have been thinking about a standard buck 110, or maybe even a custom shop. i want a classic looking knife, to add some diversity to my small collection, but had some questions about the 110 first.
1) i know most all lockbacks have some lock play. does the 110 have any more than can be expected, or is it pretty tight? how is the side to side play?
2) does the standard non custom 110 have the 420HC steel?
thanks for any info, i appreciate it.
 
deermaster said:
1) i know most all lockbacks have some lock play. does the 110 have any more than can be expected, or is it pretty tight? how is the side to side play?
Click to expand...

None of the 110s that I have have any noticeable blade play. These range from early 1970s to my most recent stamped 2005. They're all tight and lockup is solid.

deermaster said:
2) does the standard non custom 110 have the 420HC steel?
Click to expand...

Yes it does and it's wonderful steel. The edge retention isn't as good, but I think the edge that you can get compares well to VG-10. It's a toothier edge than some other stainless like S30V.

Not counting the one S30V 110 that I have, I don't really think I care one way or the other what the steel is. I have several in 440c, one in 425M and two in 420HC. I lean a little towards the old 440c, but it's a bear to sharpen, so the 420HC is a good compromise.

Go buy one, or two... or twelve.
 
I agree on the blade play. Mine has never had a moments trouble, and it's been in my possession for many years (and was given second hand to me). So I don't think you'll have a moments trouble.
 
deermaster said:
my buddy got me really interested in knives about 5 months ago, and i have been buying and EDC'ing some modern looking blades, all stainless and g10. but lately i have been thinking about a standard buck 110, or maybe even a custom shop. i want a classic looking knife, to add some diversity to my small collection, but had some questions about the 110 first.
1) i know most all lockbacks have some lock play. does the 110 have any more than can be expected, or is it pretty tight? how is the side to side play?
2) does the standard non custom 110 have the 420HC steel?
thanks for any info, i appreciate it.
Click to expand...

deermaster,

Go buy a 110 from Walmart and try it out. When you buy one...you will buy more. I use an Alaskan Guide 110 with S30V steel for EDC and love it.
jb4570
 
I think you can't go wrong with a 110. Blade play does happen sometimes but very rarely in my experiance. This is not a concern IMO.

May I suggest a Cabela's Alaskan Guide 110. Rosewood, Brass, Titanium Oxide coated S30V blade all for $70. Very possibly the best darn 110 value out there.
AG110.jpg
 
Side to side blade play can only be caused by using the knife wrong. You should never use side pressure on the blade.
 
I have 100 Buck 110's and I've yet to find one (even the used ones) with any blade play in them. I also have a bunch of other brands (lockbacks), most USA made Camillus, Bear, etc. and blade play is pretty common in them.
 
i have had a folding hunter for edc dating from 1967..
so have a lot of other folks
loyalty like that means it must fill most all my needs
and i think it will fill yours easly..
once you have a classic buck you will likely stay with a buck classic..
i have over 100 of the things now..
 
Get the 110! An American classic and a worldwide favorite. I agree with all thats been said as I have no play in any of mine(or any other of my Buck lockbacks for that matter) and if you happened to get one, Buck would fix or replace upon your request. Doubt you'd ever even be faced with that problem.
 
I haven't ever had any side or lock play and I have gutted and quartered lots and lots of deer.

and there isn't any way not to put side play on a knife when quartering out one. I have been using 110's on them since mid 70's. The only knife I ever had a problem with side play was with a 560. It wouldn't stand up to quartering where a 110 will.

but, remember,,,, Buck's warranty,,, if you should have some issue.

FWIW guys.... I own my own hunting property about 110 mi or so North of San Antonio. We have an abundance of deer, turkey, and now getting some hogs in there, and the family as a whole takes 15 to 20, or more, deer, every season. It is nearly always my and my son in laws 110's doing the dirty work. And this has been going on since the early 90's.

Call this what you wish, just sayin that we have used Buck 110's in every way they can be used.

We have had NO, 110 failures.
 
deermaster said:
1) i know most all lockbacks have some lock play. does the 110 have any more than can be expected, or is it pretty tight? how is the side to side play?
2) does the standard non custom 110 have the 420HC steel?
thanks for any info, i appreciate it.
Click to expand...

1) I am betting that you will find the Buck lockbacks an exception.

2) The Standard 110 has 420HS steel that is fast and easy to sharpen. Walmart has them for less than $30 drive out.

I get two to three deer field dressed out of a 420 110, and maybe 5 and a half out of S30V without any sharpening in between. One of the things I do after getting it quartered in the field and in an igloo, is to wipe the knife as well as I can, and then toss it in with the meat. It gets a good hot bath back in camp. Soap and water, no oiling until hunting is all over with.
 
I love the Buck 110 and have quite a few (not as many as most here though). If you ever get any side play it is relatively easy to fix.

Use a padded vice and VERY SLOWLY and in VERY SMALL INCREMENTS squeeze the pivot bolster together. Check side play and if needed do it again. Go slow and easy and repeat as necessary. Its very difficult to undo too tight a bolster. You may have to sand and polish the bolster/pivot after (because the pivot may poke out). I use 320 wet/Dry down to 600 to 1000 sand paper. And then finish off with Braso and clean terry towel.

Vinny
 
mnblade said:
Just curious, how do you "know most all lockbacks have some lock play"?
Click to expand...

because all the ones i have handled, production sub-100$ lockbacks from reputable companies, have some lockplay:cool:

thanks to all that answered my questions, i appreciate it:thumbup:
 
I am no buck expert by any stretch of the imagination -- I collect spydies. That being said, my wife got me a custom shop 110 with s30v and buffalo horn scales for my birthday last year. Simply stated tt's beautiful with perfect fit/finish and razor sharp. I kinda want another this year... :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top