Traditional style lock back recommendations?

Buck Slim Pro with S30V steel is a good choice if you want traditional 110 blade and lock back but lighter weight. Your choice of handle, G-10 or micarta in various colors. Or you can get the less expensive Buck Slim Select in 420HC. Both have a deep carry clip, and the standard fantastic Buck warranty.
 
So I’ve been doing a bit more research, the buck custom shop seems very reasonably priced as compared to their standard production knives, what are some thoughts on the S30V steel vs the 420hc? My main concern is sharpening it when it gets dull, I typically use a Hard Arkansas, which will leave a razor edge on my old knives, anyone have experience honing the new steel on one of these old stones? Is the S30V worth the extra cash? The fact that they mention that it’s more difficult to sharpen concerns me a bit, and I don’t want to mess up my stone.
 
I have a 112 Slim in S30V and it seems to retain an edge longer than my other Buck knives. I use a diamond bench stone and don't have any trouble sharpening either steel. Is it worth the increase in price? I don't think so, but that's just one opinion. I'm perfectly happy with Buck's 420HC.
 
Forget the damascus; go vintage German.

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eisman said:
Forget the damascus; go vintage German.

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Those are some good looking knives, not opposed to going vintage, I’ll keep an eye out. Was talking to the wife, she likes pocket knives too, I might have to make up or find her something a bit special as well. Perhaps a slightly smaller buck and make up some custom scales for her.

I scored a mint camillus 886 today on evilvay for a very reasonable price, figured I’d grab it as the old one has served me well over the years, it likely will for many more to be honest.
 
Custom shop 110 with 5160 steel and a drop point. I can’t tell you what to do, but that’s what I’d do.
 
DustinN said:
hello, I’m new to the forum and this is my first post.

I’ve been interested in getting a new knife lately but don’t want junk. I see a lot of Damascus knives on eBay but they look to be cheap imports, probably not the best steel. Fit and finish look questionable in some of the photos too. I have carried a camillus 886 for years that I was given for free as it was missing a scale, I made a new set from Purple Heart wood and have been pretty happy with it, I also had a buck 110 for a while which was a great knife that would take a razor edge, but lost it due to a pocket hole. So I would like something of similar style and size, preferably in Damascus but not married to the idea. I’m not really a collector, and don’t know a ton about knives, so I thought it would be best to ask here. What are some good quality makes and models to look at that won’t break the bank? Not in to tactical style knives at all and I disdain pocket clips, something with nickel bolsters is preferable to me. I’m not opposed to going with a vintage knife either.
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I too am going away from pocket clips as they have absolutely destroyed the edges of my pockets and are not repairable. So now I prefer sheath carry either vertical or horizontal on a 1 3/4" or 2" belt. For years I had collected all these tactical knives in "super duper" steels and now they all sit in a box collecting dust (well actually a safe deposit box because what they are worth now because they are discontinued). So I went back to the old Buck 110 and being that I live in high mountain Idaho, it fits even more. The Buck 110 was the first folder I held way back in 1984 when I was really young and the reason I went back to it is simple. Besides the no pocket clip, the 110 also has no moving parts! No screws, springs, bushings or other inner working parts. Just a one piece slab of bolsters, wood for aesthetics and a strong spring bar that has very strong lock up. I also don't care that it isn't one handed opening (yes I know you can add a thumb stud or hold the blade and flick it open). Lately I have been collecting the 3 dot 1980-81 110's because that was the last year that Buck used the better 440C (I believe heat treated by Paul Bos) before switching to 425M (1982-92) and then 420HC (1992-present). Also the other big reason is the bolsters on the 2, 3 and early 4 dot 110's. They are squared off and thicker and in my opinion the masculine version of the 110. Then Buck started rounding the bolsters off and they are quite a bit thinner now which I think makes them look feminine. The 3 dot is what the Buck 110 should look like. If you get one you will understand what I'm talking about. You can still find these 2 dot (1974-80) and 3 dot (1980-81) 110's in 440C all over the place and they are inexpensive! I just scored another one in practically brand new condition for $42 on the bay! In addition, I'm also starting to like the old stuff way more as the quality control I've noticed on all of my 3 dot 110's are perfect with perfect blade centering and grind lines. In addition, I'm liking the old Camillus and Ontario stuff more and more like the leather stacked WW2 and Vietnam knives with 1095 steel. Plus it is interesting to me knowing what these old knives have been through in others hands. Which is probably another reason I like the 3 dot 110 knowing that it was made when the Outlaw Country scene was still going on. I guess it's my 'Waylon Jennings' knife. Sorry for the long reply. Here's an awesome page on the history of the Buck 110: http://www.historyofthe110.com/
 
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The 500 Duke is perfect. It’s smaller than the 110 but same size in length to 112 but much thinner in handle. Plus I like drop points even better and tip is thicker than the clip points.
 
MolokaiRider said:
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Love those drop point Buck 110's. I actually got one of the very last ones available on Copper and Clad two years ago. It is a lightweight aluminum bolster with black micarta inlays, drop point 420HC with a pocket clip. I also like it because the bolsters are squared off and thicker like my 3 dot '80-'81. Was looking at the drop point S35VN 110 that DLT Trading was offering for $99 a couple years ago but I found out they incorrectly listed the bolsters as stainless steel and they were brushed nickel. I wish Buck would make a 110 drop point with stainless steel bolsters.
 
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As Camillus has been mentioned favorably,take a look at the Camillus models 3 & 4.
You can see them by going to the bottom of the manufacturers forums on Bladeforums.com to Collectors Forumsand then Camillus. Look for Camillus catalogs from the late 70s into the 80s and look for 3, 3F and 4. Camillus quality varied from OK to very good. The steels they were using were typical of the time but not exotic nor are they super steels. if you don’t necessarily feel you need high end steels these are very nicely made knives generally very solidly built, good looking knives. A friend has been periodically posting them as new old stock on eBay. They are not up now but there will be some more soon.
 
One cannot go wrong with the Buck 110 or 112 as many have suggested. For a slightly more modern look, I’ll second the Civivi Rustic Gent, and can be had in Damascus for only a little more than the D2 versions.
 
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