Very Bad Buck 110

H

HoosierQ

Joined
Feb 9, 2010
Messages
2,327
I purchased a new Buck 110 today. It is one of the 50th anniversary model and has a little medallion indicating 1964 - 2014 or whatever. It was a pretty think. Nicely polished. It was very very sharp for a factory edge although the bevel was very uneven from one side to the other. That's nothing to me as I redo all my knives' bevels, regardless of price point. The blade sat centered when closed.

The lock. The back lock was so bad and the blade play was so extreme that I feared failure under the lightest use. The tip of the blade could be moved fore and aft when locked by 3mm easily. Atrocious!!! Side to side? Easily 1mm each way. During this blade play you could feel the locking bar in the heal of the knife moving around by about 1mm or perhaps a bit less.

Without a doubt the worst lockup I have ever experienced. My grandson's father has a Chinese knockoff that's so-so in every respect, quite usable, and the thing locks up like a bank vault in comparison. I don't expect a $35 Buck to be perfect. My much beloved 1978 440C model has just-detectable play fore and aft. I would have accepted that much at this price point and my on 1978 has never let me down.

I sure hope I just got a lemon. I took it back and told them it was defective and got my money back. I was literally scared to move forward with it. I like Buck, I want them to do well, I will give them another shot. I really do want one of these new rounded models. My 1978 is has the squared off edges. So I will wait. Try again and get another Buck 110 that's not a 50th anniversary model and hope for the best.

I really do hope the this was a lemon.
 
That sounds pretty bad. I have had two 110's, so not a huge sample, but one was rock solid and the other had a bit of play. Nothing like your describing though, and of all the reviews I have seen of them I have never heard of one as bad as yours. I would get a different one.
 
Some cleaning of the lock area might have fixed it. Might be some polishing compound left in that area.
 
Just bought one. Rock solid. Exchange it. I bought a SOG Twitch. Very loose. Exchanged it. 2nd one not perfect but much better.
 
Mine is rock-solid, no play, a heavy folder that came razor-sharp out of the box. If it wiggled like yours, I'd've checked the lock-bar and tang junction for debris, etc. as mentioned above. Did the lock-bar fully seat in the tang so there was a smooth transition between the blade-spine and bar? I hope your next sample is better :thumbup:

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Well this one was sure sharp. I now have the confidence to try again. I really want one. Thanks for the support. And yes, the lock bar snapped into place with the very same click I get from my 1978 one. The locking bar was flush and, truthfully, nicely polished...very smooth transition across the back. It was a lemon. Gonna try again soon. Remaining hopeful.
 
My father had one. We learned to dress deer with it.... I hope your next one is great! Let us know...
 
It is unfortunate that this knife made it past QC but it does happen. Still, this is a time tested design and if you want one, go grab another. Chances are it will be fine.
 
Unfortunately it sounds like you got a lemon. Buck won't hesitate to make it right though. The one I picked up a few weeks ago works fine compared to other 110's I have. Blade centering is way off but it's a $30 knife that locks up tight and does what it is suppose to otherwise.
 
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