Where my love of Buck knives started

[mill428]

If I could only have 3 knives, I’d choose 3 110’s.

I love it! Some of the longest and most discussed threads on these kind of forums are which knife would you have if you could only choose 3. Well said.

Although I might like to add a 301.

 

[mill428]

I figured I'd collect one of everything they produced then move on. It has been forty years, and I'm still finding things to buy.

You're in good company.

 

[Bill Chamberlin]

I’m a late bloomer to the habit.
I bought a 112 and a Case lock blade back in the late 80’s from the local hardware store that I used a lot for hunting. But after that nothing until 2017 when a guy on a gun forum was selling a 120 with coco and brass. But he wanted more then I could get it new for so I sent him an offer and he declined. But it opened up my curiosity to Buck knives.
Right after that I walked in to my local gun shop and went to the knife display. It must have been my lucky day because all the Buck knives were heavily discounted. If I remember correctly I bought a couple 110’s, a 119, 3 120’s and 2 192’s. Only one I have left is the 192. I traded one of the 120’s for a BK-9 and sold the rest.
Then after internet searching I found a club called BCCI. I found a phone number to call. I decided to try and call the number on Easter Sunday 2018. I never thought anyone would answer being Easter and Sunday, figured I would get a recording.
Well a guy named Tim Lindsey answered and probably talked my ear off for almost an hour.
After that conversation I was a BCCI member for a year. Then I wound up becoming a lifetime member after that.
I’ve bought, traded and sold many Buck Knives in the past 6 years. And collected on and off too. It seems I drift back and forth between buying guns and knives.
My two regrets are selling my older 300 series knives that I had (all of them). And won’t be able to replace them for what I sold them for. The price increases in just the past 6 years are insane.
Which takes me to my second regret, not getting into it 30 years sooner.

 

[Harry Callahan]

Back when I was a kid in school, FFA members could wear a sheathed "Buck" folder knife on their belts every Friday as long as they were wearing their purple FFA jackets. This was about the time the Dukes of Hazard was on TV, with Bo and Luke showcasing the same style knife. 50's kids like Ralphie had their de-coder rings. 80's kids had 110s in leather belt sheaths.

 

[The Zieg]

No worries. It wasn't much to go on. You have to be a diehard Ruger fan to have that figured out with that much in the photo. As to the T-grip, I love em too. They just fit my hands better than anything else. I have them on most of my revolvers. It would be a great addition to your 1917!

Thanks for your story too. Your brother sounds like the kind of brother we all wanted. Big blocks, Bucks and Rugers. What a combination! I noticed you have some tasteful mods to your SP101 as well. It never entered my mind to add a lanyard ring to the Hogues. Was that your invention or does someone offer that now?

No, the lanyard ring was not my invention, but I desperately wanted one and eventually found it. It's a replacement for the screw that goes into the pommel stirrup of the Hogue grip and except for the eye is the same dimensions. I can't remember who made it but if I can find the maker I'll post it.

I am always afraid my sidearm will make its way out of the holster when I ride so I keep a lanyard attached to my 1917, SP101, or 1911.

Zieg

 

[eveled]

I keep a lanyard attached to my 1917,

Zieg

Wait! What? You carry a 1917? You sir are old school bad to the bone. A Smith or a Colt?

 

[The Zieg]

Wait! What? You carry a 1917? You sir are old school bad to the bone. A Smith or a Colt?

S&W Brazilian 1937 contract model. I don't carry it regularly, but when I take trail rides, I always have a handgun of some sort. Amongst other gigs, I train reenactors of French and Indian War period in Indiana and once rode with a pair of flintlock pistols in pommel buckets (and a Buck 112 in my pocket, just to keep this on topic ).

The lanyard keeps me from having to dismount in case my holster doesn't do its job. I use a flap holster and have never had a gun fall out, but a lanyard does reduce anxiety.

Zieg

 

[Ironbut]

My love of Bucks started when I was a kid. I'd see the ads in outdoor magazines & thought I just had to get one someday. Even with my 50 cents a week paper route, there was no way I'd ever be able to spend that much on a knife though.

Then, about 50 years ago, after I got out of the military, built a house, and started a family; I got treated to this 110 one Christmas. It was the most expensive knife I ever owned up to that point,.......... and for a long time afterwards.

 

[JD Bear]

My story pretty much mimics the OP’s. All the real men I knew had one, Bo and Luke made me really want one. I can remember when a 110 was a grail knife. Lol.

Finally got permission to buy one for myself when I turned 13. It cost me about 10 hours of labor.

I had one of 2 on my belt everyday for about 30 years, hunting fishing riding motorcycles and being a tradesman. The 110 was perfect in every aspect. I wore out countless sheaths and finally sent the knives to Buck for new blades. I still use them.

If I could only have 3 knives, I’d choose 3 110’s.

The Duke boys did it for me too. It still gets me a little nostalgic when I see someone with that black sheath. I don't always carry a 110 or 112, but ever since I was a kid I don't feel right without a knife on my belt. Definitely contribute that to Bo and Luke...

 

[mill428]

The Duke boys did it for me too. It still gets me a little nostalgic when I see someone with that black sheath. I don't always carry a 110 or 112, but ever since I was a kid I don't feel right without a knife on my belt. Definitely contribute that to Bo and Luke...

I bet they had no idea of the influence they had on impressionable kids. Wonder how many 110’s were sold because of the Duke boys.

 

[Old Biker]

In the spring of 1975, late May early June. I decided I wanted a bigger blade than was on my stockman pocket knife, because some thing are easier to cut with a bigger blade. Not nearly as many thing as the 18 year old me imagined, if the smaller blade is kept really sharp. But that is beside the point, I wanted a bigger blade. I figured a fixed blade hunting knife strapped to my hip, while perfectly legal, might not be the best idea some places around town. So I was looking for a folding hunter. The stores in my area, no internet in those days, had two models. A liner lock Old Timer, made by Schrade, probably the 125OT, and a Buck 110. The Old Timer was half the price of the 110 so I bought it. By that fall the pivot on the Old Timer was so loose, I was afraid the blade would collapse on me. So I gave the Old Timer away and bought a Buck 110.

I would still be carrying that knife, except it was stolen five years ago.

O.B.

 

[mill428]

In the spring of 1975, late May early June. I decided I wanted a bigger blade than was on my stockman pocket knife, because some thing are easier to cut with a bigger blade. Not nearly as many thing as the 18 year old me imagined, if the smaller blade is kept really sharp. But that is beside the point, I wanted a bigger blade. I figured a fixed blade hunting knife strapped to my hip, while perfectly legal, might not be the best idea some places around town. So I was looking for a folding hunter. The stores in my area, no internet in those days, had two models. A liner lock Old Timer, made by Schrade, probably the 125OT, and a Buck 110. The Old Timer was half the price of the 110 so I bought it. By that fall the pivot on the Old Timer was so loose, I was afraid the blade would collapse on me. So I gave the Old Timer away and bought a Buck 110.

I would still be carrying that knife, except it was stolen five years ago.

O.B.

OK, I was really enjoying your story... until the last sentence. I assume you got a replacement - although sadly without the obvious "personality" of the first one?

 

[Old Biker]

OK, I was really enjoying your story... until the last sentence. I assume you got a replacement - although sadly without the obvious "personality" of the first one?

Yes several now. But that is probably, as good a story, as the original knife. The reason my 110 was home the day the burglars came is, I had decided to try out my Dec 2018 BOTM. A nickle silver framed, black ebony handled, S30V bladed 112. Since my 110 was gone I continued to carry the 112, and honestly never really missed the 110. I learned that S30V stays sharp a long time. What I decided I wanted to replace the stolen 110 was a black ebony handled 110, with a S30V blade. Ebony wasn't a custom shop option at the time.

Sept 2019 came and this was offered as BOTM.

Sculpted cocobolo handle, S35VN blade. I thought about it for at least a day, before deciding to order one. A few days later I got a phone call from Buck. There had been a mix up with the web page, computer, whatever. There were none of the Sept BOTM knives left. I was offered something from the custom shop with CJ's signature, or my money back. I figured I had nothing to loose, so I asked for an ebony handled, s30v 110. Even though ebony wasn't a custom shop option at the time he agreed to do it. ( Ebony was added to the custom shop shortly after.) He asked if I planned to carry the knife or display it. I was unsure. So he sent me the one I asked for, plus a standard 420hc drop point with CJ's signature. That way I can keep the signed one nice and use the S30V one.

A couple weeks later, another call from Buck. Someone had returned one of the BOTMs. Did I want it? Well yes, of course.
About a year later Buck started offering 110s with brass frames, black ebony scales, with S30V blades, as a web exclusive. So I bought a spare.

O.B.

 

[mill428]

Yes several now. But that is probably, as good a story, as the original knife. The reason my 110 was home the day the burglars came is, I had decided to try out my Dec 2018 BOTM. A nickle silver framed, black ebony handled, S30V bladed 112. Since my 110 was gone I continued to carry the 112, and honestly never really missed the 110. I learned that S30V stays sharp a long time. What I decided I wanted to replace the stolen 110 was a black ebony handled 110, with a S30V blade. Ebony wasn't a custom shop option at the time.

Sept 2019 came and this was offered as BOTM.

Sculpted cocobolo handle, S35VN blade. I thought about it for at least a day, before deciding to order one. A few days later I got a phone call from Buck. There had been a mix up with the web page, computer, whatever. There were none of the Sept BOTM knives left. I was offered something from the custom shop with CJ's signature, or my money back. I figured I had nothing to loose, so I asked for an ebony handled, s30v 110. Even though ebony wasn't a custom shop option at the time he agreed to do it. ( Ebony was added to the custom shop shortly after.) He asked if I planned to carry the knife or display it. I was unsure. So he sent me the one I asked for, plus a standard 420hc drop point with CJ's signature. That way I can keep the signed one nice and use the S30V one.

A couple weeks later, another call from Buck. Someone had returned one of the BOTMs. Did I want it? Well yes, of course.
About a year later Buck started offering 110s with brass frames, black ebony scales, with S30V blades, as a web exclusive. So I bought a spare.

O.B.

Wow! The Lord really does work in mysterious ways! That's a great "next chapter" to what started out as a sad story. If I counted right you went from 1 to zero to 4 in a relatively short period of time. I'm glad the good folks at Buck took care of you. It's great they went the extra mile.

It's ironic you mention your choice of the brass/ebony S30v 110. I've had a pro for a few years but I also love combination of the old look and the new steel - so I ordered one last week. It came in the mail yesterday from Post Falls. I'm pretty excited about it as it will be a main user. I would have loved to have the one they offered in Magnacut a while back, but the prices have gone through the roof, and I still need both of my kidneys. I think the S30v will serve my purposes well.

Thank you for the rest of the story!
Craig

 

[pjsjr]

and I still need both of my kidneys.

we(true Buck nuts) all know that a person can live with just one!

 

[mill428]

If I could only have 3 knives, I’d choose 3 110’s.

I have to admit this comment struck me because it obviously comes from decades of experience. Experience that many have testified to here.
Over the past few days I've been thinking if I had to chose 3 110's which would I pick? Choosing 3 from my very small collection would be far easier than some. But these are it... right now

At the bottom is the first one I got as a gift from my BIL. It's your basic 420HC version from '03. It's never failed me. The middle is a recent gift from my wife and because we all need a 110 Auto Elite. And finally the one I got in the mail yesterday. A brass/ebony/S30v version. I think I could take care of my cutting chores with these 3 for years to come.

Although I would still like to add a 301 and a 124 to the mix. And thankfully we aren't limited to 3 at this point.

Thanks Eveled for the mental exercise.
Craig

 

[mill428]

we(true Buck nuts) all know that a person can live with just one!

I suppose you're right. I can get by with one kidney.

Who has a Magnacut 110 for sale?

 

[eveled]

mill428 As a tradesman who worked all kinds of crazy hours. I developed a system. 3 pairs of pants always ready to put on and hanging in the cellarway.

Work pants long jeans and short jeans. I splurged and bought 3 belts and 2 extra sheaths. I used to move my 110 from one to the other along with my wallet and keys. Sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. I went probably 17 years never touching another knife. I mean for everything, work, hunting, fishing, cooking, cleaning my fingernails, everything.

My 110 was getting worn out. I mentioned to my Dad I needed another one. I had just bought a house was engaged and starting a family. He gave me his saying he never used it anyway. Another 16 years now I had 2 worn out 110’s. So I bought a third.

The second one was so worn the lock was non functional. I joined here to respond to a thread saying that 110 locks never failed. Just to warn others.

I had heard about the Buck spa and blade replacement program. So I eventually did that. I had bought a broken 111 for dress up. Lol. So I sent them all in at once.
View attachment 2512340

All of a sudden I had 3 110’s one for each pair of pants. And a 111 for special occasions. I felt like a millionaire.

So that is why 3 110’s is my bare minimum.

Here is a link to that thread and my first post (#30). on this or any forum. https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/anyone-ever-have-a-110-lock-fail.688862/page-2#post-15863276

 

[mill428]

mill428 As a tradesman who worked all kinds of crazy hours. I developed a system. 3 pairs of pants always ready to put on and hanging in the cellarway.

Work pants long jeans and short jeans. I splurged and bought 3 belts and 2 extra sheaths. I used to move my 110 from one to the other along with my wallet and keys. Sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. I went probably 17 years never touching another knife. I mean for everything, work, hunting, fishing, cooking, cleaning my fingernails, everything.

My 110 was getting worn out. I mentioned to my Dad I needed another one. I had just bought a house was engaged and starting a family. He gave me his saying he never used it anyway. Another 16 years now I had 2 worn out 110’s. So I bought a third.

The second one was so worn the lock was non functional. I joined here to respond to a thread saying that 110 locks never failed. Just to warn others.

I had heard about the Buck spa and blade replacement program. So I eventually did that.

All of a sudden I had 3 110’s one for each pair of pants. I felt like a millionaire.

So that is why 3 110’s is my bare minimum.

Here is a link to that thread and my first post (#30). on this or any forum. https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/anyone-ever-have-a-110-lock-fail.688862/page-2#post-15863276

Again, a great testimony to the longevity of the 110. Thanks too for the link. Another great read.
Do you still have a picture of those first 3? They aren't showing up on the thread anymore. I'd love to see them.

Craig

Edit to add: What a great system for being prepared for the right kind of tools and wardrobe. Must have been a Boy Scout in your younger days.

 

[eveled]

Before
After

View attachment 2512357

mill428 Thanks for your kind words. I was indeed a BoyScout.

Here is the prequel to my story. I’m not sure I’ve ever shared it before.


The old smooth 110, was my Dad’s original. An early 70’s model he had filed the bolsters to be rounded. He carried it on his duty belt. When I was ready to buy my own. He went with me. He wanted to upgrade.

So I paid retail for his used one, $30 and he bought the finger groove new for $35. I remembered him being tempted by the 111 at $55. That was the mid 1980’s.