Recommendation? Which Buck 110?

I would go with a vintage one from the 70's-80's. From what little information I've gathered, those seem to be pretty solid and affordable knives.
 
I have an Ultimate Hunter I love it great sleek but still classy look got it to keep forever so got my name engraved on the blade DLT does an amazing engraving for $8. Does anyone know if it’s a custom shop production? I’d think so.
Side not : It does come with a crap flimsy Mexico sheath and the nice real leather USA made one is a $25 add on 3AB308FF-F1FB-4641-9D65-E9F3A40F15A3.jpeg
 
Well, being the moderator of the Buck Forum has given me the view of this question over and over for years. Everyone has mentioned good choices, some with increased cost and some not. But guess what, all that history of reading gives me an opinion and here it is.
Go to a store that sells 110s, look for cheapest prices if you want, and just buy the standard 110. It's not expensive. Handle it for a few weeks, cut with it, sharpen it. Enjoy owning it. Continue reading about what others like in their personal 110's. Then if something strikes your fancy in all that research buy one. After that perfect choice, if you don't want the plain jane then give it to a deserving kid.
300Bucks
 
Standard 110 for EDC (forget pocket carry, just use the belt sheath) can be had for under $30 at "the store everyone loves to hate" (but they still shop there)
SK Blades has a couple nice 110's available right now, with CPM-154 blades.
(The Smoke Jumper 110LT (3.4 ounces) has RED FRN handles, with a CPM-154 blade, for under $40.)

Copper and Clad has 420HC, S30V, and 5160 blades available. The latter two with a variety of cover choices.
I'm lusting after a oak with 5160 blade, too. I just have to decide if I want the clip point or drop point first. (Eventually I'll get both)
 
Get the Smoke Jumper as recommended by afishhunter. Dirt cheap, great blade steel and FRN handles for the new generation of Buck and your family. It's a lot lighter so you'll carry it more.
 
My first 110 was a "2 dot" with 440C so I'm partial to that particular version. However, if you're just going to get one, I'd go to the Buck website and build a custom version that suits you the best.
 
Sometimes it is really hard to have just one. The plain 110 is rock solid on its own. I've owned one since the 80's. The 110 Pro is a nice upgrade in steel and I like it a lot too. The 110 is a classic design that doesn't need to be changed. Having said that, I am always on the look out for unique models and that Ultimate Hunter from DLT with black micarta and inlay caught my eye (so of course I bought one).
Everyone has their own opinions...you will find a lot of them here. You can't go wrong with a 110...any model any color...whatever you like the best I would go with that. It will last your whole lifetime and then some.
 
Sorry for disappearing! I was dealing with a pain in the butt move.

Now that I'm all settled, I just want to thank everyone for their input! The replies in this thread have been great and were extremely helpful. I meant to post this in the "Buck Knives" forum, but I goofed and posted it here. I'm glad I did as it helped me find exactly what I was looking for. :)

W.M.B. said:
Ive been lusting over a 110 or 112 in 5160 with oak scales. I would have bought one if I could find one with the lock bar pin exposed. I know it wasn't on your list, but thought maybe you might like another option to consider.......although that usually doesn't make the decision easier, i suppose. I have owned a 112 (lost it sadly) and a 110 (still going strong after a lot of use). both were the plain, inexpensive, available at your local sporting goods or big box store versions. I can say I've never handled a 110 or 112 that wasn't a fantastic knife. heavy maybe, but a great knife. can't go wrong.
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Thanks for this! I didn't even know these existed.

Until your post, I had decided to go with a standard 110 while keeping an eye out for an early 70's model in good shape... And then maybe having one done by the custom shop down the road. Something about the Dymondwood handles of the new 110 bothers me though. I really think my Great Grandpa would have scoffed at the material even if it is more durable, lol. I remember my Great Grandpa and Grandpa (Great G-Pa's son) were digging post holes and my Grandpa was talking about how cool his composite handled post hole digger was because it didn't give you slivers, and my Great Grandpa ranted about everything being made of "garbage plastic" (or something like that... It was quite some time ago). I REALLY like that the Copper and Clad knife uses real oak for the handle. If there was a walnut version that would be ideal, but that's ok.

I'm also a really big fan of carbon steel (1095 in particular) and 5160 should make for a really tough knife. I also know for a fact that my Great Grandpa used to make ALL KINDS of things out of 5160 leaf springs (I actually have a chisel he made out of a leaf spring with a walnut handle in storage), so the steel is the perfect homage. :D

I used a promo code the other day and was able to order one from Copper and Clad for only $10 more than a standard 110. Seemed like a HECK of a deal to me so I couldn't resist. It should be here Monday or Tuesday!
 
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Fixall said:
Sorry for disappearing! I was dealing with a pain in the butt move.

Now that I'm all settled, I just want to thank everyone for their input! The replies in this thread have been great and were extremely helpful. I meant to post this in the "Buck Knives" forum, but I goofed and posted it here. I'm glad I did as it helped me find exactly what I was looking for. :)



Thanks for this! I didn't even know these existed.

Until your post, I had decided to go with a standard 110 while keeping an eye out for an early 70's model in good shape... And then maybe having one done by the custom shop down the road. Something about the Dymondwood handles of the new 110 bothers me though. I really think my Grandpa would have scoffed at the material even if it is more durable, lol. I remember my Great Grandpa and Grandpa (Great G-Pa's son) were digging post holes and my Grandpa was talking about how cool his composite handle post hole digger was because it didn't give you slivers, and my Great Grandpa ranted about everything being made of "garbage plastic" (or something like that... It was quite some time ago). I REALLY like that the Copper and Clad knife uses real oak for the handle. If there was a walnut version that would be ideal, but that's ok.

I'm also a really big fan of carbon steel (1095 in particular) and 5160 should make for a really tough knife. I also know for a fact that my Great Grandpa used to make ALL KINDS of things out of 5160 leaf springs (I actually have a chisel he made out of a 5160 leaf spring with a walnut handle in storage), so the steel is the perfect homage. :D

I used a promo code the other day and was able to order one from Copper and Clad for only $10 more than a standard 110. Seemed like a HECK of a deal to me so I couldn't resist. It should be here Monday or Tuesday!
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Wonderful post. Don't forget, photos when it arrives.
 
joeradza said:
Wonderful post. Don't forget, photos when it arrives.
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Will do!

afishhunter said:
Fixall Fixall
Did you get the oak with the clip point or drop point 5160 blade?
Either way, a fantastic choice. :)
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I went with the clip point to keep the classic profile. I figure I won't be using it as a hunting knife or anything like that so the benefits I'd gain from a drop point are pretty negligible. :)
 
Fixall said:
I used a promo code the other day and was able to order one from Copper and Clad for only $10 more than a standard 110. Seemed like a HECK of a deal to me so I couldn't resist. It should be here Monday or Tuesday!
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What kind of promo code did you use?
 
W.M.B. said:
Did yours have the exposed lock bar pin?
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It comes in tomorrow, so I will let you know for sure then, but I do not believe it has the exposed lock bar pin.
 
The Buck 110 in oak and 5160 came in today! I wasn't expecting the amount of feels I got when I opened it. The look, the heft, and that loud "snick" it makes when you open it all brought back good memories. I'm really happy I ordered it.

W W.M.B. looks like the lock bar pin is exposed.

This thing is an absolute work of art, Copper & Clad and Buck really knocked it out of the park with this one! The fit and finish is fantastic. The pictures I took really don't do it justice, but it's 9:30pm here and I'm out of good light. If it's not too hot tomorrow I'll carry it for the day and get some good pics. I'm really flabbergasted that this cost just north of $50. After handling it and looking at it very closely, I can safely say that if I saw it in a brick and mortar store for $70 - $80, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. The oak scales are very well done, not too glossy, not too matte... And they have an incredible "hand feel" if that makes any sense. They almost radiate a warmth, but maybe that's the nostalgia talking. The brass bolsters are perfect as is the backspacer. The pivot has a little grit in it, but that seems par for the course with the 110. Should smooth out in no time. The blade is downright beautiful. The they did a good job keeping the bevel nice and even and the polish job is great. I can't wait for steel to start to get a nice patina on it! My fiance loves it too (the real test, lol). When I opened it she instantly started "oohing and aahing" and instantly exclaimed that "that's what a knife is supposed to look like." She DOES love her tiny Swiss Army Classic and Spyderco Ladybug though... Maybe a Buck 501 or 55 is in her future. :)

Thanks again for the help you all! I'm going to cherish this knife for a long time and can't wait to be able to pass it down.

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Memphis Tiger said:
Find a Buck 110 Magnolia limited edition.
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Thanks for that suggestion! I'm going to try to do some research and see if it's possible to find out which production model my Great Grandpa had. His remembrance talked about carrying the same Buck 110 since the early '70s but who knows when the production date was. I know there are at least a couple of pictures with him and his 110, but I'm not sure if they will be nearly good enough to identify the model. My Grandma is going to look through some photos and see what she can find for me.
 
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