Which One for EDC - Buck 110 or 112 and Why?

Redhat said:
Based on some of the comments, I think I'm going to try and get my hands on a 112 before I buy to see if the handle fits my hands.
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That's a good idea. I have big paws and I still think the 112 is a great fit. Even though the 110 has a longer handle, I feel like the 112 "locks" in. I personally want to try a 112 with finger grooves.

One thing we can all agree on, is that whichever one you decide, it's a good decision and you'll be happy with it. And that is the most important thing...
 
It may be worth recalling why and how the 112 came into being. According to Chuck Buck, the 112 was a smaller version of the 110 designed to meet the blade length restrictions of 3" imposed by a Naval CO after a fight on a ship in which a sailor was stabbed with a 110.

The size and bulk of the 110 is what it is (and it should be scootch thinner like the originals) but for me, I find the weight and bulk of the 112 oddly matched to it's noticeable lack of length. The 110 feels natural in my hand and in all honesty, the 500 feels much more natural in my hand for a knife with a 3" blade. The thickness and weight are more proportional and balanced and I say this at the same time as thinking that I like the lines of 112 better.

While it would compete head to head with the 500, it would make more sense to me if the 112 were the same thickness as the 500. If I'm going to carry the bulk, I'm going straight for the longer 110. If I need to keep my blade length at 3", I generally ignore that law. Did I say that out loud? What I meant to say is that when I choose to carry a shorter knife, I always reach for my 500 and never my 112.
 
Ah, the "final answer" I was looking to hear, Redhat! No better way to know for sure than "hands-on" experience. Several months ago I bought a very nice-looking smaller SOG (as an example) via an internet shop. Oops! :( Quite small in my hands, and still haven't figured the best way to grip it. After that purchase, I try to do the hands-on routine as often as I can.

Another BF friend suggested to me to spend time in my LGS, if they carry knives, or the larger shops like Cabelas and/or Bass Pro Shop. He said their counter reps don't mind at all if you handle all the knives in their display cases! He was right. My last Cabelas visit helped me to decide which Bucks I was considering were/were not a good fit for me. Great way to shop and know for sure!!

Enjoy your search!


Redhat said:
Based on some of the comments, I think I'm going to try and get my hands on a 112 before I buy to see if the handle fits my hands.
Click to expand...
 
pinnah said:
It may be worth recalling why and how the 112 came into being. According to Chuck Buck, the 112 was a smaller version of the 110 designed to meet the blade length restrictions of 3" imposed by a Naval CO after a fight on a ship in which a sailor was stabbed with a 110.
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Tell me again, why does the 112 have a different front guard? Why isn't the 112 an exact copy of the 110 just scaled down? I know we have discussed this before, but I'm too lazy to go hunt it down. IIRC, it has to do with the keeping the 112 blade basically the same width as the 110, but by doing this, when closed, the tang corner was too exposed. But I still don't understand - if the blade was shortened one inch and the end of the handle was shorten proportionally, why does that make the tang corner stick out more?
 
TAH said:
...I still don't understand why the 112 front bolster isn't exactly like the 110. :confused:
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Just guessing here, but the shorter handle on the 112 makes it easier for a wet hand (from water, blood, fish guts, whatever) to slide forward and have an unfortunate meeting with the blade. These were designed originally as hunting knives, remember.

Related to that, people with large hands, for whom the 110 is sized right, could get a better grip on a 112 by snugging up to the guard and letting their little finger hang off the back end of the handle if need be.
 
I have become accustomed to carrying the 112. Where I live in Tacoma, WA and where I work in Seattle it's illegal to carry any folder over 3.5". I work in a warehouse and use a knife all day for a variety of tasks and the 112 has served me quite well. Now, when backpacking/hiking I always go with the 110.

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I do like the front bolster on the 112. Gives me more confidence in keeping my fingers off the blade.
 
The front bolster design, creating a finger guard is a unique safety feature. Still, I've not had my hand slide forward while using a 110. For me the 112 works for cutting cardboard, cutting up an apple, cutting tape, cleaning a bird or fish, skinning a coyote or even a not fat deer. When I use it to cut up a large chicken the short blade is buried in the meat and the cut comes out short. Same if I were skinning a fat hog or a elk that was visiting an alfalfa field. For this work you need more blade and can't hike back home and get one. So, I think about what I'm going to be doing that day and carry the knife that will fit the bill. DM
 
Redhat said:
Based on some of the comments, I think I'm going to try and get my hands on a 112 before I buy to see if the handle fits my hands.
Click to expand...

I have big hands; The 112 feels loose and I'm not in complete control; The 110 fits my hands like a glove and feels like an extension of my hand and that I'm in control.
 
My EDCs are a 110 and an old Case 2159. I have always had a 110 and really like the way it feels in my hand. I find that it works great out at the farm when I'm there.
 
I use both my Buck 110 Folding Hunters and my 112 Rangers for hunting - I like the grip of both, neither has presented a problem, but for me the blade length of the Folding Hunter works best on big game while the Ranger works best for large waterfowl and wild turkey. OH

Ps One thing you might check if using your knife for EDC - is there any certain blade length that is not legal in your home state? Wearing on the hip usually doesn't matter in the southeast but carried in the pocket "concealed" may make a difference.

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Old Hunter said:
I use both my Buck 110 Folding Hunters and my 112 Rangers for hunting - I like the grip of both, neither has presented a problem, but for me the blade length of the Folding Hunter works best on big game while the Ranger works best for large waterfowl and wild turkey. OH

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Nice pics. I won't be using mine for hunting or fishing though...just everyday tasks in an urban / suburban environments. Trips to the country will be few...unfortunately.
 
Redhat said:
Nice pics. I won't be using mine for hunting or fishing though...just everyday tasks in an urban / suburban environments. Trips to the country will be few...unfortunately.
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One thing I think about for suburban/urban use is what I refer to as "social friction".

The 110 produces more social friction and the 112 produces less.

I still carry a 110, not the 112, but I use more discretion in where I deploy the 110.
 
pinnah said:
One thing I think about for suburban/urban use is what I refer to as "social friction".

The 110 produces more social friction and the 112 produces less.

I still carry a 110, not the 112, but I use more discretion in where I deploy the 110.
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I can understand that but I live in Texas
 
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