My New Buck 110

[sergemaster]

Amici,
Most of the Buck locking folders that I have and use are FG models, (finger grooved) so when I saw listed on eBay a brand new 110 with standard grip for $29.00 including shipping I decided to jump on it.

Well it arrived today, and after a little TLC consisting of some Flitz, a few pumps of Rem Oil, and inserting a strand of natural Jute twine the length of the blade well oiled into the handle to protect the edge, this 110 is ready for the field..

Even the sheath wasn't that bad to my surprise, although you can definitely see and feel the difference between the new sheaths that are outsourced overseas (Mexico)compared to those originally made here in the USA by Buck..

One small bummer was that I was hoping that this 110 had a blade heat treated by Bose, but that wasn't the case so this is probably from old stock, but hey it's still a Buck..

It may be big, a little on the heavy side, and sure it needs a little PMCS every once in a while to keep it bright and shiny, but regardless, the 110 gets the job done.

Too those who are hypnotized by the phrase "tactical" then the 110 isn't for you. But if you're the type that likes the feel of a blade that's easily sharpened and a little on the hefty side, then you may want to consider having a Buck on your belt..

Cheers,
Serge

[jets1230]

Buck 110 is the most copied knife there ever was and probaly ever will be! That's got to speak for something! Great if not the best folder out there in a world of tactical knifes ( hate tactical in anything) it stands it ground!

[Sean]

looks good Serge!    Have fun using it. My older one's are 440c, I have one with the 425 steel and one
with the Bose treatment but I think he only does the special runs and on their premium steels?  Anyhow,
nothing wrong with the 420hc standby units.

[BIG-TARGET]

Elementary and old fashioned.  BUT THEY WORK!!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I need to pick one up sometime

[Freudian Frog]

I just recently bought one... and now I can't find it!

[sergemaster]

Amici,
I just ordered another Buck 110 but with Ashwood handles  and nickel solver bolsters instead of the standard brass, which should cut down on the verdigris, dent and ding issues most dislike about the Brass bolsters on the standard 110.. Will post pics once it arrives..

Cheers,
Serge

[sawman]

Everyone complains about the brass bolsters yet nobody seems to mention the Buck 186 or 560 which had the same blade as the 110 and same handle profile except the slabs were TITANIUM.  I've had one for about 20 years and have never applied flitz to it.  It's razor sharp and could split the hair on a flies leg.  The market for that knife didn't die - the quality control killed it.  About 7 years ago I ordered 20 of them from Buck and they were garbage.  There was blade play, some of the rivets had not been stamped and I wound up returning them for a refund.  I haven't had much to do with Buck Knives since.   

[sergemaster]

Amici,
Funny thing about dents and dings on the brass, this is another 110 straight out of the box that came with a little ding. this one is locatded on one of the bolsters towards the top on the back of the spring of the spring that I'm suprised made it through QC..

I really could never understand why Buck never "modernized" the materiels of the design with better tougher ones and ditch the brass to a harder substance.

I remember the Buck 186 Titanium although sadly I never picked one up since I wasn't down with the handles since it reminded me of a stripped 110 with just the liners for company.

I believe they've been discontinued for quite some time and command some serious $$ on the auction and cutlery sites which carry them..

Recently I was watching a documentary in which one of the participants broke out what looked like a Buck 186 titanium but this one had what looked like a wrench on a split ring attached to the rear of the knife.. 

After further investigation it seems that the 186 was able to be disassembled by the owner for cleaning? If so the 186 was a little ahead of its time..

Cheers,
Serge

[parnass]

....when I saw listed on eBay a brand new 110 with standard grip for $29.00 including shipping I decided to jump on it. ...

When was your Buck 110 manufactured? 

I bought my 110 new almost 20 years ago.  It came with a black leather belt holster and the knife was made in 1990.

[Sean]

I have some different dates but a few from the late '60's

[Sea Monster]

I seem to be getting mixed opinions here.

Are these worth getting? (I wanted to get one with my Fathers Day voucher, but the store didn't stock them)

[jekostas]

I seem to be getting mixed opinions here.

Are these worth getting? (I wanted to get one with my Fathers Day voucher, but the store didn't stock them)

If you want a large, heavy folding knife to thrash on the Buck 110 is a classic and actually a relatively inexpensive entry in that category.  Buck's quality control can be a bit hit or miss with some products, but their warranty and customer service is top notch - send it in, they will fix it and they also generally will send out coupons as "sorry we screwed up" gifts when they send your knife back.

The Buck 110 is a very good knife if that's what you're looking for.

[sergemaster]

Thanks for the chart Parnass, that will come in very handy!! As for the Buck 110s that I have handy, my 110 FG was made in 1996, and my two new editions of a 112FG was made in 2009 and my 110 standard was made in 2010..

Sea Monster, you REALLY can't go wrong with a Buck, unless you're into the whole tactical scene, that seeems to be all the rage as of late. A Buck will give you years of service and better yet, be not looked at as a killing knife like most tactical folders are designed to look and also perform nowadays..

This means you can freely walk around with a 110 on your belt without being the recipient of "what's up with that" looks from ignorant sheeple and better yet, Mr. John Law..

Plus you can alwyas upgrade it with a custom leather sheath that the majority of leatherworkers now offer in various styles and materials..

Cheers,
Serge

[jets1230]

Lol! Never got into the tactical folder hype u see nowadays myself! If I go self defense its a handgun of decent size and a knife is carried as a tool ! Dad always told me, never carry a knife to a gunfight! Even in a country or state where handguns are outlawed the criminal will always obtain or have a handgun! Knife useless in this sense! Buck 110 makes a fine working knife or tool as I call it!

[sawman]

Like I said they need to bring back the titanium scales 

[2xTap]

Nice one sergemaster. An all time classic folder, you can't go wrong with a 110. I own a couple myself, and just ordered a new one as well. A short run SFO piece.......



Can't wait for it to arrive so I can......

2xTap

[Benner]

 

[Sean]

That looks great 2xtap!

[sergemaster]

Amici,
As I earlier promised, here are all my Buck 110/112 in various styles and materials for your review.. I also included a pic of my personal non-Buck favorite of the same pattern, the Schrade LB7 in all its post buffed and Brasso'd glory..

Although Schrade sadly closed its doors for good in 2004, its designs were purchased by Taylor Cutlery and are now again being made in of course.. China, to mixed results..

In its heyday, the LB7 as well as the Puma Game Warden could give any Buck 110 a serious run for its money, but each design although similiar to Bucks, had each of its own strengths and weaknesses..

Regardless, any of these locking blade general purpose knives are truly an American sportsmans classic plus a real pleasure to own as well as to use. 

Cheers,
Serge

 

[Sparky415]

Lots of nice knives in this thread 

[Sean]

Very nice collection of 110's there Serge.  There must be some different years there yes?  Which is your
oldest?

[sergemaster]

Hey Sean,
By checking the symbols on the tangs, I would say that the oldest that I have at the moment is a 112 Ranger that was born in 1994 followed by a 110 FG which also born in 1996..

I actually just finished giving the 112 a little PMCS which consisted of sanding and buffing out some dings on one of the bolsters that occured at the factory. and now I'm working on giving it a new edge.

The 112 is sometimes overlooked because of its small stature, but it definitely can get the job done. Also it's not too bad in the weight department for those who hate the heft of any Buck.. I've run across allot of other hikers that usually pack some sort of SAK or you guessed it, a Buck 112.

If only Buck had the vision to borrow a trick from Puma and drill a lanyard hole, that would be great!

Cheers,
Serge  

[Sean]

Serge,

Very good on all.    I've but "one" 112 and it's a bucklite.  Very good pocket able knife.  With fall and winter
setting in shortly I'll be carrying around more sheath oriented tools and knives and I'll be sure to start sporting
around my collection of 110's in there as well. 

[Smitty44]

My new buck is about 38yrs old now.

[Sean]

that's an old one Smitty.  Nice btw.