A few years ago one of my best friends growing up passed. a few days ago his sister sent me his Buck 110 as a keep sake.
I own many knives but never a Buck knife. I remember back to the 60's-70's period when everybody had a Buck knife, I never bought one always going for something different ( I went to buy a Buck 110 and ended up getting a Al Mar Buzzard folder instead).
I was a amazed at how nice the Buck is and how I avoided not owning one for so many years.
The knife she sent me looks to be unused as does the sheath. It has a marking on the side that says "Collins Pine Company" the other side says "150 years-2005" so I assume it was made around 2005.
My question, Are the current Buck 110 knives made as good as this model is?

It’s still made in Idaho. Originally 440C now it’s made of 420HC. certain 110’s used other steels. I doubt the quality has changed much over the years. It’s probably one of the best selling knives of all time. I’ve never owned one as I have my father’s Schrade copy of the 110. I can’t remember what they call it but I love that knife. Your Buck should give you and anyone you leave it to a lifetime of service.

quote:

Originally posted by 400m:
It’s still NOW made in Idaho. Originally 440C now it’s made of 420HC. certain 110’s used other steels. I doubt the quality has changed much over the years. It’s probably one of the best selling knives of all time. I’ve never owned one as I have my father’s Schrade copy of the 110. I can’t remember what they call it but I love that knife. Your Buck should give you and anyone you leave it to a lifetime of service.

Fixed it for you.

Buck Knives was originally located in El Cajon, CA (down the way from where i was raised).

The city, county, state, and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) pissed it away by not giving Buck Knives a break on electricity costs and taxes.

As a Boy Scout, we did a fctory tour and were able to see knives made which in turn, were ectched and we bought.

I examined a new 110 a few weeks ago and it's still the same quality.

Hands down, there just isn't another lock blade of that quality.
Especially it being a 60+ year old design.

They have been improved and changed a little through the years.
But all iterations are mede to last centuries.

I collect vintage Bucks.

I don't see any designation as to what steel is used for the blade, is there a way to tell?

The build quality of this knife puts most of my other folders to shame.

Any thoughts on converting it to an auto?
Would that modification sacrifice the quality?
I'm inclined to leave it alone.

I have a 110 auto. It's pretty cool!

Any suggestions on a good converter?

Like millions of others, I can vouch for their quality. I'd say they were the AK-47 of knives, but that insults their elegance - perhaps too easily dismissed by some.

When an American is asked to picture a folding knife, chances are an image of a Buck 110 is what comes up first.

Close to 20 years ago there was a guy that converted a 110 I had into an auto. Since the Buck was also from the Harley-Davidson dealer's store and had H-D logos on the blade and scales by B-I-L talked me into selling it to him. When the 110 autos came out I was quick to get one.

(watch is a photo prop, the Buck is real)

quote:

Originally posted by armored:
I don't see any designation as to what steel is used for the blade, is there a way to tell?

The build quality of this knife puts most of my other folders to shame.

Any thoughts on converting it to an auto?
Would that modification sacrifice the quality?
I'm inclined to leave it alone.

There are date codes (various symbols) on the blades of Buck Knives for the last 40 years or so, might help determine its age, the chart is available on line. Buck also started making the 110 in an auto version several years ago, probably cheaper to buy a new one and keep the gift in tact.

My 110's which could use a little brasso. The one in the back was previously my Dad's, date code says 1988. In the front is mine from 1996 with a custom engraving from the Royal Rangers, our church's boy's ministry, a Faith-based Boy Scouts.

The first piece of hunting gear I ever purchased was a Buck 110. That was nearly 50 years ago.
I do have a collection of Buck knives, so the other day when my son & grandson were at the house for running his deer through the meat grinder, I asked my son if he would like my first Buck 110.
He said yes, and now my Buck knife collection is one knife smaller.

My son is new to deer hunting and had bought something recently, a Kershaw sheath knife of some sort, but the folded Buck 110 just drops in a hunting coat pocket easily.
Due to the brass discoloring (green) from storing the Buck 110 in the tanned leather sheath, I recommended he purchase the nylon fabric style.
The original leather sheath had reached the end of service life.
I bought a new black leather sheath from the Buck website to replace the unit that was worn out.

Funny timing of this thread. I mentioned to my son over the summer that I missed carrying my 110. Had some string wrapped around a mower spindle and that knife was always perfect for digging it out. Birthday present showed up in the mail a few days ago.



Thing is…I never said I needed another one …



Bought the 1985 to replace the lost 1980 and, of course, found it shortly afterwards. 1980 is about as new. I've got a mid-70's laying around somewhere but got tired of looking for it.

As far as build quality, when buying, if you pay attention that the blade is centered, they are just as good, or better, now than they were 60 years ago. Every now and then, the guy on the grinder would slope the spine to one side or the other and the blade would kick to one side. (probably on hangover Mondays).
One immediately noticeable difference over the years, is that the square, outside edges on the bolsters and scales are increasingly rounded. They could be pretty sharp back in the 60’s and 70’s.

As far as steel goes, current standard is 420HC @ 58+/- HRC. Anything else is special run or a custom order and is typically marked on the blade. I’ve seen S30V, S35V, S45V, CPM 154 & Magna Cut. There are probably others. They really are great knives.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pace40,

quote:

Originally posted by pace40:
I've got a mid-70's laying around somewhere but got tired of looking for it.

Ha…found it in the back of a junk drawer while looking for thumb tacks to hang some Christmas decorations.

A 110 may be ordered with a Magna-Cut blade these days.

https://www.buckknives.com/cus...olding-hunter-knife/