Anyone got a Buck EcoLite series knife?

Smaug

Smaug

Joined
Jun 30, 2003
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I was just looking at Buck 110s and 112s and I noticed they make them with paperstone handles now. It says this cuts out 50% of the weight of the 110. Some folks like that weight, others avoid the 110 and 112 mostly because of the weight.

I was in a cooking store a while ago, and a lady tried to sell me a paperstone cutting board, citing their durability, dishwasher readiness, etc. It is an impressive material. Kind of like a dense plastic, but made from compressed, recycled paper.

I wonder if anyone here has one of the EcoLite knives, and how you feel about the paperstone design.
 
You might get more feedback on this in the Buck forum.

I don't own one but have handled several of the Ecolites. They're really impressively light and handsome knives in person. It's only a matter of time before I own one and dearly hope that Buck gives the paperstone treatment to more of their knives.

I'm just regurgitating what I've been reading on the Buck forum in saying this, but my sense is that paperstone is something like a more eco-friendly alternative to micarta. People report it can be worked with power tools and sanded and that it holds up to hard use. I saw one report by a guy how uses it for countertops (it's original use) and claims that colors can run and fade and that it needs to be sealed with carnoba wax occasionally.

I have both plastic handled Bucks (very tough, very light, very ugly) and wood/brass handled knives (very tough, very heavy, wonderful looking). I would put Ecolites in between. A bit heavier than the plastic handled knives but much, much, much nicer looking.

An Ecolite 112 is on my "to buy" list and if Buck would make a drop point 110 or 112 with the Ecolite handle, I'd push my mother in front of a bus in my rush to get one.
 
I checked one out and I almost bought it.
It's really nice and light weight, I liked the fact that it wasn't exactly an unnatural scale material either. The color was nice on it too, I think if you wanted a 110/112 sized knife, but are worried about weight, thats the way to go. :thumbup:
 
Well, I own a wooden handled 110. The EcoLite look a little bit strange on the pics I´ve seen in several online shops. This stopped my will buying anything of this series. Maybe some of you guys have nice pics that could change my mind.

Kind regards
Andi
 
I had one which I bought unseen over the net. When it arrived I was sorely disappointed. It fit so poorly I could not open it one handed. I think the handle was warped and putting pressure on the joint in some way. I gifted it to my plumber.
 
Black Mamba, why didn't you just return the knife directly to Buck? They're awfully good about dealing with such things.

Hummpa, I think to understand the appeal of the Ecolites, you need to compare them to the Buck Lites and the original 110/112s. They're different animals and I think their "looks" depend on that.

Here is a picture (not mine) posted in the Buck forum of some Buck 110s in some variations. Pretty knives. Very tough. Quite heavy.
PICT0239copy.jpg


The can weight be a problem for some people. So, for many years, Buck has been making various forms of the Buck Lites, with plastic nylon handles. Here is a picture (not mine) posted in the Buck forum of some older Buck Lites.
P4200252.jpg


And here is a picture of my run of Bucks, including a 482 Bucklite Max at the bottom.


Buck Folders by Pinnah, on Flickr

Now, the Bucklites are really cool and super functional knives and due to their light weight, they can go places and do things where ounces matter and you still want a tough knife. They have a bit of a following and deservedly so. They have a certain charm, but you would be hard pressed to call them "pretty" knives, at least compared to traditional Bucks.

Now, here is a picture (not mine) again from the Buck forum from of the Ecolites in Red.
003-3.jpg


I've hanlded the 112 Ecolite many times and the ones I've looked have been really wonderful (to my taste). They are almost as light as the plastic handled Bucklites but look much, much better. Do they look as nice as a "real" Buck 112 or a 500? No, not even close. But they're a lot nicer looking and feeling that the Bucklites.

It's worth reiterating, that I don't think Bucks should be purchased because of their looks. They're working knives first and foremost. So, take my comments about liking the looks of the Ecolites in that context.
 
I might pick up a green paperstone 110 & 112.I prefer the green over the red.They would go well with all my other wood and brass Bucks,and definately alot lighter.There are times when you just want to go a little lighter.
 
I have the 110 version and like it a lot. Handle fits my hand well and at times the lighter weight is a real plus for me.
 
I've got a Buck Odyssey and really like the paperstone scales. NO complaints.

Good traction and I think they look nice.
 
Thanks for your thoughts, fellas. I just pulled the trigger on a green paperstone Buck 112.
 
Pictures and a report when you get it!!

I sort of think of that knife as Buck's answer to the Sodbuster, only with a different blade profile and a lock.
 
I've been wondering what this material will look like when pocket carried for years. Will it have a Flat Red/Green look?
 
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