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- Jul 29, 2000
- Messages
- 555
Does anyone here know the history behind the 110 folder, when it was introduced etc. It seems extremely rigid for a folder, one of the heaviest ones I've handled.
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Buck 110 Background
- Thread starter Thomas J Ekman
- Start date
A very brief history of the 110.
In the 1960's buck introduced the 110 as a "folding hunter"
as an addition to their fixed blade line of hunting knives.
while buck didn't expect the knife to do well it out sold all
expectations. The knife quickly became a standard for
workman, woodsmen, bikers, some police. Here was a knife
that was extremly rugged and dependable at a working mans
price. The 110 soon became the standard by other knives were
judged. So it is still today. It is said that truly great enginerring
is always transparent to the user.......they use it and like just don't
know why. That's the 110 & 112 is smaller cousin.
If you get a chance read the whoe story about the 110. It's really
very interesting.
In the 1960's buck introduced the 110 as a "folding hunter"
as an addition to their fixed blade line of hunting knives.
while buck didn't expect the knife to do well it out sold all
expectations. The knife quickly became a standard for
workman, woodsmen, bikers, some police. Here was a knife
that was extremly rugged and dependable at a working mans
price. The 110 soon became the standard by other knives were
judged. So it is still today. It is said that truly great enginerring
is always transparent to the user.......they use it and like just don't
know why. That's the 110 & 112 is smaller cousin.
If you get a chance read the whoe story about the 110. It's really
very interesting.
SALTY
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2000
- Messages
- 5,790
With all the clips, one-handers, no-handers, G-10, Ti, this that and the other thing, I still love using my 110. So many of my folders have better features, better materials, better this and better that, but none of them have the memories of my 110 (now a semi-retired keeper) or it's BG-42 nickel bolstered replacement.
- Joined
- Aug 24, 1999
- Messages
- 3,135
I can certainly tell you way more than you want to know about the 110 Folding Hunter. Buck sold a whopping 296 in late 1964, the first year they came out. If you happen to have one of those NIB, It would be worth...Well let's just say that your investment of $16.00 was a good one!
- Joined
- Jan 14, 1999
- Messages
- 951
Rob19,
I suggest the following in no special order:
The Story of Buck Knives by Tom Ables (available from Buck) Note, there are some errors in this otherwise fine book.
complete set of old BCC newsletters (available from Joe Houser)
Levine's Guide to Knives, 5th edition. (Yes, I know Bernie Levine has big-time heartburn with this edition. Nonetheless, for Buck collectors, this edition is a major improvement. I should know, because I helped write some of the corrected sections. There are still a few errors but they are minor.
I suggest the following in no special order:
The Story of Buck Knives by Tom Ables (available from Buck) Note, there are some errors in this otherwise fine book.
complete set of old BCC newsletters (available from Joe Houser)
Levine's Guide to Knives, 5th edition. (Yes, I know Bernie Levine has big-time heartburn with this edition. Nonetheless, for Buck collectors, this edition is a major improvement. I should know, because I helped write some of the corrected sections. There are still a few errors but they are minor.
- Joined
- Aug 24, 1999
- Messages
- 3,135
I echo Larry's recomendations of literature on Buck Knives. Without getting into the whole "Bernard's 5th Edition" issue, it really is the best, and most accurate source for info on Buck knives. I know the guys that contributed to the Buck sections and they all know their stuff.
Hope this helps,
Hope this helps,
- Joined
- Jan 14, 1999
- Messages
- 951
Tom,
The earliest 110s have horizontally marked blades and they only say "BUCK". The first 110 had a steel spacer with an integral spring bar for the lock. These knives had the one line BUCK mark horizontally stamped on the blade. Next, Buck etched the stamp. If you will look at a Levine's Guide (any edition), you can see pictures.
The earliest 110s were thinner and rather rough, actually. The knife won early acceptance, but, to be honest, it needed a lot of refinement to make it a good knife. By 1965 or 1966, the knife was a much better knife and Buck has continually "tweaked" it over the years. Many of us believe that the availability of BG-42 and ATS-34 blades on PCKS offer the most outstanding 110s ever made. On top of that, you can pick from a wide range of inlay materials, optional fingergrooves, nickel silver or brass, handle pins or no, etc.
I use my PCKS stag 110 with BG-42 for dressing rabbits and it is incredible. I can force the blade through the backbone and it still stays sharp, even after dressing several rabbits. The only thing I need to do to keep the knife shaving sharp is make a few light passes with my Lansky diamond stones (medium and fine) and the edge is right back to optimum, even after cleaning several bunnies.
The crazy thing about the 110 is that it somehow became a "loss leader" and sells all over the country at about one-half the price of several other lesser knives.
The earliest 110s have horizontally marked blades and they only say "BUCK". The first 110 had a steel spacer with an integral spring bar for the lock. These knives had the one line BUCK mark horizontally stamped on the blade. Next, Buck etched the stamp. If you will look at a Levine's Guide (any edition), you can see pictures.
The earliest 110s were thinner and rather rough, actually. The knife won early acceptance, but, to be honest, it needed a lot of refinement to make it a good knife. By 1965 or 1966, the knife was a much better knife and Buck has continually "tweaked" it over the years. Many of us believe that the availability of BG-42 and ATS-34 blades on PCKS offer the most outstanding 110s ever made. On top of that, you can pick from a wide range of inlay materials, optional fingergrooves, nickel silver or brass, handle pins or no, etc.
I use my PCKS stag 110 with BG-42 for dressing rabbits and it is incredible. I can force the blade through the backbone and it still stays sharp, even after dressing several rabbits. The only thing I need to do to keep the knife shaving sharp is make a few light passes with my Lansky diamond stones (medium and fine) and the edge is right back to optimum, even after cleaning several bunnies.
The crazy thing about the 110 is that it somehow became a "loss leader" and sells all over the country at about one-half the price of several other lesser knives.