Custom Buck 110 — Brass vs Nickel Durability?

Enzo’s Woodshop

Enzo’s Woodshop

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Oct 4, 2015
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I bought a Buck 110 when I was 16 years old, but sold it as I only ever seemed to carry and use my Buck 119.

Now, I miss having one and have been looking at the custom shop option on Buck’s official website.

I noticed that the metal used in the handle can be either brass or nickel. I prefer the look of nickel, but my main concern is long-term durability. If brass is more durable, I’d 100% rather choose that.

So, is anyone here able to definitively say which material option is more durable? And by durable, I mean resistant to deforming / bending / breaking. I’d rather have whichever material is better able to avoid functional / structural problems.

Thanks!
 
I don't know whether nickel is more durable than brass. Nickel is an essential component of stainless steel so it is pretty durable. and of course Nickels (5 cent pieces) used to be made of real nickel. Brass seems to last forever, but I suspect the brass used in Buck 110's (and maybe other buck knives) is closer to being naval bronze (sometimes called Naval Brass). Naval Bronze is a combo of copper, zinc, tin and lead. Brass is just copper and zinc. But other metals are added to make it more durable. Buck 110's were (and still are) used by sailors. Ordinary brass doesn't survive very long in a marine environment, especially a salty marine environment. However, these knives seem to last forever. I have had a buck 110 with brass since 1967. They get a little green after a while if you don't polish them but brasso fixes that. BTW I have never broken or bent a Buck knife. Of course I didn't deliberately try to, or use them as pry bar or screw driver. There are tools for that.
 
I've never heard of any problems related to the bolsters or frame of any 110 or 112. Even abused lol! I DID see a 112 years ago that had been used as a hammer that marked up the rear bolster but it didn't affect it functioning. So rest assured your new 110 will last you for your lifetime and probably your grandchildren's too. A more important choice is the blade. Bucks regular 420 is incredibly durable but if sharpening is not a challenge try a S30V drop point. On a blade the tip of a drop point is stronger than a clip and if you are looking for a lifetime Buck it's a great choice. A Nickel silver frame DP in S30V with Buffalo horn or black micarta is a beautiful knife..
 
You can be assured that both brass and nickel are durable for bolsters or frames. As far as looks goes I think it depends on the handle covers and color. Sometimes brass looks better on one and nickel looks better on another. So your personal preference will be your best way to go. I have both 😆
 
Personally, I would go with Nickel but I'll defend the durability of Brass because it's the only photographic example that I have.

I picked up this battered 110 at a flea market. I can only assume that the previous owner used it to pound drywall nails. It had some minor blade play but the handles and frame were still solid.
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In the unlikely event that your knife gets beat up as much as this one, you can send it to the Spa. Mine came back looking like this. Same knife.
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Buck has your back. Buy the one you like best with complete confidence.
 
Even the plane jane 110 is constructed with premium materials.

Solid Brass Imported Ebony, the blade is very rust resistant, holds an edge and is easy to sharpen. Really not much to improve on.

If you order from the custom shop. Make sure you know for certain what handle you are getting. Some of the wood options are colored birch laminate. Which is also a premium handle material, but you should know what you are getting.

As to the original question, nickel silver aka German silver is basically the same as brass durability wise. Both look great shiny, both will tarnish. I think the Brass looks better tarnished
 
It's simply an aesthetic choice - which do you think looks best with the chosen scales ?

As has been pointed out, brass reeks....and some peoples' sweat/oils can really cause verdigris with it, but that's only a problem with light scaled knives. I like that many Buck 300 Traditional knives are all steel, but for those who like brass it's available too, an ideal world for once!
 
Technically, the term white brass refers to Copper Zinc alloys where the zinc content is greater than the copper content. It is soft and weak and has no place in knife making. Yes, I know y'all were refering only to the brightness/color but I can't help myself.

Back to the OP's question. Nickel Silver can be thought of as a subset of brass. Lets say typical brass is 60% copper and 40% zinc. in NS the zinc is cut 50/50 with nickel giving 60% copper, 20% zinc, and 20% nickel. The addition of the nickel increases strength, hardness, brightens the color, and makes is more resistant to tarnishing. so..... IMO.... the answer to the OP's question is that Nickel (Silver) is more durable than brass. (but not by leaps and bounds)

edit... I mixed the words tin and zinc in the second paragraph and no one called me on it
 
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Will Power said:
I like that many Buck 300 Traditional knives are all steel, but for those who like brass it's available too, an ideal world for once!
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The 300 series knives were always nickel silver (with a recent brass offering). Never had (Stainless) Steel bolsters.
Did you mean the 500 series? The early ones were stainless (bolsters) changing to Nickel Silver in the 90's with only the 500 Duke continuing to the present in Stainless.
 
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DeSotoSky said:
Technically, the term white brass refers to Copper Zinc alloys where the zinc content is greater than the copper content. It is soft and weak and has no place in knife making. Yes, I know y'all were refering only to the brightness/color but I can't help myself.

Back to the OP's question. Nickel Silver can be thought of as a subset of brass. Lets say typical brass is 60% copper and 40% tin. in NS the zinc is cut 50/50 with nickel giving 60% copper, 20% tin, and 20% nickel. The addition of the nickel iincreases strength, hardness, brightens the color, and makes is more resistant to tarnishing. so..... IMO.... the answer to the OP's question is that Nickel (Silver) is more durable than brass. (but not by leaps and bounds)
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I appreciate the detailed explanation and info!
 
In my experience I haven’t had any nickel silver tarnish even a little. It’s more arrid in my region and even brass isn’t to bad. Brass will commonly attain a patina and in some moist environments will attain a green vertigris corrosion more easily but it’s easy enough to clean off and mostly just a sightful annoyance. I use some clp to clean and it gives a level of protection against the vertigris and haven’t had much since using this method. As far as strength I can’t tell much difference.
 
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