The New Slim Heritage Elite is the Buck Knife You've Always Wanted

A lot of us love a classic Buck knife, but we don’t enjoy carrying one. The reason is simple: the traditional 110 and 112 were built for a different time when belt pouches, extra thickness, and extra weight were the norm. For 2026, we’re finally getting the classic Buck knife for the modern age.

If you’ve ever said, “I love a Buck 110, I just can’t carry it,” this year’s batch of new releases is aimed right at that problem.

110 and 112 Slim Heritage Elite: classic look, pocket carry

The 110 Folding Hunter is the Buck knife for a lot of people, partly because it has been around for decades (67 years, to be precise). It’s a lockback icon, with that familiar brass-and-wood look that’s impossible to mistake for anything else.

The big drawback with the Buck knife has always been actually carrying it. The original 110 and 112 are thicker, heavier, and designed around belt carry. If you don’t wear a belt, or you just don’t want a big lockback loose in a pocket, the old setup can be a deal-breaker.

That’s what the Slim Heritage Elite line fixes.

Why the Slim Heritage Elite feels like a real 110 (not just a “new knife”)

The idea is simple: take the 110 pattern and thin it way down, while keeping the blade, the handle construction, and the layout people expect from a Buck lockback. The result is a knife that still looks and feels like the classic, but carries like something we’d actually drop in a pocket every day.

A big part of the appeal is that Buck didn’t try to “modernize” the look into something unrecognizable. We still get the stuff many of us associate with the brand, but at nearly half the thickness of a classic 110, the Slim Heritage Elite is both easier to fit in the pocket and significantly lighter. The blade retains its classic clip point profile and hollow grind, but we get MagnaCut super steel with a BOS heat treat for peak performance. The handle keeps the heritage look with brass or nickel silver bolsters and Taylor ebony wood inlays, but instead of a bulky belt sheath it comes ready for real pocket carry thanks to a factory deep-carry clip. And of course, it is still made in the USA.

Rather than opt for thumb studs, Buck kept the nail notch opening on these, which helps keep the profile sleek and retains the original look of the classic versions. We think this was definitely the right move in this case, especially because if you still want one-hand opening you can always add on a Kwik Stud opener. They’ve been a long-running accessory choice for classic Bucks, and they still work.

110 vs. 112 Slim Heritage Elite: which size makes more sense?

Both sizes are getting the Slim Heritage Elite treatment.

The 110 is the full-size classic. It’s great when you want more reach or just prefer a longer blade and larger handle. The 112 (aka the Ranger, pictured above) hits a sweet spot for a lot of hands, and its 3-inch blade is plenty for daily use today.

A fun bit of Buck history behind the slim idea

One of the cooler stories here is that thinning down a 110 isn’t a brand-new concept. Back when Buck was in San Diego (around 40 years ago), an extra-thin Buck 110 was a sort of “secret menu” item. If you knew someone working the manufacturing line, you could get it done, and it became a popular option for bikers who appreciated the diminished bulk for long rides carrying on the hip.

Now it’s official, factory-built, and paired with modern carry features!

When will the Buck Slim Heritage Elite be available?

All the knives pictured here are prototypes, so Buck is still ramping up full production. We expect the first of these to start landing in Spring 2026. The best way to secure your spot in line for one is to place a pre-order for $0 down on the Buck Knives new releases page at KnifeCenter, where you’ll also see the full specs and variants coming soon.

The importance of customer feedback

For 2026, the story is balance: keeping what makes a Buck knife feel like a Buck knife, while fixing the carry and user-experience issues that stopped a lot of us from actually pocketing one. The 110 and 112 Slim Heritage Elite models standout for that reason, as they keep the classic look but finally carry like a modern folder. If these changes feel like something customers have been asking for for years, you’re right: Buck made a point of saying they’re listening to customer feedback more closely than ever. We’re looking forward to where this new direction is headed!