Pros: Handle Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness
Cons: Weight
A classic knife, and a wonderful value
The Buck 110— I wanted to own a classic, and this was an outstanding value, particularly on sale. For $40.00 I received a well-made knife (USA manufactured), a decent leather sheath, and a lifetime warranty. As it arrived in the box, the action was relatively gritty and it took some oiling and cleaning to remove all the internal manufacturing residue. But after spending several hours working the action, it smoothed up considerably, and I believe it will wear in even more. At over seven ounces, the knife is heavy. One can expect this, considering the large amount of brass used in its construction. Although this is a matter of personal preference, for me the brass adds tremendous visual appeal. Some will enjoy the heft of the piece. Others will find it ponderous, particularly if placed directly in the pocket. The knife is definitely is more comfortable to carry in the sheath, attached to one’s belt. After working in the action, it now opens smoothly and locks up as tightly as a bank vault. While others have devised ways to open it one-handed, I feel safer using both hands. The lock spring is stout. The blade is well-centered. However, the surface finish was slightly uneven, with dull areas close to the pivot point on both sides. And the top of the blade towards the front was acute enough to require some polishing and breaking of an unduly sharp edge with a flat soft Arkansas honing stone. But the actual grind and edge bevel (the stuff that really matters) were well-executed. The cutting edge of the knife was shaving sharp. Considering the forty dollar cost, these are minor cosmetic flaws only. The marketplace is full of comments about the 420HC blade stock. This particular stainless steel has a reputation for needing frequent re-sharpening. However, Buck claims that their heat treating process brings out the best in this steel, and many Buck owners agree that re-sharpening is not a problem, or a frequent need. I haven’t used this knife enough yet to offer an opinion. The Buck 110 has been manufactured continuously since 1963. It has a long history of proud owners with wonderful memories of putting their knives to heavy and diverse use. I am pleased to count myself among the owners of this classic icon.