Every kid dreams of a folding knife to begin their journey of whittling wood, cutting things and even gutting their first squirrel, fish or game they catch. The Buck 110 Knife is a lifetime quality knife that will last generations if taken proper care of.
The Buck 110 Knife is a perfect prepper’s knife for a multiplicity of crises that’s why we have this product listed in our recommended gear section.
There are cheaper alternatives but who wants to buy something that will chip, break and in the end you will have a hard time even keeping sharp!
This will be your first “real” knife that you might enjoy. Knife collecting is an addictive hobby in itself! This buck though will probably turn into your go-to carry knife in everyday life.
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Impressive Quality Makes This Knife Stand Out
The first thing you will notice from the box the knife comes into the case and all the papers scream top quality and that family touch. Though their blades are manufactured on-mass there is a real sense of quality control and an aim for perfection in their presentation and quality of product.
The boasts are evident right on the box: “edge of a legend” / “EST in 1902” / “Forever Warranty”.
You are getting a top-tier product that you should be proud that you bought.
History of the Buck 110 Folding Hunter
From the Buck website: “Buck’s Folding Hunter was created in 1963 when Al Buck decided that a revolutionary locking blade knife was needed by outdoorsmen who wanted a sturdy knife but did not want to carry a long, fixed blade knife.
He was right and the result proved to be the key to the company’s future. The challenge was to combine the strengths of other folding knives with locking mechanisms into a good-looking, reliable product. It wasn’t easy, but after a series of refinements, the Model 110 was unveiled. Within six months, this innovation was the hottest knife in the industry.”
This is arguably the first modern folder knife that set a new standard in the knife industry. Today the name “buck” carries weight in the knife industry as one of the foremost quality knife brands.
The Buck 110 Knife essentially made the brand of “Buck” so when you hold one in your hand you are holding the history and craftsmanship of the company.
The only other knife that has come close to the branding and iconic value of the Buck 110 would be potentially the Swiss army knife (a household name also).
Owning a Buck 110 Knife is not just an economical choice for what you get but it also owns part of the history of one of the most famous knife companies in the world.
The Buck 110 Knife has gone through many revisions to come to a product that will outlast you!
Back in the early days of Buck Knives, Al worked hard with his father, Hoyt Buck, to help develop the company into what it is today. Al Buck (1910 – 1991) revolutionized the knife industry and put Buck on the map with the creation of the 110 Folding Hunter. He also helped instill the core Christian values the company was founded upon and still abides by today.
Another Reason To Buy A Buck Knife, The Forever Warranty!
An interesting backstory that sets Buck Knives apart is it has a Christian founding and carries on with those principles.
From their website: “The fantastic growth of Buck Knives, Inc. was no accident. From the beginning, we determined to make God the Senior Partner. In a crisis, the problem was turned over to Him, and He hasn’t failed to help us with the answer.
Each knife must reflect the integrity of management. If sometimes we fail on our end because we are human, we find it imperative to do our utmost to make it right. If any of you are troubled or perplexed and looking for answers, may we invite you to look to Him, for God loves you.”
Their desire is to be honest with their product and help make any problem right.
The warranty does not cover Normal Wear or modifications made to the knife.
They remind you that knives are not to be used as a chisel, hammer or screwdriver 🙂
You can read more about their warranty here and see the policy and simple steps to send in your knife for a warranty check. The sheaths themselves have a limited 1-year warranty.
The Blade of the Buck 110 Knife
The 110 Folding Knife has a tremendous razor-sharp clip point, 3 3/4″ (9.5 cm), 420HC stainless steel blade.
Fun Fact: Each Buck 110 blade is put through a rigorous heat treatment process and quality performance test.
You can know that the steel of your blade has gone through the test and already passed!
The blade itself is proudly made, and manufactured in the USA with great workmanship that the Buck standard is known for.
The Length of the blade (3 3/4″ (9.5 cm) makes for a great standard-size multi-use knife. The original intent for this knife was “hunting” but really in reality this is an all-around good knife for any use.
420 Steel is remade from older steel and they add more carbon to it. The “HC” stands for High Carbon. The less carbon the softer the steel would be so this knife holds an edge cause of the HC rating. 420HC has an increased carbon content of 0.44-0.60%.
The 420HC steel is one of the most popular steels used by knife manufacturers in the affordable range of knives.
This type of steel includes high strength, no tendency to chip or crack and has very high corrosion resistance to rust.
420HC steel works well on softer surfaces like a chopping board or wood and not “hard” surfaces. It will lose its sharpness during a skinning process (as most knives do). 420HC is easily sharpened.
The Handle of the Buck 110 Knife
The knife features brass bolsters with genuine Crelicam ebony handle scales.
Ebony is a very hard dark hardwood timber usually from a tropical tree. Ebony is one of the densest and hardest woods in the world with a hardness rating of 3220lbf, which is 3 times harder than oak.
Ebony wood is also considered one of the most valuable and expensive woods because it comes from trees that are at least 150 years old.
The specific ebony used in the Buck 110 Knife is “crelicam” which sources ebony from Cameroon, Africa.
Crelicam Ebony is responsibly harvested and traded. They have an extensive replanting effort so it will safeguard the ebony trees in Cameroon.
The Leather Sheath of the Buck 110
When the Buck 110 folds down to a convenient 4 7/8″ (12.4 cm) when closed it comes with a genuine leather sheath so that it can be carried on your belt.
This sheath is manufactured in the USA. The sheath is 100% genuine black leather. The leather itself is important but all the manufacturing and creation of the sheath is done in the USA at Buck facilities.
The leather smells great giving the extra touch of excellence. Having a way to have quick access to your knife is great. This is an adherence to the knife’s original intention as a hunting knife on your waist that you could cut and gut your animal with.
The extra touches on the buttons, the embossed logo of Buck. Even a USA flag and batch manufacturing number make you feel like you are holding a part of the Buck company in your hands with pride.
The sheath when closed protects the knife adequately and it’s easy to open and close. It is that extra step of security also if this is going to be the first knife for your young boy, the sheath gives the extra protection.
Overall Aesthetics of the Buck 110 Knive
What stands out to me immediately is the simplicity of the knife. It is a plain knife and there is no argument with that.
But that is the point it is supposed to be simple, old-fashioned and time-tested.
The blade is shaped in a way that works well for hunting, and skinning purposes, but overall it’s a generic blade that will work for most situations.
There is a good amount of straight edge on the blade before it goes up to the clip point. The clip point is very sharp and pointed which avails itself for piercing and leading a cut.
This enables the knife to be used for cutting, sawing and slicing with the straight edge effectively.
The handle shape is “simple” nothing fancy. You can hold the Buck 110 any way you want there are no finger groves or need to adhere to a pattern.
The balance of the Buck 110 is center heavy, it’s agile and enjoyable to hold and it gives you a good ability to maneuver in detailed cuts.
The Buck 110 does have some weight to it, so when you throw it in your pocket you will know it is there.
Buck 110 Folding Hunter – Closing Thoughts
This Knife is a tremendous first-step Knife for those entering into the Buck collection.
It is a collector’s knife also for those who are knife enthusiasts. If you don’t have a Buck 110, get one now!
Is it a good hunting knife? Yes. There are better options out there potentially for specific hunting functions but overall it could be a perfect knife for beginner hunters looking for a quality, reliable blade in the field.
The value of the knife is excellent considering the craftsmanship, blade quality and ebony handle.
On a prepping level this is a must-get knife for your bug-out bag and to have in your pantry. The quality will last and it will be invaluable to have a knife like this in a crisis situation.
Pick up your Buck 110 Folding Hunter Knife today, you will be glad you did!