Buck Knives - a "thumbs up" for the company itself.

[.308 Norma]

A week or 10 days ago, someone posted a question about Buck 112 "automatics." I researched them on the internet and thought I'd like to have one.
Well, it just so happened that I was going into town that day, so I stopped by Sportsman's Warehouse to see if they had any in stock that I could look at. They had 4, and not a darned one of them worked exactly right - they were slow opening, and 1 of the 4 didn't even open far enough to "lock."
So, when I got home, I emailed Buck Knives and asked them what was going on. A couple of days later I received the following response:

"Hello,


Thank you for your email. We are currently working on our auto knives. They are not available on our website. We are aware of the issue and we are working on improving them. If you have a chance, check to see if one of your local dealers have a 898 impact. This might be a good auto option for you.


Thank you


BKI"

At least Buck Knives was good enough to respond (and quite promptly), and they admitted that their automatic knives have some problems. They didn't try to wax anything over either. For those reasons, I'll still be looking to buy one of their 112 autos if they get them working right.
As Buck Knives suggested in their email though, I looked at their 898 impacts on their website - they look okay, but I won't be buying one. Their just not my "cup of tea" so to speak.
Note: I didn't say I "hate" the 898 impact, anyone.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

I hate the new “crelicam” ebony they are using.

It looks muddled dark grey to black in person. The original brown figured ebony scales and even later laminated brown ebony look tremendously better.

 

[JFrame]

This post makes me think of when the NRA "gift knives" were made by Buck... Man, those were the days...

Might need to get another Buck for old times sake...

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Incredibly honest, no BS response. So refreshing......

Big ups to Buck, been my favorite knives and go-to EDC for years.

Keep up the good work, guys!

 

[JeeperCreeper]

One thing that I like about Buck is their steel on medium budget knives

Normally when you see 420 stainless, or any of the 400 series stainless, it's Uber bargain junk quality... Walmart flea market quality.

But Buck's 420HC steel is soooo nice at the price point .

Granted, I have broken one, but I was using it as a screw driver and pry bar

 

[Bazoo]

I carry a buck 110 or a 192 daily. Normally I carry a case pocket knife too. But I'm never without my buck. Solid dependable knives from a solid dependable company.

I've sent a couple back, including a buck 426. It's a plastic handle 110 copy from the 80s. It had obviously been abused with a broken and ground on blade. They replaced the blade with a 110 blade and returned it free of charge. It is one of my favorite knives. It's very light weight and a joy to carry as backup in my pack when hunting. I'd like to have a clip put on it.

 

[Jim Watson]

This post makes me think of when the NRA "gift knives" were made by Buck.

Lost mine and miss it. Light and handy, unlike so many "feature" laden "tactical" knives.

 

[wbm]

Still have my 112 Buck Ranger I got 47 years ago. Bought my son-in-law one this fall. Both work beautifully!

 

[Buzznrose]

I love the Buck knives I own, but I have to admit I’m disappointed that they let products ship that they knew had issues. Does not seem like the company I thought they were….

 

[rust collector]

I have one of the early burgundy synthetic handled 112s. What has always fascinated me about it is that the blade and the back lock bar are machined so precisely it is difficult to see where the two meet.

 

[Seedy Character]

Can't speak to their auto knives BUT, I had 7 Bucks of various models that I had broken blades in. But them all in one box and returned to Buck, with only and address label inside.

A couple weeks later, a box arrives. Every knife replaced with a new knife of the same model. No questions asked.

Buck CS is Da Bomb

 

[Reinz]

I don’t know about the 112 autos, but my 110 auto is awesome. I’ve had it about 5 years, it still operates well.

It feels so different than any other auto I own. The blade comes out fast and smooth as can be without that loud “thwack!” . It gently comes to stop without trying to leap out of the hand. That’s why I bought it, it is so unique.

 

[Armored farmer]

I have the wants for a 109(?) Skinner.
I like the looks of them.

 

[Mr. Hill]

I agree, I think that skinner would be great for hunting, and maybe as a camp kitchen knife.

Edited: and given my hunting success rate, I hope that it’s a good food slicer.

 

[Fishingted]

A Pair of Bucks I own. 119 and a 110. Bout all You really need!! Not really into autoes. But I tried a Buck a while back and it seemed to work Fine.

 

[swoter]

Just ordered a 112 Ranger 50th anniversary from Smokey Mountain.

 

[Fishingted]

Just ordered a 112 Ranger 50th anniversary from Smokey Mountain.
View attachment 1056897

Just got their Catalog myself. Some Cool stuff for sure.

 

[W.E.G.]

I'd kind of like to have a Buck automatic.
For some reason, I thought an automatic would really be the thing. But no. I never feel like I have the grip I want when I'm feeling-around for the button.

Of late, I've made it my quest to decide on what knife is best for me for EDC

I've settled on the Buck 110 lightweight model.
I'll admit nostalgia has some element of appeal for me personally. I carried the heavy 110 a lot back in the 70's and 80's.

I can open the lightweight 110 it just as fast with one hand as I can open any automatic (OK, "just as fast" to within a fraction of a second).
I've carried this knfe a lot. Its plenty sturdy and plenty sharp.

Comes with one pocket clip, and dual thumb-studs.
Buck will sell you extra pocket clips if you ask them for it. They answer their telephone and are real polite and accomodating.

Only modification I made to the lightweight was adding a second pocket clip.
This allows me to carry it on either side, and with the blade oriented the same, relative to my pocket, no matter which side pocket I carry.
I don't have to stop and think before moving my hand in position to open it.
Its large enough that there is plenty of real estate to hold onto, so I don't drop it so easily.
The pair of pocket clips act as sort of a "pommel" to aid in not being a klutz and dropping it.
Feels exactly the same in either hand, because the clip, and the thumb-stud are identical on either side.
Its lightweight, so all the benefits of a lightweight knife.
Its inexpensive, so if I lose it.

I think we're good.

 

[stevek]

BIG fan of Buck knives here. My 112 Auto Elite works as it should. My two favorite models are the 112, and Vantage. I have previously collected Chris Reeve, Hinderer, and many others. Currently Buck has my interest. Here is a pic of most of my 112's...

 

[hso]

There are similar tales of wobble or drag opening in the Elites, but being a pinned construction makes tuning them in manufacture challenging.

Mine is perfect, but a drop of pivot lube was needed to speed the opening. I'd rather it be a little too tight where a tiny drop of lube will keep it snappy than have it a little too loose.

 

[md7]

I’ve got a 110, and used it as a skinner for a while. Big respect to Buck, and I think highly of their company.

The classic 110 started my path away from the modern, pocket clip, garden variety locking knives and toward the old school. Landed at a carbon steel Case Trapper ultimately.

Nothing wrong with modern, quick open knives at all. But I’ll always gravitate to Case and Buck. Great, American made and classic knives.