The 110 is indeed an iconic piece. At least where I am from it started the knife in a sheath on the beltloop carry phase. Before the 110 it was only fixed blades in a beltloop sheath.

 

From what I know from back when I was selling sporting goods ,Schrade introduced their lock back first quite a while before both PUMA and Buck. PUMA made a deal with Guttman Cutlery to import and distribute their knives in 1958 and PUMA developed new knives including the iconic White Hunter. Buck 110 came out in 1963. I worked in sporting goods and we sold PUMA knives. I remember around '64 or '65 everyone was wanting a Buck 110, so I bought one and had it until the blade broke. It had a flaw halfway through the steel and Buck replaced it free. I also had both versions of the Puma Game Warden, single Clip point blade and the double bladed Clip point and Saw Blade. Models 970 and 971 respectively. I usually used the single blade Puma, because Buck blades were so hard it made sharpening a chore. It held and edge longer than the PUMA, though. As PUMA's became collectable I stopped using it, startd using the Buck and began collecting vintage PUMA's 30 years ago. They are far too expensive these days for my meager income. I still use my Buck 110 to field dress my deer.

 

Folders in a sheath are so easy to carry comfortably, at least for me, compared to fixed-blade knives. I own very few fixed-blade sheath knives, maybe two or three, but I never seem to carry them.

 

The 110 is an iconic knife indeed. A few years ago, I bought one of the automatic versions--yow, that blade comes out in an eyeblink. No safety lock on it, though, so definitely not for pocket carry!

 

Through high school and junior college I worked at a gas station, did summer city road crew (they added some HS kids in the summer), some summer janitor's work at a grade school, did some landscaping for a homebuilder, etc. Usually carried the 112, the Ranger, on my belt. Tough, good knife.

 

My first deer specific knife was the Buck 422, a Valox handled 112 that was manufactured in the 1980's. I still have it somewhere, a lightweight folding knife that doesn't require much effort to care for. It doesn't have the same loyalty the 110 has. The 110 is respected by outdoor sports and labor trades alike. If there was a knife Hall of Fame, the 110 would receive a lot of votes.

 

Yep... I believe I bought my Buck 110 knife, which was the first knife I ever bought with my own money... in the mid '70s. I knew nothing about "real' knives except
what I had seen other guys carry and what I had read about in books.
There was no internet.

I was in my twenties and still had my Boy Scout knife (which was an old one
my father had given to me). I am no Colonel, and I never served.
But I always had a horror/fascination for knives and guns. ...just never any
money to get anything good. But I've kept this one ever since.

Look at it now. I just turned 76 and I still got my Buck knife.
I shot a deer on November 17 2024 and this is the knife I took with me to
go follow the blood trail. And this is the knife I used to open him up
and empty him out. This blade will cut right through ribs, sternum, hide...
I've field dressed many deer with this knife.

If a young man needs to learn about knives, this is a good place to start IMHO.
Whenever there was a group of bikers about, I always looked with interest at what they had on their belts. In those days, you didn't look too hard at those guys
unless you were looking for trouble.

I'd seen a few "switchblades" and one of my friends had let me examine one he had. I was super curious about the switchblade, because it was so notorious and criminal. But when I looked close... ...it was bullish*t, really. Poorly made, and it felt cheap.
I thought, "This can't be a real one."
*laughs

Anyway, having seen bikers strutting around with those black leather sheaths
on their belts. I did a double take at a local hardware store one day.
"THERE'S one of those..."
And it was. I think the price was about $25.00.

That was considerable money for me then, but I had that much on me.
I asked to see it, and they took it out of the show case for me.
I re-ran the mental video of the "switchblade"...
"That's not a knife... THIS is a knife." I opened the Buck knife and
it clicked into its lockback position. I knew this was a real one.
My hands knew. I shelled out the cash. I didn't have a Mastercard then.
The store keeper sold me a 'sharpening kit" as well. ...Smith's of Arkansas.
...couple of Arkansas stones and a can of oil. I still have that too.

 

Thats the first sharpen set I also bought and still use it now. Can leaked into the kit as usual

 

Not a 110, a 112. Had this for many decades too, early 1980's. It seems to always follow me into the woods. I have several others, but this one has history!

 

I tucked a wad of paper towel under my oil can, and changed it when it needed this.
Those Arkansas stones will sharpen any blade. Buck knife is hard steel, but once you get it
sharp it will stay sharp pretty well.

 

I ran my friends over a buffing wheel and when I gave it back to him he thought I replaced it with an upscale model. It’s old and functions like new.

I had an abused one that I admitted when sending in for warranty, but they still replaced it - free. So I bought 2 more: another 110 and a 112 because I trust them.

Also have a 119 that came with a terrible edge from the factory. Sent it in with my complaint and they sharpened it properly and tested the Rockwell hardness for heat treat. Came back like a different knife.

They’re all too heavy for daily carry, but all perfect when I want something strong as a tank and with a warranty I trust. Good for when I’m in the forest and want something that just works. Had various ones now over the past 32 years and never got rid of any of them.

 

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I bought my 1st Buck 110 in 1966, when I was transferred to Fort Bragg/Pope AFB just before my hitch was up.
It was the early version with the BUCK trademark in the old location, near the blade nick.

Another fella in my unit was showing it around with the guys, and I asked him where he got it - from the PX or ?

He told me he found it on the latrine floor, behind a toilet.

I asked him if he'd sell it to me, which he did - my cost was $1.50

Cheap at twice the price, then - priceless now.

.

 

The unfortunate fellow that lost your 110 whilst on the can probably said something that rhymes with Buck when he realized it was missing.
Good story.

 

I've collected knives since I was in high school. Pushing 60 now, and just today got my very first Buck 110. I've had Schrader and Case 110-styled, but this is my first one. I can't believe it took this long

 

These days, I carry a small Swiss Army knife in my pocket every day. Easy to carry and is often useful.

I also keep a larger Swiss Army knife with scissors in my hunting bag just to have an easy, neat way to notch out deer tags.

I just realized I usually have three knives with me in the field and usually have three flashlights. Overkill until you need it.

 

Ive had 2, about 10yrs apart....dont remember what happened to the 1st one but know I sold the 2nd when I foolishly thought I had too many knives in the drawer (beware a downsizing urge).
Btw, a 110 fits nicely into one pocket of a dbl 1911 mag pouch. That pocket of mine seems to be missing a 110.......

 

too many knives

I can't imagine such a situation.

 

I've been intrigued by knives for as long as I can remember, got my first at 8, EDC'd ever since. Saw my first Buck 110 in 1974 and wanted one from that moment on. It took me a few years to get one, they were expensive and in high demand. I recall the fireside debates at hunting camp, most of the older men (WW2 and Korean War vets) were less impressed and skeptical of the marketing hype. They preferred fixed blades and carbon steel. Those of us under 40, almost to a man, wanted or had one.

My first 110 was purchased in 1978. By then there were clones available and some were arguably better. I picked up the Western 541 (1981) and it was my main folding hunting knife for decades. I liked it because it was less blocky than the 110 and the nickle silver bolsters didn't require much care to keep looking nice. Good knife.

Rediscovered the 110 in the early 2000's. It was more rounded than I remembered and felt great in my hand. It was less than $40 too if I recall correctly which seemed like a steal. I've picked up a good many since in a variety of steels and handle materials. GREAT knife. Have one (or a 112) on me almost every day.

It's my most used carving knife.

 

Quite a collection of 110s. You are a dedicated fan of it.

 

.
FWIW, it's illegal to hoard so many Model 110's - please send some to the rest of us......

.

 

My favorite 110, found in pawn shop many years ago. 1990 X stamp, 425M steel, stag handles. A bar-b-que knife I guess.

 

When I was in the Army in the 70 & 80's almost every GI carried one .
And a SAK while in the field.
I my self was a fan of the 112 , just as useful and not illegal for every day carry on most post .
As a truck driver for 40+ years it was also my daily carry along with a Spyderco firefly .