Gear Item: Buck 110

Context: Outdoor knife – hunting, fishing, backpacking.

Days used: Part of the gear since the early 90s.

Performance Notes: This is by no means anything fancy. It hasn’t changed much since it was first introduced in the early 1960s… clip point profile, lock-back, basic stainless blade. The steel has evolved from 440C to 420HC with Buck’s special heat treat. In a world of super steels, fancy blade profiles, and modern materials, for me, the beauty is in its simplicity. It easily slides in your pocket or in the belt sheath, but it’s stout enough to use for most outdoor tasks. The blade profile makes it easy to use for things like gutting fish and field dressing game, to preparing food, to whatever other random tasks you can throw at it. Though its a folder, its sturdy like a fixed blade. It’s easy to sharpen (even on a rock in a pinch), stays sharp, I haven’t seen it chip, and doesn’t rust. With few exceptions (for specific scenarios), of all of the knives that I have bought over the years, I keep coming back to this one.

Verdict: Keep. If you’re looking for a “does everything” type knife, especially if you’re just starting out, keep this one in mind. It may not be for you if you’re shaving weight for ultralight adventures or looking for something bigger for bushcraft abuse or using in a combat zone.