When the company introduced the 110 Folding Hunter in 1964, little did they know that it would completely revolutionize the world of hunting knives.
Behold an all-American legend. The Buck 110 is the original folding hunting knife.
The Buck 110 solved a problem. It was the first mass-produced locking folder able to handle the heavier-duty work usually reserved for larger fixed-blades. Hunters no longer had to carry a big knife on their belt.
“It took the market by storm because it was the first dependable production-made folding lock-back knife in our industry,” CJ said. “It’s the right size for everything. We had ranchers, soldiers, policemen, electricians, fishermen, hunters—there was nobody that couldn’t find a use for that knife and didn’t have that knife hanging on their belt.”
Designed for hunting and skinning big and small game, it soon gained popularity among casual knife users and collectors. The lock back mechanism on the folding hunter represented a step up from the slip joint designs that came before it, letting the end user carry a reliable folding knife that will not close up during hard use.
Its surprisingly large blade (3.75 in) proved very useful, and the recognizable handle, made out of a wood grain handle and brass bolsters gives it a true American style. The Buck 110 model ranks among the best-selling knives in the world, with more than 15 million sold since its launch in the 1960s.
Over the decades there have been five distinct versions with about 25 variations amongst them. Each subsequent iteration represented minor tweaks to the overall design without taking away from its classic aesthetic. The most noticeable change occurred in 1983 with the introduction of contoured handles—the result of customer requests—showing Buck’s commitment to product improvement based on real-life feedback.
The 110 platform performs so well that several variations have spawned from it. From the 110 Pro with G10 and nickel silver handles and S30V blade to the 110 Slim series and the 110 Hunter Sport, there’s a 110 Folding Hunter for everyone.
To own a Buck 110 Folding Hunter is to own a genuine piece of Americana.
