Buck 110 Folding Hunter Review (2026)

Name: Buck 110 Folding Hunter
Brand: Buck Knives
Price: 50.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 8.4 (1 reviews)

The Buck 110 Folding Hunter has been in continuous production since 1963 with only minor refinements, and it remains the reference point for traditional American lockback design. The brass bolsters, wood handle, and clip-point blade give it a heft and presence that modern synthetic-handled folders don't try to replicate. 420HC is not a premium steel by modern powder-metallurgy standards, but Buck's proprietary heat treatment process gets noticeably more performance out of it than the steel's reputation would suggest, and it is far easier to resharpen in the field than higher-carbide premium steels.

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$50 retail

8.4

/10

TrailCraft Score

What Works

Unchanged core design since 1963 — one of the most recognized folding knives in American history
Brass bolsters and wood handle give it genuine heirloom-quality construction
420HC, properly heat-treated by Buck, takes an excellent edge and is easy to resharpen
Buck's Forever Warranty covers the knife for as long as it is owned

Limitations

7.2oz is the heaviest knife in this lineup relative to its blade length
Lockback requires two hands to close safely — less convenient than a one-hand liner or AXIS lock
No pocket clip on the traditional model — carries in a leather sheath or loose in a pocket

Specifications

Weight7.2 oz / 204g

Blade Length3.75″

Closed Length4.875″

Overall Length8.625″

Blade Steel420HC

Lock TypeLockback

Blade ShapeClip point, hollow grind

Handle MaterialGenuine wood (Dymondwood) with brass bolsters

OriginMade in USA (Idaho)

WarrantyBuck Forever Warranty

Score Breakdown

Blade Performance

8.5

Build Quality

9.0

Ergonomics & Carry

7.8

Lock Security

8.6

Value for Money

8.8

What Sets It Apart

The 110's lockback mechanism is one of the oldest and most proven locking designs in folding knife history. A spring-loaded bar along the spine of the handle catches behind a notch in the blade tang when opened, holding it rigidly in place until pressure is applied to the release point near the rear of the handle. It requires two hands to close safely (one to hold the handle, one to press the release and fold the blade), which is a meaningful difference from one-hand locks like the AXIS or Compression lock, but it is mechanically simple and has a multi-decade track record of reliability.

Buck's heat treatment of 420HC steel is something of an industry case study: 420HC has a reputation as a budget steel, but Buck's proprietary process (closely guarded but well-documented in its results) regularly outperforms competitors using the same base steel without the same treatment. The result is a blade that takes a fine edge and holds it reasonably well for a non-powder-metallurgy steel, while being notably easier to resharpen with basic equipment than premium steels like S30V or S35VN.

The same lockback design and brass bolsters Buck has produced since 1963

Who This Is For

The 110 is right for: hunters and outdoorsmen who want a traditional, durable folding knife with decades of proven reliability, collectors and gift buyers who value heritage and brass-and-wood construction, and anyone who wants a knife that is easy to resharpen with basic tools rather than specialized equipment.

A note on pricing and links: Prices are current as of June 2026. Some links are affiliate links.

How It Compares

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All 20 pocket knives in this category ranked side by side.

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Common Questions

Is the Buck 110 a good hunting knife?

Yes — the 110 was designed and marketed specifically as a hunting knife, and the 3.75-inch clip-point blade is well suited to field dressing and general game processing tasks. Its weight and lack of a pocket clip make it less ideal as a daily EDC carry knife, but it remains a strong choice for dedicated hunting use.

Why does the Buck 110 use 420HC instead of a premium steel?

420HC keeps the cost accessible while still performing well due to Buck's proprietary heat treatment. The company has occasionally offered premium steel variants of the 110 at a higher price point, but the standard 420HC version remains the most popular and most representative of the knife's original design intent.

How do you close a lockback knife safely?

Hold the handle firmly with one hand, then use a finger from the other hand to press the lock release (typically located on the spine near the rear of the handle) while folding the blade closed with controlled pressure. Never close a lockback by gripping the blade itself or rushing the motion, as the spring-loaded mechanism can snap closed quickly once released.

What does the Buck Forever Warranty cover?

Buck's Forever Warranty covers manufacturing defects for as long as the original or any subsequent owner has the knife, and Buck also offers a separate sharpening and repair service for normal wear. It is one of the more comprehensive warranties in the production knife industry.