Buck 110 vs Buck 112: Which Folding Hunter Should You Buy?
, by Outback Edge, 9 min reading time
A detailed comparison of the Buck 110 Folding Hunter and Buck 112 Ranger — blade length, weight, carry comfort, Australian knife laws, and which one suits your use case. All variants reviewed including the 110 LT and 112 Nickel Silver.
The Buck 110 and Buck 112 are two of the most recognised folding knives ever made. Both were designed by Al Buck, both have been in continuous production since the 1960s, and both still sell in huge numbers today. If you're buying your first Buck knife — or adding a second to your kit — the question of 110 vs 112 comes up almost immediately.
The short answer: the 110 is the larger hunting knife; the 112 is the more compact and carry-friendly option. But the full answer depends on what you're doing with it. This guide breaks down every meaningful difference between the two so you can buy the right one first time.
Buck 110 vs Buck 112: Quick Comparison
| Spec | Buck 110 Folding Hunter® | Buck 112 Ranger® |
|---|---|---|
| Blade length | 3 3/4" (9.5 cm) | 3" (7.6 cm) |
| Overall open length | 8 1/2" (21.6 cm) | 7" (17.8 cm) |
| Closed length | 4 7/8" (12.4 cm) | 4" (10.2 cm) |
| Weight (classic) | 7.2 oz (204 g) | 5 oz (142 g) |
| Blade steel | 420HC | 420HC |
| Blade finish (classic) | Satin | Satin |
| Handle material (classic) | Ebony wood + brass bolsters | Ebony wood + brass bolsters |
| Lock type | Lockback | Lockback |
| Sheath included | Genuine leather | Genuine leather |
| Made in | USA | USA |
| Lifetime warranty | Yes — Forever Warranty | Yes — Forever Warranty |
The Buck 110 Folding Hunter®
The 110 debuted in 1964 and is widely credited as the knife that made the folding hunter a mainstream tool. Before the 110, serious hunters carried fixed blades — folding knives were considered too flimsy for the job. The 110's robust lockback mechanism changed that perception permanently.
Buck 110 Folding Hunter® — Classic (110BRS)
The classic 110 is built exactly as it has been for over 60 years: 3 3/4" clip point blade in 420HC stainless steel, ebony wood handle with brass bolsters, and the original lockback mechanism that snaps audibly open and locked. The clip point gives excellent piercing ability and a swept tip for field dressing. At 7.2 oz and 21.6 cm open, this is a substantial knife — it carries well on a belt in the included leather sheath and handles hard-use tasks without complaint. The 420HC steel holds a serviceable edge, resharpens easily, and handles the occasional field conditions without rusting up. Buck's Forever Warranty covers it for the life of the knife. This is the knife that made Buck's name — buying the classic is buying exactly what three generations of hunters have trusted.
Buck 110 Folding Hunter® LT — Lightweight Version (0110BKSLT-B)
The LT (lightweight) variant is designed for those who want the 110 blade in a lighter, more carry-friendly package. The handle swaps the traditional ebony and brass for a more modern slim synthetic design, bringing the weight down noticeably compared to the classic. The blade length and steel remain the same: 3 3/4" 420HC. This is the version to choose if you want the 110's cutting ability but find the classic version heavy for day hikes or extended carry. The LT also sits at a lower price point, making it the better entry-level 110. No leather sheath — comes with a moulded polymer sheath instead.
The Buck 112 Ranger®
The 112 launched in 1972 as a smaller sibling to the 110, designed for hunters and outdoorspeople who found the 110 a little large for general use. The Ranger is 3/4" shorter in blade length and nearly an inch shorter closed — not a dramatic difference on paper, but perceptible in the hand and pocket. It shares the 110's lockback mechanism, blade shape, handle materials, and steel.
Buck 112 Ranger® — Classic (112BRS)
The same lockback design, same ebony wood and brass bolsters, same clip point profile — just scaled down to a 3" blade and 7" open. At 5 oz the Ranger is noticeably lighter in the hand than the 110, and the shorter closed length (10.2 cm) makes it easier to pocket or clip to a pack. The clip point shape is essentially identical to the 110, which means it performs the same tasks: field dressing, camp utility, general cutting — just on a slightly smaller scale. The 112 is frequently recommended as the better everyday carry option within the Buck lineup because it sits more comfortably in a pocket or trouser clip than the 110. Same 420HC steel, same Forever Warranty.
Buck 112 Ranger® Nickel Silver (112BRS4-B)
An upgraded 112 with nickel silver bolsters instead of brass, giving it a distinctly premium appearance. The blade and handle dimensions are identical to the classic 112; the difference is purely in the bolster material and finish quality. Nickel silver is harder and brighter than brass and won't tarnish or yellow over time. If you're buying the 112 as a gift or want a knife that stays looking sharp with minimal care, the nickel silver variant is worth the premium.
Head-to-Head: Key Differences
Blade Length and Australian Knife Laws
This is the most practically significant difference between the two knives for Australian buyers. The 110's 9.5 cm blade versus the 112's 7.6 cm blade may seem minor, but Australian knife laws vary by state and are tied to blade length and "reasonable excuse" requirements for public carry.
In Queensland, carrying a knife in a public place (including a vehicle) requires a reasonable excuse — and blade length is a factor courts consider. The 112's shorter blade is generally viewed as a more defensible carry for hunting, fishing, and camping purposes. If you're buying primarily for field use and occasional carry to and from a campsite or hunting property, both knives are appropriate. If you're buying for any kind of general outdoor carry, the 112's smaller profile is the more sensible choice. Neither knife is marketed as a self-defence tool — both are tools for hunting and outdoors work, and should be treated as such.
Cutting Performance
For field dressing — gutting, skinning, quartering — the 110's extra 3/4" of blade gives it a marginal advantage on larger animals like deer, pigs, and goats. More blade length means fewer repositioning strokes through a gut cut or skin separation. On rabbits, birds, and small game, the difference is negligible and the 112 handles the task just as well.
For camp utility — slicing food, cutting rope, whittling kindling — both knives are equally capable. The 112's lighter weight and shorter overall length actually make it more comfortable as an all-day carry-and-use tool.
Carry and Pocket Comfort
Closed, the 110 measures 12.4 cm and weighs 204 g — a noticeable presence in a trouser pocket and a comfortable belt carry in the sheath. The 112 at 10.2 cm closed and 142 g is a more relaxed pocket knife that doesn't drag on the pocket or feel intrusive during a full day in the field.
If your primary carry method is the leather sheath on a belt — which is how most hunters carry a Buck — the size difference is minimal. If you're pocketing the knife, the 112 wins clearly.
Gifts and Collecting
Both the 110 and 112 are among the most widely collected American-made folding knives in the world, with limited editions, engraved variants, and anniversary models released regularly. The classic 110 holds particular status as the knife that defined the folding hunter category — if you're buying for a collector or as a meaningful gift, the 110 classic carries more cultural weight. The 112 Nickel Silver is an excellent gift choice if the recipient prefers a slightly more compact knife.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Buck 110 if: you're primarily using it for hunting medium to large game (deer, pigs), you want the classic original design, you carry on a belt sheath rather than in a pocket, or you want the knife with the greatest cultural and collecting significance in the Buck lineup.
Choose the Buck 112 if: you want a lighter, more carry-friendly option, you're doing a mix of hunting and general outdoor tasks, you prefer to pocket-carry rather than belt-carry, or Australian knife laws in your state make a shorter blade the more sensible choice for your use case.
Choose the 110 LT if: you want the 110's blade in a lighter, more modern package at a lower price point — ideal for hikers and campers who want the cutting ability without the weight of the classic.
Buy both if: you want one for serious hunting use and one for everyday carry. Many Buck owners end up with both — the 110 stays in the hunting kit, the 112 lives in the pack.
Other Buck Knives Worth Considering
If the 110 and 112 aren't quite right for your use case, these other Buck knives in stock at Outback Edge are worth a look:
Buck 119 Special® Fixed Blade — 6" 420HC blade, full tang fixed blade. For hunters who want a heavier, more robust cutting tool than a folder, the 119 is the natural step up. A classic American hunting knife used widely in Australian conditions.
Buck 102 Woodsman® Fixed Blade — 4" fixed blade, lighter than the 119. The go-to for bushcrafters who want a packable fixed blade without the bulk of the 119. Excellent for fire prep, camp tasks, and light processing.
Buck 192 Vanguard® Fixed Blade — 4.25" drop point 420HC. The most refined fixed blade in Buck's hunting line — drop point geometry for excellent game processing, combined with the traditional Buck aesthetic. Premium option for serious hunters.
Buck 284 Bantam® BBW — Compact 420HC lockback. If you want a small Buck folder for EDC rather than hunting use, the Bantam is an affordable, pocketable option that carries the same lockback reliability as the 110 and 112.
Shop Buck Knives at Outback Edge
The full Buck range — including the 110 Folding Hunter® classic, 110 LT lightweight version, 112 Ranger® classic, and 112 Ranger® Nickel Silver — is available in stock from Outback Edge, dispatched from Yandina, QLD. Browse the full Buck Knives collection or the broader folding knives range.
Trade and volume enquiries welcome — call us on 0489 229 879.
