Buck Banks on 110 Folding Hunter Spin-offs in New for 2017 Catalog

Yesterday, Buck Knives shared their entire new for 2017 catalog with dealers. Two brand new variants of the classic 110 Folding Hunter are headlining Buck’s 2017 offerings as the company moves to regain market share lost in 2016. Fixed blade and automatic versions of the company’s most famous knife are the cornerstone of a 2017 lineup that includes five new folding knife models, four new fixed blades, and 19 ancillary or specialized products.

2016 was a down year for the 114-year-old company. According to data compiled by SSI Data, which tracks the sales of guns, ammunition, accessories, and knives across multiple channels, Buck saw a 10-20% drop in dollar sales over the last 12-months. The company is betting that recognition of their best selling knife will help turn things around in 2017.

New Versions of the Iconic 110 Folding Hunter
The new for 2017 model 101 (shown below) is a fixed blade version of the iconic 110 Folding Hunter. It retains the California clip point blade and bow-shaped handle of its forbearer, but loses the rear bolster. The classic design, proven materials, and price point should work in its favor even in an increasingly competitive segment of the market.

Automatic conversions of the 110 have been an aftermarket mainstay for years, but now Buck is introducing their own version. These factory automatics are priced about $10 cheaper than popular third-party conversions. Other than the deployment method, all the standard features of the 110 model remain unchanged.

Other New Releases
Buck is also bringing five new value folders to the market in 2017. The Volt takes the Persian-style blade seen on the Kalinga fixed blade and puts it into a folder. For those who like to keep it simple, the new Glacier is a streamlined, understated design. Burl wood handle scales make the $29 Graduate an ideal, affordable gent’s folder. Like the Bantam before it, the new Rival series (with 2.75” and a 3.125” versions) offers customers a US-made Buck knife at a sub-$20 price point. Finally, the Iceman is the biggest new folder, with a 3.5” blade and an aggressive, blacked out tactical look.

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The 101 isn’t the only fixed blade inbound for the new year. The popular Selkirk series is getting a new addition with news of the 853 Small Selkirk. This is a traditional hunting knife, with a half-inch smaller blade than its big brother. Two limited edition fixed blades are joining Buck’s premier Legacy Collection. The Brazen Bowie is a highly stylized take on the classic American pattern. It is definitely eye-catching, but the pièce de résistance has to be the Infuri (featured in main image).

Design Supervisor Mark McLean is behind this stylish, modern design that is unmistakably still a Buck. With its recurved tanto blade and two-tone blade and scales, the Infuri is a total show stealer. 250 pieces will be produced at an MSRP of $500, but it is undeniably one of the most exciting designs from Buck in some time.

Spyderco has also revealed their new for 2017 products – but there is still much more to come. Keep it tuned to KnifeNews for our ongoing coverage of everything the industry has in store for 2017.

Knife featured in image: Buck 020 Infuri