Iconic Folding Knife Gets Modern EDC Upgrades: Buck Knives 110 Crossbar Elite Review

My cousin gave me my first real knife. He’d seen me struggling to whittle with a junk knife I’d bought at a flea market for a couple dollars. He gave me a Buck 110 Folding Hunter, a knife everyone I knew just called a “Buck knife.” I was about 10 years old and the knife was pretty big for my hands, but I made do. Forty-odd years later, I still reach for a trusty Buck knife from time to time.

It’s a great design, one that’s been copied and cloned, probably more than any other single knife in modern history. But at about 7.2 ounces, it can be something of a boat anchor in your pocket.

The new 110 Crossbar Elite brings the classic design into the 21st century. It starts by cutting the weight in half, down to a much more modest 3.5 ounces. Buck also changed the knife from a lockback to a crossbar lock. This is something the brand has been experimenting with since last year, when it debuted the Range Series. A deep carry pocket clip, a feature users have clamored for, rounds out the overall package.

In short: The Buck 110 Crossbar Elite takes the design of the original 110 Folding Hunter and upgrades it from end to end. Lighter materials, premium steel, and a new locking mechanism all add up to a folding knife that’s the perfect marriage between traditional and cutting edge (no pun intended). The action is silky smooth and the visual appeal is incredible.

Buck Knives 110 Crossbar Elite Review

I had the opportunity to visit Buck Knives in Idaho a couple of years ago. It’s a pretty massive operation, but one that’s heavily steeped in history. The original Buck 110 Folding Hunter was released in 1964, and for 60-plus years, the design has been largely unchanged. Buck has come out with different variants over the years: The LT version with a lightweight nylon handle, an automatic version with the 110 Auto, and the Slim Elite, which looks like the 110 on a diet. I’ve owned and used them all.

But the Crossbar Elite is really something special. Buck went into the design process with the specific goal of creating an EDC-friendly 110 with top-end materials. The result is a folding knife that’s well-built and ready for real world use. At the same time, it looks amazing with an understated, classy appearance.

Fresh From the Box

Buck 110 DNA is readily evident in every inch of this knife, and that’s not a bad thing. The 110 Crossbar Elite is identical to the original design in size. It’s 8.625 inches from end to end when open, with a 3.75-inch clip point blade. In hand, it feels very similar, albeit lighter and built with very different materials are different. Instead of Crelicam ebony handle scales and brass bolsters, there are DymaLux Macassar ebony scales affixed to a Cobalt Cerakoted aluminum frame. This lends a slightly more grippy texture. The Crossbar Elite is also a bit slimmer than the original, just enough to be noticeable.

For the blade, rather than the 420HC steel Buck normally uses for the 110, the Crossbar Elite receives MagnaCut steel. It’s the same clip-point blade profile, including the swedge that terminates in a needle-sharp point. The Crossbar Elite lacks a nail nick on the blade spine. Instead, it’s equipped with dual thumb studs, one on each side.

Similarly, instead of the traditional back lock, the new model has a crossbar lock, hence the name. The lock release is accessible on both sides of the handle. Between this and the dual thumb studs, the Crossbar Elite is truly an ambidextrous folding knife. When the lock is disengaged, the blade falls closed with near zero resistance. This model has the smoothest action of any Buck folder I’ve used. With a little practice, you can swing the blade open with just a flick of your wrist. When closed, the blade is perfectly centered in the handle.

Another feature that’s somewhat new to the Buck lineup overall is the addition of a deep carry pocket clip. The knife is set up for right-hand, tip-up carry, but the clip can be switched to the opposite side of the handle if desired.

Field Use

When it comes to an EDC knife, I want something that’s going to handle a wide range of tasks. As much as I like knives, I’m not looking to carry a dozen of them on me, each with a specialized role. While there aren’t many truly do-it-all options, I want a do-almost-all knife. The 110 Crossbar Elite scratches that itch.

It’s an incredible slicer. The blade is thin enough that it doesn’t force or wedge its way through things like apples, cheese, and such. The tip is very sharp, but not too fragile to do real work like bore a new notch in a leather belt.

I love that you can open, use, and close the 110 Crossbar Elite, all with one hand. While it’s possible to do that with the traditional 110, doing so requires a little juggling which could prove dangerous. The crossbar lock is very solid and I have little concern about failure, even under hard use.

From prepping a quick lunch on the trail to opening and breaking down numerous boxes, the blade has retained its razor-keen edge. And to be clear, I hate to put a knife away wet or dirty, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. The MagnaCut steel reduces my concerns about corrosion. That said, I still clean and dry the knife at the earliest opportunity.

At one point, I snagged a webbing belt from my box of testing mediums and went to town on it with the knife. Every slice was clean, with no snags or pulls. As I worked my way down the belt, I rocked the blade forward a bit with different cuts, trying to use as much of the blade’s edge as possible. No trouble at all.

When I grabbed the belt, a leather scrap jumped out with it, volunteering for testing. The tip of the blade pierced the leather like it wasn’t even there. Tell you what, as I work to lose a few pounds, I’ll be using the Crossbar Elite to punch new holes in my belt.

At every turn, the Crossbar Elite handled beautifully. It tackled every job easily and without hesitation. That’s exactly what I want in an EDC knife.

Who Needs This Knife?

Buck has a longstanding reputation for producing hard-working knives. The Buck 110 Crossbar Elite is no exception. It deserves to be carried and to see actual use, not just sit in a display case or on a closet shelf collecting dust. It’s suitable for urban environments, as well as the forest and field. Whether you’re hiking, working on a construction site, or sitting in an office, this knife will handle just about everything you toss its way.

With an MSRP north of $250, it’s a pricey folding knife, no question about it. But given the materials used as well as the quality, that price isn’t overly inflated.