Buck Knives New EcoLite Series are Lightweight and Very Affordable

Shown is the legendary Buck 110, introduced in the 1960s and perhaps one of the most copied designs ever produced. While Buck has offered a variety of minor improvements and model variations, such as finger-groove models, the basic 110 folding hunter is unchanged—and still in the Buck line.

Stronger, lighter, affordable and better.

That’s the new EcoLite knives.

When Buck knives began, two of its first folding hunters were the legendary 110 and 112 Ranger models. And for the EcoLite series, these two knives are again used as the spearhead of the series, featuring handles made of eco-friendly PaperStone, made from 100-percent waste paper.

Buck says EcoLite knives are stronger. The knives with the new handles are also lighter-weight. Instead of 7.2 ounces for the classic 110, the EcoLite model weighs in at 4.1 ounces. CJ Buck, president of Buck, says of PaperStone, “It’s the greenest material you can find, and more important, it’s rugged, withstands heat or cold, and is very durable.”

First used on handles for Buck’s Metro, with positive results, PaperStone handles are now the key to the beginning of the new line of EcoLite knives, starting with the 110. The 100 still has a 3¾-inch hollow-ground clip blade of 420HC stainless steel, heat-treated to Rc58 and the same locking system as the original.

The other major difference is the price. The original 110 has a MSRP of $66, the EcoLite 110 is $45. The EcoLite 112 Ranger, with its 3-inch clip blade, weighs 3.4 ounces compared with the regular 112 at 5.6 ounces. The price difference for the Ranger is $42 for the EcoLite versus $63. Both EcoLites come in a heavy-duty nylon sheath. They are made in the USA.

The newest version of the Buck 110—same blade, same lock, but with eco-friendly PaperStone handles made from recycled paper but retaining strength and durability with the added benefit of reducing the weight of the knife.