ugaarguy
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- Mar 19, 2006
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Several months ago a friend sent me one of these. The 112 EcoLite is the classic 112 Ranger with the wood scales, and brass bolsters replaced by a single slab of Paperstone phenolic on either side. The traditional brass back spacer and full brass liners are also replaced in favor of a stainless back spacer, and skeletonized stainless steel liners. The blade is the same 420HC stainless steel clip point used in the classic 112 Ranger. The EcoLite version is held together by stainless rivets which match the other materials.
The big kicker is the price: The standard red or green handle models are readily available online for under $30, and the non-cataloged black handle model like I have is still available for $20 direct from Buck in the web specials section of their website. I recently posted a review of the Buck Bantam , which is easily found both online and in large b&m retailers for under $15.
As noted in that review, Buck made some cosmetic compromises to get the Bantam line out at such a low price point without sacrificing functionality. What amazes me about the 112 EcoLite (and it's bigger brother the 110 in EcoLite trim) is that there are no compromises. The blade is cosmetically and functionally finished to the same standard as the classic 112. The backspacer, lock bar, and exposed liner edges are all nicely finished to a brushed, even, just short of polished level. The skeltonized liners add stability at the blade pivot, lock bar / handle spine, and backspacer areas. The Paperstone material is very strong & rigid, not requiring support in the main body of the handle, and thus allowing for the skeletonized liners which shave a bit of weight. The Paperstone handles have nicely milled grip recesses on each side, and a Buck Avid level medallion on the left hand scale.
That Paperstone handle material is probably the most intriguing part of the package. It's a phenolic that uses 100% post consumer content recycled paper for the fiber substrate, and an orgainic (plant oils) based resin. It's not as pretty as paper Micarta, but the composition is very similar - just in an eco friendly form. This is a truly premium grade material, and two substantial chunks of it form the EcoLite handle.
While I could find cosmetic compromises like the blade finish, and handle material that didn't reduce functionality on the Bantam; I can't find any of these compromises on the 112 EcoLite. The materials, fit, and finish are all mid tier or better in the context of production knives, yet these knives are readily available in the low tier under $30 price range. If you can live without a pocket clip and super modern styling Buck's EcoLite series knives are a tremendous value.
The big kicker is the price: The standard red or green handle models are readily available online for under $30, and the non-cataloged black handle model like I have is still available for $20 direct from Buck in the web specials section of their website. I recently posted a review of the Buck Bantam , which is easily found both online and in large b&m retailers for under $15.
As noted in that review, Buck made some cosmetic compromises to get the Bantam line out at such a low price point without sacrificing functionality. What amazes me about the 112 EcoLite (and it's bigger brother the 110 in EcoLite trim) is that there are no compromises. The blade is cosmetically and functionally finished to the same standard as the classic 112. The backspacer, lock bar, and exposed liner edges are all nicely finished to a brushed, even, just short of polished level. The skeltonized liners add stability at the blade pivot, lock bar / handle spine, and backspacer areas. The Paperstone material is very strong & rigid, not requiring support in the main body of the handle, and thus allowing for the skeletonized liners which shave a bit of weight. The Paperstone handles have nicely milled grip recesses on each side, and a Buck Avid level medallion on the left hand scale.
That Paperstone handle material is probably the most intriguing part of the package. It's a phenolic that uses 100% post consumer content recycled paper for the fiber substrate, and an orgainic (plant oils) based resin. It's not as pretty as paper Micarta, but the composition is very similar - just in an eco friendly form. This is a truly premium grade material, and two substantial chunks of it form the EcoLite handle.
While I could find cosmetic compromises like the blade finish, and handle material that didn't reduce functionality on the Bantam; I can't find any of these compromises on the 112 EcoLite. The materials, fit, and finish are all mid tier or better in the context of production knives, yet these knives are readily available in the low tier under $30 price range. If you can live without a pocket clip and super modern styling Buck's EcoLite series knives are a tremendous value.
