- Joined
- Aug 10, 2006
- Messages
- 7,250
I was wandering around in my local sporting goods store this afternoon- and I was struck by a sight that warmed my heart. I found not one, but TWO good looking, well designed, made in the USA knives selling for $25 apiece- retail. I could not believe my eyes. I bought them both on the spot.
Of course, I am talking about the 486 Bucklite Max Large and 345 Vantage. Simply amazing. I've noticed over the past few months that Buck is upping their game in terms of design- and Buck is coming out swinging with these two new models. Especially the Vantage. The Vantage is a very modern looking folder with clean, flowing lines, solid workmanship, and one of the best-executed low-rider clips I've ever encountered. You can open the knife with either the Mayo oval thumbhole, or the unobtrusive flipper on the back. The knife is subtle, elegant, and classy. The FRN is well handled, with a subtle texture and nicely rounded edges. The steel liners are just the right thickness- thick enough to provide rigidity and heft, while not thick enough to be bulky or overly heavy. The liner lock seems well done, and locks up dead-solid, with literally no wobble in any direction. I've been pulling the blade pretty hard in all directions, and I can't coax even a hint of wobble out. There is some sort of bushing system in place on the blade pivot, but I haven't taken the knife apart to figure out what it is. Whatever it is, it seems to work brilliantly. Oh yes- all screw construction- with a completely open back so no gunk can build up. For $25- this knife is an absolute steal. I'm tempted to complain about the steel choice, but it's the tried and true 420HC that Buck has been using for years with great success. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, I guess. Overall fit and finish is impressive- way better than what you would expect at the price point. I would say it's as good as any of the FRN models Spyderco or Kershaw is making- if not better than some. My one complaint is that the edge grind is a bit uneven. Though uneven, the edge is extremely sharp- it easily shaves. The Vantage is an absolute home-run. I would say this knife deserves the title of the "best low-budget folder on the market". Better than the KaBar Doziers. Better than the Byrds. Better than the Kershaw "OSO Sweet". Better than the Wally World Native. Better than the CLB Bokers. :thumbup:
Now for the Bucklite Max. This knife is good looking as well. It has a nice blade shape, a very comfortable handle, a great lowrider clip, nice thumbstuds and solid construction. However, it does suffer from one major flaw. You cannot safely close the blade with one hand. At least, I haven't been able to figure out how to do so. Like the 110, the lock release is located near the butt of the handle. You have to shift your grip- and put your fingers in the path of the blade to disengage the lock. You can easily, and safely disengage the blade with two hands, but not with one. Which is a serious flaw in the contemporary marketplace, IMO. There is a lot to like about the knife- the blade shape is very nice, it feels great in the hand. The swedge has just enough bite to it that should be perfect for sparking a firesteel. But there are a couple more flaws that I came across. There is a slight amount of blade play when the knife is locked open- both front & back and side to side. Just the tiniest bit, but it is there. And the knife is pinned, not screwed together. And the opening action is a little bit rough (though I'm sure that will work out in time). Overall, it's a nice knife with a couple flaws that could be easily overlooked, and would make a fine, sturdy, comfortable EDC. For $25, it is a very good value- but is not the masterpiece that the Vantage is.
Buck deserves a lot of credit for bringing these nice, American-made knives to market at such a reasonable price. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Of course, I am talking about the 486 Bucklite Max Large and 345 Vantage. Simply amazing. I've noticed over the past few months that Buck is upping their game in terms of design- and Buck is coming out swinging with these two new models. Especially the Vantage. The Vantage is a very modern looking folder with clean, flowing lines, solid workmanship, and one of the best-executed low-rider clips I've ever encountered. You can open the knife with either the Mayo oval thumbhole, or the unobtrusive flipper on the back. The knife is subtle, elegant, and classy. The FRN is well handled, with a subtle texture and nicely rounded edges. The steel liners are just the right thickness- thick enough to provide rigidity and heft, while not thick enough to be bulky or overly heavy. The liner lock seems well done, and locks up dead-solid, with literally no wobble in any direction. I've been pulling the blade pretty hard in all directions, and I can't coax even a hint of wobble out. There is some sort of bushing system in place on the blade pivot, but I haven't taken the knife apart to figure out what it is. Whatever it is, it seems to work brilliantly. Oh yes- all screw construction- with a completely open back so no gunk can build up. For $25- this knife is an absolute steal. I'm tempted to complain about the steel choice, but it's the tried and true 420HC that Buck has been using for years with great success. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, I guess. Overall fit and finish is impressive- way better than what you would expect at the price point. I would say it's as good as any of the FRN models Spyderco or Kershaw is making- if not better than some. My one complaint is that the edge grind is a bit uneven. Though uneven, the edge is extremely sharp- it easily shaves. The Vantage is an absolute home-run. I would say this knife deserves the title of the "best low-budget folder on the market". Better than the KaBar Doziers. Better than the Byrds. Better than the Kershaw "OSO Sweet". Better than the Wally World Native. Better than the CLB Bokers. :thumbup:
Now for the Bucklite Max. This knife is good looking as well. It has a nice blade shape, a very comfortable handle, a great lowrider clip, nice thumbstuds and solid construction. However, it does suffer from one major flaw. You cannot safely close the blade with one hand. At least, I haven't been able to figure out how to do so. Like the 110, the lock release is located near the butt of the handle. You have to shift your grip- and put your fingers in the path of the blade to disengage the lock. You can easily, and safely disengage the blade with two hands, but not with one. Which is a serious flaw in the contemporary marketplace, IMO. There is a lot to like about the knife- the blade shape is very nice, it feels great in the hand. The swedge has just enough bite to it that should be perfect for sparking a firesteel. But there are a couple more flaws that I came across. There is a slight amount of blade play when the knife is locked open- both front & back and side to side. Just the tiniest bit, but it is there. And the knife is pinned, not screwed together. And the opening action is a little bit rough (though I'm sure that will work out in time). Overall, it's a nice knife with a couple flaws that could be easily overlooked, and would make a fine, sturdy, comfortable EDC. For $25, it is a very good value- but is not the masterpiece that the Vantage is.
Buck deserves a lot of credit for bringing these nice, American-made knives to market at such a reasonable price. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
