I'll take a shot at this. I think that both, being Bucks are a good quality knife but in my opinion, the edge goes to the Alpha's. They both have their good points. The Alpha's are classier looking pieces in my opinion and the heft of them in the hand gives me that higher quality feel.
Both patterns are designed to be one hand openers, but there again, the edge goes to the Alphas. Those two, along with the discontinued Kalinga Pro folder share the prize for the smoothest opening models that I own. I think it has to do with the oversize bronze bearings on either side of the blade. The thumb studs allow me to start the blade opening then either flick it the rest of the way or push it all the way with the stud.
You'll see that the Vantages are made to be pocket carried with a clip. They are cool because the clip position allows a very discrete carry. I suppose either of the Alphas could be pocket carried, but in my opinion they'd be too bulky (especially the large one).
I won't go into all the different blade steels that have been offered for the Alphas but there have been and are several. The Vantages are available in 420HC, 13C26 Sandvic and S30V. There's a pretty big difference in the weight. I've used these as examples because they were handy. If weight's a factor for you, you'll see that the Vantages have the advantage in that area.
Vantage 340 Select---2.35 oz.
Alpha Dorado---------4.3 oz.
Vantage 346 Avid-----4.18 oz.
Alpha Folding Hunter--7.52 oz.
Below are a few comparison pictures.
All four for size comparison:
Back and blade side view of the small Vantage and Alpha Dorado
Same views as above but of the large Vantage and the Folding Alpha Hunter
Here's the sheaths for the two Alphas. What''s not shown is that the Alpha Hunter sheath can be used vertically or horizontally.
