Sorry, don't have prototype. Haven't seen one either.
However, I do remember an event that could conceivably be related to the development of the Vantage.
A couple of years back, Buck held their periodic factory sales at the Greyhound Park & Event Center in Post Falls.
At one of these (rather well attended) sales, as I stood in a rather long line to get in, one of the employees passed out survey forms to the people standing in line.
It was an unusual sort of form, because it didn't invite the respondent to "tell us what you think," but instead offered a series of sketch suggestions for new knife designs.
For example: Select (circle) your favorite blade shape below.
Multiple choice questions about length, handles, and stuff like that. I no longer remember all the particulars.
I filled in my choices (size, shape, lock, whatever else) and handed it in.
Several months later the Vantage line appears . . . and it almost completely represents my responses on that form.
Now, those two events may be completely unrelated.
Nonetheless, I'd like to think they are.
(Joe will show up shortly and pop my balloon.)
