Any Differences in Vantage Quality?

sqoon

sqoon

Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
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I'm looking to switch out my BM Griptilian for a Buck Vantage (probably the larger version). I've been going back and forth between the Pro, Avid, Select and Paperstone. Aside from the materials used, is there any difference in the fit and finish between each model? Will a Select Vantage have the same lockup, factory edge, etc. of a Pro? or with the higher price, is there also an added level of QC that the end user might notice?

These knives really look great and I can't wait to pick one up. I'm just really torn between which one!! Right now it looks like its between the Paperstone and the Pro.

Thanks!
 
sqoon said:
I'm looking to switch out my BM Griptilian for a Buck Vantage (probably the larger version). I've been going back and forth between the Pro, Avid, Select and Paperstone. Aside from the materials used, is there any difference in the fit and finish between each model? Will a Select Vantage have the same lockup, factory edge, etc. of a Pro? or with the higher price, is there also an added level of QC that the end user might notice?

These knives really look great and I can't wait to pick one up. I'm just really torn between which one!! Right now it looks like its between the Paperstone and the Pro.

Thanks!
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The ones you are torn between are at opposite ends of the spectrum of Vantages almost (not counting the plastic handled Select). I don't have ether the Paperstone or the plastic handled one but I have all the others and I see no difference in quality other than in the materials used. The Dymondwood Selects from Walmart don't have the same shiny finish on the scales as the Dymondwood Avids, but I don't think that's a QC issue. It's not a quality issue if that's the way they are supposed to be and I remember someone from Buck mentioning that they used a different finish on them.

Come to think of it, I do have a plastic handled small one (340BKS) and while it's not even close to a favorite, it's ahead of the Paperstone model in my opinion. From the pictures of the Paperstone Vantage, it appears that it's very slab sided, not contoured and rounded like the other handles and has squared off edges. Since they are designed that way, it's not a QC issue, just something I don't particularly like.
 
I have the Avid and Pro and aside from the materials they are both great knives and the same, if QC. I prefer the Avid, I like the Sandivic Steal better and they are cheaper. I always have a hard time using a knife that I paid a lot of money for, like the knife is too good for the job I want to use it for. mabey I should get a select, so when I beat the hell out of it, It won't matter. Na I 'll stick with the Avid.
 
Plumberdv said:
From the pictures of the Paperstone Vantage, it appears that it's very slab sided, not contoured and rounded like the other handles and has squared off edges.
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Your spot on, the Paperstone Vantages are flatter and the edges of the handles are not as contoured as the other handle materials.
 
I ordered a Small Paperstone Vantage last night. The price couldn't be beat and I'm interested in the material. Also, I needed a smaller EDC. I played with a Pro a while back in a local shop. I recall the small not being as handy, but I'll give it a try in the real world for a week. If I don't like it, I will return it and go bigger and perhaps Pro. This will be my first Buck purchase since a 303 I bought back in 1998 before I knew anything about knives.

The prices, certain styles and the USA stamp has really been making me pay a lot more attention to Buck knives.
 
sqoon said:
I ordered a Small Paperstone Vantage last night. The price couldn't be beat and I'm interested in the material. Also, I needed a smaller EDC. I played with a Pro a while back in a local shop. I recall the small not being as handy, but I'll give it a try in the real world for a week. If I don't like it, I will return it and go bigger and perhaps Pro. This will be my first Buck purchase since a 303 I bought back in 1998 before I knew anything about knives.

The prices, certain styles and the USA stamp has really been making me pay a lot more attention to Buck knives.
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I bought one of the small Pro's last year and found it way too small to suit me. I gave it to a friends 12 year old daughter (a young collector) and she found it a perfect size for her.
 
I have a small Diamondwood Avid and love it, I carry a knife because I love carring a knife, not because I have an every day need to cut something, so the small works best for me. I do have several of the large Avids and love them too.

Just for the sake of saying so, isn't the Paperstone a Select model, I know they dont offer the Paperstone in an upgraded steal( that would be nice). So, the org poster does know or will know that the Select and the Paperstone are both the same knife with the exception of handle material.
 
mbjannusch said:
Just for the sake of saying so, isn't the Paperstone a Select model, I know they dont offer the Paperstone in an upgraded steal( that would be nice). So, the org poster does know or will know that the Select and the Paperstone are both the same knife with the exception of handle material.
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Yes. I'm well aware that the Paperstone is the same as the Select in regards to blade steel. The purpose of my post was to find out if blade and handle material were the only differences and that quality of construction were not compromised in the "lesser" models. If the action, construction and performance of the Paperstone is awesome, I will likely buy the large Pro version. From reading other posts here about 420HC vs. S30V, I think the 420HC will be fine for me and what I'm looking for in a smaller EDC.
 
Wow. I'm really bummed out. I just got my Vantage Paperstone. The knife is completely, unquestionably defective! The blade suffers from the centering issue that people were talking about a while back. However, what is worse is that the liner lock will not engage at all. The knife is completely open and the lock will not slide over at all. If I really try hard, I can get it to slide over and lock very slightly, but that is it. Opening with thumb hole, flipper, or any other way will not engage the lock in the slightest. This is right out of the box. I literally opened it less than 5 minutes ago.

I'm super bummed out about this. First Buck in a looong time. I'll be sending it right back tomorrow for a refund and/or replacement. Very disappointed. The knife looks great otherwise, but it is simply useless as is.
 
Should have bought a pro, that never would have happened... LOL... send it back and they will make it right they always do... as far as the center issue I think they all have that problem. I just tighten the pivit pin little and it straightens up but dont tighten it to much or you wont be able to open it...
 
mbjannusch said:
Should have bought a pro, that never would have happened... LOL... send it back and they will make it right they always do... as far as the center issue I think they all have that problem. I just tighten the pivit pin little and it straightens up but dont tighten it to much or you wont be able to open it...
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I'm going to send it back to the reseller as they will cover shipping costs whereas I imagine Buck will not. I was thinking of tightening the pivot, but the knife is actually really tight as is. Using the flipper alone will not get the blade all the way to open.

I fussed with it some more, and after about a hundred opening and closings, the lock now engages, but it is not moving over very far at all. Still not safe.
 
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