Buck 345 Vantage details?

S

Simple Man

Joined
Nov 6, 2001
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Okay, I got a question. A buddy passed a Lg Vantage on to me with Diamond wood handles and 345 stamp in the tang. Date code shows it to be a 2010. So does it have 420HC(Select?) or 13c26(Avid?)? I assumed :confused: 420HC, but I am wondering now. Thanks
 
usually the 420 is unmarked, the 13c26 and s30v are usually marked and have the BOS symbol on the blade
 
Ah ok. No extraneous markings. I thought the 345 came out first with Diamond wood and 420HC, and that was what this was. But was looking and the "new" ones seem to be 420HC->Zytel/Synthetic and the 13c26->Diamond wood. Nice knife either way, I just gotta know, KOCD and all.....:rolleyes:
 
Simple Man said:
Ah ok. No extraneous markings. I thought the 345 came out first with Diamond wood and 420HC, and that was what this was. But was looking and the "new" ones seem to be 420HC->Zytel/Synthetic and the 13c26->Diamond wood. Nice knife either way, I just gotta know, KOCD and all.....:rolleyes:
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In 2010 the normal 345 Select had a 420HC blade and a "Black glass reinforced nylon" handle. Also in 2010, Buck produced a 345 Select for Walmart that had the Charcoal Dymond wood handles and 420HC blades. There seems to be an issue at this time with PhotoBucket, so I'll show them in the "click to enlarge" thumbnail method. I never bought any of the nylon handled ones so I can't do a comparison shot.

A bunch of these hit the auction sites, for around $15 and I bought 12 if I remember right.
 

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AfghanWarrior said:
What a great deal:thumbup:
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Yeah it was. I found the old CC invoice for the first six, delivered for $100. Worked out to $16.67 each. I'm not sure of the exact figure for the rest of them, but I'm sure they were about the same or just a bit more. I've given so many away that it looks like I only have four left so yesterday I ordered three more Avids for $33 each delivered, same handles but upgraded steel. Quite a bit more than the others but still $7 less than the Selects on the Web Specials page :eek: . They do make very much appreciated gifts, nearly everyone likes the Vantages.
 
How much difference is there between the 3 types of steels on the Select, Avid, and Pro? I'm wondering more about the Avid and Pro. Big difference?
 
There are many threads about steel difference...you can use the search feature. It is all about how long the edge last vs how hard it is to resharpen them......
 
I've already done that and don't want to read through post after post of people arguing about the scientific properties of 5 to 10 different type of steel. What I'm really wondering is if I choose the Avid over the Pro or the Pro over the Avid, will I even notice a difference really? That's my question.
 
Standard22 said:
I've already done that and don't want to read through post after post of people arguing about the scientific properties of 5 to 10 different type of steel. What I'm really wondering is if I choose the Avid over the Pro or the Pro over the Avid, will I even notice a difference really? That's my question.
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I think you’ll find that many here are hesitant to voice their opinion on the various steels for fear of starting a cyber war. It happens often as you will see if you do some research back through the archives and can get pretty ugly.

Many will tout one steel over another because they’ve read that one is better than the other and not from personal experience. Others can have a preconceived prejudice against a steel, for the same reason. There are millions of us out here that never use a knife hard enough, often enough or long enough, to see any actual benefit from the “upgraded steel”.

Then there are the real users, hunters, industrial and construction workers, ranchers, etc., that use them hard and long. Those are the ones whose advice I pay attention to and let the others
fall on deaf ears.

Keep in mind when comparing the price points of the Vantage line, that the extra cost isn’t all about the blade steel. It also has to do with the upgraded handle material.
 
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THE_LONGBOW said:
You are asking a some what of a broad question. With out knowing what you will be cutting or how much it is hard to answer. Yes there are differences in in the steel types and compositions of the steels hence the price differences. I rotate carry both an Avid or a Pro. I cut different things (but not a lot)from cardboard to food. I have not noticed any significant difference in performance. I like the Pro because I have carried it longer and the action is very smooth (broken in). Try what you want either knife should perform well for you. If you do not like it sell it or trade it. I think you most likely will not be able to tell the difference. JMO
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This is the type of reply I was looking for. Thanks!
 
Plumberdv said:
I think you’ll find that many here are hesitant to voice their opinion on the various steels for fear of starting a cyber war. It happens often as you will see if you do some research back through the archives and can get pretty ugly.

Many will tout one steel over another because they’ve read that one is better than the other and not from personal experience. Others can have a preconceived prejudice against a steel, for the same reason. There are millions of us out here that never use a knife hard enough, often enough or long enough, to see any actual benefit from the “upgraded steel”.

Then there are the real users, hunters, industrial and construction workers, ranchers, etc., that use them hard and long. Those are the ones whose advice I pay attention to and let the others
fall on deaf ears.

Keep in mind when comparing the price points of the Vantage line, that the extra cost isn’t all about the blade steel. It also has to do with the upgraded handle material.
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I understand completely. Sounds like what everyone does on the gun forums when someone asks about a certain caliber bullet. Is the G-10 that much better than the Diamondwood? I like the look of the Diamondwood better but don't know much else about the two.
 
Standard22 said:
I understand completely. Sounds like what everyone does on the gun forums when someone asks about a certain caliber bullet. Is the G-10 that much better than the Diamondwood? I like the look of the Diamondwood better but don't know much else about the two.
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Again, this is a subjective thing in my opinion. As far as them holding up under use, I would suspect that the G-10 has an edge in that department over the Dymondwood because of how it's made and what it's made of. But, barring a major catastrophe, I'd also expect either to out last it's purchaser.

How they feel in the hand is another subject and that's best tested by handling both. I like the feel of them both, but I give the edge again to the G-10. I've never used either for anything yukky and or slimey so I can't say which has the best grip under those conditions. There are forum members that use them for hunting, skinning and fishing that will perhaps chime in here with their observations.

With the Dymondwood versions, you have (if you search around) the options of 420HC and Sanvick 13C26 blades, but with the G-10, only S30V is offered. One option is to buy the one with the steel that you like and order a set of the other scales from Buck. I haven't done that, but a poster here on the forum has said that he did.
 
Yeah. I've been looking for both in a shop and haven't had much luck. They usually have the Select model. I'll keep looking. Thanks for your answers.
 
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