Buck Paradigm Do you digm?

skyhorse

skyhorse

Joined
Jan 30, 2010
Messages
13,423
When the Paradigm first came out I bought one right from the get go.I did the standard exam as we all do,played around with it for awhile and then stored it in my knife box.About four months ago I decided to edc it and put it to the test. About four months later after cutting bailing twine daily,many boxes,rope,leather,plus run of the mill stuff here's my thoughts.Now for the good,bad and the ugly.First off the knife came shaving sharp as have all my Buck knives.The one I have came with a really nice bevel also that made it easy to sharpen on a sharp maker.The deployment is quick and easy to operate one handed and just for the heck of it I've used it with my left hand and it was doable.For my use the blade shape is excellent and it holds a good edge.Now for the not really bad.After using it for a couple of months I noticed some substantial blade play that was an easy fix with the T6 driver in my Gorilla Grip tool.The ugly is something that I have problems with on not just this knife and it's the pocket clip.The pocket clip on this knife is mounted on the bottom of the frame and allows for a deep carry which is a plus to me but the slight flare at the end that makes it easier to slip on the pocket also makes it easier to snag on something and get bent.Not that big of a deal since it's easy to remove,bend back and keep on trucking.Overall imho a really cool knife.I don't see many threads on this knife and was wondering what others thoughts are on this model?
 
really like the ones i have. am a big vantage fan and liked the asap action of my sirus models but never got past the safety always engaging. had not given the paradigm a thought till was gifted one and it became my vantage with asap. my pocket has vantage 90% and paradigm 10%. like the blade and feel being so similar so can just choose asap (paradigm) or not (vantage) each morning
 
Hi Sky,

This will be an interesting thread. I could not wait to get a Paradigm when I saw the in the catalog. But, as there was an issue with the MFG of this knife and the they were way way delayed on availability I lost interest and have never bought one. I also have never seen this knife anywhere but this forum. I do have the cheapo Wally vantage cool knife, but, it's not an ASAP so I don't use it go figure. Now lets see what the rest of you folks story will be!!!!

jb4570
 
I liked mine from the first day I got it. Now days I like it even more.
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I've got a Pro and now one in Damascus...I love them:thumbup:
I think the locking mechanism is very strong and they are easy to open even with gloves on.

Sky, when yours developed play I am assuming it was only side to side???
 
sitflyer said:
I've got a Pro and now one in Damascus...I love them:thumbup:
I think the locking mechanism is very strong and they are easy to open even with gloves on.

Sky, when yours developed play I am assuming it was only side to side???
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Yes it was just side to side from the pivot screw coming lose over time.Tightening the screw was an easy fix.I think this knife is either unknown to many folks or possibly underrated.It has a great pock clip but I've yet to find one that I don't eventually hang on something and bend.
 
There has been a thread or two on the Paradigm. I bought both the Pro and the Avid all in one fell swoop. I played with it as did most who bought one. In my opinion I felt the pivot bolster (whatever you want to call it) felt like pot metal and cheap. It may be strong and proven to stand the test of time, but I think it feels cheap and I was put off. I am a Vantage fan to the highest degree. I always said that the Paradigm was an auto Vantage. Some here claim that they are none the same. I disagree... I like the blade profile and the handle material options are great but I just can't get past the lock. I recently sold both of them to another forum member and maybe he will appreciate them more than I did.
 
I've used mine some, but my edc rotation is long. I like the mechanism and find it particularly fun to play with. The Paradigm, along with the Vantages, are so easy in the pocket and very pleasant to carry.
 
Bought one for the gee-whiz effect from others. Carry very little. Too Heavy. Usually have two knives, except when in shorts. Small Vantage beside billfold in back pocket and a elk scaled 309 or 303 in a pocket sheath. Carry a off-shore 371 when fishing, so no one will see me cry if it goes deep six. 300

PS Have had the same 309 for 15 years.
 
I have several, but they spend most of their time locked up. I like them, but always seem to carry some of my oldies.

I have the most fun handing one to someone who hasn't used one yet and ask them to cut something for me. They always have a hard to trying to open it. :)
 
mbjannusch said:
There has been a thread or two on the Paradigm. I bought both the Pro and the Avid all in one fell swoop. I played with it as did most who bought one. In my opinion I felt the pivot bolster (whatever you want to call it) felt like pot metal and cheap. It may be strong and proven to stand the test of time, but I think it feels cheap and I was put off. I am a Vantage fan to the highest degree. I always said that the Paradigm was an auto Vantage. Some here claim that they are none the same. I disagree... I like the blade profile and the handle material options are great but I just can't get past the lock. I recently sold both of them to another forum member and maybe he will appreciate them more than I did.
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I do recall that this model wasn't appealing to you.I let mine sit in the box for a long time before I decided to give her a whirl.
 
Stumps said:
I have several, but they spend most of their time locked up. I like them, but always seem to carry some of my oldies.

I have the most fun handing one to someone who hasn't used one yet and ask them to cut something for me. They always have a hard to trying to open it. :)
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LOL,that alone is worth the price of admission.Many a college grad that has come to visit would pick up my Paradigm from the table and become dumbfounded attempting to open the knife.:D
 
I don't have one, but do have a 179 with a clip. Keep an eye on your clip. Screws loosened on this one and I lost one, so some blue locktight solved that. I use this clip almost daily and it has never even thought about bending loose. Has stayed tight for the 5 or 6 years I have used it. Just a word about the Buck clips. :thumbup:
 
I have the Avid and love it. I consider it more of a dress up knife than and edc because of its slimline design. I love the lock and though I can see what Matt sees about a pot metal look, I look at it more of a worming or textured feel and am ok with it.
I dont use pocket clips and on a model like the Csar T I had to remove it because it stuck into my leg. This one is unobtrusive so I just left in on.
 
Pack Rat said:
I don't have one, but do have a 179 with a clip. Keep an eye on your clip. Screws loosened on this one and I lost one, so some blue locktight solved that. I use this clip almost daily and it has never even thought about bending loose. Has stayed tight for the 5 or 6 years I have used it. Just a word about the Buck clips. :thumbup:
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Oh yeah blue locktight is a must on any brand clip screws.My problem is I've yet to meet a pocket clip that I don't end up screwing up.My fault!:o
 
imafritz said:
I have the Avid and love it. I consider it more of a dress up knife than and edc because of its slimline design. I love the lock and though I can see what Matt sees about a pot metal look, I look at it more of a worming or textured feel and am ok with it.
I dont use pocket clips and on a model like the Csar T I had to remove it because it stuck into my leg. This one is unobtrusive so I just left in on.
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What metal is it?I bet it would be fun to take a dab of semi chrome and a light dremel buffing wheel too.
 
skyhorse said:
What metal is it?I bet it would be fun to take a dab of semi chrome and a light dremel buffing wheel too.
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If you mean the lock/bolster, I'm not sure. I really havent studied it, just noticed the texturing. May be powdered metal.
 
imafritz said:
If you mean the lock/bolster, I'm not sure. I really havent studied it, just noticed the texturing. May be powdered metal.
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It is injected into a mold, just like cast or pot metal. Some here have commented that it is proven to be strong, But I am doubtful. It just doesn't move allot and doesn't sustain much abuse, if it did I imagine it would fail. Just my opinion...
 
mbjannusch said:
It is injected into a mold, just like cast or pot metal. Some here have commented that it is proven to be strong, But I am doubtful. It just doesn't move allot and doesn't sustain much abuse, if it did I imagine it would fail. Just my opinion...
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Just my opinion,it seems plenty strong and I put a magnet to it just to see if it was aluminum.Nope it's magnetic.Maybe someone will weigh in.
 
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