buck vantage force pro or zt 0700

C

CutleryKid247

Joined
Aug 12, 2013
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I have been looking for a medium use knife. My price range is under $100 and I wanted to get a flipper with a framelock but with my price range it doesn't seem like that is going to happen. I really like the buck vantage force pro and the ZT 0700 both are very comparable with S30v blade steel and g10 handle scales and are made in the U.S. and they do both have flippers but the only down side is that they both have liner locks. To anyone who has one or both please tell me if it would be worth it to spend the extra $20 on the ZT 0700 ( with the hopes that it would be a little more durable ) also any other knifes suggestions would be appreciated.


Buck Vantage Pro Force
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ZT 0700
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I own the ZT 0700....its a solid knife, I've had no issues with !! The lock up is good no play what so ever and it feels really good in hand. I received the knife as a gift and at 1st it didn't do anything for me BUT after carrying it for awhile its really grown on me...its a good knife
 
I recommend anything but the Vantage. The Avid and Elect models are fine, but I had 3 pros and they were all complete garbage. Two were brand new from Buck. It was not good in any way, really. I guess the handle wasn't bad to hold.

The ZT is good, but there are a lot more flippers available. I will list a few. They do go a smidge over $100, but under $20 over.

http://www.knifeworks.com/kizertitaniumlinerlockfolders35vnredandblackg-10handle.aspx

http://www.knifeworks.com/kizercutlerytitaniumframelockstonewashs35vnsmoothtitaniumhandle.aspx

http://www.knifeworks.com/dendradeerhunterd2toolsteelstonewashfinishblade.aspx

Kizer pretty much has the market cornered, and while they are made in China they do make a fine knife for the price. I specifically avoided the VG-10 models since you listed S30V, but VG-10 is a fine steel too.
 
I've owned a buck vantage force pro for a while but haven't carried a lot. I have 4 vantages and one on order. The one I carry the most is the small vantage pro, but that's because I wear scrubs and try to limit the weight. I guess what I'm saying is the vantage design is great and I love em. If you are looking for a solid user, the force pro is a great choice.
 
I guess you couldn't get two more contradicting reviews.

Get a hold of one before buying.
 
shuutr said:
I guess you couldn't get two more contradicting reviews.

Get a hold of one before buying.
Click to expand...

They have good ones, the QC is just abysmal. I swear some of the knives aren't even checked. When the liner doesn't actually touch the tang, you can tell it may have been glanced at while closed, but no actual QC happened.
 
I have a relatively large collection of Buck Vantages and I have had only one "issue" with one knife. The "issue" was that the knife was stiff to open but after I took out and re inserted the pivot screw, it was fine. You can check around and find the Vantages at a pretty good price point but you probably won't be disappointed with either. My turn off for the ZT was the odd blade shape, but some folks dig that and they do put out some quality stuff.
 
dkb45 said:
I recommend anything but the Vantage. The Avid and Elect models are fine, but I had 3 pros and they were all complete garbage. Two were brand new from Buck. It was not good in any way, really. I guess the handle wasn't bad to hold.

The ZT is good, but there are a lot more flippers available. I will list a few. They do go a smidge over $100, but under $20 over.

http://www.knifeworks.com/kizertitaniumlinerlockfolders35vnredandblackg-10handle.aspx

http://www.knifeworks.com/kizercutlerytitaniumframelockstonewashs35vnsmoothtitaniumhandle.aspx

http://www.knifeworks.com/dendradeerhunterd2toolsteelstonewashfinishblade.aspx

Kizer pretty much has the market cornered, and while they are made in China they do make a fine knife for the price. I specifically avoided the VG-10 models since you listed S30V, but VG-10 is a fine steel too.
Click to expand...

Okay good to know I have seen some Kizer knifes but not at such good prices thanks for the input
 
Get a ZT 0566. Flipper, framelock, and you can get one off the exchange around your price range.

Don't get the Buck.
 
Also check out the Buck Marksman. It new, is comparable in price, has a flipper, and is not a liner lock. I don't have any of the knives mentioned so take what I say with a grain of salt, but its worth checking out based on some reviews here.
 
My vote is ZT as a company over Buck. ZTs have been a really consistent knife of capability, quality, and value, and they are really hard to beat. The only downsides with the 0700 is that the tanto blade is IMHO not nearly as useful as a drop point, and ZT is currently making a lot of newer models in ELMAX and S35VN, which I personally think are improvements over the (already great) S30V.

And if you like the 0566, my vote goes for that too. That one is a frame lock (stainless, but super-well-built), with great ergos, a very useful blade, awesome ELMAX, it's a helluva good flipper, and with a price not far from your budget. It bridges the gap between the entry-level Kershaw Hinderer models like the Cryo and Thermite and the flagship ZT Hinderer production models like the 0550, 0561, 0560, 0562, etc. It's also great EDC size. Not too long ago, a seller on Amazon was doing $115 shipped on them. It's a TON of knife for the money, people absolutely love it, and one would be hard-pressed to find a better value so it may be worth checking out!

You may be able to find a used or Factory Blem model ZT for significantly less than you think. They are so well-made that they last forever when cared for buying used from a good first home saves a lot of money. Blems do too.

The Spyderco Domino may also interest you as well. I have seem them sell used for as low as $130. They are ti frame lock flippers, and an awesome knife in general.
 
I haven't had either of those two exact models, but I have a Buck Vantage Pro (not the "Force" model), and F&F leaves much to be desired. I sent it back to Buck Warranty some time back, and they sent me a new one that had all the same issues as the one I sent back. Blade far off center and rubbing the liner. Lockbar travels all the way to opposite liner. Vertical blade play (probably due to the lockbar travel). G10 scales not flush with the liners pretty much around the entire knife. It's not all bad though. The knife is still serviceable. The blade still locks open, the surface finish on the G10 scales feels nice, the high hollow grind cuts well, and the Bos heat-treat on S30V holds up as well as any other S30V I've used.

The design on the 0700 just didn't appeal to me, so I haven't picked one up. It is a ZT though, and my experiences with several of their other models have been very positive.

If you want some other flipper + framelock ideas for under $100... There are numerous Kershaw models you might check out. Leek, Shallot, Cryo, Cryo 2, Thermite, Zing SS, Volt SS, Scrambler. The Knockout technically is a sub-frame lock, but it is pretty much functionally equivalent.
 
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Bought a Buck(same one you pictured) and the first one was awful. Blade play in all directions, centering was so bad the blade had rub marks on the black finish before I even handled it. Buck did make it right when I sent it back, but I would take any ZT over the Buck in a heart beat! Love all my ZT's.
 
You could try the marksman. The one I've handled has great centering. Vantages are known to have centering issues though the 2 I previously owned had slightly off center blades but didn't have any deployment issues.
 
I bought a Force Pro from another member here. Since the blade had been modded, I decided to send it in to Buck for a new blade. Imagine my disappointment when I got it back with very noticeable lock rock because the liner is too short. I threw it in the glove box and there it stays.

If Buck can't do a better job than that, I won't ever buy another one.
 
I would highly recommend the Buck Marksman. Have been carrying mine for almost a month and so far very impressed with it. Enjoy it much more than the Vantage line although they are good knives. I'm also a big ZT fan though. I believe any of the ZT line would serve you well. Buy what YOU like and feel will meet your needs. As mentioned, it's always nice to be able to handle your choices before purchase if possible. Good luck and post photos of what you choose!
 
ZT with no doubts. Literally 4 out of 5 Vantages I've held first hand (own Force Pro) were complete garbage. Their linere aren't all the problem, it's also the super thin stop pin they use that peens with a flipper design. Fit and finish was pretty terrible.

I actually passed on the 0700 for the internal stop pin too. Internal stop pins are a joke in the first place, but add the added stress of flicking a flipper and they're and even bigger no go for me.
 
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