buck vantage pro, avid, and kershaw skyline. which should i go with?

Poez said:
We are talking about Buck Vantage. So, it is not too bad - it just does not make me to want Buck Vantage Pro. Somehow it does not make me think anything like: "oh I wish it just had a better steel on the blade....". Nope.
First of all the edge - it sucks. I do not have a habit of re-sharpening a knife as soon as I take it out of the box. But this time I had to do it. And I still do not like the fool-proof point - way too thick. Can not fix it without re-grinding the blade. I suspect Vantage Pro has got the same edge...
Washers are quite small and pivot looks thin. So there is a choice: either no horizontal bladeplay, or no flipping - can not have both. You may say I did not try hard enough. That is probably true. For Buck Vantage it is OK - it is not a super knife with super steel, right?
The liner lock was more than halfway through from new.
The blade has clear traces of the stamp. So F&F are just not quite there. From some reviews I have got an impression that Vantage Pro is about the same.
I do not regret paying 26 dollars for that knife - it is quite OK for the money. But as I have said: I just really do not see any point paying more for it, with better steel or not. All things considered, 420 steel is just right here - in balance with the rest of the knife and for the optimal price.
If I wanted a better knife - I would just pay a bit extra and get Endura. Or Kershaw JYD - if talking about flippers.
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i owned both a vantage select and pro (both large) and two of my co-workers use selects (from my recommendation). the fit and finish is good all and the blades and they were all sharp out of the box. all blades were centered, had no movement/play and could easily be flipped. in my opinion the vantage has an excellent blade shape and tip design. the tip is sharp and pointy while not being weak and the deep hollow grind makes it an excellent slicer. the vantage select is a $20-$25 knife and you can't reasonable expect perfection. you will eventually have to sharpen the blade and tighten the pivot on just about any knife, so it shouldn't be a big deal to do that early on.

if one of my friends/family members needed a good work knife and they were on a budget, the vantage series is very high on my list of recommendations.
 
just ordered the buck vantage pro, i feel like its the dressiest knife of them all which helps and fantastic blade steel strong and can gets sharpest
 
I have both and greatly prefer the vantage for its low riding pocket clip. The skyline (when clipped tip up) probably rides the highest out all my knives.
 
Maybe the key to getting a good Buck Vantage is brick and mortar. Fortunately, I was able to handle the knives in a local gun shop and variations among some in blade centering was noticeable. I was able to get a perfectly centered sample with early and perfect lockup, very sharp OOB. It has become my favorite 3 inch folder. If you must buy through internet, try to find a dealer who will select for you or allow returns for exchange.
 
hey just got my buck vantage, i decided to go with the small avid version for 2 reasons first i was really curious about kershaw so i got the chill as well and second i was a little worried about getting a knife that might be too big or called out as an illegal sized knife (chicago size at max is 2.5 inches) i got the chill first and my god i am in love with it! the buck just came today and it is a much nicer quality knife and it is probably the sharpest knife i have ever used to date. normally i could get like a hair or 2 when i try to shave with a knife but the buck actually gave me a bald spot on my arm. i love them both to death but i feel like i will use the chill a bunch more due to the cost and the fact that it feels sooo much nicer when it flips out and clicks in place. The buck just moves like butter. ill probably switch them out now and again and now i want to invest in a skyline and possibly even a ram. (the kershaw ram not like a goat, thats just silly)
 
Get a sharpener like the lansky or gatco with diamond hones. Makes S30V easy to deal with.

Don't forget Bucks lifetime warranty.
 
Skyline all the way!! Do not like my vantage! Flipper on it suks! The skyline is def the best bang for your buck that ive come across!!!
 
clockworkfish said:
is it better to get a "sharpening system" than just a straight up stone? (diamond grit regardless)
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I use the sharpening systems. They keep a set angle that I personally cannot maintain using stones.

They may be a little more initially, but I have had a Lansky for near 20 years and far from wearing it out.

The gatco I think has a better variety of angles.

Be ware of too much diamond. Use them to get the edge and then switch to a regular stone to finish.
You can hog off way too much steel with the diamonds.
 
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Striderco said:
Skyline all the way!! Do not like my vantage! Flipper on it suks! The skyline is def the best bang for your buck that ive come across!!!
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If you dislike it, I know a good home for it :D
I love mine, and recommend them to my friends that want an inexpensive folding knife. Mine had a slight centering issue, but it was easy to fix; its also a good/fun knife to modify.
 
As others have said, a lot of it will come down to personel preference.

If you're near a decent knife shop check a few out. If not, you can always sell a good knife, if you try one and don't like it.
You'll take a hit, but not a total loss. Or they make great gifts :D

With all that said, I EDC a Vantage Pro. IMHO great knife. Stays sharp forever. Lifetime Warr., s30v, Bos heat treat, G10, etc. etc. ... for $55 ? SOLD ! (LOL)

Just an idea ... how about a $1.99 utility razor knife :eek: Hey, it's what I use as a beater knife, rather than wrecking a good edge, if I don't have too.
Cardboard, plaster, etc. - you'll kill any knife right quick

Good luck
 
I carried Skyline for almost 2 years before I bought my CRKT M1601t. The Skyline will hold an edge and is easy to sharpen , plus the handle makes good for close work. Im on the verge of going back to the Skyline simply because the handle on my CRKT model is a bit too small for my meathooks.
 
t1r2u3s4t said:
For your cutting purpose I would get a utility knife with replaceable blades...
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finally someone addresses the meat of the question...nearly everyone replied what knife/steel they liked best, not what OP needed to use the knife for: "...a lot of cutting of heavy material like canvas and cardboard and plaster..."

now the Skyline is a nice knife (i have one); do you really want to do this kind of repetitive cutting with a thin, little Skyline?...i do not...from the OP work description alone he should opt for the bigger sized Vantage (any model; and i have one of these too), just for the better heft in hand...


...my personal favorite tool for cutting canvas/cardboard/plaster: the Kershaw Needs Work; because that blade style lends itself to that kind of work...
 
Personally, I love the skyline for EDC. However, for your purposes, you might need something a little heavier/beefier. Have you looked at the Kershaw Blur?
 
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