Buck Vantage Pro - First Impressions

Toyz

Toyz

Joined
Nov 2, 2006
Messages
1,838
Just picked one up from my local cuttlery store a few days ago - and wanted to share some of my thoughts about the knife:

S30V Blade Steel
Paul Bos heat treat
G10 handles (contoured)
Liner Lock
Stainless liners
Blade hole for opening, along with flipper
Tip up carry - reversible stainless clip

For what I paid for the knife, it is shaping up to be a keeper!

Pros:
Price - good value
Very sharp out of the box
Good looking knife
Weight ideal for in pocket carry (important to me)
Strong lock-up
Good Ergos and blade shape
Clip allows for deep pocket carry
Buck warranty
Flipper acts as choil - keeps blade from accidentally closing on finger if liner lock fails


Cons:
No jimping (it needs some - may be time to get out the Dremel)
Hole for opening tough to use
Liner lock obscures hole opening for lefties
Flipper too smooth - needs texturing or sharpening for finger to grip
Blade offcenter - had to take knife apart and re-assemble to get close to center
Pivot screw very small - probably not a problem from a strength standpoint, but looks funny - should be a bit larger

So far its been a fun knife to handle and use. For the price point, I wouldn't mind trying to mod the knife to get it where I want it.

It's definately earned a spot in my EDC line-up for the foreseeable future.:thumbup:
 
Toyz said:
Clip allows for deep pocket carry
Click to expand...

That's the one thing keeping me from buying this knife, and with the contoured scales, there doesn't seem to be any other places to tap for clip screws.

Like I've said before, though, I realize that I'm probably in an increasing minority when it comes to pocket clip placement. I just don't like, or see the need for deep carry clips on a larger knife (I think they're great on smaller knives and wish my Spyderco Cricket had a deeper carry clip).

I especially don't like the clip screw placement on the Vantage, it reminds me of the SOG Flash II and that clip (in my opinion) was terrible at both strength and retention.

But I may have to get over my dislike of the clip and get one. I love Buck, and the Vantage is a very nice looking knife. I carry a 501 in pocket from time to time and have occasionally carried a 110 in pocket, I don't see why I couldn't carry a Vantage with no clip.
 
Because the clip is attached to the butt of the knife and not the scales - it makes it the perfect candidate for clip removal.

I edc in an offic e5 days a week, and regularly remove the pocket clips from my knives, as they sometimes just get in the way and add weight.
 
I've been meaning to pick this up. It's just that my regular online shops don't have it (yet), and I'm not comfortable ordering from other online stores without solid reputation.
 
I've had one for a couple of weeks and (considering the price of course) I love it. YES the blade is a little off center. YES the screw heads are a little rough. YES there isn't any jimping on the back of the blade. YES the liner edges are little sharp. BUT - it is very sharp, has good lock-up, good steel (s30v w/ BOS heat treat), good grip (G10 w/ CNC contour), light weight, low-ride carry system, clip that comes off in a second, good blade and grip size, cost about $40, and last but not least - MADE IN THE USA!!

I'd be more picky with a more expensive knife, but for the money, this is a great knife.
 
First thing I did with Vantage PRO is took it apart and fixed some of the things I didn't like. Here is what came out in the end:

1) Sanded G10 scales and liner to get a good fit
2) Lockup was great, I didn't do a thing (but with Vantage it is a hit-or-miss game)
3) Lock edge was way too sharp, so I rounded it off. Now it is very comfy. I probably will grind it down closer to the handle later on, just for looks.
4) Blade was somewhat off center, so that was fixed.
5) Took off the clip and put a lanyard on. Lanyard is held in place by a longer replacement screw. Just took the original screw that hold G10 to the liner, put in a longer one. No other modifications.

I feel like I paid half for what (with a little effort) performs and feels like a $100+ knife.

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effer said:
I feel like I paid half for what (with a little effort) performs and feels like a $100+ knife.
Click to expand...

The materials used in the vantage pro (G10, S30V w/Bos heat treat) are what you would find on more expensive knives. But it's so much cheaper, they seem to be saving money on fit/finish, which you took care of yourself.

so really, with your labor included, it is a $100 knife, lol.

The vantage pro is a great value, I think they would make good gifts too.
 
I have the Vantage Avid and love it for the price! Went that way since I preferred the wood handles and didn't really need the high end steel myself.

It's been my EDC for a few months now and will likely stay high in the rotation.
 
I have a Buck Vantage, but it is the small one (340 model). Picked it up for $25 at Bass Pro Shops just for kicks. I could have probably gotten it cheaper online, but that was the first time I had seen the Vantage series and I was curious.

I am surprised how much I like it. Opens smoothly (although the flipper lever could be more pronounced). I like the thumb-hole for opening on this knife better than the flipper.

Very nice quality and made in the USA. I love it. Would like to get the Vantage Pro myself but I have a shortage of funds for knives right now due to other recent purchases.
 
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Love my Pro and agree with most pros and cons:

Liner locks a little too far right-dont matter, aint gonna fail-couple prozac and I'm finally ok in my own mind

Blade not centered-just getting over it

I like the flipper though and find myself flipping it while watching tv almost to a compulsion.


One thing I want to ask everyone who has one....I have a couple chips in center of blade and cant tell if the more brittle s30v just chipped when I was whittling down a plastic cap or if it hits the center divider support when closed up. Anyone else notice this?
 
imafritz said:
Love my Pro and agree with most pros and cons:

Liner locks a little too far right-dont matter, aint gonna fail-couple prozac and I'm finally ok in my own mind

Blade not centered-just getting over it

I like the flipper though and find myself flipping it while watching tv almost to a compulsion.


One thing I want to ask everyone who has one....I have a couple chips in center of blade and cant tell if the more brittle s30v just chipped when I was whittling down a plastic cap or if it hits the center divider support when closed up. Anyone else notice this?
Click to expand...
Weirds I have no chips but my tip does dull a little.
I find this S30V to be very well heat treated by Paul? Maybe your's has a little wacky heat treat.
 
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