Buck Vantage Pro, or Kershaw Piston?

Buck Vantage Pro blade is S30V ht'ed by Pual Bos, easily one of the best steel a folder can have. But as issued above, I also have seen a Vantage Pro with off center, poor action and a minor blade play out of box.
 
shqxk said:
Buck Vantage Pro blade is S30V ht'ed by Pual Bos, easily one of the best steel a folder can have. But as issued above, I also have seen a Vantage Pro with off center, poor action and a minor blade play out of box.
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Maybe it's the grind geometry, but my Buck Vantage Force Pro as well as my good friend's are pretty lacking compared to the Zero Tolerance and Spyderco S30V blades I have experience with. Lots chippier and lots harder to sharpen while offering no advantage in edge retention, if not worse.

Then again, I can be a little rough on knives so it all depends on what your plans with it are. In my experience, I'd take Sandvik over S30V. Only because I don't like either steel for hard use, and Sandvik gets scalpel sharp significantly easier than S30V with a lesser (but still) significant trade off in edge retention.
 
I purchased a Vantage Pro back when they first came out and it had all sorts of quality control issues, blade play, blade way off center, flipper didn't function properly...etc. It is possible that I just got a bad one and Buck may have improved things since then but I think the Kershaw is a safer bet
 
o4tg said:
Then again, I can be a little rough on knives so it all depends on what your plans with it are. In my experience, I'd take Sandvik over S30V. Only because I don't like either steel for hard use, and Sandvik gets scalpel sharp significantly easier than S30V with a lesser (but still) significant trade off in edge retention.
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Scalpel sharp is a great way to describe 14C28N and the best part is how easy it is to get it that sharp!
 
Alright thank you for your replies! I have decided to get the piston on overall quality rather than blade steel alone. If i was to get s30v then i would probably get the paramilitary 2.
 
Awesome! Let us know what you think when you get it. And as always, pics are most welcome!
 
Don't have the Kershaw Piston, I have the Buck Vantage Pro and it's very disappointing. Out of the box, it was way off center to the point of blade rub. Took it apart, thin plastic washers, no adjusting there, put it back together. Tightened the pivot screw, so tight it wont open. In the drawer, will never use it.
Sounds like the Buck is a gamble on getting a good centered knife. I have several Kershaws, no issues with any of them. The Sandvik steel holds a decent edge and is easy to maintain. I do have a Shallot in s110 and a Lahar with VG-10 steel, my blur, turbulence, tanto zing, shallot and leek have the sandvik
 
I have both. I prefer the Piston. I haven't carried anything except the piston since I got it at Christmas. Good call.
 
Of course! I'll do a full fledged review afterwards but first i think I'm going to get the skyline.:D
 
Whoops that came out wrong i meant I'm going to get the skyline first. Just a cheaper option to get used to 14c28n sandvik and then go for the piston.
 
Steel3 said:
Whoops that came out wrong i meant I'm going to get the skyline first. Just a cheaper option to get used to 14c28n sandvik and then go for the piston.
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If it's any consideration, I went with the same train of thought and wish I had gotten the Piston. While my special addition Skyline has doubled in value in less than 12 months, I find it to be too small for me and my Piston envy is still present.
 
Can't speak to the Kershaw, but I have 2 large Vantages, an Avid and a Pro. I have not experienced the problems others have talked about. My Vantages have given me very good service and I am very satisfied with them. I would not hesitate to buy a Vantage again.
Bob
 
I see. But I think still I'm looking for a nice edc rather than a combo between tactical and edc. I already have the crkt hissatsu for tactical for now. Plus, it seems to be loved amonst many. By the way, a word of advice o4tg. If its too small for you, you could try selling it for a reasonable price and see if you can get the piston then.
 
Plus right now for my price range I think the skyline would help a little so i don't leave my wallet dry. Plus i was also looking to get a sharpening system and i've settled on a lansky rod system.
 
Personally I carry a vantage that I keep scary sharp for the lil everyday things but it is not the strongest knife out there. Mine has no play whatsoever and the lock up is quite early. For heavier rougher things I carry my CS 4" voyager. That way I know I always have a really sharp knife that won't scare people in public too much and another knife that can take a beating and then some.
 
Alright lets add another knife to the mix here, Cold steel spartan. I am in love with this knife, had my eye on it for 2 years now.
 
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