Buck Vantage Pro or Paradigm Pro?

GundaManiac said:
I don't mean to resurrect an old thread, but this is relevant to me as I'm seriously considering a Paradigm myself right now. I currently EDC a 345 Dymondwood Select Vantage and I absolutely love the knife. I've had a chance to play with a Paradigm in store and think it's great fun. However, there are a few things I'm not big on for the Paradigm. I'm not a huge fan of the textured finish on the bolsters; I wish it was more of a smooth satin finish or something. I'm also not sure how strong the Shift mechanism is or how well the Shift mechanism will stand up over time. It looks like the locking pin only half engages the blade tang when the knife is locked open or closed. For those of you who EDC Vantages or Paradigms, which do you prefer and why? And, more directed at those who own Paradigms, what do you think of the Shift mechanism?
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I like them both and own both. I don't believe that the Paradigm has been out long enough to see how the mechanism will hold up over the years. You already don't like the satin finish and have doubts about the mechanics of it, so if I were you, I'd hold off buying one. I've just been looking a couple of mine over and I don't see what locking pin you are referring to. I see a "pin" at the blade end on the top between the frame sides that is flat on the top but it doesn't seem to move in anyway so I don't see how it could be the locking pin. Is that what you are talking about?
 
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I've sent an e-mail to someone at Buck who is very familiar with the internals of the Paradigm and asked that he come here and explain the shift and locking device when he has time.
 
Thanks plumberdv! Yes, the pin on the top that appears to be a blade stop is, in fact, what I was referring to. When you slide the bolster, that pin actually moves axially, or perpendicular to the liners. There is a little notch in the cylindrical pin on the side facing the blade tang that gets exposed, allowing the blade to move. Then, when the bolster is closed, the pin moves axially back into position and the non-notched cylindrical portion of the pin engages the tang and locks the blade either open or shut. It's a brilliant design, really. However, that cylindrical portion of the pin only covers half the tang width in the locked position. The other half of the tang width is occupied by the notched portion of the pin, which means the pin only half engages the tang.

Actually, while thinking about the mechanism again, I've got no problem with the locking pin half engaging the tang. I don't really see how the blade could possibly close while it's locked open, or vice versa. I guess it was the newfangledness of it all that made me a bit uneasy initially.
 
GundaManiac,

You are on the right track about how the mechanism works. The pin you are referring to is the lock. You can just cycle your bolster and watch the pin as it engages the blade when the bolster is closed, then disengages when the bolster is in the open position. The mechanism is actually very strong, it will outlast the vantages strength every day of the week. The locking pin is around 60-61 when Rockwelled so it will last a long time. the 50% engagement you are seeing is as much as normal liner locks. Overall you should not have any issues with the strength or life of the locking mechanism. Whatever you do, just don't take the knife apart. That is the only reason we have had any returned. People really want to know how it works, which is fine but if you cant get the 25 parts back together then you will be without your knife for a couple weeks.:(
 
I just received the Paradigm Avid I ordered. It's a fantastic knife. I'm glad I bought it. The Paradigm's going to be competing with my Vantage for pocket space though; I love them both so much that I'm still undecided which I want to EDC regularly.

I did have one problem though- the pivot screw kept loosening, so I decided to Loctite the screw. When I removed the screw to Loctite it, I accidentally wound up disassembling the bolster on the side with the pivot screw, which left me in the very undesirable position of trying to reassemble it. I reassembled it incorrectly, with the spring assist not positioned against the blade. I ended up disassembling the other bolster to try and figure out how the spring assist worked, and wound up with a nearly completely disassembled Paradigm. Oh my gosh it was such a pain to reassemble with the springs and bolsters and stuff. Took me about four hours cussing like a sailor and fiddling with the thing before I figured out how to put the bolster and pivot pin in place without dislodging the springs from their proper positions.

This statement was so true:
heng em said:
GundaManiac,
Whatever you do, just don't take the knife apart. That is the only reason we have had any returned. People really want to know how it works, which is fine but if you cant get the 25 parts back together then you will be without your knife for a couple weeks.:(
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But for all the trouble it gave me, this experience did leave me with a much greater appreciation of the Shift mechanism after seeing how the bolster action moved the pin and how the bolster toggled. Very slick mechanism design. Aside from its complexity and difficulty assembling/disassembling it, I don't think there's a single thing I dislike about this knife, now that I've Loctited the pivot screw. Lockup is tight, there are no loose parts (I also Loctited the non-rotating bolster; a common complaint about the knife seems to be that the non-rotating bolster is a little loose, but I fixed that on mine), fit and finish is much better than any Vantages (select, select dymondwood, avid, and pro) that I've handled. Heck, even the textured satin finish on the bolsters that I didn't really like before has really grown on me. I'm a fan.
 
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It can be opened with your left hand. It's easier with the right though, imo, since you can thumb the bolster lock. With the left hand, you'd be using your index finger to slide the bolster.
 
I just got a Paradigm Pro and love it, it exceeds my expectations. it took me a little time to get used to the shift mechanism but now that I am used to it, I absolutly love it. going to get a Vantage Force Pro down the road. have Spyderco Para 2 on the way so I have to wait a month or two before getting another knife. I agree about the textured finish on the bolsters, but thats the only thing I can say I dont really like about the knife. its awsome and for 100.00 bucks well worth the money.
 
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