Buck Vantage?

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Noswad0208

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Sep 8, 2014
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Looks like a good EDC folder, any opinions on it?

I'm not even considering the Pro because it costs too much for me right now, but the Avid in rosewood and the Force look nice.

Also, is the large or the small better for EDC?
 
Noswad0208 said:
Looks like a good EDC folder, any opinions on it?

I'm not even considering the Pro because it costs too much for me right now, but the Avid in rosewood and the Force look nice.

Also, is the large or the small better for EDC?
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I have a preference for larger as EDC but that's purely my opinion, so it's hard to say "that is universally better." It is a good inexpensive quality knife, however, no matter the size.
 
The Vantage is a sleeper.
Get one! I have the Force and it's in my rotation.
I like the Larger model.
rolf
 
Thanks for the replies.

The reason I asked about size is because the smaller seems like what I would carry more often, but I read that there are problems with flipping the small one open because of the size, but I can operate a Kershaw Chive pretty well, so I'm not really sure.
 
Noswad0208 said:
Thanks for the replies.

The reason I asked about size is because the smaller seems like what I would carry more often, but I read that there are problems with flipping the small one open because of the size, but I can operate a Kershaw Chive pretty well, so I'm not really sure.
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Well, in my personal experience, there are two ways you can flip this knife.

1. Take it apart, clean and lube around the pivot so that when it's back together, it will be smooth.
2. Use a slight wrist flick when flipping.

Most knife people hate #2 and will make fun of you, but I could understand how #1 might seem daunting if you're a new guy.
 
I've had various Vantages over the past couple of years. Honestly, they are pretty awesome knives for the price! Great utilitarian blade shape, good ergos, and flipping them is fun. You may need to work on your technique, seeing as how the flipper is rather small on these, but for the most part they have good action.

As Quiet stated, they are offered in such reliable steels as S30V, but the base models in 420HC perform just fine for EDC.

In regards to size, I prefer the large models. They just fit my hand better.
 
Agreed. Heck even just the 420HC performs really well. Haven't carried mine in awhile but I totally will again when I get other knives out of my system.
 
Nice review. I like the blue/black G10, if I can find a place that has it for around $50 I'll definitely buy it instead of the Avid.

Has the coating on the blade worn off from use, and if so, how does the color look underneath?
 
@Quiet,

Yeah, the Chive got sticky on the AO so I just put some WD-40 on it. That's the extent of my abilities when it comes to smoothing the release. :D

@Grown,

The small flipper is one of the things that I like about it, bigger flippers look funny to me. Practicing flipping won't be a problem, since that's what I do 90% of the time on my other flippers. :D

EDIT: Sorry for the two posts, had so many replies I couldn't keep up.
 
I wouldnt even consider the small, but thats just my prefrence. The "large" is more of a medium size knife in my definition but it does pretty good, the handle is a little small but its not a big deal. If you are going for a single knife carry then the large would be much more versatile.
 
They had them at Sears awhile ago for $45-48 shipped with $100 purchase with a coupon code. I bought 2. Was the large Vantage Pro's. Will see if they still have them in stock and can find the code.
 
Noswad0208 said:
Nice review. I like the blue/black G10, if I can find a place that has it for around $50 I'll definitely buy it instead of the Avid.

Has the coating on the blade worn off from use, and if so, how does the color look underneath?
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Mine has not. I've cut some cardboard with it, and other materials like that. The coating has "marked" some, but hasn't scratched off. It seems fairly baked on, so unless you're cutting hard plastic or something like that, I wouldn't think that you'd scratch it off.
 
Noswad0208 said:
I found it on Amazon for 70 something.

@Quiet, can you link to where you found it for 68 shipped?
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Unfortunately, I can't because it was on the Bay and it wasn't from a supporting vendor. I would say that I would probably pay up to at least $80 for this knife and not feel like I was ripped off. I wouldn't pay a hundred, mind you, but $80? Sure thing. Remember,S30V (with a Bos heat treat, no less!), and the scales could almost pass for custom with that multicolor G10, a deep pocket carry clip, American made, that blade shape....this knife is a pretty great deal. Honestly the lesser versions of this knife would be the same way. I had one of the 440 Dymondwood models and it was fantastic as well. You really can't go wrong with a Vantage.
 
Ahh. Looks like there sold out. Was about 4-5 months ago when i bought them. They sometimes pop up on the bay for $50-$55. But that was around the same time. Wish i woulda keep one now. Still have an Avid Vantage 346 with sandvik.
 
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Quiet said:
Unfortunately, I can't because it was on the Bay and it wasn't from a supporting vendor. I would say that I would probably pay up to at least $80 for this knife and not feel like I was ripped off. I wouldn't pay a hundred, mind you, but $80? Sure thing. Remember,S30V (with a Bos heat treat, no less!), and the scales could almost pass for custom with that multicolor G10, a deep pocket carry clip, American made, that blade shape....this knife is a pretty great deal. Honestly the lesser versions of this knife would be the same way. I had one of the 440 Dymondwood models and it was fantastic as well. You really can't go wrong with a Vantage.
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I think the rosewood scales look great, so I may go for either that or the OD green Avid to save some money. I'll certainly be looking for a cheap enough Pro though. Thanks for the advice.
 
I have both large and small versions of the Paperstone Vantage. I bought the small one first, because I like the texture and feel and non-slip grip of the Paperstone. And I like the dark blue color.

I liked the small one so much that I very soon bought the larger version. Both were under $30 from a well-known knife website.

I didn't care about the flipper, but I soon got hooked on it, with my wife getting irritated by the constant clicking of the blade locking in place. It became my regular EDC.

The small one is the better one. It is rare to need the larger blade. The steel is very difficult to sharpen, and it seemed easier to get an edge on the smaller blade. The flipping and locking mechanism doesn't work as well on the bigger, heavier knives. If you have the little special wrenches for the bolts, you can fiddle with the tension and improve the centering and the blade action.

Get the smaller Vantage. It will become a regular EDC, and you might like it enough to buy the bigger, in spite of its shortcomings.
 
Noswad0208 said:
I think the rosewood scales look great, so I may go for either that or the OD green Avid to save some money. I'll certainly be looking for a cheap enough Pro though. Thanks for the advice.
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I have seen the Rosewood scaled model in person before and it's frankly, pretty fantastic. I've always got one saved in my Ebay watched auctions so that one time when I've got free funds I don't know what to do with, I can pull the trigger.
 
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