Buck Vantage

red1965

red1965

Joined
Apr 21, 2009
Messages
676
First time posting in here and just thought I would give some thoughts on the Vantage I purchased yesterday. For starters, I own a few Buck knives and have always been satisfied with the quality and performance. Until yesterday....I purchased a Vantage in the 420 HC mainly due to the overall look of the knife. I had read several reviews that it was an inexpensive, sturdy work knife and I thought this would fill the bill for a good around the house and shop knife. Upon opening the knife I noticed that the blade finish was not what I was used to seeing on most Bucks. Not bad, but not great either. With closer inspection, the tip was very unevenly ground. Not a real problem I thought, a little work with the hones and this could be fixed. Inspecting the liner lock I noticed that it was just barely engaging the blade. I did a spine whack test and just as I suspected the Vantage folded right up. Lost of blade play also. Tightened up the pivot and this helped the play some and the spine whack test is now only causing a failure some of the time, but the knife is much more difficult to open. I did like the clip and overall feel of the knife, but due to the other issues I dont think this one will get much pocket time. I also would not be comfortable using this in a "hard use" situation due to the lock failing. I hope this is not going to be the norm for what is a great company. Maybe this one slipped past QC? Dont want to rain on anyones parade, but I thought I would just let my findings be known. Thanks.
 
Sounds like you got a bad one. Lock shouldn't fail. If you can't get it right send it back to Buck so that they can fix it and be aware of the QC issue.

Keep us posted if you send it back.
 
Not meaning to beat a dead horse, but I forgot to add that the balde was so off center that it was rubbing the liner when I tried to open it. I doubt I will send it back due to the fact that I bought it as a "beater". As long as I can get the lock issue fixed it will be ok for my purpose of use. I guess my point of posting being was to see if quality has become an issue with Buck like it has so many of the older manufactures. I dont expect Sebenza fit, finish and quality out of a $25 dollar knife, but this one kind of made me think of those knives you get at the gas station for three bucks.
 
red1965 said:
Not meaning to beat a dead horse, but I forgot to add that the balde was so off center that it was rubbing the liner when I tried to open it. I doubt I will send it back due to the fact that I bought it as a "beater". As long as I can get the lock issue fixed it will be ok for my purpose of use. I guess my point of posting being was to see if quality has become an issue with Buck like it has so many of the older manufactures. I dont expect Sebenza fit, finish and quality out of a $25 dollar knife, but this one kind of made me think of those knives you get at the gas station for three bucks.
Click to expand...

I have 3 Vantage Pros and 6 Avids and not one has any of those issues. A couple of them have blades that aren't perfectly centered but they don't touch the liners and all lock up solid.

On the whole, I think Buck has great quality control but like anything, a lemon can get through.
 
I picked up one of the paperstone models a couple days ago and was really impressed with it. I agree that you mush have just got a bad one.
 
Some of the earlier Vantages had problems, but I think they have been worked out. Or maybe, as suggested, you got a lemon. I'd recommend sending it back for warranty. You'll get a nice one that can still be a beater and a good one at that. It'll just cost postage to Buck.

I have two Vantage Pros and they are great. One has seen heavy use and it served well. I usually have two EDCs in rotation these days. For 4 days of the week when I'm outdoors I'll use a Sambar Stag 110. For 3 days when I'm doing things mostly indoors and going places where I want a lighter, more discrete carry I use the Vantage Pro.
 
You must have got a dud,heck I would send her back.I just own one Vantage,it's the Avid model.It's been a great edc:thumbup:In fact it's time to go pop a bale of hay,gotta go.:D
 
red1965 said:
First time posting in here and just thought I would give some thoughts on the Vantage I purchased yesterday. For starters, I own a few Buck knives and have always been satisfied with the quality and performance. Until yesterday....I purchased a Vantage in the 420 HC mainly due to the overall look of the knife. I had read several reviews that it was an inexpensive, sturdy work knife and I thought this would fill the bill for a good around the house and shop knife. Upon opening the knife I noticed that the blade finish was not what I was used to seeing on most Bucks. Not bad, but not great either. With closer inspection, the tip was very unevenly ground. Not a real problem I thought, a little work with the hones and this could be fixed. Inspecting the liner lock I noticed that it was just barely engaging the blade. I did a spine whack test and just as I suspected the Vantage folded right up. Lost of blade play also. Tightened up the pivot and this helped the play some and the spine whack test is now only causing a failure some of the time, but the knife is much more difficult to open. I did like the clip and overall feel of the knife, but due to the other issues I dont think this one will get much pocket time. I also would not be comfortable using this in a "hard use" situation due to the lock failing. I hope this is not going to be the norm for what is a great company. Maybe this one slipped past QC? Dont want to rain on anyones parade, but I thought I would just let my findings be known. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Do you still have the box and if you do what was the date on it? The issues you describe have been corrected sometime ago. The date will help me ID things.

Jeff
 
There was no box. It was clamshell packaged. I will have to look in the trash but I think it is already gone. (Trash pickup is on Tuesday)
 
Hey Red
Please send it in. I have been carrying a pro version (not on my right now as I sit in Atlanta airport on my way to NRA in Charlotte) since introduction and it sees constant use. What you have described is not what we want out there...even as a beater.
 
I have a Vantage Pro small and large one and they are fine. I ordered them from two different places Knifecenter and GP Knives and requested they check for centered blades and no play when locked open. Both of these knives are very sharp and I am pleased with them. Great edge profile/geometry on these blades and nice satin finish. Nice to see one of the owners of Buck want to make sure you are happy with your knife.

RKH
 
Just an update....I took the knife apart and barely tweaked the liner enough to hopefully solve the lock failure problem. With the pivot tightened, the blade is still not centered, but it is better than it was. Play was reduced some. After an hour on the stones and hones, I have reshaped the blade grind to what it should have been. As having done all of this, im sure I have voided the warranty. Thanks Mr. Buck for the offer to send it in. Bottom line....I will probably use this knife as per my intended function and I would not hesitate to buy another. I would just try to give a closer inspection to any future purchases.
 
OT and not wanting to hi-jack.

I'm wayyyyy impressed by Mr. Buck chiming in. WOW!!!! Solidify's my confidence (not that i *didn't* have confidence before) in Buck as a company.

Talk about Customer Service!!!

I just bought a Buck Paklite and am eagerly expecting it's arrival. My previous Buck's were a 110 and an early Buckmaster - both were great knives. I say "were" b/c i gave both to others who needed those particular knives more than i at the time. I'm looking pretty long at a Vanguard though for my 4-year-old son - never too early to start 'em properly!
 
I can't tell you how much I like mine. Fantastic EDCs.:cool::thumbup:

vantages001.jpg
 
Great, Great, EDC!!
I have the Avid in my pocket at this very moment.
I think all of them are offcenter when closed due to a strong linerlock...at least that's my live with it rationalization.

I really like this knife and own the Pro as well and at some point soon will buy the small Pro. The Vantage is one of those knives that I can be happy with for a lifetime.
 
Such a great EDC, I bought two of them. Both work great. Many people are impressed when I show it to them. I like the large size folders myself.
And the price?........swell !!
 
I have an early Vantage Pro - and it is still perfect. I have a problem with the 'spine-whack' test. Depending on the 'whack', you could really damage any folder with such a test. I save any form of 'whacking' for fixed blades - and then in limited amounts - I am not a proponent of batoning, either. A knife is a cutting tool - not an impact weapon/tool. A folder is a convenient way to protect an edge in your pocket. I guess growing up with 'slippies' has made me more appreciative of all forms of locking blades.

If you think the knife was initially defective, however, send it back.

Stainz
 
Well Just a SIde Note to My Other Post...
I said that I would not hesitate to buy another Buck so I did. I picked up a Mayo aluminum handled folder off the internet. New in the box. I have really wanted one of the Ti versions, but I never really could convince myself to do it. Thought I would give this one a try. When it arrives I open the box and what do I find? The clip is not even touching the knife. It is probably standing a good quarter of an inch away. Blade is not centered and the blade has so much play its not even funny. I really don't mean to gripe, and I don't want to start a debate, but c'mon...2 in a row? Once again I know that this was not a very expensive knife, but my 110 was $35 and there are no issues with it. I have corrected all the mentioned problems, but this really shakes my confidence. I don't wanna put out $200 for the Ti version and have to take it apart and fix it before I use it. That being said, I don't want to spend $25 on a knife and have to fix it before carry. I was a QC person for many years in a factory and maybe I am a little picky, but I still think Buck needs to take a closer look at what is going out the door.
I don't want to bash or be disrespectful. Just stating an opinion.
 
red1965 said:
Well Just a SIde Note to My Other Post...
I said that I would not hesitate to buy another Buck so I did. I picked up a Mayo aluminum handled folder off the internet. New in the box. I have really wanted one of the Ti versions, but I never really could convince myself to do it. Thought I would give this one a try. When it arrives I open the box and what do I find? The clip is not even touching the knife. It is probably standing a good quarter of an inch away. Blade is not centered and the blade has so much play its not even funny. I really don't mean to gripe, and I don't want to start a debate, but c'mon...2 in a row? Once again I know that this was not a very expensive knife, but my 110 was $35 and there are no issues with it. I have corrected all the mentioned problems, but this really shakes my confidence. I don't wanna put out $200 for the Ti version and have to take it apart and fix it before I use it. That being said, I don't want to spend $25 on a knife and have to fix it before carry. I was a QC person for many years in a factory and maybe I am a little picky, but I still think Buck needs to take a closer look at what is going out the door.
I don't want to bash or be disrespectful. Just stating an opinion.
Click to expand...

I'm just curious, but was the Ti purchased from an online knife dealer as new or from an auction as new?
 
Plumberdv said:
I'm just curious, but was the Ti purchased from an online knife dealer as new or from an auction as new?
Click to expand...

I purchased a aluminum handled Mayo. I have been thinking about buying the TI version. The aluminum version was purchased from an online dealer as new.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top