Cabelas vanguard in S30V

D

dawgvet

Joined
Jan 25, 2007
Messages
45
Anyone know anything about the Vanguard in general and particularly the upgrade to S30V steel in this knife? Seems like a good deal on a hunting knife.
 
I 've just got a Buck Vanguard (Alaskan Guide Series) with S30V. I skinned two buffalo bulls with it and then used it for butchering for about 2 hours after. I used my Buck 119 ( of 420HC) also, about 1/2 the time as a comparison. Both knives had the same edge geometry and sharpness. Skinning buffalo is full time cutting, they don't pull off, and these hides were very dirty. The crew skinning other buffalo, using knives with D-2 steel (which were $129.00 knives), sharpened theirs twice during the job, and neither the 119 or the Vanguard of mine needed sharpening even after the job. Some of the difference was due to the way I sharpen vs their way. The cutting I did is apparently not enough test however, to see if S30V from Buck holds an edge better than 420HC. They both still shaved hair after the job. It is a beautiful knife, well constructed and well suited to tough skinning and rough butchering. I intend to reduce the edge and relief angle on the vanguard, and really use it. If further testing shows it holds an edge like advertised, I'll get another.
 
Welcome to the Buck forum Steve and Dawgvet. I don't have any experience with the Vanguard but an Alaskan Guide 110 in S30V is high on my want list. I've heard a lot of good things about S30V Bucks. :thumbup:
 
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