Has the Vantage Force Pro been fixed?

Magnaminous_G

Magnaminous_G

Joined
Jul 13, 2011
Messages
2,090
There are several threads on BF discussing the fit and finish issues related to the liner contact and lockup. I noticed that this line isn't currently available on the Buck online store. Just curious if anyone knows what's going on. Is Buck aware of and addressing the issues people have been complaining about?
 
Hope so!

Even with the bugs, I love the Vantage line. I've got 5 of em, and want more. If they get the kinks out I'll probably be broke! Lol
 
Magnaminous_G said:
There are several threads on BF discussing the fit and finish issues related to the liner contact and lockup. I noticed that this line isn't currently available on the Buck online store. Just curious if anyone knows what's going on. Is Buck aware of and addressing the issues people have been complaining about?
Click to expand...

That's typical of Buck's website. Many of the new models are "currently not available" but it's not because of any changes being made to them to correct some folks perceived issues. I've seen new models that never came available on the site until very late in the year and even into the next. I'm sure that if there are real issues with a few of them, Buck will or has addressed them.

I have at least 20 of the Vantage line including three of the new Force models and have had no issue with any of them. Some had blades that were not perfectly centered when closed, but none came even close to rubbing the liner. If that's an issue, it's easily fixed by adjusting the tension on the blade pivot screw. One (a force Avid) that was perfectly centered was a little too tight to flip open to suit me but with a tiny bit of adjustment, I fixed that. I believe now that if I'd simply lubed the pivot and worked it a bit, the adjustment would not have been necessary. Each and every one of them locked up just fine.
 
I purchased a small Paperstone Vantage last week, and the blade was completely against the liner like white on rice. It was sitting in there at an angle and difficult to flip, and I couldn't remedy it with disassembly. So though your experience has been good, this is not an illusory or perceived issue, but very real. And unlike Benchmade, Buck would not pay for my return shipping, so I returned the knife to Amazon and used the funds to get a large Select. [I understand that Benchmade can pay the return shipping with a $150 knife whereas Buck can't with a $22 knife]. The large Select was good, as are my other 2 Vantages. I like Buck and I like my Vantages, but I do think this is something they need to address.
 
I have also seen that the small vantage is more likely to have problems than it's big brothers.
 
If I've understood correctly, there is also a problem with a late lockup. I've never touched one, myself, so I don't know... but I've read enough threads to keep me away until the issues are addressed by Buck.
 
I'm not sure of the definition of late lock up. Here's a couple of pictures of my three to show how they lock up. Left to right they are the Select, Avid and Pro and all carry the 2011 date mark.
I suppose I'm naive, but I've never relied on other peoples reviews. I'll just buy one if I like the looks or the idea and make up my own mind.

VantageForcelockupsa.jpg


VantageForcelockupsb.jpg
 
Last edited:
plumberdv, do the two models on the right have a radiused blade tang where the lock engages? It looks flat in the pictures.
 
My vantage pro 347 circa 2009 is off center and tightening pivot made the flipper ineffective:(. I sent it back to buck once but it didnt come back any better. I disassembled it and manipulated the liner which corrected the centering and flipping as well as having lockup dead center instead of late, but left a little forward and backward blade play. Its perfectly usable but I dont carry it much because of the play. My Vantage force Pro 847 barely touched the liner but tweeking the pivot move it away and still allows for effective flipping. Love it:thumbup:
 
Plumberdv said:
I suppose I'm naive, but I've never relied on other peoples reviews. I'll just buy one if I like the looks or the idea and make up my own mind.
Click to expand...

Interesting point of view. I think it would be kind of hard to "make up my own mind" if I'm uninformed and ignorant of what other people are saying about a product... I guess I do think that's a little bit naive. :p
 
I can get much better informed by owning and using the knife myself than I can by reading or watching some one elses opinion or review. That's what I mean by "making up my own mind". ;)
 
Plumberdv said:
I'm not sure of the definition of late lock up. Here's a couple of pictures of my three to show how they lock up. Left to right they are the Select, Avid and Pro and all carry the 2011 date mark.
I suppose I'm naive, but I've never relied on other peoples reviews. I'll just buy one if I like the looks or the idea and make up my own mind.

VantageForcelockupsa.jpg


VantageForcelockupsb.jpg
Click to expand...

That black/light blue handle in knife #2 is outstanding looking:thumbup:
 
Last edited:
yeah, the 847 Pro with g-10 in blue and black is a great looking knife. I like scale change on the 846 Dave, though the original scales dont seem to be as agressive as you describe them. Did you take them to the buffer?
 
imafritz said:
yeah, the 847 Pro with g-10 in blue and black is a great looking knife. I like scale change on the 846 Dave, though the original scales dont seem to be as agressive as you describe them. Did you take them to the buffer?[/QUOTE]

No buffer. The edges on the grooves are sharper than they appear, you'd need to feel them to know. In the old days when my hands were used to twisting pipes and digging ditches, they would have probably been ok.
Click to expand...
 
BTW, in addition to my post #11, I have the 345 Select Oiled dymondwood that came absolutely perfect in fit and finish right out of the box.

Vantage345withAvidunfinishedDWsc-6.jpg
 
Plumberdv said:
I can get much better informed by owning and using the knife myself than I can by reading or watching some one elses opinion or review. That's what I mean by "making up my own mind". ;)
Click to expand...

I guess you are a millionaire. I read reviews and thoroughly research before I buy. That's because I'm careful about what I spend my money on, and if the consensus is that something isn't worth it or has issues, then I save my money for something else (or until the issues are worked out). Again, that's because I don't have an unlimited amount of money.
 
Nope, not a millionaire or even close, but we aren't talking about an expensive knife. If it was something that cost a bunch, I might research it some first.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top