Headed back to Buck.....Benchmade didn't float my boat. So whick Buck?

T

Takoma

Joined
Dec 30, 2016
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Hey gang, I recently bought a Cabelas exclusive Benchmade Mini Grip with the D2 blade. Christmas certificate gift. I really had high hopes for the Benchmade, but there were several factors that just made it miss the mark for me:

1) Grip on handles shreds your hand when you reach for something else in the pocket
2) Horizontal blade play and the Axis mechanism seems to be really tricky to zero in (I.e. find the sweet spot) based on a bunch of searching I did online.
3) Too light. I like something a little heavier feeling in hand.

So, it looks like I will be headed back to good ole' Buck. All my hunting blades are Buck (102, 103,105 and 110). And my EDC is a 501. What I am looking for is a one handed opener for when I am fishing that can double as an EDC and woods knife. One that isn't too huge/heavy and has a clip. I got the Kwik tabs for my 110, but frankly they seem like an accident waiting to happen. So, my question is what US made Buck would provide a sturdy knife that would fulfill these requirements?

I'm looking at:
Vanguard Alaskan Guide
Quickfire
Open Season


PS: If the 501 came with a thumb hole, clip and lanyard hole it would be my perfect knife! LOL.
 
Buy a Vantage or a Marksman. Premium steels.
 
Makael said:
Buy a Vantage or a Marksman. Premium steels.
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Thanks for the reply! Is the Vantage pretty sturdy? The plastic scares me a tad, I've always had traditional knives that are all metal except for the scales.
 
S30V, G10 and Steel Liners. Decent knife. I like mine alot.


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Buck Vantage is my fav. EDC folder. Simple,lite,one hand open & close and the BEST pocket clip ever IMO. 347 pro. Or the 847 pro force is a little heavier both have s30v blades.
 
Mini spitfire is budget conscious and made in USA, clip, one handed (not as svelte as my Delica though)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Marksman on top with 154cm with G10 scales I made.
Vantage Pro with S30V in middle.
Impact (auto) with S30V on bottom.

I've carried each regularly in the office, on the road, in the woods, and fishing. I have other knives for woods work and hunting.

I like the action of the Marksman so long as I'm not wearing gloves.
I like the Vantage Pro steel and it cuts better than any of these. While I'm generally against liner or frame locks, it's a great one hander. The Vantage Force Pro is a little bigger and heavier, I just like the less aggressive handle on the Vantage better.
The Impact is great too. It feels heavier than the other two combined. It's S30V is great, but I think a big miss for it is the blade grind. It goes from cutting edge to stock thickness pretty quick which takes quite a bit from the slicing ability IMHO. There is a non-auto version available as well, though I don't recall the name right now.

Vantage Pro or Vantage Force Pro would be my suggestions. The Cabela's AK Guide is basically a Vantage Pro with wood scales and an S30V blade coated black.

 
I forgot to mention...
The Marksman is aluminum handles and the Vantage Pro and Vantage Force Pro are G10 scales with stainless liners. Light and exceptionally sturdy.
 
Copper and Clad has an aluminum framed 110 that is pretty light, but not too light.
 
Thanks for all the replies! It looks like the AG Vantage will be my knife. Thanks again for all the input.
 
revnewk said:
Yes! Vantage Pro is all you need.
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Good to see made in USA as a focus. Grew up with Bucks For what it's worth, my sons have enjoyed the mini spitfires (Cub Scout hands). Will have to check out the Vantage Pro. Look forward to a great community of fellow knife nuts! Thanks, DM for the welcome...


HB
 
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