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How tough are Vanguards?

D

dawgvet

Joined
Jan 25, 2007
Messages
45
Been looking for an all-around big game hunting knife, but also want to be able to practice basic survival techniques (batoning, pounding on pommel, etc.) with it. I like the look and feel of a Vanguard, especially the Cabela's one with S30V blade, but I question if it is tough enough since it isn't a full tang design. Any input appreciated.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums.com dawgvet!!! :D Please take a moment or two to visit our benefactors, Buck Knives http://www.buckknives.com/ and One Stop Knife Shop http://www.onestopknifeshop.com/ (Kevin owns this Forum!) ;) Please consider upgrading your membership and keep BladeForums.com open!!!

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dawgvet - If you're into pounding the tang and batoning, then I would suggest the Buck 124 Frontiersman. It has a full tang, a nice thick blade, and is an excellent choice for survival and big game...In fact, it would be a good choice to carry in a back sheath, so you could pull it out and say, "Now, that's a noif!"...
 
dawgvet said:
Been looking for an all-around big game hunting knife, but also want to be able to practice basic survival techniques (batoning, pounding on pommel, etc.) with it. I like the look and feel of a Vanguard, especially the Cabela's one with S30V blade, but I question if it is tough enough since it isn't a full tang design. Any input appreciated.
Click to expand...

Buy the Vanguard for your all around big/small game hunting knife!

Then buy one of these, http://www.buckknives.com/catalog/detail/162/243



Knives were made to cut- not, baton or drive nails etc. with the pommel... The pommel is brass, not hardened steel, it will ding and dent if used as a hammer...
Good luck! :D
 
chickentrax said:
But still steel...Wouldn't you want to know if it was 1020CRS or 420HC??? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Not me, I wouldnt know the difference between those 2, as most guys who use, buy axes probably wouldn't (I would guess anyway)

To me that would be like going to the Saturn dealer and asking if the tires were Z rated. I don't know maybe its me. LOL
 
wh4f said:
To me that would be like going to the Saturn dealer and asking if the tires were Z rated. I don't know maybe its me.
Click to expand...

Have you seen that new 2-seat sports Saturn??? That is one nice little car!!! :) :thumbup:

Lemme see if I can pull up a pic...

237084.jpg
 
WOW I need one of those :D

I wonder how many buck knives will fit in the trunk though...
 
If you had to choose just one, then get the 124.
For an combo meal; get the Vanguard S30V, Buck Strider 890-00X 420HC, Z rated tires on that Saturn, and a blonde with a purse.
 
dawgvet said:
Been looking for an all-around big game hunting knife, but also want to be able to practice basic survival techniques (batoning, pounding on pommel, etc.) with it. I like the look and feel of a Vanguard, especially the Cabela's one with S30V blade, but I question if it is tough enough since it isn't a full tang design. Any input appreciated.
Click to expand...

As far as hunting knives go, that Vanguard is about as good as they get IMO. I think it is the perfect shape for gutting and skinning deer, and S30V hold edge as well as anything.

If you're looking for a survival knife, I'd check out the Buck/Strider Solution 888. I haven't gotten to handle one of these yet, but it is supposed to be a little more stour and designed for tactical/survival purposes. Good steel, ATS-34, and a little more blade. You might want to do a search for this model, I seem to remember about someone hacking apart a metal chair...

Of course, you could do as suggested before and get the Vanguard, the axe, and have all of your bases covered.
 
dawgvet said:
Been looking for an all-around big game hunting knife, but also want to be able to practice basic survival techniques (batoning, pounding on pommel, etc.) with it. I like the look and feel of a Vanguard, especially the Cabela's one with S30V blade, but I question if it is tough enough since it isn't a full tang design. Any input appreciated.
Click to expand...

I think the Vanguard is an excellent choice for a hunting knife but it wouldn't be my first choice for routine pounding, batoning, etc. I'm sure it would do it in an emergency, but done over the long term I would expect some damage to occur, especially at the blade-handle juncture. This area just doesn't seem designed to withstand too many of the inevitable bad hits. I would feel the same way about most other knives with the same design. Just my impression, I don't recall ever seeing anyone posting negative experiences about this with a Vanguard.
 
I have a Vanguard s30v. I agree with the above posts--it is a fab hunting knife, but I think the steel is too thin for battoning. Also, I am not sure if the s30v would be good for that anyway--I would worry about chipping.

If you are lookin for a tough hunter, I don't think anyone could destroy an alpha hunter.

I love the Vanguard, but wouldn't use it in bushcraft.
 
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