I'm sorry to have overlooked Buck!

Yo Mama

Yo Mama

Gold Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2011
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6,249
With work lately, I was set on no new purchases. However, as a gift over the holidays, I received a Buck Vantage Select. I really wanted to hate it, I haven't had a liner lock in ages, and was resigned to never have one. I started checking out the Select, and found it was a really fun blade to play with. Flipping has it's own technique, and my others don't have this. A requirement over the liner lock in every folder I have is that it must have a thumb hole. The Vantage has one, small, but useable.

Now being it's made in the USA is important to me, and for the price I said why not. I've carried it a bit now, and I'm really digging it. The design has been very sound.

Due to a miscommunication with Discover Card, I received an increase in my cash back :). I decided to get the Avid, I'm happy with the Vantage line and kinda wanted an extra now.

Buck, you done good. This is my first Buck, maybe I should have looked sooner.

Ok, and a pic of the Select, with one of the Avid coming when I receive it:

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There's really nothing wrong with Buck. Their warranty shows that they believe in their product.
 
My BUCK collection is growing slowly. CSAR-T fixed blade, Silver Creek Bait Knife, 124 Frontiersman. I love all of them so far.
 
I think some people here overlook Buck because they don't offer knives that have the 'steel of the month'. It seems that Buck has taken the opposite approach by only using a small number of different steels and getting the most they can out of them. They offer a wide variety of high quality knives at a reasonable price. You can get a traditional slip joint, a lock back, or a modern folder. If you're looking for a fixed blade they have the classic designs and some more contemporary choices also. Oh yeah, then there's the custom shop on top of all that.:D

I used to have a small Vantage Select that I ended up giving away to a friend. Recently I picked up a large Pro model that I've been carrying in addition to whichever slip joint that I have on me.

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Buck's second generation Vantage is the Force "Vantage Force." Variations are Pro, Avid, and Select.
I just bought the Vantage Force Pro recently and love it. You guys should check it out. Some pics.
Upgrades are thumb ramp with jimping. Grippy textured G10 in several colors (Pro), a metal back spacer, and jimping on the flipper. Also, a upgraded finish on the Pro's S30V blade. Got mine for $73 tmd.
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I wish the custom shop would do things with their fixed blades as well. I would LOVE to have my 124 & a smaller knife from the same series paired together in a custom sheath with some engraving of U.S. ARMY w/the Army of one logo, for my 8 1/2 yrs of service & a small engraving of my badge for my 25+ yrs of service, on the blades & sheath. It would be a retirement gift by me for me !!! I still may have that done somewhere, but it would have to be all custom.
 
dannyp said:
I think some people here overlook Buck because they don't offer knives that have the 'steel of the month'. It seems that Buck has taken the opposite approach by only using a small number of different steels and getting the most they can out of them. They offer a wide variety of high quality knives at a reasonable price. You can get a traditional slip joint, a lock back, or a modern folder. If you're looking for a fixed blade they have the classic designs and some more contemporary choices also. Oh yeah, then there's the custom shop on top of all that.:D

I used to have a small Vantage Select that I ended up giving away to a friend. Recently I picked up a large Pro model that I've been carrying in addition to whichever slip joint that I have on me.

Picture003_zps3804d2fd-1_zpsdea2faf0.jpg
Click to expand...

I love my Vantage Pro, and I agree with the fact they get the most from the steels they use. The S30V on my Vantage is the best I have ever used, granted that due to Paul Bos HT which for S30V no one does it better.
 
I love Buck knives. All mine are simple, well designed and reliable blades. Fair priced, made in the USA. I think you will be getting more.
 
Flatlander1963 said:
Buck's second generation Vantage is the Force "Vantage Force." Variations are Pro, Avid, and Select.
I just bought the Vantage Force Pro recently and love it. You guys should check it out. Some pics.
Upgrades are thumb ramp with jimping. Grippy textured G10 in several colors (Pro), a metal back spacer, and jimping on the flipper. Also, a upgraded finish on the Pro's S30V blade. Got mine for $73 tmd.
View attachment 323060View attachment 323061View attachment 323062View attachment 323063View attachment 323064
Click to expand...

I also really like these quality Vantage Force Pro knives. The Pro Grippy textured G10 and S30V steel feel like real quality:D I have two more on order. I have one mid-grade, but it's sloppy and the blade closes on the return steel:eek:
 
TwinStick said:
I wish the custom shop would do things with their fixed blades as well. I would LOVE to have my 124 & a smaller knife from the same series paired together in a custom sheath with some engraving of U.S. ARMY w/the Army of one logo, for my 8 1/2 yrs of service & a small engraving of my badge for my 25+ yrs of service, on the blades & sheath. It would be a retirement gift by me for me !!! I still may have that done somewhere, but it would have to be all custom.
Click to expand...

I agree with you. The custom shop is too limited. Fixed knives make great retirement gifts and gifts in general.
 
I have one of the Avid's and really like it. I don't think you will be disappointed if you already are enjoying the Select model.
 
The quality and price are right. I've a few of their knives (I prefer Traditionals) but all their knives have pleased me, don't forget their belt-knives either!
 
I have got limited experience with Buck. I had Buck Bravo a few years ago: thought it would be nice to get 154 cm steel blade at such a nice price. It just turned out too heavy and overall brick-like. So I sold it. Then I have got quite old Buck Sirus I in a trade. It was not in a good shape I must say: but after I cleaned it, oiled and sharpened - it just turned out fine. I still have it in my rotation and like it. I have also got BuckLite: a small very basic cheap folder I hardly ever use for anything, to be honest. But as much as I have used it and sharpened: it feels all right.
Buck Vantage that I have bought in Wall Mart a bit more than a year ago I have used quite extensively for some time and was not particularly impressed with F&F and its edge holding. It has got good shape and size, good design, but the quality of manufacture and softish steel have got me disappointed. I think that Spyderco Tenacious is about of the same class: and of two I choose Tenacious. Vantage Pro might be totally different story, but I do not have any inclination of trying it after being disappointed with cheaper version that has very similar name and the same look. Probably Buck should re-consider its marketing approach: that is what I would do if I had any say!
 
I'll be the jerk that disagrees regarding my Vantage Force Pro.

The blade steel seems soft. It's still damn good steel, but it doesn't hold an edge near as good as my other S30V blades.

The liner is thin. Mine has already worn out and will wedge itself all the way over if flicked open too fast. It also has fore and aft play after only a year. My biggest complaint is how far out the liner protrudes from the grip. It hurts the hand on heavy cutting, and makes the liner easy to disengage if the hand is torqued.

My pocket clip came from the factory loose, and the thread locker is good enough I have eaten up multiple bits trying to tighten or loosen it.

The thumbhole is almost useless. If you try to flick it open with your thumb, it requires practice not to get cut. Slow openings are just fine though.

It's the highest quality Buck folder I've ever had though. The grips on this thing are a work of art and the grip is amazing yet surprisingly non offenseive. The knife carries increeibly deep and has a low enough profile that it's almost perfect for a mid size EDC. The blade finish is very strong, and the markings are very professional looking. The knife itself is sexier than hell too.

A thicker more recessed liner would put this knife in the mix with the big boys. It's a fair price at it's price range, but for a little more material in the liner I would have gladly paid a few extra bucks.
 
I will not buy any other Buck 846 Vantage Force Avid:confused: Black Tactical Folder as it feels cheap to me and the blade scraps the side every time I close it.

That being said I love the Buck 847 Vantage Force Pro:thumbup: Folding Knifes in S30V steel with a great looking and feel handle. I now have four!:D
 
I will unashamedly post another Bladeforum poster's Buck 110 which inspired my recent Christmas gift. My girlfriend gave me this beauty and I carry it with me every single day:

RamHornBuck1102.jpg
 
That is a very nice Buck Custom! Ram's horn scales, S30V, distressed leather sheath - whats not to like? :)
 
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