Just bought a new Buck (345 Paperstone Vantage)

M

Mtell1

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Sep 12, 2009
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I was at the Walmart today and stopped by the knife display...Im in Canada and they dont usually have many nice knives here at the Walmart, BUT they did have the the Buck Vantage 345 Paperstone on clearance for $15!

So I bought one, it came in a clamshell so I couldnt really take a look at it in the store...

There are some issues, the knife touches one of the sides on the inside when its closed, and one side of the metal inserts are not lined up with the scales, so the scales are about 1mm over the insert on the non liner lock side.

Still its okay for $15, and its a very nice looking knife. The clip on it is great, I really like that it hides the entire knife in your pocket, that's a thoughtful design touch...

Can someone please comment on what is Paperstone? Is it like Micarta? Ive never owned a Micarta knife before, but the Paperstone feels very light, like a compacted paper or cardboard...can you wash it or get it wet?

Many thanks.
 
Paperstone is recycled paper, its Bucks way to be eco friendly. The issues you speak of are common with the Vantage. To center the blade you may try to tighten the blade pin. It will make it a bit harder to open but you have to weigh the pros and cons. Use some oil will make it open better after you tighten the blade. As long as it isnt rubbing the liner and scratching the blade its no big deal. Again its a common problem with the model and has been beat to death on this forum. It was a Score for $15 :thumbup:
 
That thing is a STEAL for $15. I just bought a regular Vantage for $30 and feel it was worth it. You can fix the blade centering with tightening/loosening the pivot screw, but it will change slightly with use, so you will have to re-adjust it about once a week or so, but it's the same thing with my Kershaw Leek, and re-adjusting is no issue at all. I am going to try using some Loctite tape on the screws with both knives (my Vantage actually came with Loctite tape on the pocket clip, so I know it is knife safe).
 
I have a paperstone 345 I picked up at a local pawn shop a couple weeks ago for $15. It locks up fine, blade is centered and its really a nice US made knife. I think that issues with the Vantage, while somewhat common, are not present accross the board on all knives.
 
I bought one of these at full price at wal-mart for 24.96, when they went on clearance a few weeks ago I bought 2 more, Christmas gifts. I love the fit and finish on mine, through a lot of use and sharpening I have it cutting like a laser. It only recently got bumped out of my pocket.... by a vantage pro. I was hesitant about the paper-stone stuff too, its like MDF but made with paper and resin. What made me feel better about it was that it is used to make kitchen counter-tops, think of the abuse a counter-top takes, knives, hot pots, sitting water, if it can survive that it will be fine as a knife handle, mine has been through the dishwasher. After a while it will absorb some oil and will start to look polished from use. Enjoy.
 
I also bought a Paperstone Vantage yesterday! Nothing like a new knife to cure those Sunday evening blues :) . It's my first Buck. Mine isn't perfectly centered but it doesn't touch the liner, locks up nice and solid and deploys so smoothly with the flipper. The Paperstone scales are so cool. I was a bit surprised at how visible the tool marks on the blade are from the hollow grind, apparently this is a feature of Buck knives? All in all I'm very impressed: right now I'm thinking I may never need to buy another knife.. well at least not for a while.
 
The tool marks are typical of the select line of vantages. The blades get smoother as tou work your way to the avid and the pro.
 
Call_to_Arms said:
I bought one of these at full price at wal-mart for 24.96, when they went on clearance a few weeks ago I bought 2 more, Christmas gifts. I love the fit and finish on mine, through a lot of use and sharpening I have it cutting like a laser. It only recently got bumped out of my pocket.... by a vantage pro. I was hesitant about the paper-stone stuff too, its like MDF but made with paper and resin. What made me feel better about it was that it is used to make kitchen counter-tops, think of the abuse a counter-top takes, knives, hot pots, sitting water, if it can survive that it will be fine as a knife handle, mine has been through the dishwasher. After a while it will absorb some oil and will start to look polished from use. Enjoy.
Click to expand...

Can you please let me know if they had any Blue, or if Walmart only sells the Back ones?...because I might go back and get a Blue one if its offered. Or maybe the blues are only in the higher line?

Many thanks...
 
Little update on this knife, after carrying it for 2 weeks I really like a it a lot.

Its an amazing bargain, and its very smooth to open and solid to close. The liner lock works perfect, its like a text book example of a how a liner lock should come.

The blade shape is very nice and overall the knife is a great size and shape, the clip is great.

Only downside is that it doesn't have a lanyard hole, and I really love lanyard holes...
 
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