Kershaw One Ton VS Buck Vantage Select Large

[AntDog]

I don't have a One-Ton, but the blade on the Half-Ton is actually a little wider than the Large Vantage. I measure 1-1/8" on the Half-Ton and 1-1/16" on the Large Vantage. I would expect the One-Ton would be larger and wider than the Half-Ton.

I'll echo mk.ultra's recommendation on the Kershaw/Emerson CQC-6K if you're open to other suggestions. Compared to the Vantage, the CQC-6K has, IMO, better ergos, better F&F, better edge retention, stronger blade (retains the full thickness of the blade stock for half the blade width), and wave opener (both functional and kinda fun). The Vantage has a lot going for it too - deep carry clip for discrete carry, thicker and rounded handles (fills the hand a little better), and a nice high hollow ground blade (makes it an excellent slicer).

Here's the CQC-6K next to the Large Vantage. I have the Large Vantage Pro, but I believe the only differences to the Select are the blade steel (S30V vs. 420HC) and handle material (G10 vs. FRN).

Wow that Buck is off center..... Does it scrape the liner?

 

[o4tg]

You won't find many positive reviews from people who have used the Vantage line in depth. Mostly just from casual users, and even then there are lots of complaints. They use super thin liners of soft steel, and the stop pin is about the lamest I've seen. I got to negative lock up in a matter of months, which is a common problem with many Buck liner locks. You'll run into people who love them though. I'll be fair and say maybe their quality control is just that varied, but I have yet to see someone who loves the line show pictures of one well used.

In addition, the action is sluggish and gritty even after thousands of flicks, the blade grind is crooked, the serrations are cut crooked and too deep, the protruding liner creates a hot spot and is easy to move by accident with gloves on, the opening hole is almost pointless, mine must he over hardened because it chips easy, the pocket clip came loose from being cross threaded at the factory when not seated all the way, and mine is now a rattle snake with fore and aft play due to the flimsy liner and terrible internal stop pin.

It is a beautiful knife though. If you only plan on light cutting and keeping it mostly in your pocket it will suffice just fine. Then again, about 30 seconds with the One Ton was about all I needed to write it off. Slippery, unergonomic, and too stubby of a blade for me. And that's coming from a guy who's two main EDC's are a ZT 0350 and a Utilitac tanto.

 

[EDCanAdamas]

If you want a stronger version of the Vantage, get one of the Vantage Force models. The liners are thicker (o4tg's right about the thin liners on the standard vantages). As for the lockup, mine was a little further to the right than I would have liked, but it survived moderate use without lock rock. The pocket clip on the Buck is also one of my favorites (mine didn't strip loose) it's parkerized finish, smaller size, and low-ride position make the knife disappear in your pocket. My biggest gripe with the Vantage Force Series is that Buck leaves out the lanyard hole

Once again, you get what you pay for. The Vantage Force line are great entry level knives for people are used to S&W knives, Frost Cutlery, Gerber's overseas line, and the Dark OPs stuff. I suspect that some of the previous poster's frustration was a result of purchasing the $83 Vantage version, and its understandable as the knife was not on par with other $80 knives. The Vantage Force Select however costs far less and is a great value.

 

[chucknduck]

I will completely disagree with what o4tg says. This is the only knife that I own multiple models. I have done everything that a person can do with a pocket knife within reason and the Vantage has yet to fail once. Is it a perfect knife? No. There are some things that are rough around the edges that have already been said earlier. That is the case with pretty much any knife sub $50. The liners are NOT weak. They are a 400 series stainless steel and comparable to mpretty much every other liner lock in the sane size and price range.

Poor flipping action - on most knives that are new, a good tear down and cleaning is all that is needed. One thing I have seen is the Vantage tends to have too much lock pressure. This is what makes for the ho-hum action. The lock bar has too much tension on the blade. This is ALSO the same thing that causes the bad centering on some models. The tiniest tweak of the lock bar away from the pivot with suddenly fix centering issues and turn your knife into a flipping machine. All of my Vantages fire EXCELLENT! No wrist required and flips like a charm. Action is actually very similar to the large Ripple, which is on BEARINGS if that says anything. Great detent.

Blade grind - This is THE #1 ATTRIBUTE of the Vantage. It has a high, hollow grind that is THIN THIN THIN. Every one I have is cnsiderably thinner than any other locking knife I own. And its not even close. All are under .010 Most other comparable knives are over .020. It holds a decent edge and if you can sharpen will be the sharpest knife you own. Ive never owned a folding knive that will get as sharp as the Vantage.

So if you want a knife you can beat on and chop wood with, get a K/E cqc6, but if you want something that flips great and cuts like a fine straight razor, get a Vantage. For just a few dollars more, you can upgrade to the frn/13c26 model which has far superior steel to the standard 420HC.