Let's talk about the Buck Vantage

Thanks to the original poster for a very well written description of his findings regarding his Vantage. Most folks come here spitting venom if they have a problem, rather than giving an honest account. If you think about the Vantage in light of flipper knife development of the last 20 years I think his findings are pretty typical. My example came with an uncentered blade, which to correct by pivot tension, pretty much killed the flipping action. However, I also have knives with flipper tabs from other big name knife companies that begin with “S” or “K” among others that don’t flip worth a hoot. I believe plb nailed the issue with a lack of pre-load tension combined with too much drag on the blade. A larger tab wouldn’t hurt either, but I would not want it so large as to change the aesthetics. What you do get with the Vantage is possibly the best looking modern folder of our time, with a wonderful high grind blade and the best pocket clip ever. I really enjoy using mine in spite of the drawbacks mentioned. I really hope it stays with us for a long time.
 
Zornhau said:
Loved the blade, hated the lock. I don't care about flipping a knife open, I have autos for that. For me, the lock release was too easy to engage while holding the knife, because it was exposed by both scales. Other than that, it's a great knife with the best pocket clip.
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The pocket clip is definitely a winner. It was one of the first if not the first "deep carry" designs that mounted on the end instead of the side.
 
longbow1968 said:
Thanks to the original poster for a very well written description of his findings regarding his Vantage. Most folks come here spitting venom if they have a problem, rather than giving an honest account. If you think about the Vantage in light of flipper knife development of the last 20 years I think his findings are pretty typical. My example came with an uncentered blade, which to correct by pivot tension, pretty much killed the flipping action. However, I also have knives with flipper tabs from other big name knife companies that begin with “S” or “K” among others that don’t flip worth a hoot. I believe plb nailed the issue with a lack of pre-load tension combined with too much drag on the blade. A larger tab wouldn’t hurt either, but I would not want it so large as to change the aesthetics. What you do get with the Vantage is possibly the best looking modern folder of our time, with a wonderful high grind blade and the best pocket clip ever. I really enjoy using mine in spite of the drawbacks mentioned. I really hope it stays with us for a long time.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the compliment. I tried to give my honest impressions. My aim was to gain insight, not to throw mud. I see nothing to gain from trash talking, there's enough negativity in this world already.
Cheers!
 
I don't think you'll ever get it to flip as nicely as a Sprint.
I've loosened mine up and liberally oiled it, and then work and adjust it tighter while working it.
Play / flip it while adjusting it back to where it was.

It seems to get a bit better with use.
It will also lock up better as the liner lock sets in.

If you bought it hoping it was a flipper, I could understand the disappointment.
Especially if you've experienced other flippers first.

It is what it is.
I like the knife, yet I think Buck could easily turn this into a great flipper, if they wanted to.

I appreciate a positive demeanor here as well.
There's far too many grumpy people on social media.
I've been guilty of it myself.

Stay cool!
....You know who you are.
😎
 
Having amassed a collection of over 340 Buck knives, I am a Buck fanboy through and through. That said, I want Buck to be successful with every series of knives it releases. In 2010, the second year of the Vantage, the Buck catalog touted the flipper this way, "The flipper works so fast, you would think these are assisted openers!". Obviously, Buck wanted the flipper action to be great. I think many of us have attested to the fact that the action is somewhere between poor and mediocre. I believe Buck, either through design or execution, failed to deliver on their promise and has not made an effort to improve the flipping performance.

 
I got one of these when they first came out and I remember a consensus amongst non-buck collecting knife guys was that the blade was so off center on a lot of the knives the liner rub prevented it from flipping cleanly. My knife is exactly as described but my brothers is nice and flips well.
 
I came very late to “modern” knife ownership and don’t have an extensive collection but I have three of the large Vantage (two 345 and one 347). They are my most used utility knives, great blade size/shape, feel good in the hand, and great edges all three. One stays in my car, one in my pickup, and one on the coffee table. I can flip them open, but as was pointed up above it is a wrist action opening. I like the pocket clip design as well, doesn’t get caught in the cloth of my pocket edge, smooth in and out of the pocket. I use mine for everything utility, even as bait knives and a boat knife. OH
 
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