Looking for my first EDC folder?

G

grandiosa

Joined
Mar 20, 2011
Messages
1
I don't know a lot about knives so, I thought I would seek
some advice here. Been looking at a Buck Vantage Pro. Is
this a good edc knife for the money or is there something
else you all would recommend? I would like to keep the
price down if possible for now.

Thanks all for the help
grandiosa
 
Yes G10 handles and an S30V blade with a good heat treat for $50 is a very good value. Other good value knives around that price range would be the Kershaw Shallot and RAM, the Spyderco Delica 4 FFG and Salt series, and the Benchmade mini Griptilian.
 
+1 on the FFG Delica 4, and depending on what you use knives for, as well as the knife carry laws in your area, I'd also recommend the FFG Endura. If you wanted to go a bit cheaper, the Spyderco Tenacious, Persistance, and Resilience are all well regardeed.

The Kershaw Leek is very nice for the money, and you can find steeply discounted blems from a dealer here on the forums. The Kershaw Skyline is also highly recommended.

If you are looking for a US made knife I'd give +1 to the BM Grips/Mini-Grips, as well as to the Spyderco Manix 2 (which, admittedly, is about 20 bucks more than the Buck Vantage Pro).
 
I would go with the Ontario RAT-1 or Spyderco Tenacious. IMO you don't want to spend a lot of money until you've spent some time on this forum and made sure of what you really want.
 
The Vantage Pro will make a very good first EDC. I liked mine, but I had many other more high end models that I liked better so the Buck didn't see much pocket time, so I sold it. My only gripe would be the thickness of the lock bar and the tendency for the knife not to be centered when close, but the later can be fixed.

There are many good model in Kershaw's line up in your price range. They use a Sandvic steel that takes a wicked, holds it fairly well, and is easy to sharpen. I would suggest the NRG 2. They've been discontinued so they can be had for a song, but don't worry Kershaw has the best customer service in the industry. Check with Kershawguy down in the exchange for a deal.
 
When I was researching my first good knife for EDC years back I settled on wanting S30v, and ended up with the Spyderco Native S30V. Still one of my favorites, and good if you want something smaller and lightweight.

Not sure if I'd recommend s30v as a first blade steel again, though. The edge held up without me sharpening it for a ridiculous amount of time, until it became unuseable. Then I tried to sharpen it.... yeah. When you don't know what you're doing, it's REALLY hard to tell if you are making headway with a steel like S30V. I'd get something more easily sharpenable, something from Kershaw maybe, or Spyderco's Tenacious line of knives, or even Buck's 420HC.

Sharpening comes with the territory, and it's much easier to learn on these "lower end" steels. Maybe put the money you saved into a decent sharpening system and learn from there.

If you have someone who can teach you hands on sharpening, then go for S30V, but I watched a thousand videos and read a thousand threads, and they just aren't the same as hands on advice from a pro.
 
I agree with sniper that S30V may not be a good choice for a beginner as it can be hard to sharpen. I have all the Vantages and you have three steel choices...Vantage Select/420HC, Vantage Avid/Sandvik 13C26, & of course the Pro which you are aware of.

I would pick the Avid. The dymondwood handles are outstanding and the Sandvik is fairly forgiving for a novice sharpener and holds a good edge on top of that.

Get a Spyderco Sharpmaker as your sharpener. It'll make you think everybody is overreacting to this sharpening thing.

Btw, perfectly centered blades are overrated in this class of knife...to many high-end buyers trying to apply super-knife standards to what is an entry level knife. As long as it locks up solid and doesn't touch the liner you should have no worries.
 
i am not sure about the buck vantage...but i would recommend the recently discontinued kershaw avalanche....around $65....g10, s30v, assisted opening.

i would also recommend the cheaper overseas made kershaw....excellent quality and they have excellent warranty program.
 
The Guy's have reccommend some nice knives IMHO I'd stick with the kershaw,and try the Kershaw Guy here on this forum has great price's and the blemished knives he has are great knives with mostley some tiny cosmetic spot....

crazy roger
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top