New Buck 345 - Questions

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Pondoro2310

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Apr 13, 2014
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I bought my first one-handed Buck, a 345 Vantage. Every other one-handed knife I have handled (not many) have had thumb studs. The 345 has a small protuberance Question 1 is what do you call this thing? Any way with my index finger I can use the nameless protuberance to get the knife about 1/2 way open, after that I have to flick it the rest of the way. Is this the normal method? Flicking a knife open is fun, but seems dangerous. I could see myself or someone else accidentally cutting flesh, cloth, upholstery, etc.I like a tool to open with no sudden jerky motions. Is there a trick I do not know?

Second question - what is the oblong hole in the blade for?

Thanks
 
Use the oblong hole like you would a thumb stud :)
And the protrusion is a flipper.... mine needs a bit of wrist action to open along with flicking the flipper.
The hole is super easy to open it with though.
 
That piece is for flipping with your finger. I can flip most of mine with a quick move of my index finger. I'm sure you can YouTube videos on knife flippers to get a better idea. The oblong hole would be another way to one handed open the knife. Some ppl can't, but my thumb can barely fit in it and open it up. Sorta like the thumb hole like on spydercos, just not as big.
 
The flipper in action:

[video=youtube;HlzDyrCdjYc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlzDyrCdjYc[/video]

If yours won't flip as smoothly, watch this video:

[video=youtube;jLKjOhgZ8Vw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLKjOhgZ8Vw[/video]
 
Also try some lube on the pivot to loosen it up and it will flip open easier. And lube won't hurt for thumb deploy.
 
I'm left handed so the thumb hole doesn't work so well for me. But, I can use my middle finger and do the "Spydie flick" and it flings open. Just a tip for other lefties out there. :). The flipper works well too. With a little practice and some wrist action, the flipper works well too
 
Both videos were very helpful, off to practice. I'll give it a while to loosen a bit before deciding whether to take it apart. Thanks!
 
Pondoro. I got my first Buck 345 about 3 weeks ago when I was at the feed store and was surprised to see a new Buck Knives display. I am older and at first could only open it about 1/3 the way. It took about a week of the knife nerves, of opening and closing and now I can hook with trigger finger and pull, opening it left or right hand with the flipper.
Bob
 
The trick with the flipper seems to be to start fast. As the knife opens the flipper disappears into the handle and you lose leverage. I need to build up speed quickly and not ease it open.
 
Pondoro2310 said:
The trick with the flipper seems to be to start fast. As the knife opens the flipper disappears into the handle and you lose leverage. I need to build up speed quickly and not ease it open.
Click to expand...
Yes the flipper on this knife is a little smaller than on some others.
 
By the way if you are a leftie, like me, here's how to use the deployment hole:

[video=youtube;mJFPbY7D2Zc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJFPbY7D2Zc[/video]
 
Here is a picture of my Vantages and I know some folks don't like the tie wrap but I find it easier to open my 340 and 345.

 
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That one with the light streaks in the dymondwood is the type of scale I would hand pick out from a stores inventory if I was trying to buy a knife. I remember one time was up in Branson, Mo and went thru every small vantage in the cabinet (about twenty) and at the end found one I liked. They were happy to help me look. If you have a store like that try to give them your business when you can.

I don't use the zip-tie method, the finger flick works most of the time for me. If it doesn't it gets a second flick. Everyone like to make a knife their own when they can.........
300
 
My Vantages both open with just a flick of my finger. No wrist snap needed. First center the blade. Then put some oil on the pivot. Work it back and forth as many times as is needed to loosen it up. The when you flick it put your finger on the flipper and jerk it back hard and quick.
 
Most of mine can open with the flick of the finger, but I have some at times that wont and need a little more flick with a wrist action tossed in. My newest 340RWS with a finger flick might open maybe half way at best. Even with a full wrist action it takes a but of effort to get it to flick, its a very tight knife. You can definitely feel the drag even with two handed opening. Though the 345s have more metal to them so they have interia to get going, the 340s dont.
 
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