New Vantage Pro (and the Marksman)

K

KrabbyKakes

Joined
Jun 22, 2013
Messages
261
So I had a Vantage Pro when they first came out and I loved it but had to return it. Later I picked up a Select and loved it, but it developed the notorious bladeplay issue. Granted I also didn't maintain it well and the pivot could have been tightened a lot, but the issue was still there.

I really want another Vantage Pro (that or an Endura), but I noticed that the scales have changed. They are now some sort of inlay and haven't seen any non-stock pictures of them. Also, they seem to have added over an ounce of weight and I prefer lighter knives. Also, are the problems still there? Bladeplay really bothers me. Centering, not so much.

As for the Marksman, how does it compare to the Vantage?
 
I have a new vantage. I wasn't thrilled with the g10 inlay change over but once I got it its really not bad. The frame of the knife under the scales are all pinned together which was disappointing to see.
 
The Marksman and Vantage are completely different except they both have the same general blade shape. Kind of hard to compare the two.

As far as the Vantage goes I'm not sure where the "notorious bladeplay" is coming from? I've not seen any mention of it on this forum to any significant degree and none of the 8+ models I have exhibit it. Personally I like the new scales. They fill my hand better and aren't as slippery as the original.

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I'm not seeing this version on Buck's website so they may have gone back to the old scale design?
 
The inlay scales make them slightly thicker than the earlier versions. Some people like, some dont. Ive been using a select as EDC for over a year and ive had no blade play yet.
 
Not the slightest bit of blade play in any of them. Best EDC knife out there in my humble opinion.

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I should have mentioned no blade play. Very solid lockup. 2014 vantage pro.
 
Thanks guys!

The blade play I mentioned seemed to be the most negative thing about these when they first came out so I guess they fixed the problem. I should probably go feel a new one because I really don't like the new scale design. I really am starting to like the Marksman. It's just that $80 is a little more than I want to spend.
 
So I know it's a standard bladeforums answer, but seriously you do need both. :)

I have both, and they are very different. The Marksman is a fricking tank, while I'd say the Vantage is more a sports car. :)

If I had to prioritize, I'd go with the Marksman first, you've had bad experiences with the Vantage, maybe try out a different model.

Oh, and do you have a 110 yet? :

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I love my Vantage pro. No blade play, the lock does have some over travel but it's not a big concern for me.
Someday I will get a marksman. It's high on my list.
The Endura is a fine knife also.
 
So right now, I am looking at the Endura or Marksman. One reason why I leaned away from the Vantage is the fact that I am left-handed. Ambidextrous knives are a big draw to me.
 
I have to be honest with folks - I have a collection of 300s and have studied them a little but things 'evolve' over time. Now I am EDCing 99.9% a small Vantage of some sort, once in a while a large one. I just became attached to them and how their lightweight and position of their clip worked well for me. I only miss the extra blades of a stockman when my Vantage blade goes dull and it seems like that does not happen within memory. The Marksman and a couple other vantage like knives were just too heavy or didn't disappear in my pocket like the Vantage. I wish we could see a fancy scaled Vantage in my lifetime but I think everyone is just on their own. I have a couple of Jagg's fancy scaled ones and discussed with him the difficulty in putting scales on the Vantages. I do intend to make myself a nice colored jigged bone small Vantage before the end of 2016, no matter the difficulty. Will use my one s30V version. 300







Here is where I took one of the beige (discontinued) scale models and dyed it with RIT dye, I used it deer hunting and did not worry about losing it in the leaves.....ha
 
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Man y'all aren't making this decision easy. Once the Turmoil sells, I'm just gonna bite the bullet on a Pro Large. I'm tired of debating hahaha
 
I have carried a Vantage Pro since 09. My favorite knife by far. I like the Vantage way better than the Marksman which I do not own but have handled. The lock on the Marksman was not for me.
 
Pick up a Marksman, you won't regret it. I'm getting my two boys one each at christmas.
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Is there a place to do trading on these forums? I have others to trade for a vantage.
 
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