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opinions on buck vanguard(from a newbie)

T

Todd Schreiber

Joined
Sep 6, 2000
Messages
8
considering purchasing this knife with wood handles. i was wondering what steel they used. i read someware on the net that this model had ats-34. is this better than the 420hc? what about browning knives. i understand they use 440c. how does this compare? i'm just learning, so i'm sorry if you've been down this road before.
 
Todd,
I am not sure if the cocobolo model uses ats-34 or not. I thought that it also used the 420hc, but I could be wrong. I have the rubber handled model and like it(especially since I got it for something like $35 a couple years ago). It is a good hunting knife and does its job well. As far as the steel comparisons go, check out the tutorials link at the top of the page. It will answer just about everything you need to know including edge retention, corrosion resistance, etc. Check it out.
 
Todd,

I am pretty sure that all Vanguards have 420hc steel. I have one and it's a great knife. You can get more info on it at Buckknives.com

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John Foresman
Lifetime member Buck collectors club
Member NKCA
Member AKTI
 
The Buck Vanguards are made with 420HC alloy. This alloy is much easier to sharpen than ATS-34, but also does not stay sharp as long. The Vanguard design, handle shape and blade shape, is really excellent. I would rather have the Vanguard made from 420HC than most other knives regardless of alloy.

The Browning knives are not really made of 440C (their marketing department got a little carried away a couple years ago). A lot of their promotional materials, and references at online websites, have not caught up to their current acknowledgements that they use AUS-8 alloy. They've made some explanations that they think of AUS-8 and 440C has relatively equivalent, and just called AUS-8 "440C" because the public would find 440C more recognizable. Be that as it may, Browning makes some very nice hunting knives. They make designs that are optimised for gutting and cleaning game. The AUS-8 alloy takes a razor edge that does a very nice job of cutting elastic tissues.

A couple other knives that you might consider: On AG Russell's website there is a nice Deer Hunter model made of ATS-34. I also think that Cold Steel's Master Hunter with Carbon V alloy is well designed.
 
The Vanguards with rubber handles and the one with the brown woodgrain handles are, indeed, made of 420hc. As Jeff Clark said these are excellent hunting knives. The model numbers on these ar 692BK and 192BR, respectively.

There are also some 192SP7s still out there with blades made of BG42. These knives are OUTSTANDING! They have green Frenchwood handles with nickle silver pommel and hilt.

The combination of BG42 and Edge 2000 make this knife one of the most efficient cutters I have ever seen and they look great.

They are quite a bit more expensive than the other models but worth it IMO. They sold very well for me.

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Dennis Wright
Wright Knife & Sporting Goods
La Mesa, CA
(Don't click, just call)
1-800-400-1980
wrightknife@ixpres.com
("Have a knife day!")

[This message has been edited by Dennis Wright (edited 09-23-2000).]
 
If you can find any of the Vanguards made with BG42 alloy blades, they are truly top knotch knives. I guess that the 192SP7 model is much like the discontinued Master Series model, but without the special medallion and checkering on the handle. I have two Vanguards, one is a BG42 bladed Master Series and one is 420HC with the Zirconium Nitride coating. I really like the BG42 alloy best.
 
wow!thanks for all the speedy responses. i kinda had the impression from lurking here that nobody liked bucks anymore. i thought that the small makers/custom jobs were the way to go. but i like to get my hands on what i'm buying. i don't want to rush out and by junk again, so i've been studing up. my dad has had bucks for years,so i was really leaning toward them. i just wasn't sure about the quality of the steel nowadays. i'm going out of town today to check out some knives. i've got a gander mt store and hr away, also a farmers supply store that caters to hunters. i'll post what i end up buying. thanks again, you guys helped alot!
 
The Vanguard is a classic, tried-and-true design. We do tend to gab about the cutting edge trends and fashions here, but most of us also started out with a classic like the Vanguard (one of my very first). Other knives have come and gone, but the Vanguard stays around!

Glen
 
well, i drove 130mi today,hit 6 stores. only 1 had a vanguard, and it had the wood handle, what i was looking for. they had the wrong sheath,and wouldn't sell the display. why is it that most people in n or central wi are satisfied with $30 junk? only 1 store had any kind of selection, but he was $25+ higher than anything i've seen on the net. looks like i'll be buying off the net!!
 
Todd,

I bought that knife for my father-in-law. He is very happy with it - uses it as a skinner. I also tried to locate the same knife in BG-42 on the net but with no success.

David

PS: I spent 8 months in Brantwood, WI some years ago...

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Mikov Knives

Visit our region
 
Todd

You're not too far from my old stomping grounds in Medford. My buddy owns a sporting goods store there and almost always has a few Vanguards available, both in wood & rubber handles. And if he doesn't have one in stock, he'll have it in a few days. If you're still looking to shop locally, e-mail me at jeffk@selectpub.com and I'll hook you up.
 
Todd
We did a special project this year with Bass Pro shops on the Vanguard with ATS-34 steel. This post got me thinking that this is our only knife design that is available in 4 different steel configurations. ATS-34, BG-42, 420HC and then 420HC with IonFusion (ZN).

I think the BG-42 provided the max ductility with the highest hardness. We are getting 61-62 RC.

I like 420HC because I do not take good enough care of my gear and 420HC puts up with a lot of field crap. ATS and BG both will show rust and pitting if not cared for but outperform 420HC in edge retention.

I must say I am disappointed you had trouble finding a Vanguard. Making the product right is only half the battle...

Good luck in your hunt. I just got back from an archery elk hunt in Montana. Did not kill anything but what a wonderful trip. We were surrounded by bugling elk on more than one evening. Always a case of the wind shifting or too thick brush and one shot at 15 yards where I clicked my release as I was drawing back my bow and lobbed the arrow up into the trees. That 6x6 bull was coming in to...

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CJ Buck
Buck Knives, Inc.
AKTI Member #PR00003


 
wahoo!! stoped in the local sportshop today. he just got in a shipment, and a brand spanking new vanguard!! my mission is complete!!
 
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