Question about Buck Vantage knives.

T

TheEdge01

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Apr 3, 2015
Messages
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Hey guys, I used to own the Buck Vantage Select and Pro models. I noticed that if I open the blade about half to three quarters of the way open, and pull on the blade in this position, it would actually pull out about an eighth of an inch. The Vantage Pro and Select models I tested were like this.
I don't know if this has any affect on the functionality or durability of the knife but it still concerns me. Have you guys ever noticed this? If so, does this affect the knife in any way?
 
weird. i got no idea. never noticed this. gonna have to go play with mine and see if they do it.
 
I have the small pro and no movement pull it.
Anyways it's not normal, it means the pivot has huge backlash.
 
Does it move when locked up? Have you ever taken it apart (and if not are you comfy disassembling it)?
Definitely an issue...
 
Cereal_killer said:
Does it move when locked up? Have you ever taken it apart (and if not are you comfy disassembling it)?
Definitely an issue...
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I never disassembled them, but I even checked a Vantage Pro at a sporting goods store and it was the same way. Maybe Buck had a few lemons pass through quality. It locked up solid if fully opened, the play was about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way opened.
 
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Just checked my large Pro (it's my EDC blade) and there's a very slight movement as you describe. I'd say it's well less than 1mm - and I never noticed it before. Does not affect function at all and lockup is solid.
 
No play on 2011, Diamondwood, Small 13C26. This is my current EDC, no problems. All mine but one are small, will check. 300
 
I'm not getting any blade play in either of my Cabelas AG Vantage models. They are both solid as a rock.
 
Checked 2 smalls and 2 larges made between 2009-17, both pro and select, and all had detectable play but nowhere near 1/8 inch. Not enough to be concerning. Never noticed it before because I usually use the flipper and have no reason to stop part way and check.
 
plb said:
Checked 2 smalls and 2 larges made between 2009-17, both pro and select, and all had detectable play but nowhere near 1/8 inch. Not enough to be concerning. Never noticed it before because I usually use the flipper and have no reason to stop part way and check.
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I can't remember what made me check for play with the blade opened in that position. The Buck Vantage models were the only ones that had this kind of play.
 
Round pivot in blade with screw. I don't know it would be possible to have play like that.
 
Makael said:
Round pivot in blade with screw. I don't know it would be possible to have play like that.
Click to expand...

Good question, I'm not sure myself. According to the responses in this thread a couple other members are experiencing blade play as well, just not as much as I have. I never disassembled the Buck Vantage, so I can't explain the problem.
 
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TheEdge01 said:
Good question, I'm not sure myself. According to the responses on this thread A couple other members are experiencing blade play as well, just not as much as I have. I never disassembled the Buck Vantage, so I can't explain the problem.
Click to expand...
There shouldn't be that much play if any? The pivot pin must have a lot of wear. The pin , liner holes and blade hole are all round. The holes or pin in your knife must be shaped like an egg. Send it to Buck for repair. ;)
 
Just checked both my 2016 large and small select models and there is some blade movement, not much but it is there. I had loosened up the pivot screws awhile ago to make the action smoother and I now noticed the blade movement after reading this thread. However, once opened and locked, both are rock solid and absolutely no movement in any direction.

Oh and I'm not entirely sure that the "newer" Vantage knives can be taken apart as I read somewhere that they now are pinned, but you can always try and see if yours will come apart.
 
i pulled two and and checked them. one a much earlier production year, the other much more recently made. as it has the wood insert insead of the whole scale like the older versions had...so i know its a more modern made version.

so a 345 and 346. both seemed rock solid, when i did weak pull. no movement at all. when i started to push and pull even a bit..they do move a tiny tad. nowhere near an 1/8 of an inch. more like half a mm or so at the most. can hear a very slight clicking even more than feeling the movement. but i can feel the movement. also starts on both around 1/4 open through 3/4 open.

i carried and used both many times on hard tasks for a folder. so maybe some wear and tear? not sure if the rock solid ones have been used to cut with beyond paper or lighter tasks? maybe factory tolerances? maybe defective production samples? maybe done on purpose for proper function? who knows.

regardless they feel solid when open and locked so im not gonna worry. if they get worse or fail ill use buck lifetime warranty.

update edit part: slight clicking is from me using force bouncing internal stop pins on the liners or something to that affect. on smoother straighter pulling and pushing no clicks at all. i also noticed it takes a bit of force wont do it with a mild pull and push. you wont notice it if you arent putting enough force to it. not enough to harm it but it does have some very slight movement. i think its design and tolerances. nothing more nothing less, be nice to hear bucks input though.
 
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I have 11 Vantages and I tried them all and only found 2 that have any play. The ones with play are only about 1/32 of an inch. Don't consider it a problem.
 
Checked my vantage pro. If there was any movement, it was so minimal I question whether it might be my skin, muscle and bone movement. No issues here.
 
346 Here and there is definitely some play with the blade partially extended - none when locked.

First I've noticed it.
 
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