Questions on 347 Vantage Pro

Badhammer

Badhammer

Joined
Jun 8, 2009
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Coworker brought in his large Vantage Pro this morning and asked if I could include it with some stuff I'm sending back to Buck for a spa treatment. I was the original owner of this particular 347 and sold it to him about 3 years ago. Was surprised to find that it has a lot of blade play in all directions and the lockup is all the way to the right. He's got the pivot tightened down to the point you really have to use some wrist action to flip it open. When closed the blade is all the way against right side liner.

He uses the knife daily but doesn't abuse it. My questions are as follows:

Will Buck do a spa treatment on a Vantage? (He's wanting the edge back to factory and the knife cleaned up)

Is it possible or likely that the washers have worn enough to allow for the blade play?

TIA
 
I wouldn't be suprised if a new one came back to you. Probably the least cost of doing buisness for that knife IMO.
 
Thank you for the reply hogger. I mentioned to him that there might be a possibility Buck would replace the knife and he wasn't sure he wanted that. This is his first Buck as well as the first blade he's had with a "premium" steel and he's been very pleased with it. When we spoke yesterday he said he'd almost rather have the knife returned even if the blade play can't be remedied rather than have it replaced.

I'll probably shoot Joe an email at Buck and see what he thinks.
 
I would imagine that Buck would fix the issues with the knife if you write specifically what you want done. In addition you state in your letter that you want the knife back regardless of any issues that can't be fixed. The washers were changed I believe and worn out parts can be the reasons for the issues. They will put a new edge on it and clean it up. I think you and your friend will be pleased.
 
mbjannusch said:
I would imagine that Buck would fix the issues with the knife if you write specifically what you want done. In addition you state in your letter that you want the knife back regardless of any issues that can't be fixed. The washers were changed I believe and worn out parts can be the reasons for the issues. They will put a new edge on it and clean it up. I think you and your friend will be pleased.
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Sounds like a good plan. I've got a 303 that my wife picked up from the Buck plant back when they were in El Cajon, CA. It's got some blade play and could use a spa treatment but because she got it for me I'd rather get it back, even with the blade play then have it replaced. I'll ship everything to Joe's attention and include a note like you suggest.
 
Check for a worn out liner. Most people don't catch it because the detent keeps it from hitting the opposite liner and it fools you into thinking it's fine.

Solid knives, but Buck needs a thicker and stonger liner in the Vantage line. I thought my Pro's liner was soft from a bad heat treat but I know others who had the same problem. It leaves a black eye when they bought it at your reccomendation too. To be fair they fixed my buddy's at his shipping expense. Mine has quite a few other issues but I bought a new knife rather than pay to send it in, so I won't expand on that in their forum.
 
olds442tyguy said:
Mine has quite a few other issues but I bought a new knife rather than pay to send it in, so I won't expand on that in their forum.
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There's no reason you can't expand on your comments. This is a discussion forum and if you have a contrary opinion, it can be discussed and either resolved or not. Keep in mind the Vantage Pro is probably the only, or one of the only premium steel liner lock folders on the market at the $60 to $70 price range. I think people forget the saying "you get what you pay for". I have several Vantages, in all series. Some have small issues and some don't, but the amount of commentary on the knife is amazing. People act like they paid $200 for their Vantage and it's a crime to have issues in a hand full of them. I have never had a Vantage with an issue, I couldn't resolve myself.
 
mbjannusch said:
TKeep in mind the Vantage Pro is probably the only, or one of the only premium steel liner lock folders on the market at the $60 to $70 price range. I think people forget the saying "you get what you pay for".
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Well spoken.
 
mbjannusch said:
There's no reason you can't expand on your comments. This is a discussion forum and if you have a contrary opinion, it can be discussed and either resolved or not. Keep in mind the Vantage Pro is probably the only, or one of the only premium steel liner lock folders on the market at the $60 to $70 price range. I think people forget the saying "you get what you pay for". I have several Vantages, in all series. Some have small issues and some don't, but the amount of commentary on the knife is amazing. People act like they paid $200 for their Vantage and it's a crime to have issues in a hand full of them. I have never had a Vantage with an issue, I couldn't resolve myself.
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My liner wore out a bit too quick, the pocket clip came cross threaded and loose so I can neither loosen nor tighten it (four bits eaten trying), the serrations are ground into the blade too far recessed so it leaves a sharp extended nub, and the grind is off centered (which is likely connected to the recessed serrations). In addition, design wise the liner should have been recessed to match the contour of the scales. It's uncomfortable on hard cuts and exposes it for accidental engagement with torsional hand movement. The thumbhole is almost pointless, and I wish the flipper extended just a bit more as it can be hard to actuate wet.

Just so I don't sound too pessimistic, I will say getting an S30V US made folder for that price is almost unheard of. The scales are absolutely beautiful and supply very good grip with out being offensive. The knife carries deep and the placement is perfect. The blade geometry is great for cutting, even being ground crooked. The lightweight and deep carry are very discreet for even the user and I have yet to find another folder as carryable regardless of size or weight.

With a few design tweaks and a thicker liner, my ZT would be benched. I could have Buck fix a few of the issues, but that thin and protruding liner was it's downfall for me. I must admit I'm a little picky though as I don't think my ZT 0350 is "the one" either. If I could combine the two somehow I'd be getting somewhere.
 
I'm sitting here looking at my vantage as I read your comments. I have had the threads on the pocket clip strip out as well. If can get some Loctight on the threads and tighten it down just before the threads slip, it will hold tight enough to use once it's dry. As for the serrations and grind, I can say " you got a lemon". Not all Vantages have the issues yours does, and when you noticed them (hopefully when you bought it or received it in the mail), You should have sent it back. Some times people refuse to hold a company responsible for an inferior product, but hold a grudge for the issues they chose to except.
As for the blade hole, and flipper. Neither one is great but with some practice both can work perfectly. If you want an automatic, the Vantage isn't for you. You might try the Paradigm, which has the look and design of the vantage but works differently to automatically engage, and you don't have to worry about the liner. Which if your using your knife properly, you shouldn't have to worry about. The chances are so minute that the liner would disengage while pressure is on the cutting edge of the blade. I really don't think a thicker liner would have any advantage over the liner currently used. Again if your using the knife for its intended purpose (to cut) there should be no reason to worry. If you really look at it, it's over half the thickness of the blade. There hasn't been one expressed incident of the Vantage disengaging while in use. I think if the liner lock was contoured to match the scales, we would have more people complaining that the knife is too hard to close. All these are my opinions in response to your comments, and nothing I say can fix the worries and issues you have with your knife. But, some times discussing the issues prompt people to remedy the problems and hold Buck Knives responsibly for the "manufacturing flaws" covered by your "Forever Warranty".
 
I can accept the difference of opinion on everything but the liner thickness. Were the liner a little bit thicker, the OP, others, and myself wouldn't need Buck's warranty. As stated, I really didn't feel the need to expand on much as I chose to buy a different knife instead of use the warranty. That was my choice but as you verified, some of the issues do seem to come up more than once. Had a topic like this existed before I purchased mine (via mail order) I likely would have looked elsewhere. I'm not saying the knife is no good, but I do think I would have bought a ZT 0350 blem for $10 more if I could go back in time.

I could take Buck up on their warranty to be clear. However, I bought a different knife but I have no doubts Buck would make the knife right had I paid to send it in. Maybe some day I will, but for now I don't use the knife enough to justify doing so.
 
If you choose not to use the knife enough to justify spending $6.00 in shipping and would rather spend double the price of the Vantage plus $10 for the ZT0350, is a bit ridiculous. You bought the Vantage and instead of spending $6.00 to make it right, you went and spent the cost of the Vantage, plus $10 for a ZT0350. So know you have a ZT that cost you a small fortune, and a Vantage you won't use.

You first comment is a bit off base. "If the liner were thicker the OP, others and myself wouldn't need the warranty", The warranty covers all manufacture defects of the knife not just the liner. There isn't anything about the line that is defective. You just don't have confidence in it, that's your issue, not an issue of the knife. I did a search of complaints on failure of the liner on a Buck Vantage, after reading your post. There was one complaint that the liner failed. The issue was that the liner failed after striking the blade back bone on a table. Well a liner isn't meant to hold up to strikes on the back bone, its purpose is to lock the blade open while you cut. You can get anything to fail if you test it for things it wasn't meant to withstand. Other than that, there is nothing to substantiate needing a thicker liner.
 
Look my intention isn't to get you to throw your ZT in a drawer and call your Vantage your new found EDC love. I'm saying that there isn't anything substandard about the Vantage. There are other knife brands that will provide you with the mental reassurances you need to feel safe. If those reassurances lie in a thicker liner lock than so be it, the Vantage isn't for you.
 
I never said I had a lock failure. I said the blade play the OP has is the same as mine, because the tang of the lock has worn down from what I believe to be a lack of material, or possibly the material itself. You can get a blemish 0350 for $85, which is VERY close in price to my Force Pro. I listed my other dislike which all were contributing factors for me buying the ZT, and it wasn't just the thin protruding liner. I chose the 0350 because it was a better knife for me anyways, not just because I didn't want to send the Buck in. Not everyone would feel the same in my position which was the point I may have failed to convey.

Regardless, my apologies to the Buck gang as I did not mean to make this a Buck versus Zero Tolerance thread. In hindsight maybe I should have left my replacement choice out of this. Truth be told I paid nothing for my 0350 and actually got it in a trade for an old Nikon scope I had laying around.

If it's of any matter, I'm still not satisfied with the ZT and am still looking for the perfect EDC.
 
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olds442tyguy said:
I never said I had a lock failure. I said the blade play the OP has is the same as mine, because the tang of the lock has worn down from what I believe to be a lack of material, or possibly the material itself. You can get a blemish 0350 for $85, which is VERY close in price to my Force Pro. I listed my other dislike which all were contributing factors for me buying the ZT, and it wasn't just the thin protruding liner. I chose the 0350 because it was a better knife for me anyways, not just because I didn't want to send the Buck in. Not everyone would feel the same in my position which was the point I may have failed to convey.

Regardless, my apologies to the Buck gang as I did not mean to make this a Buck versus Zero Tolerance thread. In hindsight maybe I should have left my replacement choice out of this. Truth be told I paid nothing for my 0350 and actually got it in a trade for an old Nikon scope I had laying around.

If it's of any matter, I'm still not satisfied with the ZT and am still looking for the perfect EDC.
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FWIW as the OP of this thread I have no problem with anything you posted and no apology is necessary. Everyone has an opinion and if they were all the same, things around here would be pretty dead.
 
olds442tyguy said:
I never said I had a lock failure. I said the blade play the OP has is the same as mine, because the tang of the lock has worn down from what I believe to be a lack of material, or possibly the material itself. You can get a blemish 0350 for $85, which is VERY close in price to my Force Pro. I listed my other dislike which all were contributing factors for me buying the ZT, and it wasn't just the thin protruding liner. I chose the 0350 because it was a better knife for me anyways, not just because I didn't want to send the Buck in. Not everyone would feel the same in my position which was the point I may have failed to convey.

Regardless, my apologies to the Buck gang as I did not mean to make this a Buck versus Zero Tolerance thread. In hindsight maybe I should have left my replacement choice out of this. Truth be told I paid nothing for my 0350 and actually got it in a trade for an old Nikon scope I had laying around.

If it's of any matter, I'm still not satisfied with the ZT and am still looking for the perfect EDC.
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Just like BH said, no apologies necessary. This never turned into a Buck verses ZT, and I'm not trying to convince anybody that Buck is better than?. I'm just having a discussion about what you don't like about the knife and trying to separate personnel opinion from fact. Sometimes if a conversation goes back and forth a few times, people think there is an arguement going on. No so in this case. I thank you for taking about the issues you felt like you didn't want to address.
 
olds442tyguy said:
My liner wore out a bit too quick, the pocket clip came cross threaded and loose so I can neither loosen nor tighten it (four bits eaten trying), the serrations are ground into the blade too far recessed so it leaves a sharp extended nub, and the grind is off centered (which is likely connected to the recessed serrations). In addition, design wise the liner should have been recessed to match the contour of the scales. It's uncomfortable on hard cuts and exposes it for accidental engagement with torsional hand movement. The thumbhole is almost pointless, and I wish the flipper extended just a bit more as it can be hard to actuate wet.

Just so I don't sound too pessimistic, I will say getting an S30V US made folder for that price is almost unheard of. The scales are absolutely beautiful and supply very good grip with out being offensive. The knife carries deep and the placement is perfect. The blade geometry is great for cutting, even being ground crooked. The lightweight and deep carry are very discreet for even the user and I have yet to find another folder as carryable regardless of size or weight.



With a few design tweaks and a thicker liner, my ZT would be benched. I could have Buck fix a few of the issues, but that thin and protruding liner was it's downfall for me. I must admit I'm a little picky though as I don't think my ZT 0350 is "the one" either. If I could combine the two somehow I'd be getting somewhere.
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Like Mbjannusch has said a few times I'm not arguing or down playing your issues. Nor am I going to try to brand thrash/promote either.
However I do want expand on some of your issues. If your knife came defected it should have been replaced right then. There is no excuse to accept a blade that its bevels or grinds isnt true unless your going to reprofile it anyway and the defected bevel doesnt inpact the function.
Let me just say that the flipper and thumb hole works perfect and smooth while wearing gloves.
 
mbjannusch said:
There's no reason you can't expand on your comments. This is a discussion forum and if you have a contrary opinion, it can be discussed and either resolved or not. Keep in mind the Vantage Pro is probably the only, or one of the only premium steel liner lock folders on the market at the $60 to $70 price range. I think people forget the saying "you get what you pay for". I have several Vantages, in all series. Some have small issues and some don't, but the amount of commentary on the knife is amazing. People act like they paid $200 for their Vantage and it's a crime to have issues in a hand full of them. I have never had a Vantage with an issue, I couldn't resolve myself.
Click to expand...

I'm fully aware of the price of the knife, but the Vantage Pro is such an excellent, beautiful design that to me it's just a bit of a waste to only make a low price version of it. I would gladly pay $100 or maybe even $150 in order to be sure that the fit and finish are well made.

I don't really mind minor flaws on the knife like a slightly off center blade or liners that aren't 100% flush with the handle scales, but if the blade is so off center that it scrapes against the liner or if it is hitting the backspacer everytime you close it, causing damage to the edge, it's a bigger problem.
 
i ordered a vantage awhile from buck. and wondered why it was so stiff so i took it apart and it had no washers in it. i kinda gave up on the vantages they seem to work great or not so great.
 
That's odd. Without washers in it, I'd expect there to be insane amounts of blade play since the pivot area should be too loose. Did you send return the knife to the seller or send it in to Buck or anything?
 
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