Thoughts on the Buck Vantage Line of Knives?

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Nephron44

Gold Member
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Aug 20, 2015
Messages
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Hello there!

In my extensive and seemingly never ending search for a new work knife, I have come across the Buck Vantage line of knives.

Does anyone have any experience with these?

What model do you have?

What do you like/dislike about it?

How is the lock up?

How is the detent? Does it shake loose or is it nice and tight?

How do you think it would hold up to duty use (law enforcement) and EDC around home?

I know Buck has a fantastic warranty and still makes a lot of their stuff in the good 'ol US of A, so I love buying from them. Any help and info will be much appreciated! Thanks!

-Nephron-
 
I used to have one I got as a gift from my mom, it is now missing. But I had the Force Pro in S30V. I loved the flipper, and opening slot, I loved the blue-black G10. I hated the black finish. It rubbed off quickly, but I found out it was supposed to. The lock up on mine was like a bank vault. No side to side play or lock rock. The detent was a little tight for my taste within the first 200 or so openings, but then it wore in nicely. I'm not sure if it would or wouldn't hold up to duty use, but I used the hell out of mine working at a fruit warehouse, as a fabricator and then construction. All in all, it is a great knife, I'm wanting to get another to replace the one that is now gone.
 
I have a Buck Vantage Pro. S30V blade steel. Built like a brick telephone booth. G10 and steel liners. Deep pocket clip, which I prefer. Locks up rock solid. The Paul Bos heat treat on the S30V is excellent. The blade shape is excellent. I have Benchmades, Spydercos, Kershaws. The Vantage Pro gets the most carry time of any of my modern knives.
 
I just recently, as in within the last month, got the Large Vantage Pro with the S30V, I'm really impressed with it. Considering the specs the ~$60 price is extremely competitive imo. Haven't actually used the knife much, but it does carry really well, it is heavier than I thought it would be, but it feels well built so its a fair trade. It flips great, mine can fire out like a rocket if I want it to, but it also has a perfectly usable thumb hole opener, also the flipper tab is quite small so if you don't like flippers it won't bother you at all. The blade is also a nice classic design with a really nice hallow grind, should cut extremely well in most tasks. Ultimately I think it's an awesome knife, price is great, optimal size for edc (there's a smaller version if you prefer), great action, USA made, excellent heat treat, I say if you're considering it just give it a shot.
 
I have the large Vantage Pro. Very good steel and a great slicer. Will flip open with a wrist flick. It should make a fine duty knife.
 
I carried a Vantage Pro--the one with S30V blade--for a couple of years and liked it. It was one of the first models, bought it when the knife was first introduced and it was selling for a bargain price. Other than a slightly off center blade, it had excellent fit and finish but I never really liked the way the G10 handle looked. The handle felt fine, just looked kinda cheap to me. Blade held up well to some unavoidable abuse at times. Overall, an excellent knife.
 
I have a Vantage pro and my son has a avid. Like em both. In fact I would like to see a fixed blade version it would make a great fixed edc.
 
I have 2 of them (1 Pro and 1 Avid). I like them very much also. They were my first serious knife purchase years ago. Since then, neither of mines has blade play in any direction after years of use and are very easy to sharpen. If the blade gets off centered, a minor turn of the pivot screw and you are good to go. Overall, I would highly recommend them just because of the price. Check the Buck for sale page and you may be able to find a used one for cheap.
 
I have several. For the most part they are ok. The flipper tab is small, my only complaint with all of them. The lock does fail the spine wack test on my small vantage.
 
Between the Vantage and the Marksman, I carry and use the marksman tons more. I'd check it out first before getting a Vantage.
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I've had the large Vantage Pro for years, among other Vantage models and am quite pleased with it. In fact this happened to be it's week in my EDC lineup. A very well made blade and a very good value.
 
I just picked up my first vantage pro this week at the factory store. I love it. Blue
Black G10 with black S30v steel. I bought my son one as well. Very tight goodlooking knife.
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Good knives but lots of reports of spotty QC. I personally prefer the 830 Marksman, but either is a good product. I would just recommend going through a Bladeforums dealer that can look the knife over and check the centering and lockup before they ship it.
 
Great knife! I know someone with an older pro and I have the newest select (small), which is dirt cheap and one of the best bangs for your buck. Puns abound. I'd go with a pro/force/etc over the basic though, as they are a bit tougher.
 
I have a small and large Vantage Pro. I like the design - good ergos and versatile blade shape, nice discrete deep carry option. F&F on the small was decent, but not good on the large (scales don't line up well with liners, blade rubbing liners when closed, hint of vertical blade play). Lockup on the small is about 50%, and it's 100+% (touching the opposite liner) on the large (which is probably also why it has a little vertical play). Detent holds the blade closed well on both of mine. The flipping action on the small is decent, but not so much on the large. If you get lucky and get one with good F&F, I'd expect it would serve most EDC uses very nicely.
 
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