VANGUARD out front on the cutting edge: My favorite Field Knife for Deer Season

DesotoSky, I gotta get me one of those RAM horn.........I love any knife that looks like the material could've come off the floor of the wilderness....I remember going out to Lancaster County and we went to some Flea Market and stayed at a camp ground, we journeyed into the woods an found this cliff at the base allot of shale rock....while standing at he base suddenly rocks started to rain on us....we scattered aand once safe looked up here were wild mountain goats no kidding peering over the edge of the cliff and some as were looking started scracthing their rear hoofs towards the edge of the cliff an were kicking more rocks down onto us.....LOL and was stunned at the overt act. Not a Ram but funny....thanks for sharing that beautiful specimen of a knife. I'm with you on that one for sure....Only problem for me I would be tempted to take out Hunitng with me every hunting....LOL
 
DesotoSky, They nailed that Bear knife love the whole design an feel of it.....that handle is a knockout! perfect for the rest of the knife.
Thanks for sharing all the above! what a nice collection. have a good night and a great week!
 
Sky, good proof. Someone had told me those may exist. The 1991 Vangard is a very different looking knife than the 1992 model. Do you think your late 91 Vangard has a blade of 425M? DM
 
The Vanguard is probably the best Deer knife I've ever used. I've probably field dressed close to 30 deer in my life with various different knives. The Vanguard is by far the most comfortable and versatile. I'd like to find a horn or stag version with upgraded steel, not sure if they exist though.
 
David Martin said:
Sky, good proof. Someone had told me those may exist. The 1991 Vangard is a very different looking knife than the 1992 model. Do you think your late 91 Vangard has a blade of 425M? DM
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You are right about looking a little different, the grind line is higher and more blended.
As to the steel, I don't know. As a rule of thumb I use 82-91 for 425m but I suspect models
did phase over during a period of time.

1991's are out there. Still looking for the rubber 692 and have missed several on the auction site and a consignment list. The original 1991 gut hook version was called the QUEST and recalled immediately because the hook was found to be too small. It was reintroduced in 1992 as the ZIPPER with a larger & deeper hook. I have never seen a Quest other than in a picture. As a Vanguard collector I consider it to be the holy grail I'll probably never have.
 
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DeSotoSky said:
You are right about looking a little different, the grind line is higher and more blended.
As to the steel, I don't know. As a rule of thumb I use 82-91 for 425m but I suspect models
did phase over during a period of time.

1991's are out there. Still looking for the rubber 692 and have missed several on the auction site and a consignment list. The original 1991 gut hook version was called the QUEST and recalled immediately because the hook was found to be too small. It was reintroduced in 1992 as the ZIPPER with a larger & deeper hook. I have never seen a Quest other than in a picture. As a Vanguard collector I consider it to be the holy grail I'll probably never have.
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The only Buck Quest I have ever seen was in this photo By Dave H.
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jb4570
 
My guess is yes, the elk ivory. The date is right for the 1991 Vanguard to have 425M steel but I sort of doubt it. As the 'phasing out' could have already started by then. Thanks, DM
 
The Vanguard was introduced in the 1991 catalog as an upcoming model not yet in production when the catalog printed. It hit the stores in late 1991. 1992 was the first full year of production though. Here is an early Vanguard with a 1991 date code. The coloration is storage film on the blade.

I don't have a trained eye for the differences, and lets call it NOMENCLATURE only for knives, but Is there a difference between the 91 & 92? the shape looks the same to me? thanks again for posting this holy grail 1991.
 
JB4570, Yes when I was buying my 92 model with wood handle I was conflicted over getting the rubber handle, I chose the wood handle. I was also looking at the 103 Skinning Knife, and saw they had one of these gut hook models too in rubber handle in a case an they were trying to get me to get both, because I was conflicted over getting the 103 at the same time I chose the 103. But I'm absolutely sure now after looking at your photo it definetly had this smaller gut hook your refering too.....
 
USMule said:
I don't have a trained eye for the differences, and lets call it NOMENCLATURE only for knives, but Is there a difference between the 91 & 92? the shape looks the same to me?
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Yes, the overall shape is the same.... but.... look at the hollow grind line on the blade, it goes higher on the 1991.
 
My rubber handle alaskan guide vanguard with dlc blade coating and s30v blade is one of the best hunting knives I own.it does it all,and the rubber grip gives a secure hold when wet !
 
Razorblades, exactly! I had some remorse after getting the wooden version on the Vanguard or Phelonic on the 103. There is something to be said for the rubber grips especially in the cold rain & snow. In my mind at the time I was thinking of my Vangaurd is a all wearing knife for evertything, and thats how its worked out an haven't had much of a issue with grip with it out in the feild or on a dialy basis. The 103 is fine, But if I could go back I think I would of gotten the rubber version handle of the Vanguard for grip only! too the 103 is a whole different animal for skinning [only]. I'm saying I would of gotten all #3 at once. The gut hook I'm not a big fan of....for how little you may use it, at least in my case.
 
David Martin said:
My guess is yes, the elk ivory. The date is right for the 1991 Vanguard to have 425M steel but I sort of doubt it. As the 'phasing out' could have already started by then. Thanks, DM
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David is 100% on target, the inset is an Elk tooth. Commonly referred to as Elk ivory, i'm a fan of Elk ivory art and the butt cap was so different from the standard 192 that I just had to have this knife.
jb4570
 
More reposted pictures. Found this little cabinet for $10 and stuffed it with Vanguards.
5 or 6 more cabinets like this and I could display all my Vanguards....

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