Vantage Avid

We did have some problems early on with the blade centering (this can happen on the 345/346 or 347 as they share parts... we discovered what was causing it and have it corrected on the current runs. As far as lock-up, we have a long term plan underway to minimize the inconsistencies..

Streetmaster,
What about the screws do you feel is low quality?
 
Hmmm - mine must be an anomaly. I guess I've had it for nearly two months - a decent expenditure of $50 + $6 s/h. Mine still locks up properly, the frame lock is just over fully involved - no more - but consistent. Yes, the pivot is dinky - the knife needs attention there. As a prybar, most folders fall below a simple fixed blade by a mile... and that below a real prybar by another mile. As a carton opener, letter opener, crude carver, bp opener, etc, the Vantage Pro works well.

Now - consider the value. To get the next regular Buck folder with that size S30V blade, you'll have to spring for a Mayo TNT 172 - MSRP $350 vs the 347's $75. Sure, a Custom Shop basic 110 in S30V could be had for around $100 delivered... but not quickly. I am not sure if the Cabela's AG 110 is still available, so I won't consider it (I have one, of course!). The best value in an S30V blade the size of the 347 & 172 was the neck knife Kaala #151. Of course, you get a hunk of S30v - with almost the same blade edge as the 172/347, less the thumb hole, plus a holey tang - and included both a plastic sheath and piece of lamp pull chain - and MSRP $112. Yeah, $75 MSRP for the 347 makes it still a deal. Still, a better pivot and bearing couldn't have run the cost up much, even if the whole family, which shared common parts, had to include them. Stll, after the 850 Bravo-turkey, the 347 is a keeper.

Stainz
 
this one has great lock up and good center when closed. Maybe Buck has fixed the problems that were affecting the first ones out.
Click to expand...
Longbow, both my Avid and Pro have the problem of the blade being up againt the liner when closed. This involves a lot of blade play while closed which prevents me from opening the blade by pushing up on the thumbhole. The blade will push over on the other liner and stick. I can circumvent this by using my thumb and index finger on the other side of the thumbhole and push the blade up enough to get 'er going. Now the flippers work fine on both knives and that's how I open the knives most of the time because the thumb/index finger thing is slower and less natural.

As far as blade open position, my Pro has alway opened straight and firm but the Avid has a pretty severe angle when open. Kind of like a broke dick dog.:(

So, what exactly was done to fix all these problems/issues?? My knives are some of the first ones as I was on pre-order a long time.

I guess what got me thinking about this was reading a Tenacious thread which caused me to get my Tenacious out and look at it and sharpen it. But mostly it made me compare quality of construction, lockup, blade center, quality of washers used etc. with my Avid as they are within $3 of each other on cost.

I'm afraid the Vantage came up short in Q, and F&F. Still the Vantage is a better design in terms of how in feels and looks. I don't even think there is a great deal of difference in steel performance (Sandvik).

I hope the Vantage gets everything straightened out cause a USA made Buck needs/should be able to say it's better than a Chinese made Spyderco that is constantly praised as a value purchase.

Can you tell the comparison has left me a little aggravated in some of the shortcuts like the nylon washer? Btw, the Tenacious has bronze washers.
 
Has anyone tried to put bronze washers into a Vantage yet?

I'm very happy with mine all around. However, could see changing the washers if things start to wear over time.
 
Again, mine is very nice. Not sure if it was an early or late one. Have only been able to handle/inspect 2 and I went with the Avid since I liked the handles better than the ones on the Pro. Didn't think the blade steel was going to make a big difference to me and I wanted to try their new stuff anyway since I have the S30V around already.

Hope they "nail it down" soon so what I see as a great knife can continue.

Will look for the smaller version and maybe handle options if they offer them. Won't replace the 110 as my favorite but it's a solid design.
 
I thought i would give a little bit of my short experience thus far with my newly acquired Vantage Pro. Everything i had read about it was true. Great design. Feels really nice in the hand. The liner lock sticks out on the left side and if you found yourself having to do extended cutting tasks then i can easily see it being irritating to the finger. The liner also engages all over the place. No consistency whatsoever. The blade was deeply off center. Within a hairs breadth of rubbing against the liner.

Now then. Off center blades really only bother me if they rub and scratch/dull the blade or edge. Still, if i can fix it easily then i will. The blade action on my Pro was soooo smooth it felt like the blade was gonna fly off into a nearby wall. So much so that after about three hours with it, it finally occurred to me to tighten the pivot up a bit. So, i got my crappy Kershaw torx tool out and went to work. I got it much tighter, but still very smooth and fluid feeling. It no longer flips open easily using the flipper, but i find now that the blade is almost perfectly centered and the liner consistently engages at about the half way mark.

One last detail i want to mention is the clip. I love the deep carry. It is the only knife i have with this style clip and i really dig it. Something i do on all my folding knives is check the wiggle of a clip. I have never felt it give on any knife i have bought. The Pro has a bit of wiggle though. The screws are tightened and everything. I think it is just a "feature" of the design. Being screwed into the butt of the handle by two relatively small screws. I'm not worried about it. I have complete confidence in its construction. I'm not concerned about it coming off, but i thought it was worth mentioning. I know there are people out there who would be put off by it.

Let me finish by saying that i LOVE this knife. I talked about a few low marks but i think this is an excellent knife. It will be going in my pocket and getting used for my every day carry for the foreseeable future. If you are considering getting one of these models and the above descriptions do not turn you completely off, then i cannot suggest the knife strongly enough.
 
very interesting thread

I know Jeff Hubbard, our Value Stream Manager (VSM) for the value stream that produces the Vantages, is monitoring this thread as well.

Really appreciate this user feedback you guys are providing.
 
I just purchased some of them they arrived yesterday, i am delighted with them, they lock up firm no blade play, liner lock only half way across max, blades centred nicely. Everything feels nice an firm. These are a gorgeous knife.

IMG_7684.jpg


IMG_7678.jpg
 
I purchased the Vantage Select a few weeks ago (I know this is an Avid thread). My first impression was that it is a good size but felt cheap. That was mainly the scales' fault. They initially felt like plain ole cheap plastic. I have a similar reaction to Spyderco's FRN (which I like for its strength and light weight). After handling for a while, I no longer have this impression.

I like very much the deep pocket clip.

The blade was sharp and centered. Lock up is great. The bevel is even.

I love that the knife is made in the USA and competitive with China-made products from other makers.

I give the line a thumb's up and hope it does well.
 
J Hubbard said:
We did have some problems early on with the blade centering (this can happen on the 345/346 or 347 as they share parts... we discovered what was causing it and have it corrected on the current runs. As far as lock-up, we have a long term plan underway to minimize the inconsistencies..

Streetmaster,
What about the screws do you feel is low quality?
Click to expand...

Here's a picture of the pivot screw. Does that look like a good quality screw to you? All the screws on the knife looked this way, I felt that they would strip out easily. I would take a better macro of it, but I've already returned the knife to the retailer. If you have ironed out all the issues as it appears you have, I will purchase another one. I really loved the Vantage Pro, but could not deal with it's shortcomings. How can I be sure to purchase one that is the updated version?

I really want another one that's all good.

I would also like to ask, what are you doing to solve the inconsistent lock-up issue, and when will this be implemented?

IMG_1607-1-1.jpg
 
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I had the same lock up /alignment problem on my Vantage Pro when I first got it. (It would lock up mid tang and alignment was really close to the non locking liner).
I corrected it myself by playing with the pivot and frame screws. It now consistently locks in the first 1/4 of the tang and while it is still not centered and aligns close the non locking handle it never touches it.
 
Tried that. I thought I had it fixed, the liner lock was about center tang. Then it started going all the way over every few times. So I returned it. Oh well, I'll get another one eventually.
 
Any updates as to any tweaks being made to rectify the problems mentioned? If so, possible shelf dates? Have been watching this knife for quite a while but wanted to wait for the semi-flawed first batch to pass through the works first. :)
 
Hmm...I just ordered A Vantage Avid this morning.

I sure hope I didn't make a big mistake.
 
joe bob i think you will like that knife..
i handled one in atlanta and liked it
thumb issues keep me from buying one for edc..
 
You'll like it Joe-Bob
My Vantage Pro hasn't left my pocket since I got it months ago.
I have the Avid to and the Sandvik steel is good stuff.
Keep up posted.
 
My Vantage Pro's pivot loosens to the point where serious blade play starts to occur. It only takes about 30-40 opens before I have to re-tighten the pivot, which is very annoying.

Does anyone else have this problem with their Vantage? Any solutions to the problem, such as locktite?
 
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