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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Vantage Avid
- Thread starter ohen cepel
- Start date
You answered your own question.
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2007
- Messages
- 621
I purchased a Vantage Avid with the CS1326 blade. Ive had it in my pocket for about a week and now it no longer opens with the flipper, the blade has gone quite stiff.
I have opened and closed it a few hundred times in a week but not used it except for a couple of plastic bags. I am trying to find a fast opening knife that does go not stiff after being opened and closed regularily.
A few weeks ago i also tried a benchmade pardue knife it also went stiff after about a 1000 openings , It was a button lock and the spring started catching.
I am now on to my third knife in about a month it is the next model up the Vantage Pro in S30V steel. I hope it does not grow stiff after a number of openings, Im sure it it was not due to dirt it feels like mechanical resistance hard metal to metal contact. It actually ocurred quite quickly while using the mechanism repeatly in my hand within about 5 minutes it went from smooth to stiff opening.
Regards Tim
I have opened and closed it a few hundred times in a week but not used it except for a couple of plastic bags. I am trying to find a fast opening knife that does go not stiff after being opened and closed regularily.
A few weeks ago i also tried a benchmade pardue knife it also went stiff after about a 1000 openings , It was a button lock and the spring started catching.
I am now on to my third knife in about a month it is the next model up the Vantage Pro in S30V steel. I hope it does not grow stiff after a number of openings, Im sure it it was not due to dirt it feels like mechanical resistance hard metal to metal contact. It actually ocurred quite quickly while using the mechanism repeatly in my hand within about 5 minutes it went from smooth to stiff opening.
Regards Tim
- Joined
- May 31, 2009
- Messages
- 49
I purchased the $20 version with the plastic scales and boy is it awesome. It did end up replacing my Spyderco Native and Native III. In fact I traded them away for two other Bucks. Now I have to change my screen name
I use it in my everyday carry bag which doubles as a B.O.B. Use guys got me drooling over the dymondwood. I too like that better than the G-10.
I use it in my everyday carry bag which doubles as a B.O.B. Use guys got me drooling over the dymondwood. I too like that better than the G-10.
Just got my Vantage Avid in, and it's nice. I like it. Fit and finish is good, and it's very sharp. The liner locks up on the near side of the blade tang just like it should with lotsa room left for wear, and it doesn't seem to matter if I flip it open or use the thumbhole.
All in all, I' happy with it. It seem that the problems with early production have been ironed out. I would recommend this knife to others.
All in all, I' happy with it. It seem that the problems with early production have been ironed out. I would recommend this knife to others.
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2009
- Messages
- 156
threw in a vantage avid and the smaller vantage select with last order. both lock up great and with it near the edge of near side tang unlike the Sirus I just got that locks up all the way over to the far side edge and Rush that locks up center of tang.
really like it as a replacement for my CKRT knives that I carried for the flipper. will also be carried when traveling to avoid any "confusion" of the Sirus/Rush being legal with the assist.
was interested in trying the dymondwood handle and since had no 300 series grabbed each of those as well in dymondwood. feels like a good balance of cost, durability and appearance.
really like it as a replacement for my CKRT knives that I carried for the flipper. will also be carried when traveling to avoid any "confusion" of the Sirus/Rush being legal with the assist.
was interested in trying the dymondwood handle and since had no 300 series grabbed each of those as well in dymondwood. feels like a good balance of cost, durability and appearance.
Flatlander1963
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
- Messages
- 4,646
That's a smart idea. I have a story of me, my AO knife, and the Capital Police at the National Botanical Garden. Boneheads.
Wing, when you get the small vantage would you give us a good reveiw of it verses the larger knife...your impressions mostly. Thanks. gw
- Joined
- May 12, 2008
- Messages
- 43
Where did you get yours?
I would really like to know how I can tell which internet knife shops have the "updated" version of the Pro or Avid. There are NO local stores here that sell these, so I can't handle the knife to check it before I buy. I will not buy another one without knowing for sure that I won't have to return it again. I really want a good one. I really loved my Pro, until I realized that the lockup was wacky and the pivot was a little smaller than should be in there.
I would really like to hear from a Buck representative on this.
I got mine from New Graham. Last one in stock at the time. They are a really good company to deal with...plus, they send you free band-aids! 
www.newgraham.com
www.newgraham.com
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2009
- Messages
- 156
Sure man on giving my thoughts on it. Look past any wrong terms I use in describing it as am still learning them and am relatively new to actually thinking about knives rather than throwing whatever on.
I grabbed both sizes of the Vantage to replace my various size Gerber Applegate Fairbairn Combat, Covert and Mini-Covert. I tend to carry these type knives weak hand side and find a flipper more effective then thumb studs with my weak hand to open.
For size it is noticeably smaller then the Avid, very close to the Mini-Covert Gerber. Easily disappears within hand while closed and also if not clipped but dropped in the pocket even when laying flat it doesnt bind or get uncomfortable when moving around or sitting, kneeling, squatting. Weighs less then expected especially considering the thickness of the blade.
The handles feel of a higher quality then I expected in this price range and material. Felt no give in the handles while using and honestly feels as solid as my aluminum framed knives of similar size, though those are just run of the mill CKRT and the Mini-Covert. Ive not found any rough edges or unevenness in grip and all the hardware fits flush. Seems to be enough texture to feel smooth yet have some grip. Doesnt grip or catch in the pocket or when unclipping. Expected the clip to have some excess play due to leverage of it being attached on the end but havent noticed any and it clips well. Knife sits very low in the pocket and grasps jeans, slacks and swimsuit equally well.
I prefer thumb cutouts over studs and these offer enough purchase to manipulate right handed though left handed the liner lock does block a good portion. I have not been able to open left handed very well quickly with a thumb. The part of the cutout that your thumb would rest on while opening (opposite knife edge side) appears to have been beveled or polished as there are no sharp edges to cut your thumb just enough to dig in and not let you thumb slip. The lower portion of the cutout (on blade edge side) is a little more rough edged if you rest your thumb along the side rather then the top of the blade for more delicate cutting. The flicker is small enough to not snag like some of my CKRT versions yet is easy to find. Mine requires a very smart flick to open solely with the flicker however if using a wrist flip you just have to get the blade started with the flicker and it opens very soundly. I prefer mine this way as a tradeoff of good blade stability and lockup and less chance of drifting open in the pocket rather then loosing the screw to free the blade for quicker opening which I suspect is an option on this knife.
I love the blade on this knife. Has a very thick (not sure the term but assume spine) compared to similar size knives Ive had. And of course came sharper then Ive ever been able to get my knives to on my own! And it locks up tight. No play any direction and the liner locks on the near side of tang. Blade sits dead center in the frame. There are no catches or hangs when opening the blade slow and it always locks smartly no matter the speed.
Overall am very, very happy with this knife. Can carry without noticing its there and if the clip is removed looks just like a regular old knife to general folks. I like that you can open it as slowly as want so when cutting a pack of plates open at the picnic its not preceded with a snap yet also can be deployed very quickly with thumb or flick. And though I really like my ASAP Sirus and Rush models I will carry these when dont want any question of the assisted opening NOT being a switchblade.
To me all the features of the knives of both sizes stand alone as good features not as add ons or compromises. The frame is well made the blade a great thickness and size for everyday use not just carry..the opening and lockup are rugged and solid. I liked the opening of my CKRT but not the handles or blade quality. I like the handles on my Mini-Covert but not the serrations or blade design for everyday use. I am happy with this entire knife so far.
Hope not too much space wasted with a newbies review.
I grabbed both sizes of the Vantage to replace my various size Gerber Applegate Fairbairn Combat, Covert and Mini-Covert. I tend to carry these type knives weak hand side and find a flipper more effective then thumb studs with my weak hand to open.
For size it is noticeably smaller then the Avid, very close to the Mini-Covert Gerber. Easily disappears within hand while closed and also if not clipped but dropped in the pocket even when laying flat it doesnt bind or get uncomfortable when moving around or sitting, kneeling, squatting. Weighs less then expected especially considering the thickness of the blade.
The handles feel of a higher quality then I expected in this price range and material. Felt no give in the handles while using and honestly feels as solid as my aluminum framed knives of similar size, though those are just run of the mill CKRT and the Mini-Covert. Ive not found any rough edges or unevenness in grip and all the hardware fits flush. Seems to be enough texture to feel smooth yet have some grip. Doesnt grip or catch in the pocket or when unclipping. Expected the clip to have some excess play due to leverage of it being attached on the end but havent noticed any and it clips well. Knife sits very low in the pocket and grasps jeans, slacks and swimsuit equally well.
I prefer thumb cutouts over studs and these offer enough purchase to manipulate right handed though left handed the liner lock does block a good portion. I have not been able to open left handed very well quickly with a thumb. The part of the cutout that your thumb would rest on while opening (opposite knife edge side) appears to have been beveled or polished as there are no sharp edges to cut your thumb just enough to dig in and not let you thumb slip. The lower portion of the cutout (on blade edge side) is a little more rough edged if you rest your thumb along the side rather then the top of the blade for more delicate cutting. The flicker is small enough to not snag like some of my CKRT versions yet is easy to find. Mine requires a very smart flick to open solely with the flicker however if using a wrist flip you just have to get the blade started with the flicker and it opens very soundly. I prefer mine this way as a tradeoff of good blade stability and lockup and less chance of drifting open in the pocket rather then loosing the screw to free the blade for quicker opening which I suspect is an option on this knife.
I love the blade on this knife. Has a very thick (not sure the term but assume spine) compared to similar size knives Ive had. And of course came sharper then Ive ever been able to get my knives to on my own! And it locks up tight. No play any direction and the liner locks on the near side of tang. Blade sits dead center in the frame. There are no catches or hangs when opening the blade slow and it always locks smartly no matter the speed.
Overall am very, very happy with this knife. Can carry without noticing its there and if the clip is removed looks just like a regular old knife to general folks. I like that you can open it as slowly as want so when cutting a pack of plates open at the picnic its not preceded with a snap yet also can be deployed very quickly with thumb or flick. And though I really like my ASAP Sirus and Rush models I will carry these when dont want any question of the assisted opening NOT being a switchblade.
To me all the features of the knives of both sizes stand alone as good features not as add ons or compromises. The frame is well made the blade a great thickness and size for everyday use not just carry..the opening and lockup are rugged and solid. I liked the opening of my CKRT but not the handles or blade quality. I like the handles on my Mini-Covert but not the serrations or blade design for everyday use. I am happy with this entire knife so far.
Hope not too much space wasted with a newbies review.
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2009
- Messages
- 156
Hey GW, just noticed meant a comparison from larger to the smaller. Man missed the boat on that, so lets redo that real quick
Looks..well the Avid just knocks the Select outta the water. I mean the small one looks nice enough for a utilitarian knife and fit and finish are good but I really think that Dymondwood on the Avid gives a little character to it. Granted am new so those may be a dime a dozen but even my wife commented that the Avid looked way more expensive then it was.
Clip, same just smaller. So far works just as well and seems just as sturdy.
Hardware seems to be the same type on both so not the adjustable versus pins Ive read about on other different levels of the same knife. The screws do seem to sit a little higher on the Select then the Avid. Not a defect or sloppy, just can feel the screw heads on the select where they are fully flush on the Avid.
The frame on both seems sturdy but the Avid has noticeably less give to it. Never had a G10 or whatever Ive read about that is on the Pro version but for a EDC for MY needs the Avid is great. And I suppose due to smaller mass and shorter spans even the frame of the Select appears to be more then sufficient for routine use.
The action on the Select is very good on mine, but still the Avid is a little smoother though not as smooth as my Alpha folder. When saying smooth am meaning either with thumb or 2 handed opening slow I can notice a smoother feel on the Avid. However, on the flicker I have to really flick it very smartly to have enough momentum to swing fully open without wrist assistance. No problem at all with wrist snap along with flick, but if just flick it casually it will fall about 30 degrees short of fully open. Am assuming this is due to extra mass of blade without any additional leverage on the flicker as the Select always flicks open easier.
On mine, the Avids blade is slightly off center but not rubbing where the Select is dead on center.
Blade design same just different size and holds the same proportion to frame in feel. Lockup on both feels the same and both are near edge of tang.
For carry, the Select can go anywhere with me where the Avid is more dependant on pocket size and or material. Ive not had the Select slip out of slacks where the Avid did if not clipped which I assume is due to the less grippy texture of the Avids handle and higher weight. In Jeans or similar pants/shorts not an issue. Thickness appears identical.
If you line the bottom/clip of both side by side with both closed the end/top of the closed Select is a little further then the end of the Avids thumb cutout towards the pivot screw. If you line up both closed the other direction the bottom/clip of the Select reaches the C in the Buck stamp on the Avids handle.
For height if you sit side by side with blades closed the Select back of blade (spine?) sits the height that the Avids liner lock appears next to its thumb cut out.
In use, the Select is obviously easier to do more detailed small work and around town stuff with while the Avid cuts thicker rope and everyday around the woods chores easier. Am new to knives in general so not sure which is function of blade steel in addtion to just size. However I believe it would be easier to choke up and use the Avid for detail work then to try and do the harder stuff with the Select.
So the Avid will be my routine carry between these two with the Select being when I need a smaller blade due to what am doing or wearing.
Looks..well the Avid just knocks the Select outta the water. I mean the small one looks nice enough for a utilitarian knife and fit and finish are good but I really think that Dymondwood on the Avid gives a little character to it. Granted am new so those may be a dime a dozen but even my wife commented that the Avid looked way more expensive then it was.
Clip, same just smaller. So far works just as well and seems just as sturdy.
Hardware seems to be the same type on both so not the adjustable versus pins Ive read about on other different levels of the same knife. The screws do seem to sit a little higher on the Select then the Avid. Not a defect or sloppy, just can feel the screw heads on the select where they are fully flush on the Avid.
The frame on both seems sturdy but the Avid has noticeably less give to it. Never had a G10 or whatever Ive read about that is on the Pro version but for a EDC for MY needs the Avid is great. And I suppose due to smaller mass and shorter spans even the frame of the Select appears to be more then sufficient for routine use.
The action on the Select is very good on mine, but still the Avid is a little smoother though not as smooth as my Alpha folder. When saying smooth am meaning either with thumb or 2 handed opening slow I can notice a smoother feel on the Avid. However, on the flicker I have to really flick it very smartly to have enough momentum to swing fully open without wrist assistance. No problem at all with wrist snap along with flick, but if just flick it casually it will fall about 30 degrees short of fully open. Am assuming this is due to extra mass of blade without any additional leverage on the flicker as the Select always flicks open easier.
On mine, the Avids blade is slightly off center but not rubbing where the Select is dead on center.
Blade design same just different size and holds the same proportion to frame in feel. Lockup on both feels the same and both are near edge of tang.
For carry, the Select can go anywhere with me where the Avid is more dependant on pocket size and or material. Ive not had the Select slip out of slacks where the Avid did if not clipped which I assume is due to the less grippy texture of the Avids handle and higher weight. In Jeans or similar pants/shorts not an issue. Thickness appears identical.
If you line the bottom/clip of both side by side with both closed the end/top of the closed Select is a little further then the end of the Avids thumb cutout towards the pivot screw. If you line up both closed the other direction the bottom/clip of the Select reaches the C in the Buck stamp on the Avids handle.
For height if you sit side by side with blades closed the Select back of blade (spine?) sits the height that the Avids liner lock appears next to its thumb cut out.
In use, the Select is obviously easier to do more detailed small work and around town stuff with while the Avid cuts thicker rope and everyday around the woods chores easier. Am new to knives in general so not sure which is function of blade steel in addtion to just size. However I believe it would be easier to choke up and use the Avid for detail work then to try and do the harder stuff with the Select.
So the Avid will be my routine carry between these two with the Select being when I need a smaller blade due to what am doing or wearing.
ohen cepel
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2002
- Messages
- 3,496
Update on mine.
Just got to use it cutting/opening a ton of moving boxes. Edge dulled a bit over time. However, couple quick licks on a diamond stone and it's back to like new now.
Mine isn't opening as smooth as it did out of the box. However, it's still very smooth.
Blade isn't centered, wasn't when I bought it. Almost touches the one side but doesn't seem to be wondering closer to it. Haven't tried to tighten anything one it yet to correct the centering of the blade either though.
I'm still very impressed with it and would buy another to replace this one if anything ever happened to it. Actually, I'll buy a second to have for the day that Buck discountinues it down the road in a few years.
Would like to see the back closed on it if possible though. Change often gets stuck in there and messes up opening it or falls out when I open it. Small issue though.
Just got to use it cutting/opening a ton of moving boxes. Edge dulled a bit over time. However, couple quick licks on a diamond stone and it's back to like new now.
Mine isn't opening as smooth as it did out of the box. However, it's still very smooth.
Blade isn't centered, wasn't when I bought it. Almost touches the one side but doesn't seem to be wondering closer to it. Haven't tried to tighten anything one it yet to correct the centering of the blade either though.
I'm still very impressed with it and would buy another to replace this one if anything ever happened to it. Actually, I'll buy a second to have for the day that Buck discountinues it down the road in a few years.
Would like to see the back closed on it if possible though. Change often gets stuck in there and messes up opening it or falls out when I open it. Small issue though.
:thumbup:- Joined
- Nov 2, 2006
- Messages
- 250
I have the small vantage and had it for like two weeks...been in my pocket almost every day, locks up great fit and finish are good and for 20 bucks this little sucker is great. the avid is next on my list and I am not in the least concerned with the bad reviews.
- Joined
- May 12, 2008
- Messages
- 43
I want to hear from people who have bought the Vantage Pro recently, I need to know if my issues have been solved.
- Joined
- May 12, 2008
- Messages
- 43
Sorry, I didn't realize all the Vantages had their own thread.
I bought two dated 07/09/09 and the only issue I have seen is the blades are a little off center and to the left. That doesn't bother me and I am happy with them. I have seen where others have lined the blade up but I left my alone because the blade does not touch the side.