Vantage handle questions

A

audiopile

Joined
Nov 2, 2007
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Bought a Vantage Avid at the Janesville knife show this weekend. Paid more than list simply because this thing was just plain perfect - something that has not been my experience with every Idaho knife.
The only thing that's probably going to keep me from using this knife is that the very attractive scales are way too slippery for my old hands to hang onto.
Here's my questions:
1.) If I decide to score the existing scales with a dremel tool - would Buck sell me another set of scales ? I would roughen up the "new" scales and save the purty ones.
2.) Some models have G10 scales - how "grippy" are these ?
I admit I'm dealing with a sample of one (haven't been able to find any at stores locally) - but my sample is better done than either of the 172's I owned -even after they had been back to Buck for fixes.
Without handling samples I may be jumping the gun - but I'm impressed -made in USA and prices that are very reasonable for today's world. Really like the clip - wish it was black -but heck-sandpapaer and paint can help that out.
 
I dont know if Buck would supply new scales or not. I have often said they should be made available as an interchangable accesory. After taking my Pro apart and putting it back together though, I'm not sure that is a good idea. Hard to get the washers back in place on both sides of blade and harder to find them in the carpet when they are dropped.(of course you dont have to remove the blade to change em out) There is a thread where someone modded them similar to a Csar T scale-turned out real well.
 
I thought my Avid would move around in my hand more than it does. Have carried mine a lot over the last year+ and haven't had any issues with it slipping.

If it did move around I wouldn't hesitate to sand it some to roughen it up. Make it the way you want it for a $50 knife. No worries there, I would modify mine if I felt it needed it. May find that it doesn't carry as well though if it's roughed up.

I carried a Cold Steel Black Rhino around for a bit today. Really made me appreciate the slim profile of the Vantage! Nothing against the Rhino, great knife but much thicker. Point is; everything is a give/take.
 
Ok - couple of hours ago stopped in at my local Dick's and they had the Vantage Select. Handled one from their case and bought a clamshell packaged Vantage Select. Opened it before I left the store. Good locking liner alignment -blade seems to be centred when closed ( not something I personally care about)- no S2S or vertical blade play. "Cheap" scales functionally superior to the purty ones on my recently (48 hours ago) acquired Avid.
And I still like the clip a lot (and wish it was black or dark grey).
Hmm - made in the USA - made right in the USA and 30 bucks retail ! These are pretty much right on the mark.
Gonna put the select to work and see how it does.
 
The talk about the clip makes me want to take it off and cold blue it. Won't make it much darker, but could be a nice touch and easy enough to do. Should wear pretty well also.

Great, another thing on my to-do list:D:D

Great knife for the money! Plus, I don't mind making a small mod to if it needed for my likings. Not like messing with a $400 custom.
 
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