Vantage Lockup

M

MarkN86

Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
619
Hey guys,

I finally replaced my worn out, used up regular Vantage with a Vantage Pro. I'm very aware of the issues that formerly surrounded centering and lockup on the vantage models. My old 420hc model had a bit of a "wandering lockup" when opening and closing it, sometimes touching the opposite liner but without blade play. No big deal, it didn't fail or have issues. Great user knife.

My new, out of the box 2017 stamped Vantage Pro is perfectly centered, but the lockup wanders between 75% and pressing against the opposite liner, worse than the last one. Doesnt have vertical play and it hasn't failed but it doesn't inspire confidence.

The reason I'm posting here is to ask if this is still pretty much deemed to be the norm for this model, or if I send it off for warranty work should it come back and be a little more consistent? If I call Buck i know theyll just say to send it in, but if it's not an issue I'd rather not send it off for several weeks.

Edit: I've decided to send the knife to Buck. I know they will make it right. Thanks for the advice and support.
 
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I have 5 vantages and all have good lock up. Only one is at 50 percent. I would send it in.
 
when it presses against the other opposite liner its basically done. new knife shouldnt do that. one thats had many many years of hard use and is finally worn out, might. also liner lock shouldnt move that much. from 75% to 100% is way more than any of the many dozens of liner locks i own have ever done. even ones used harder than a folder ever should. something isnt right with either your new or old vantages.
 
MarkN86 said:
Hey guys,

I finally replaced my worn out, used up regular Vantage with a Vantage Pro. I'm very aware of the issues that formerly surrounded centering and lockup on the vantage models. My old 420hc model had a bit of a "wandering lockup" when opening and closing it, sometimes touching the opposite liner but without blade play. No big deal, it didn't fail or have issues. Great user knife.

My new, out of the box 2017 stamped Vantage Pro is perfectly centered, but the lockup wanders between 75% and pressing against the opposite liner, worse than the last one. Doesnt have vertical play and it hasn't failed but it doesn't inspire confidence.

The reason I'm posting here is to ask if this is still pretty much deemed to be the norm for this model, or if I send it off for warranty work should it come back and be a little more consistent? If I call Buck i know theyll just say to send it in, but if it's not an issue I'd rather not send it off for several weeks.

On a side note, I wonder if this inconsistent lockup caused by the floating stop pin?
Click to expand...

Personally i judge on a knife by knife basis. I have an Extrema Ratio dark talon that if opened with hard wrist action then the lockbar touches the opposite liner. At the same time the knife seems 100% solid.

If you feel this one is not trustworthy then send it back. It’s your knife. You should be happy with what you have
 
That is standard for that knife IMO. Sad to say. I would not recommend that model ever again. I have seen three variations of that knife barely last a year with a few guys I know.

Buck stood by the product and sent a new knife to both of them. But they were plagued with issues from lock up to the screws falling out or breaking.

I'd take a buck marksman over that model.
 
If the blade locks and there is no play I don't see any immediate issue just because the lockup point changes. At some point it might start to develop some play. Send it in if that happens. I can't help you with the "confidence" aspect. I cut things the same way whether I'm using a Buck 110 or a slip joint so whether the blade locks or not has no bearing on how I use the knife but, if it's designed to lock and doesn't that isn't right and isn't what you/we/I paid for.
 
The Vantage is my EDC and I haven't had lock issues. Have several of them so maybe I was lucky. If you are not happy with yours send it back.
 
Please help me understand the complaint. My Vantage locks. When closed the blade is off center and touches one liner. What does a wandering lock up look like?

Thanks!
 
By "wandering lockup" I'm referring to the inconsistent positioning of the lock bar on the blade tang between openings. One time it's at 75% across and another it's touching the other liner. The real issue here is that it sticks a little at 100% lockup and it will definitely develop vertical play early on.

Off center blades are more of a cosmetic issue so long as the blade doesn't touch the liner.

I've decided I'm going to try to get the knife fixed. I feel like no properly made knife should have these issues, regardless of its price. Since so many have no issues I believe Buck is capable of making it right. Im no expert but if the Vantage line can't be made without being a QC nightmare maybe a lock redesign is in order.
 
They sell a ton of them. I think it's a random issue.
 
Maybe you have a loose screw, this can cause a variable lockup. Try tightening them.
 
This subject has been brought up in the past and there are videos on YouTube on the subject of adjusting the Vantage. I own 11 Vantages and daily carry one of them.
 
New Vantages are pinned and don't have screws. I adjusted the pivot but it didn't help.

A miss from the factory is just one of those things. Its not a $250 knife.
 
All mine are older ones and I didn't know the new ones are pinned. Thanks for the info.
 
I am a little confused here. Is someone talking about a $250 Vantage. Where does that show up. I am like edbeau, I have a dozen small Vantages Model 345 and 3 large size. I bought all mine several years ago and all have hex screws. I use two or three but the rest are stored away NIB. Some of my locks place themselves at different places on the back of the blade. But all 'lock' the blade in place. I go happily living never looking at the lock when I open it. It just works. I had one with a blade off center enough I monkeyed with the screws and moved just enough to not rub. I am going to be critical here but it is my right as a Buck forum member. I do not baton my knives and I do not sit an 'flick' them open and closed. I just don't think they were designed or manufactured for chopping or constant 'flicking'. If someone feels this is a short-fall in the model I am certain other models are better suited to those endeavors. I am not one to worry that my $35 pocket knife is going to fail cutting cardboard or string. I have cut off a lawn mower tire and some PVC pipe without failure. If I was going to cut myself out of crashed jet canopy I would hope I had a straight knife. By all means support the Marksman it is very stout, but the small Vantage is much less so but hides in my pocket nicely and was low cost.. All that said I don't think I will buy another as I have several in reserve. If I sharpen down one every 5 years I will have 50 years of Vantages and likely won't be allowed to keep them in the nursing home anyway...ha .....300Bucks
 
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I was simply referring to the fact that this not a high dollar knife so it cannot be expected to be absolutely perfect. I really wouldn't complain if it was almost all the way across but didn't touch. I suppose my real issue that I failed to mention is that when the lock bar touches the opposite liner it tends to stick slightly.
 
Today, I have a 845 (with teeth on the blade) and the blade lays on the right side of center when closed. The liner lock stops on the left side of center of the blade when opened.
 
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