Which should I get?

D

Derty

Joined
Dec 15, 2010
Messages
104
I want to get a blade in s30v but I'm having a hard time deciding. I have a budget so my choices are limited. I would like something that rides low in my pocket. A good hard user but with great looks. My choices are the Kershaw Blur, Leek and Buck Vantage.
 
If you're looking for a hard user, I would not look at the Leek. It is a nice knife, but has a very slim blade, a pretty fragile tip, and a very weak lock (the G10/S30V version, that is). It's more of a gentleman's knife than a hard use knife.
 
The Buck will ride lower than the Blur. Both are LL so there's nothing to choose between them there. Buck's HT as set up by Paul Bos is legendary, but Kershaw also does a good job on HT.

Personally, I'd prefer Buck's G10 handle, blade shape, and slicing ability over the possibly stronger Kershaw blade and I'm not a fan of A/Os or aluminium scales, but those are personal preferences. The S30V Blur that I had was a solid performer in every way.
 
Derty said:
I want to get a blade in s30v but I'm having a hard time deciding. I have a budget so my choices are limited. I would like something that rides low in my pocket. A good hard user but with great looks. My choices are the Kershaw Blur, Leek and Buck Vantage.
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Have you considered the Benchmade 745 Mini Dejavoo (recently discontinued)? It's an excellent knife of similar size to the Blur and Vantage but of (imho) superior design and looks and well as quality in materials and fit&finish. I bought one for <$80, but they may have gone up since being discontinued, and I'm not sure what your price range is.
That said, the Blur is an excellent hard-use folder, thick stock, and swift assisted-openning, good handle-traction. I had one but gave it as a gift to a good friend, replaced it with the mini dejavoo. The Blur rides at normal height, not deep-pocket like the vantage and mini dejavoo, and I don't consider it a 'looker'.

The leek is not for hard-use, it's a dress-knife or utility (exacto) blade.
 
I've actually used Buck's S30V on several of their knives. Nothin' wrong with it at all. Properly sharpened and used, it's as good as anybody's.
 
dalefuller said:
The Buck will ride lower than the Blur. Both are LL so there's nothing to choose between them there. Buck's HT as set up by Paul Bos is legendary, but Kershaw also does a good job on HT.

Personally, I'd prefer Buck's G10 handle, blade shape, and slicing ability over the possibly stronger Kershaw blade and I'm not a fan of A/Os or aluminium scales, but those are personal preferences. The S30V Blur that I had was a solid performer in every way.
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+1 totally agree.
 
How about a Spyderco Native or a Sage 1. You didn't specify your budget unless you just want the cheapest thing possible?


Rayden. said:
Someone said that s30v edge retention of Vantage Pro is worse than AUS8 of RAT1.
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Have a link? S30V isn't my favorite but I can't imagine AUS8 ever holding a better edge.
 
Rayden. said:
Someone said that s30v edge retention of Vantage Pro is worse than AUS8 of RAT1.
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This 'Someone' fellow you mentioned is a notoriously unreliable person. 'Someone' is always messing around, lying, and cheating. 'Someone' is always up to no good. ;)
 
I am going to say the blur. it is some of the most fun you will have with a non-auto knife, and the steel is solid. i would point you to kershawguy's blem thread. he has s30v blurs for 45 bucks. i own one in s60v and it is amazing. with off and on use it is almost shaving sharp from being sharpened about a month ago.
 
get the buck vantage pro. well built & the s30 heattreat is excellent. knarfend did some sisal cutting tests a while back & the vantage pro outcut my s30 millie. however my black millie r.r. at 58 & the buck was a 59.6. we surmised the heat used for the millie coating was what dropped the rockwell down from spydies normal 60 for s30. conjecture only at this time.
dennis
 
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