345 Vantage Select.

Hoyt Buck produced the first Buck Knife in 1902. Hoyt and his son Al moved to San Diego and set up shop as H.H. Buck & Son in 1947. Al Buck revolutionized the knife industry in 1964 with the infamous Model 110 Folding Hunter. The company's innovative history and attention to quality have made for many great collectible knives.
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cody6268
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345 Vantage Select.

Post by cody6268 »

I just ordered this one from my local knife store (basically to show my support, because I'm sure their business has decreased a lot due to this COVID), and am wondering what to expect. I bought this to be a heavy-duty, but lightweight workhorse. The "Small" at 3 3/4" closed was more in my wheelhouse, but they didn't have it. At 4 1/8" with a 3 1/4" blade, it's on the bigger size of what I actually want to carry, but I figured it would be a bit of an upgrade from the 285 Bantam that is my current work clip-carry Buck. And at $28, I figured it was a pretty good deal.


0345BKS-B.jpg
KleenCut61
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by KleenCut61 »

First one i have seen . Well Well . :wink: At First Glance Cody Your Buck looked like a sheathed fixed Blade ,, But after closer observation i see it is indeed a Flipper .Side Lock .. I don't See How you Can go wrong with that one , Looks like a EDC Winner of The Month !!! 8) ::tu:: K.C.
tallguy606
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by tallguy606 »

I like my small Vantage a lot. Good thick blade, gets very sharp, lockup is super solid. Just the right size to slip in the pocket. A great EDC for not much money.
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Colonel26
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by Colonel26 »

I’ve never seen one of those. I like it and just the right size too. And you can’t beat the price. I say ya done good.
“There are things in the old Book which I may not be able to explain, but I fully accept it as the infallible word of God, and receive its teachings as inspired by the Holy Spirit.”
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RevolverGuy
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by RevolverGuy »

I've got one of these. You'll like the pocket clip. It is really nicely done.
Ole Joe Clark
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by Ole Joe Clark »

I have the 345 in my pocket at the moment. Owned it for about 2 years, is easy to sharpen and seems to be well built. I will strop it on occasion, even though it's not dull. You will like it.

Have a blessed day,

Leon
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Old Hunter
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by Old Hunter »

Cody, you’ve had that 345 several months now, what do you think? I obtained a 112 Slim, a 110 Slim Pro, and a 345 Vantage about six or eight weeks back, tried them all in order to find a modern I like - the 345 claimed top spot with me, closely followed by the 110 Slim Pro. I’m interested in your experience and finding. OH
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Deep in the guts of most men is buried the involuntary response to the hunter's horn, a prickle of the nape hairs, an acceleration of the pulse, an atavistic memory of his fathers, who killed first with stone, and then with club...Robert Ruark
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garddogg56
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by garddogg56 »

You should like it Cody.I have four in rotation very well made BUT don't gut or skin a deer with one ,hard to clean,when centered properly the blade flip out with ease ::tu:: one is s30v far superior to the others in 420 hc.The grind is very well done.You can switch the clip to either side. ::nod::
"On the Road Again"Willie Nelson
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cody6268
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by cody6268 »

I have been using it for months, and I have to admit, the 345 is the BEST knife at its price point. At $30 (plus or minus $5, depending on retailer), it's the same price as most comparable-size Chinese made Kershaw, Gerber, Browning, and CRKT models found in many big box stores. But it's made in the USA, from American steel, not 8Cr13 "chips a lot". The opening is very smooth, quick (despite non-assisted), and it's really tough. As I understand, also, the pocket clip design makes it less likely to bend or break. Only had it happen once on a super-cheap knife (in which only one pin, the very tiny pivot pin for the blade held the clip on), but there's always that chance. Buck does such a good job with 420HC, it really holds an edge despite being entry-level steel.


And, I think I will upgrade to an S30V variant here in the near future. Wish Buck had more colorful offerings for it, however. I've seen the tan already shown, black G-10, black plastic, wood/plastic combo, and that's about it. I'd love to see it in some of the colors the 110LT Slim Select has been--blue and orange being at the top of my list.
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Old Hunter
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by Old Hunter »

Thanks for the feedback from both you gents. I’m really liking mine; I don’t consider it a hunting knife, but rather an EDC of heavy duty construction. Regards, OH
Deep in the guts of most men is buried the involuntary response to the hunter's horn, a prickle of the nape hairs, an acceleration of the pulse, an atavistic memory of his fathers, who killed first with stone, and then with club...Robert Ruark
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by jmh58 »

DSC07048.JPG
My BCCI 342.. Double click on pic for a better shot.. ::facepalm::
John :D
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Old Hunter
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by Old Hunter »

Very nice John!
Deep in the guts of most men is buried the involuntary response to the hunter's horn, a prickle of the nape hairs, an acceleration of the pulse, an atavistic memory of his fathers, who killed first with stone, and then with club...Robert Ruark
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garddogg56
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by garddogg56 »

Thats an elite for a Vantage ::tu::
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cody6268
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by cody6268 »

jmh58 wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 1:23 pm DSC07048.JPG

My BCCI 342.. Double click on pic for a better shot.. ::facepalm::
John :D

Damascus and G-10, that's awesome!

Was that a Buck of the Month or something?
jmh58
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by jmh58 »

cody6268 wrote: Wed Dec 09, 2020 12:45 am
jmh58 wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 1:23 pm DSC07048.JPG

My BCCI 342.. Double click on pic for a better shot.. ::facepalm::
John :D

Damascus and G-10, that's awesome!

Was that a Buck of the Month or something?
Thank You.. ::handshake:: BUCK Collectors Club yearly issue for 2019..
John :D
Not all who wander are lost!!

Of all the paths you take in life,
Make sure some of them are Dirt!!!
Ole Joe Clark
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by Ole Joe Clark »

I found a 340 in what looks to be pretty good shape on the ??bay today and exercised the "buy it now" clause. No photos yet, but I'm hoping it looks a good as the ones the seller had. He noted that it was the "exact same knife" that was shown in the pictures. I'll know in a few days.

Have a blessed day,

Leon
Ole Joe Clark
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by Ole Joe Clark »

I received the Vantage 340 today. It's in pretty good shape for the shape it's in, except it was dull as a rock. But it didn't take long to fix that. Can't remember what the blade material is, but it was easy to sharpen. I attached a couple of photos and one with it's larger brother.

Have a blessed day,

Leon
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Old Hunter
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by Old Hunter »

Leon, If a Buck Knife is not blade stamped or etched with a steel type (D2, S30V, etc.) you can pretty safely assume it is the standard steel of the era - 420HC in the case of your newly acquired Vantage. Nice knife by the way, I carry my 345 with 420HC blade a lot. OH
Deep in the guts of most men is buried the involuntary response to the hunter's horn, a prickle of the nape hairs, an acceleration of the pulse, an atavistic memory of his fathers, who killed first with stone, and then with club...Robert Ruark
Ole Joe Clark
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Re: 345 Vantage Select.

Post by Ole Joe Clark »

Old Hunter: Thank you Sir, for the information.

Have a blessed day,

Leon
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