All About Pocket Knives

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.

First one i have seen . Well Well . 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 !!! K.C.

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.

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.

I've got one of these. You'll like the pocket clip. It is really nicely done.

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

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

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 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.

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.

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

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

Very nice John!

Thats an elite for a Vantage

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

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

Damascus and G-10, that's awesome!

Was that a Buck of the Month or something?

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..
John

Damascus and G-10, that's awesome!

Was that a Buck of the Month or something?

Thank You.. BUCK Collectors Club yearly issue for 2019..
John

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

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

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

Old Hunter: Thank you Sir, for the information.

Have a blessed day,

Leon