A TNT or a Vantage Pro? Questions, Questions

[Flatlander1963]

The idea to compare the TNT and Vantage Pro (Pro) seem like a natural thing to do at first (they are similar in size; have the Mayo thumb hole, and at first glance very similar blade shape and design), but they are really two different knives on different missions. The TNT is a gentleman’s knife with a quality of construction and material use that the Pro simply doesn’t match. However, the Pro is an EDC piece that means to provide extreme value for the knife guy that prefers some premium features like high-end steel and G10 scale. I personally think that both nail their mission as given.

TNT vs PRO
Price (MSR): $336 vs $75
Frame: Titanium vs Steel Liners & Contoured G10
Lock: Framelock vs Linerlock
Weight: 3.0 ounces vs 4.6 ounces
Clip System: Point down vs Point Up
Quality of Manufacture: Excellent vs Very Good
Blade:
Type- Modified Clipped; Drop Point
Steel- S30V; S30V
Cutting Edge- 3 1/8”; 3 1/4”
Thickness- 1/8”; 1/8”
Grind- Both are High Hollow Grind
Width- 7/8”; 1”

The TNT is clearly the better built & executed knife. Does that mean you will like it better?? I prefer the Pro for everyday carry and here’s why:
1. The flipper system on the Pro used to open the knife one handed is just plain sweet. It’s fast and easy. But the thumbhole & ease of opening is better on the TNT if compared that way.
2. The low ride tip up clip system of the Pro is better for me. The horn on the TNT sticks out of your pocket a good quarter of an inch and will damage chairs and knuckles.

I’d like to carry the TNT in pocket without using the clip but the open back collects change. That’s a problem with both knives that I suppose is curable by carrying my change in a different pocket. But I never have and probably won’t start now. Despite my small complaints about the TNT, I still think it’s a great piece.

The faults with the Pro that bother me are the movement in the blade when closed that make thumbhole opening hard and the lack of attention to buffing grind lines. The blade will not set centered when closed (at least on both my Avid and Pro). That’s just seems bad to me no matter what. I hate the rough grind lines on the blade (They are even worse on the Avid) and shouldn’t be there in a knife with a $75 suggested retail. But in the end, the Pro’s flipper system and low-ride tip-up clip carry trumps the TNT’s higher level of quality.

TNT rips a hole in my chair. Those frame horns are pretty tough on chairs and knuckles

 

[MVF]

I appreciate the write up and your thoughts, and will be checking out the Pro next chance I get, but what were you doing in that chair?

 

[Mike Kerins]

Flatlander,
Great comparison! :thumbup: Thanks much for the info. I still plan to get a Vantage Pro even though I have the TNT and carry it daily. At work I carry it in my left rear pocket and I sit at a computer most of the day and have for years. I don't know how you sit in a chair , but I have no experience with the chair getting ripped up because of the knife. I really like the "horns" because they serve to keep my hand from slipping down on the blade. Lord knows I need all the help in that area I can get.

The issues you mentioned regarding the use of the thumb hole on the Vantage Pro has me concerned but not enough to prevent me from picking one up. I also agree that one should expect a knife at that price point not to have the grind lines showing on the blade.
Thanks again,
Mike

 

[Evil Eye Earl]

Looking for the perfect knife?
No holes in my chairs ,car or pickup....I have 4 " between my knife and seat backs.
I disassembled my Pro and Avid and believe special wider washers with slots for the blade pin would remedy the blade being off set when opened or closed....it will bring the cost up .
I let the Mac tool man cut some cardboard boxes with my Avidand he hit a staple and rolled the edge on her,I stropped it on my bare mouse pad and brought it back to Buck shaving sharp.

 

[Timstools]

I hate the rough grind lines on the blade

Thanks for the review, it is still a very attractive knife. although i agree, it is noticable and doesnt look right on a knife of that quality, I would expect a very smooth uniform finish on a blade like that.
Tim

 

[Flatlander1963]

Looking for the perfect knife?

NO!! And I really like both these knives and I highly recommend either.
Frankly, I think the Vantage Pro is the best knive value on the market for those looking for an S30V knife. But I am mildly disappointed with the blade play and obvious grind lines. But that shouldn't cause anyone to pass on this knife.

but what were you doing in that chair?

I don't know how you sit in a chair

Ah, well the TNT was being carried in my right back pocket all the way over as close to my hip as it'd go in that pocket. I sit all the way back in the chair...no slouching. I don't know, maybe I'm trying to put to much butt in that chair.

 

[Psychopomp]

I want a Vantage, but I just can't get past the placement of the pocket clip. I hate deep carry pocket clips. Other than that it looks like a great knife, but that pocket clip is a deal breaker .

 

[Mr.Bojangles]

Thinking about picking one of these up. Seems like an outstanding deal. However, I was wondering, how exactly is the blade moving when it is closed? Side to side? How exactly does that make the knife difficult to open using the thumb hole? Is this the blade play you were referring to, or is there also play in the lock up when the knife is open? How does that G-10 feel in the hand? Pretty smooth? And, lastly, can you actually feel the grind lines, or are they just visible? Thanks a lot bud. :thumbup:

-Wes

 

[Timstools]

I would pay an extra $30 for the knife not to have the blade grind lines, I will probably pass on it just because of that. To me its the difference between a very attractive looking knife and one that would be outstanding.
Tim

 

[Flatlander1963]

I will probably pass on it just because of that.

Nope, don't do that...get one you won't regret it.
The blade feels smooth to the touch and cuts steak like butter.

Bo,

The blade play is side to side when it's closed. Its locks up tight though.
There is a little stickyness when pushing with the thumb. Using the flipper its very fast and smooth.

The G10 is smooth but not overly so as to make is slick...very nice scale.

Let me say this again cause I don't want you all to think I'm sitting around bashing this knife...I'm not at all.

IMO, this is the best knife value available in a S30V/G10 to be had anywhere. I can't imagine anyone not being pleased with the total package. Does it have a couple of things that need improving, sure it does but its still one heck of a knife. I've very pleased with mine.

 

[Stainz]

The best buy anywhere in an S30V folder ended last summer when Wally World ran out of Spyderco S30V Natives, a steal there for $39.48 regular price ($70+ through the mail!). My hearly two-year old EDC has an unused sibling as a back-up. It's a closed back lockback with a FRN handle. My hopes for the Vantage Pro are that it can once again gain front pocket carry status for a Buck. I chose the Kershaw Zing over their OD-1 - and, after many attempts, the Native is still my EDC for the front pocket. A 110 still gets the most back pocket carry, although my Kershaw JYDII CBs in D2 are gaining ground.

As to sharpness, the Spydies and Kershaws came as scarey sharp as my Bucks - my dullest new knives are still my massive collection of two Benchmades, a 440C 551 Grip from six years back and a D2 201 Activator+ fb. They had to be heated to cut butter. Resharpening that 440C and D2 on a Sharpmaker was a new career. S30V, if my first Native's resharpening of last autumn was an indicator, is as straightforward as Buck's 420HC, just taking longer. You also have to know when you are 'close enough', as nothing else, save CS, seems to get as scarey sharp as Buck's 420HC. I don't have a problem resharpening a new knife, if that is what the rough grind on my 'Pro' will have - I should know by Saturday.

Stainz

PS Thanks for the fine review!

 

[Stainz]

My 347 Vantage Pro just arrived. The seller doesn't get high points for packing - it was alone in an unsealed flat rate box - rattled big time. My initial use showed it will push cut paper and pop arm hairs.

Now a qualitative review of the knife vs a few others, namely: new Spyderco S30V Native; new Kershaw 1735 Zing; and an unused BCCI BG-42 110. As to roughness of the ground edge, they follow the order above in increasing fineness, the Pro being the most coarse. It didn't affect it's cutting - but it was quite a bit 'rougher' looking than the new Spydie's S30V, but cut as well. As an aside, the S30V Native I resharpened last summer still has quite a well polished look - I will undoubtedly hit the Sharpmaker with the Pro soon, although it cuts quite well out of the box. That BG-42 110 was polished - wow!

To be blunt, I think it's a keeper. It will share time, at the least, in the front pocket. I wish it had a ball detent in the liner lock, a la the Zing, but I'll take it's excellent lockuo over that - for now. I am impressed. I wish the 850 Bravo had been so happily received here last fall. I gess the TNT is 'off my list' - for now.

Stainz

 

[Mr.Bojangles]

Thanks a lot for the info. So...the detent leaves a little to be desired? Is that what I'm hearing?

 

[tholiver]

Any places actually have Vantage Pro's in stock yet?
I ordered one over two weeks ago and the particular (Canadian) retailer i ordered/bought from just today got around to telling me "we don't have them."

I guess now i need to find a Canadian friendly U.S seller/retailer who will use U.S.P.S and will tighten the pivot before shipping.

 

[Stainz]

Actually, I misspoke. I couldn't see or feel the detent at first - I can both see it (magnifier) and feel it now, probably due to the ten plus openings and closings. The liner lock is sturdy - and fully engaged. From an admitted lockback lover, this liner lock is fine. My box has a build date of 03-12-09.

I just did an evil-bay search for 'Buck Vantage Pro' and found one dealer with four in stock - and you may contact them for deliveries outside the USA. Good luck!

Stainz

 

[Mr.Bojangles]

Thanks a lot. I'm probably going to have to order one. Without any more Natives at Wally World, this is the best deal around for s30v...especially with g10. I just can't help but wonder why the blade is moving around inside the handle when it's closed? The cosmetic fit and finish issues don't bother me too much considering the value this knife presents, just don't want to get anything where function is compromised. Thanks again guys.

 

[vba]

Hi, new guy. I had to return my Vantage Pro to Buck because:
1) The liner lock went ALL the way to the right edge and
2) The blade was crooked
3) The blade had wobble

Vinny

 

[Buckaholic]

$336 for a TNT? Wow. I got a deal. Think I paid about $160 shipped a few moons ago. I thought that was expensive.

Guess, I'll treat it a bit better now.

Great comparison write up FL :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Stainz]

Goose,

Maybe that was the new carbon-fiber handled TNT - whose MSRP is $450 vs the Ti one at $350? Yeah, the Vantage Pro 347 is more my speed!

The G10 on the Vantage Pro feels far better than the plastic-look it has in catalogs would suggest. If the 850 Bravo's rough texture was a 1 or 2 on the suitable grip texture scale due to their inherent DNA sampling abilities, the 347 would rate a 9 - great, comfortably sticky, but not a 'sampler', feel. Mine has a liner that is fully engaged, too.

Stainz, aka 'El Cheapo'

 

[CJ Buck]

This is an interesting thread because my EDC has been the TNT since I stole one of the prototypes. I am also field testing the 347. I do prefer the light weight of the TNT and the tip down carry. I guess that is habit more then anything.

the deep pocket carry was a goal and interested to get feedback on that good or bad.

the blade finish I am going to check into

I will be watching the feedback as these finally start hitting the stores. We did have some dialing in/waiting for new parts and that is behind us now so these should start shipping normally soon if not already.