My favorite knife, the Buck vanguard.

[Bazoo]

Here we are making small kindling for fire starting in the wood stove. It was one of those days that it didn’t want to burn. I’d love to find a big stump of fatwood.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Yup

 

[earlthegoat2]

fat wood.

Fatlighter?

 

[Bazoo]

Fatlighter?

Yes, same thing but different name. Not much round here.

 

[bratch]

This has been on my to buy list for 25 years. I’m planning to order a buddy the 103 Skinner this fall as a gift, I may have to throw a Vanguard on for me.

 

[Bazoo]

For a standard production knife, it’s pretty nice. It hefts good, and it balances good, and it’s quite comfortable to hold and use, to me of course.

 

[kBob]

Lightered Wood

I have kicked an old stump to bits to get some on occassion when a BHK ( Big Honking Knife) was not available (School trip with hippie private school)

-kBob

 

[kBob]

Forgot to say Nice Bucks.

-kBob

 

[jmr40]

I love the design, but I'm not a fan of 420HC steel. At various times they have offered it with S30V steel. They make one specifically for Cabelas, but I don't care for the blacked-out blade or billboard on it. I found one without those embellishments and like it a lot. They are only about $20-$30 more than 420HC.

Cabela's Alaskan Guide Series Vanguard Fixed-Blade Knife with Rosewood Handle by Buck Knives | Cabela's (cabelas.com)

 

[Boattale]

I love the design, but I'm not a fan of 420HC steel. At various times they have offered it with S30V steel. They make one specifically for Cabelas, but I don't care for the blacked-out blade or billboard on it. I found one without those embellishments and like it a lot. They are only about $20-$30 more than 420HC.

Cabela's Alaskan Guide Series Vanguard Fixed-Blade Knife with Rosewood Handle by Buck Knives | Cabela's (cabelas.com)

My 420 HC Bucks have done all I need from a knife. Curious why you don't care for it? I know there are harder steels out there but when I can dress three deer without a problem with my 119 and then run it across the KO worksharp for a couple of minutes tops and have it dangerous to touch, color me happy.

Like the looks of the Vanguard but will always pick a 119 and a 110. Old guy taste, I know

 

[Bazoo]

I don’t mind 420hc, but I can’t say I mind the others as I haven’t tried them. I have some experience with different streals in other knives and my beef is they are hard to sharpen.

 

[Mr. Hill]

Is the handle on the vanguard about the same width as the 119?

 

[Bazoo]

It’s a touch thinner, and it’s not square.

 

[Bazoo]

I’ll get a pic for ya tomorrow if I can remember. I don’t have a 119 though to compare.

 

[Armored farmer]

This has been on my to buy list for 25 years. I’m planning to order a buddy the 103 Skinner this fall as a gift, I may have to throw a Vanguard on for me.

Those may be MY two favorites!
I have the Vanguard. Nice knife.

 

[red rick]

I like the Vanguard’s looks . I have never tried one though . I have a bunch of Buck knives , 102 , 105 , 110 , 112 , 120 and a couple that I don’t know the models of off the top of my head . If I had to pick my favorite all around knife for skinning anything from birds , small game and deer , it would be the 105 and that happens to be the first Buck knife that I bought about 45 years ago .

 

[Bazoo]

 

[Seedy Character]

I like Buck knives

 

[Rubone]

This is my only Buck knife, but it works just fine for what I use it for.

 

[DDDWho]

 

[Bazoo]

When I don’t have the 192 on my side I have the 110. My second favorite buck knife.

 

[EIB0879]

Yup

I have one exactly like that. I have dressed out a lot of deer with it over the years.