Buck Knives192 Vanguard Fixed Blade Knife with Leather Sheath - Walnut

Let me start off by admitting - I'm a "knife guy..." I've been fascinated by and collecting knives of various sorts since my parents bought me my first Cub Scout pocketknife at age 8. I own 50+ knives of differing types, and make it a point to always carry a pocketknife with me (as a gentleman should...) That being said, this knife's place in my collection is one of high esteem, and it has quickly become my "go-to" blade for any and all ventures in the outdoors.Out of the box, the beauty of the knife is truly something to behold. Then combination of the wood handle and highly polished brass hardware make for a classic aesthetic, but the slimmer, more ergonomic design of this knife and its shape (as opposed to "traditional" hunting knives like the Buck 119 or Case 365-5) offers a more modern "solution" to the hunting knife design problem. The weight and balance of the knife make it comfortable to both wear on the belt and to use for prolonged periods of time (such as when skinning and butchering an animal.) It is also worth noting that the smaller overall size of this knife as compared to many of its more "traditional" brethren means that it is more comfortable to carry on the belt, and is much less prone to interfering with leg movement or providing the unexpected "handle jab" in the ribs when strenuously climbing or hiking. Yet despite its smaller size, this knife is MORE than capable of taking on the task of skinning and dressing even the largest game - with its design and balance lending itself especially well to smaller detail work when needed. The Vanguard came respectably sharp right out of the box, but after a handful of passes on the stone, this blade is ready for surgery - and the steel holds an edge incredibly well, as is the case with all Buck knives.I have used this knife for a variety of tasks - from cutting rope and making fuzz sticks to dressing ducks, rabbits, geese, and more than a dozen deer. It has always performed each task incredibly well, and has never failed to come back for more - giving all that I ask of it and more. The Vanguard has quickly become my favorite, my "go-to," and my most trusted companion when heading out to breathe in the beauty, majesty, and raw power of the great outdoors.I've been a Buck fan for years - as have many before me - and I've heard it said by some that the Buck 119 and Folding Hunter represent "perfection" in their design. While these two iconic knives truly set the benchmark against which all other hunting knives should be measured - trust me when I say that the Buck Vanguard shows that you really CAN improve on "perfection." Five stars without question or hesitation.

This is essentially a premium fit and finish, USA-made knife, which uses common-sense tactics and traditional designs to charge a lot less than you'd get from most brands of this quality.Sharpness and edge retention is fine; better than a lot of knives I've used. I know you can find more premium steels than 420 in a $100 knife, but don't let it scare you away. I temper steel for a living, and this steel is great. The heat treat and edge grind matter just as much as the alloy, and Buck knows this. Their design and blade hardness is excellent, and 420 is still a good stainless steel to begin with.It's beautiful, strong, razor sharp, and the perfect style and size to keep on your hip without scaring people.The use of Dymalux Walnut for the handle is also great, as ordinary wood is beautiful, but not as weather-resistant or age-resistant as new synthetics. By using Dymalux (resin-infused wood), this has the beauty and feel of natural wood with the durability and longevity of a synthetic material.It's extremely functional and well-proportioned, with a grip that fills the palm well for such a compact fixed-blade.It looks and feels like a work of art, and is quality and durability from top to bottom.

This knife is a true work of art. It’s beautiful. And it’s made in the USA. Real quality and worth every penny. It will last me a lifetime. It’s well balanced and the smooth handle feels good in your hand. Highly recommend

This knife is everything Buck claims it to be. Fit and finish is excellent. The blade is a good length. The heft and stoutness of the blade makes it feel sturdy and yet balanced in your hand. I chose the textured rubberized grip because I didn't want something that might slip in my hand. The knife came with a good sharp edge, but like others I honed it yet a little more. One thing I really like is the nylon cordura sheath. It has an inner molded plastic sheath that the blade slips into...it works good and doesn't cut up the cordura. The thing about leather that I found with other knives I own is it will turn any brass accents green. Of course, you can clean it up with a little Brasso, but the cordura isn't going to do that. Overall, I would recommend this as a great fixed blade knife at a very reasonable price.

Buck knives , great product. Excellent knife , with great steel and performance.