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Head to head

Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner 15002 vs Buck 192 Vanguard

Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner 15002 runs a 4.2″ drop point blade in CPM-S30V; Buck 192 Vanguard runs 4.25″ of drop point in 420HC. The Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner 15002 is the lighter of the two by 2.00 oz.

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  • Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner 15002 · Drop Point
    4.2″ blade · 0.12″ spine · 4.3 oz · ~1.25″ tall
  • Buck 192 Vanguard · Drop Point
    4.25″ blade · 0.14″ spine · 6.3 oz · ~1.22″ tall
Spine thickness, same scale
0.12″
0.14″
Length and spine thickness drawn to true scale from published specs. Outline traced from the maker's side-profile photo.
SpecBenchmadeBenchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner 15002Check priceBuckBuck 192 VanguardCheck price
Blade length4.2″4.25″
Spine thickness0.12″0.14″
Overall length8.7″8.5″
Weight4.3 oz6.3 oz
Blade shapeDrop PointDrop Point
SteelCPM-S30V420HC
GrindFlatHollow
LockFixedFixed
Handle materialStabilized WoodWalnut + Brass
Country of originUSAUSA
Price bandPremiumMid

Tinted rows are where these two differ.

The steel difference

CPM-S30V

The long-time American benchmark. Holds an edge far longer than 420HC and still sharpens on ordinary stones. Chippy if you pry with it.

420HC

Buck's Paul Bos heat treat is what makes this ordinary steel good. Dulls sooner than premium steels and takes ninety seconds to fix.