Vanguard Cheetah

Vanguard Cheetah: A Sleek EDC with Premium Features

If you're in the market for a high-quality, stylish, and functional everyday carry (EDC) knife, the Vanguard Cheetah is a contender you won’t want to miss. In this blog review, I’ll break down everything you need to know about this knife, from its unboxing experience to its build and performance, giving you a clear idea of whether the Cheetah deserves a place in your pocket.

Unboxing: A Premium Experience Right Out of the Box

The unboxing experience of the Vanguard Cheetah is an event in itself. When you first open the box, you’ll immediately notice the attention to detail. The knife comes in a sleek, branded Vanguard box, which includes some thoughtful accessories that make the Cheetah feel like a premium product. Inside the box, you'll find:

• A metal Vanguard card detailing the knife's specifications and branding.
• A Timascus steel pocket clip (for one of the variants), adding a touch of sophistication.
• A black Vanguard knife pouch to protect your blade when not in use.

These little touches reflect Vanguard's commitment to quality, ensuring that the knife feels like more than just a tool; it's a collectible.

Handle and Ergonomics: Sleek, but Not Lefty-Friendly

The handle of the Vanguard Cheetah is crafted from black carbon fiber, offering a sleek and modern aesthetic while maintaining a strong and lightweight feel. The carbon fiber also ensures durability, which is crucial for any knife intended for daily use.

The handle features a framelock mechanism located in the middle, providing a secure lockup when the blade is open. This is great for safety and stability, especially during demanding tasks. However, one minor downside is the titanium pocket clip, which is right-hand only. It’s a small point of consideration if you're a left-handed user, as the clip is not reversible.

Even though it might not be ideal for southpaws, the tip-up right carry position of the clip is generally favored by many knife enthusiasts for easy access and discreet carry.

Blade: Performance Meets Style

The Vanguard Cheetah's blade is where the knife really shines. Made from Böhler M390 steel, a high-performance stainless steel, the blade combines excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance, making it perfect for EDC tasks and outdoor use alike. The satin finish gives the blade a polished, clean look, while the drop point design ensures a versatile cutting edge that excels at piercing, slicing, and utility tasks.

The addition of jimping near the top of the blade provides added grip, especially during precision cuts or more forceful tasks. The thumb studs on both sides allow for ambidextrous opening, making it easy to deploy the blade regardless of which hand you use.

The 4.438-inch blade length strikes the perfect balance for EDC knives—large enough for most tasks but not so big that it becomes cumbersome for daily carry. With an overall length of 7.75 inches, the Cheetah offers a well-proportioned feel in hand, ideal for those who prefer a slightly larger blade without going overboard.

Variants: A Touch of Luxury with Timascus

The Vanguard Cheetah comes in two variants, both offering the same performance and functionality but with a slight twist on their aesthetics. The second variant, which I had the pleasure of reviewing, stands out thanks to its Timascus pocket clip—a premium material that combines titanium and Damascus steel patterns, giving the knife an eye-catching, one-of-a-kind look.

For those who appreciate a little extra flair, this upgrade makes a noticeable difference, especially if you want a knife that looks as good as it performs.

Final Thoughts: A Solid EDC with Premium Features

The Vanguard Cheetah is a well-designed knife that ticks all the boxes for anyone looking for a premium EDC. From the unboxing experience to the high-performance M390 steel blade, every detail feels meticulously crafted. The carbon fiber handle and framelock mechanism ensure both comfort and safety, while the Timascus pocket clip adds an extra layer of luxury for those who want something special.

That said, the knife does have its limitations—most notably, the non-reversible pocket clip for left-handed carry. But for right-handed users, the Cheetah is an excellent choice for an everyday carry knife that combines practicality with class.

If you’re in the market for a top-tier EDC, the Vanguard Cheetah is certainly worth considering. Whether you go for the standard version or the one with the Timascus clip, you're getting a knife that stands out both in performance and style.

Pros:

• High-performance Böhler M390 steel for excellent edge retention
• Sleek and durable carbon fiber handle
• Timascus pocket clip available in one variant
• Ambidextrous thumb studs for easy deployment
• Framelock for secure and safe operation

Cons:

• Non-reversible pocket clip, which might be inconvenient for left-handed users
• Slightly larger than some EDC knives, which may not appeal to those who prefer smaller knives

If you found this review helpful, don’t forget to check out our other reviews, share with fellow knife enthusiasts, and consider checking out our YouTube page for more knife and Vanguard content. Thanks for reading, and happy cutting!