Buck CSAR-T-It's a beast.

H

heekma

Joined
Jul 2, 2010
Messages
226
Howdy folks,

I like all kinds of knives, slicers and heavy-duty alike. I've been itching to get my hands on a Buck CSAR-T for a while now, got a chance to handle one in person and knew within the first few seconds it was coming home with me.

I've got an SMF and a ZT 0300--heavy duty knives both, but the CSAR-T is in another league entirely.

A few specs:

Weight: 8.6 oz. (.3 oz. more than the ZT)
Blade length: 3.5"
Blade material: ATS-34
Blade thickness: .175"
Locking: Steel linerlock
Scales: machined G-10
Carry: tip up only, reversible

If you like sharpened pry-bars, heavy-duty construction, damn-near indestructibility and some real heft, then the CSAR-T might just punch your ticket.

The blade is a sort of "Spanto-type" profile, ala Hinderer--but on steroids. This is a blade that is specifically designed to poke and pry. Maybe do a little cutting too.:D

The only other knife I have that locks up this solid is the ZT. The thick steel liner snaps into place with authority, engages at about 30-40% and will tear your thumb up if you release it repeatedly--it's stiff and strong.

Thumb studs are well placed as is the cutout on the scales to access them. It's a stiff opener--don't plan on flicking this one like a Spyderco Military or a BM 940.

The gimping is well done and functional. Rugged, but not sharp.

The machined G-10 scales offer fantastic traction, easily the best of any G-10 I've held before. The handle is comfortable and the placement of the lower choil makes the gimping on the blade spine a completely natural place to rest your thumb.

The blade stop, like everything else about this knife is stupendously massive.

The Bos-treated blade is sharp enough to shave hairs clean off my arm--impressive stuff considering how thick the blade is.

The steel liners are double the thickness of most any production liners. The only other steel liners I've seen which are the same thickness are the double-thick steel liners found on the Benchmade 610 Rukus. They are also heavily skeletonized, with a few large holes milled into them.

The clips is just as strong as the rest of the knife. If you want to bend it, put it in a vise. And bring a friend.

With the recent retirement of Paul Bos from Buck knives in June of this year, I have a feeling this knife as well as the Buck/Strider collaborations featuring his heat treatments may well become a bit sought after, maybe even collectible--but I have no crystal ball either, it's just a guess.

At a little over a hundred bucks, this knife is an incredible bargain. In terms of heavy-duty construction, there isn't another production knife that can touch it--and those that come closest cost far more than $100.

Best,

Heekma




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I agree with most everything you said. I had the opportunity to purchase the CSAR-T at $83 plus some change, so I got two. Unfortunately, neither of the blades were centered and only one was sharp. The other would only tear paper. It is a hard use knife. Everything is overbuilt. It is not, however, a beauty queen nor a comfortable knife to use, but for its intended purpose, it makes its point. Quite a brute of a knife. Love it when I am in the right mood.
 
Divega said:
I agree with most everything you said. I had the opportunity to purchase the CSAR-T at $83 plus some change, so I got two. Unfortunately, neither of the blades were centered and only one was sharp. The other would only tear paper. It is a hard use knife. Everything is overbuilt. It is not, however, a beauty queen nor a comfortable knife to use, but for its intended purpose, it makes its point. Quite a brute of a knife. Love it when I am in the right mood.
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Divega,

For that price I'd would've picked up "one for show and one to go" as well. Unfortunate one of them was dull, that's very unlike Buck--but every company misses the mark once in a while.

The blades on all of them are off center due to the pressure from the extremely stiff liner lock. Normally an off-center blade is something that just eats at me--silly, but it does--but I can accept it in the case of the CSAR-T since it's the way it's designed, not a manufacturing flaw.

You're right about the beauty queen part for sure--it doesn't have the graceful lines of a Benchmade 710, but we both know it'll do things that knife could never do. And vice/versa for that matter.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts,

Heekma
 
nice review. Can you put a comparison shot next to a more "normal" sized knife, please.
 
i actually like the look of that, its the type of knife that id like for work cause i usually end up prying stuff and cutting stuff in a hurry and chopping up sprinkler stops and stuff, so far ive been using the ka bar mule for the past 4 years but this one looks tougher by far
 
Rich,

When I get home I'll post some comparison pics between a ZT 0300, BM 710 and the CSAR-T. They'll be more crappy cellphone pics, but given a choice between buying the CSAR and a digital camera, I made the easy choice.:thumbup:

Carter,

This one is the business allright. It really feels more like a tool than a knife, if that makes any kind of sense. I could see it prying sheetrock mud bucket tops off without an issue, among many other tough jobs.

Ankerson,

Thanks--I'd love to see the CSAR-T put through one of your tests, just as long as it was someone else's...I don't wanna give mine up for a minute!
I bet it would come through just as well as the ZT and Strider did.

Maybe this is the "Poor man's Demko?"

I doubt it, but it is a beast.

Best,

Heekma
 
heekma said:
Rich,

When I get home I'll post some comparison pics between a ZT 0300, BM 710 and the CSAR-T. They'll be more crappy cellphone pics, but given a choice between buying the CSAR and a digital camera, I made the easy choice.:thumbup:

Carter,

This one is the business allright. It really feels more like a tool than a knife, if that makes any kind of sense. I could see it prying sheetrock mud bucket tops off without an issue, among many other tough jobs.

Ankerson,

Thanks--I'd love to see the CSAR-T put through one of your tests, just as long as it was someone else's...I don't wanna give mine up for a minute!
I bet it would come through just as well as the ZT and Strider did.

Maybe this is the "Poor man's Demko?"

I doubt it, but it is a beast.

Best,

Heekma
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I think it would make it through without a problem. :thumbup:

I might get one to test, I have a few others on BO right now to test.

ATS-34 is good steel also so that's a big plus.
 
Great review. It is definitely a beast.
I have a CSAR also and find it to be a very solid knife. IMO, I think it would stand up nice to some other knives that are usually talked about as being able to take hard use. Also, it is very reasonably priced for what you get.
 
Heekma, Great review! I picked up the CSAR back in August and it is exactly what I expected, I love this knife I carry mine everyday (along with about 6 others). It is definately not a delicate cutter, but thats why I carry my farmer or soddie jr. Its a big difference considering I was EDC'ing my paramili prior to this. My one concern with the para was the tip, definately not a concern here. I did some minor reprofiling of the edge with my lansky and finished it off on my sharpmaker. Now it shaves hair easily. I like the case as well and it will find a place on my vest as soon as I go back operational. All and all a great knife and definately worth the money.
 
One of my favorite knives. Picked mine up back in March. My blade pops out with a slight wrist flick. But, the knife still locks up nice and solid.
 
Heekma - I agree with your observation of the stiff liners and blade centering. The problem was the blade was so off center on one of the knives, that the thick blade rubbed against the liner. Luckily, it was the knife which was "sharpness impaired." It was returned. Unfortunately, the store sold out and I couldn't do an exchange. Oh well, more money for another knife! <Grin>
 
I picked up one of these back when they first came out, it's a heck of a heavy duty knife for the money. Here's a few comparison pics, hope the OP doesn't mind.
zbses.jpg

zbs.jpg

ebs.jpg
 
Divega said:
Heekma - I agree with your observation of the stiff liners and blade centering. The problem was the blade was so off center on one of the knives, that the thick blade rubbed against the liner. Luckily, it was the knife which was "sharpness impaired." It was returned. Unfortunately, the store sold out and I couldn't do an exchange. Oh well, more money for another knife! <Grin>
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Yup, that off-center blade was all wrong all right. The liner may push it out of center, but not like that.

On the plus side, you've got one good one--and we know from just holding and using the darned thing, one is all you'll ever need; I think the chances are slim to none we'll ever wear one out.

After watching Ankerson do the Fandango on a Griptilian, I wonder how many dancing Ankersons it would take to finally break a CSAR-T?

Angels on the head of a pin, Ankersons on a CSAR-T, six of one, half-dozen of the other.:D

Best,

Heekma
 
Bladebertt,

I don't mind the great pics at all--thanks!:thumbup:

I've been trying to get home early enough from work to snap some pics next to the ZT and 710--hopefully I'll be able to get outta there on time for once tonight and add a few pics too.

Best,

Heekma
 
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