Buck Mini Strider vs Emerson Mini CQC-7

[LongDistance]

Due to local laws, I cannot EDC a blade that is more than 3 inches long

I always wanted to try out a tanto and I have reduced my choices to a Buck Mini Strider and an Emerson Mini CQC-7. The two knives appear to be pretty similiar, so I'm wondering if anyone had any experiance with them before.

Also, I'm open to suggestions of other sub 3 inches tantos around 100-120 dollars.

 

[STR]

The Buck Mini is a little giant of a knife. The blade is a traditional V grind that is 4.5mm thick. (thats thick) compared to the 1/8" thick one side only or chisel grind of the Emerson model. Also, the liner lock on that Buck/Strider folder is between .065 and .070 thick compared to .050 on the Emerson. Both have excellent G10 scales with nice texture to them. Both are available in combo edge or plain edge.

The tip portion of the Buck Strider Mini is thick on their tanto shape made more for scraping and hard prying type jobs over the thin sharp tip of the Emerson. The Buck Strider pocket clip is ambidextrous and the Emerson is not. The little Buck Strider is very thick for its size and as a result carries bigger with a more bulky feeling in the pocket especially if you are one that prefers tighter jeans. The slimline nature of the Emerson may make it more comfortable to carry closed in the mounted position on the pocket as a result of this. Both companies have top notch warranty coverage.

Both knives are said to be heavy duty and for the most part that is true as they are capable of doing a lot but the Buck Strider model has had some reportings of slight vertical blade play in them and the Emerson reports of the lock sliding off the blade from hard twisting motions. However in defense of both companies this is more characteristic of liner locks in general than to lay blame on one of the knives or makers.

Also, the Emerson of course offers the Wave feature and the Buck Strider does not. Both are a bit stiff when new also and require what I call a good break in before you can expect it to be optimal.

Personally I'd take the HK14210 BenchMade knife over either of these in a heartbeat for the smoothness of the action, the quality of the fit and finish and the lock strength and reliability, which by the way is second to none in the industry and the fact that it can be Waved as easy as one two three if you so desire and the function of it is about as good as it gets. Not to forget the price tag. Chances are depending on where you buy it that the HK is less money than either of the ones you want to look at although I do admit that there is a lot appealing about both of the choices you are looking over.

I know you didn't ask about it but for what its worth, I know a guy that used one of these HK29 folders in Iraq for 14 months. While there he used it to hammer it in a wall beating it in there good with a rock in a mortar joint and then he used it as leg up to check over the top through a crack in the wall higher than he could use so he could see if the coast was clear after a shoot out. He said he had no choice because he left his fixed blade back at the camp the day before. Also, he weighs in at about 210 pounds. Oh, the lock not only survived this but he still uses the knife as one of his EDC knives. No disrespect for the ones you asked about but you wouldn't dare try that with either of those or you'd bust the lock. http://newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=5125

STR

 

[nitrox1]

Due to local laws, I cannot EDC a blade that is more than 3 inches long
QUOTE]

Are you sure? Is this an Albany/Berzerkely local ordinance, or is it how you're interpreting Ca. knife laws?

Ca. doesn't have a length limit on folders. Check out California PC 12020

John...

 

[LongDistance]

thanks STR for the info, I'll give the HK14210 a look

Due to local laws, I cannot EDC a blade that is more than 3 inches long
QUOTE]

Are you sure? Is this an Albany/Berzerkely local ordinance, or is it how you're interpreting Ca. knife laws?

Ca. doesn't have a length limit on folders. Check out California PC 12020

John...

yea, it is a local ordinance for my hometown Albany CA. Love the place, hate the blade restriction. Sucks too, because where I go to college, Davis, also has a 3 inch restriction.

 

[nitrox1]

Roger that, what a bummer.

I think I would go with the buck/strider of the 2 you mentioned.

The emerson chisel grind I don't find as useful as a v grind for edc chores.

Both are good, tough knives.

Best to ya,
John...

 

[knarfeng]

yea, it is a local ordinance for my hometown Albany CA. Love the place, hate the blade restriction. Sucks too, because where I go to college, Davis, also has a 3 inch restriction.

You need to transfer from UC Davis to UCSD. No blade length limits in San Diego, though I'm not sure about on campus. (just joking.)

 

[Kaizen1]

I'd seriously consider a Spyderco Yojimbo (though not a tanto). Others:

Spyderco Mini Manix
Spyderco Para-Military
Spyderco Waved Delica
SOG Mini X-Ray (tanto)
Benchmade 557 (tanto)
BM 14210
BM 525
BM 940

Based soley on your criteria, I'd go with the SOG Mini X-Ray. It's definitely underrated. But overall for the under 3", I'd go with the Yojimbo. I just love the design. I only say that because I have other blade shapes that fit other needs. If I could have only one as an EDC knife, I'd go with the Waved Delica.

 

[schiesz]

The SOG Mini X-ray looks like a very nice knife for this purpose. I have a BG42 bladed 881 (Strider/Buck Mini) and I love it, but its not the perfect EDC for me. The blade is soo thick it is not the best cutter out there. This is great if you need something that is stronger and just a fair cutter. I have no concerns with prying and such, this blade is about 1/4 inch thick.

schiesz

 

[hotbossa]

Emerson.....Period. Mych better than anything Buck is putting out. i have the full-size CQC-7B and I never leave home without it.

 

[Redguy]

The Buck Strider is an excellent knife, but as schiesz told before, not really a scalpel, but neither is the CQC7. Anyway I would chose the B/Strider before the Emerson. It is V grind, it was heat treated by Paul Bos and it has thicker liners. BTW if you want a really good small tanto, try to hunt down a Camillus Cuda Quik-Action. Mine is 4 years old and still going strong.

 

[longbeachguy]

I have the Emerson Mini CQC-7 and all I can say is it's a great knife. The liner, being titanium is plenty strong and stiff. I can't imagine it failing without being pulled off the tang, as in a torquing action. I recommend it, but I've never used the Strider Buck mini so I can't compare the two. All I can say is I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed with the Emerson.

I also have the HK29, and although I haven't really tested it I suspected from the build quality that it was probably extremely strong. STR's story just confirms this.