Buck Strider 880SP

[ARtsig1]

This is the third one I've had. The first two were of dubious quality to say the least. The action was stiff ( even for me and I usually like 'em tight, real tight), the blade absolutely would not center in the handle upon closing, the liner lock would lock in a couple different places, and the blade had some play. Both had pretty much the same problems and I was about convinced that I would not own another. That was until I stopped at the local gun shop and saw one in the display case. Asked to see it expecting the same thing when much to my surprise it wasn't to be. I tested the blade for wobble since it was already open...NONE, and I mean absolutely none. Closed the blade and lo and behold it was centered perfectly within the handle! Action was stiff but very smooth throughout the entire opening arc. In fact I tightened it up just a smidge more and it is fine. The fit and finsh is outstanding on this one. I think I just got a couple of bad ones and probably should have sent them back to Buck but didn't. I was able to do some mods that pretty much cured most of their ills. But it was a delight to find this one being built exactly as it should and exactly as I would expect BUCK to build one. The only thing I will do on this one is to sand the edges of the G-10 and round it off a bit and maybe take some ot the rough out of the scale flats. This tthing would absolutely eat my pocket up if I carried it much!!

Nice job Buck.....I am an extremely happy customer!

 

[ARtsig1]

Just finished "working over" the Strider. I took the scales off and using sandpaper and my Dremel tool I rounded off the sharp edges. I also sanded down the handles themselves to make it a little less tough on the britches and hand! Came out looking REAL good. While I had it down I satin finished the edges of the titanium liners using sandpaper then my Dremel with polishing compound. Also cleaned the lube off that Buck uses and relubed it with Tuff-Glide. I put it back together without any problems. Blade still centers perfectly and lockup is as tight as ever. Man does it ever feel better in my hand, and it is easier to draw from my back pocket without the handles grabing everything they come into contact with!

 

[Warhawk]

Hey Art,
I'm really suprised that you had two bad 880SP's, mostly the troubles were with the first batch of tanto bladed 880's. My BG-42 880SP is nice and tight with no blade wobble or looseness at all. My mini spearpoint is the same but easier to open due to some polishing of the bearing surfaces by me. (Effectively voiding the warranty I need to add.) While I had the blade out I gave it a satin finish. My BG-42 tanto is a bit loose locked open and I've spoken to Joe Houser about repair (He said send it in and he'll have it taken care of.) but it's not on my short list of things to be done since the knife is not a user.

One thing I would advise against is 'flicking' the blade open. When you do that it greatly accelerates wear on the liner-lock to blade mating surfaces and will cause blade play to eventually happen.
(Art, I read that you like your blades tight so this is not directed towards you.)

Glad you finally found a good one, Art. The Strider Buck is really an impressive piece of hardware when everything comes together like it should, and I think Buck has finally gotten all the bugs out.

Take care,