Buck Strider 881

M

Messersmith

Joined
Jun 30, 2006
Messages
1,452
I just got a new 881 from WILLIAM.M in the For Sale forum (great guy to deal with by the way) and this thing is cool! I'm really impressed by how thick the blade is and how solid it feels. It has that big folder feel that I love but it's smaller size makes it a little more EDC friendly.

One problem: the left side of the blade hits the liner when closing so I'm hoping I can correct that by tightening the pivot (there is some play in the blade so I'm thinking the pivot bolt is loose). Is the pivot bolt hidden under the scales or is it the torx fastener that looks like all the other handle screws? What size torx driver do I need?

881 Eye Candy:







New 881 next to my 889:


 
Messy...
I screwed around with mine (was gonna say "messed around"...but didn't want to use your name in vain).
It is indeed the torx that is positioned where one would expect a larger pivot pin.
The two (one on each side) are connected. You can feel it if you press your finger on the opposing one that you are taking the Torx to.
The size? It's the small one.
HA HA...crack myself up.
Use a T-8 and don't forget the LocTite Blue.
:)

Too me, even though the 881 blade is just about a half inch shorter that an 882/9...it is too short for me.
That is not to say that I don't like the 881. I do.
IF I did not have a 882 w/ G-10 scales I might find that I would use the 881 because of the ATS-34 and G-10. The G-10 on the 881/2 units is much more "pocket" friendly than the FRN on the 889.

Am heading to the beach and was thinking of taking my 172 Buck Miracle Whip and 882SBTG. Maybe I should try out the 881 instead of one of the others (opinions????).

:confused: MESSY...does your 881 seem dull at the Tanto edge? Mine does. Certainly not as sharp as the main blade edge. FWIW, I have not used it to cut anything so this is how it came straight outta the box.

Thanks!
 
Buckaholic said:
Am heading to the beach and was thinking of taking my 172 Buck Miracle Whip and 882SBTG. Maybe I should try out the 881 instead of one of the others (opinions????).
Click to expand...

A 172 to the beach????? Whew...... did you get the latest scoop sheet from LO ??? Those babies seem to have gone up in price a tad.

Just don't loose it :rolleyes::D
 
Thanks for the info Gooser. I'll try tightening the pivot and see if that helps center the blade a little.

I hear what you say about the size of the 881. It was smaller than i had pictured, but it's been nice to carry in my pocket today compared to my 889. Since getting the 881 I have an itch to get an 880 and an 882. Those G10 scales are really nice!

My 881 is not the sharpest out of the box that I've ever had from Buck, but it has the spear point blade, not the tanto.

Enjoy the beach. A few months back when I was in the sun & sand I carried a cheapie Mantis (the knife, not the garden machine). Served me well and no worries about loosing it. I couldn't even give it to the baggage attentent at the airport so I threw it in my checked baggage and I still have it.
 
Thanks Messy.
For some reason I thought you got the Tanto. Then I looked at your pic. DOH!!!!

Will try to enjoy the beach. :rolleyes:
My worry is some TSA or airline donkey-hole rifling through my checked bag and taking my knives.
 
Buckaholic said:
Will try to enjoy the beach. :rolleyes:
My worry is some TSA or airline donkey-hole rifling through my checked bag and taking my knives.
Click to expand...

If I were to travel by plane with a knife in my baggage, I'd make sure to have a detailed inventory of every item in the bags, and a picture.

If they do check your bags while you're watching, ask for names. You have a right to know who's going through your stuff. Then, before leaving the airport, make sure the knife is still there. If it's not, you have at least a start on where it may be.

I've never had a reason to fly, so I don't know how common theft by airport personnel is. But if it were me, I'd make sure to travel with locking luggage, or at least keep the valuable stuff locked where curious hands can't get to them... but that's just common sense and I'm sure you're good in that department ;)

At least lock everything was the advice I was given. About ten years ago I was going to DC with group of musicians and we were going to fly at first. We were told that if we had to check our violins, violas and cellos to make damn sure they were locked and if security asked that it be opened politely refuse and explain what's in the case and it's vaule, if they push the issue, open it for them but don't let them touch.

We ended up going by bus which was a lot of fun.

But my teacher's advice seems reasonable (she flew overseas several times a year), and what I'll stick to in the event that I ever do fly.
 
I tried tightening the pivot to correct the off center blade but that didn't work. So I disassembled it and found a small bur under the left side washer causing the blade to go off center when closed. I cleaned everything and it centers perfectly now.

With the thick blade on these there is not much room for error before the blade starts hitting the liner.
 
Messersmith said:
I tried tightening the pivot to correct the off center blade but that didn't work. So I disassembled it and found a small bur under the left side washer causing the blade to go off center when closed. I cleaned everything and it centers perfectly now.

With the thick blade on these there is not much room for error before the blade starts hitting the liner.
Click to expand...

Hey Messy...
Good job!
Did you take apart the whole thing? If so, where the hell are the pics?!?!?!?
I recall having the same gig with my 889LE...crap on the washer outta the box caused it to act whack. Scraped off a burr and adjusted the liner lock and all was well.

Hey, can't get online too much. In Hawai'i.

SERIUOUS THREAD JACK:

Here are some pics...

Me at the Kona sea wall...can't tell but it is a Buck related pic as I have a 172, 882SBTG, and 110NS BG-42 Koa on my person :)

.
Me starting to field dress a nene (Hawaiian Goose) with a 172. Hunt with my mitts and blade. Gotta blood let first:
Click the pic:

.
Koa back "home" where she should be for vacation (Koa is a tree I used to climb as a kid here in Hawai'i). Those red dogs are REALLY red. Made in the town of Waipahu where I went to elementary school::
Click the pic:


So, to keep this kosher...I left my 881 at home...so there...back on thread ;)
Aloha Brothers...
monGOOSE.
 
I did take the whole thing apart but no pics. Maybe next time.

Cool pics Goose. Your 110 Koa looks right at home there.
 
Nice buy, Messer! I love the looks of that Buck/Strider. As soon as I finish my run of custom 110's, I am going to pick some 88*'s up.
 
Thanks Vic and APF. I've been EDCing it for a week now and I really like how it carries in my pocket. It's just the right size.

One thing I've noticed is that the blade is so thick on my 881 it tends to split things you are cutting rather than cutting them. An example would be an apple.... you start to cut it and the blade just splits it right open.
 
My BG-42 881SP is one of my favorite knives...so damn beefy! I reground the blade to 30* included and damn it is super sharp. The G10 on the first production run models is even grippier and will shred pants if not careful. After owning my 881SP, I too have been thinking about picking up an 880SP.
 
I was trying to get some glamour shots of my 881 the other day but this is the only one that turned out half decent. I'm a lefty so I moved the clip.

 
From what I could tell, the 881T did not come from the factory with the tanto edge fully sharpened. I had heard from around these parts that this is done on purpose, as the front edge is made for penetrating strength and not for cutting. On my BG42 one, I sharpened it up just like the primary edge, but because of the thickness of the blade (they are SOO thick) and angle of the grinds, this resulted in a bunch of the finish of the blade wearing off where the blade grind goes from the straight edge to the tip of the tanto. Did I mind? Not really, I liked it that way.
 
Bump!
I have a 881 incoming. I always wanted one.
Thank you Matt.
Who is a fan of these folders?
rolf
 
I've got an 881 sp, in ATS34. A tough little folder, it is unapologetic about the fact that it will never be an elegant slicer, I'd love to find one of it's combo-edged siblings.
 
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I think this folder is meant to be more of a tool. You could have it zeroed?
They made a PS?
What does, sp, mean?
rolf
 
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