Buck/Strider: Am I Anal or What?

Lenny

Lenny

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 15, 1998
Messages
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I received a Small Buck/Strider Spearpoint in BG-42 about 3 weeks ago from BadAss Knives and immediately fell in love with it!
However, the blade didn't center properly in the handle when closed. I figured that for the price I paid, I'd like it to be perfect. Plus, all the other reviews of this knife indicated perfection was the rule.
Off it went to Buck for repair. I received it back yesterday and was pleased to see the liner perfectly centered. However, I was less than pleased to feel the dreaded "blade wobble" in the locked up postition. Out comes my trusty Torx for a little tightening of the pivot screws. They tighten slightly, but then, sliiiiiiiiiiiiip!
Stripped head on one screw. To make matters worse, the action was now so stiff it was no longer a one hand opener.
So, first thing this morning, I sent it back to Buck, yet again, to make things right. Now, I realize that this was my mistake. But, am I asking too much to have zero blade wobble and a perfectly centered blade in a $160 knife? I don't think so.
I still love the knife and expect it to be the one I turn to when I have a really tough job. That's why I bought it and that's why I want it to be as close to perfect as possible.
I should also mention that its a breath of fresh air to call a company and get an actual living, breathing person on the other end within one or two rings. Everyone I've talked to at Buck has been more than pleasant.
Has anyone else with these knives experienced any similar problems?
Please let me know if I'm nuts, or just expecting too much.
Thanks,
Lenny
 
If you're asking if you're being to "picky" about a production knife
I'd say yes, just a bit. If you're asking if you're being to "picky"
about a custom knife I'd say no.

The Buck Strider is a production knife and as such will have what's
called "manufacturing variances" that all mass produced products do.
A little wobble that doesn't affect actual perfomance would be considered
acceptable in most cases. A lot of wobble would be considered a defect.

Either way Buck is such a good Christian company they will fix your
knife to your satisfaction. We just need to be fair in our level of expectations.
 
I've had five of the things in all versions and every one of them had lock/QC problems. I don't think you're being too picky, and I think that lot's of people have had similar experiences, they just don't post about it for whatever reason.

I've had similar problems with new models from SOG and Emerson.

Thankfully, Buck customer service is excellent :) .
 
Intriguing that there is such a range. I have had a large tanto, and now have a small spearpoint. No problems whatsoever on either of them.
 
When I sent my first one back to Joe, a large tanto model, I asked if lock problems were common, and he said not really, but he had a bunch of 'em on his desk at the moment. Sometimes a company lets a few lemons slip through the cracks, especially so with new models.

Don't let this be a big discouragement or a knock against Buck, because when done right the Buck Strider's are really neat, and if you have a problem Joe will make it right.
 
Though I do not presently own a Buck Strider, I would like to just send out cudos to Buck's Customer Service/ Repair Dept. A couple of my custom 110 orders were mixed up. One had the wrong bolsters ( brass instead of silver )and the other came with unmatched stag handles (one side was kind of indented )but, Buck replaced them both and then upgraded the software on Pete's Custom Shop to eliminate the confusion about the bolsters. Thanks again, Buck!
 
Lenny,
You are not being unreasonable. We here at Buck strive to make every knife perfect, but sometimes we do not achieve it. Send it back to us and we will make it right.


Jeff
 
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