Buck Strider (large) or Almar SERE2000

Centurian

Centurian

Joined
Mar 22, 2001
Messages
575
I know everybody hates the whole which knife should I get next. So what I would like is to hear from people who have experiance with either knife. Tell me why you like it? Or why you don't? If you have handled both knives great, which one do you like better? :D

Thanks
 
I haven't handled a S2K, but if you're thinking about getting a Strider, I strongly recommend you handle before you buy. The thing is huge. The first time I saw it I laughed because I thought it looked like a joke or a gag gift. It's just friggin' huge. I have no doubt it's tough as nails and all that, but it's definitely not a knife for everyone.
 
I've handled them both kept the SERE, and traded the Strider.It was huge good if it's in a belt sheath, but not in your pocket. The SERE is a jewel IMHO.
 
I too, found the Srider to be obscenely huge. I own and love the SERE, but have found a couple of minor bitches(nothing too serious) that I have to vent about. First, because it rides to deep in your pocket, its not the quickest to deploy. That is very minor, as the way it rides so deep also keeps the big knife from digging into your hip when you sit down. Also, occasionally the thumbstuds will catch on my pocket as I am pulling it out of my pocket, partially opening the knife. So far, no accidents, but I am now being more careful as I pull the knife out. All in all, the SERE is one of my favorites and highly recommend it.
 
Here's where I talk up and down about how much I like this knife. But really, I love it. I only carry it on a belt sheath, Gould & Goodrich make a .45 mag pouch that is a perfect fit. The fact that it is so friggin big is another thing I love about it. I called the Strider guys earlier, and from what they say about it's strength, I don't think I'll ever bust it.
My one complaint is that the blade is ground too thick. I want to remedy this by having a local maker regrind it much like the Lum tanto grind.
 
You should see the custom version from Strider knives. I carry it alot clipped to the pocket, but it's not for the faint of heart :cool:
 
Having both knives, I'd probably recommend the SERE first. It feels better in the hand, opens smoothly, and has a better blade profile for most uses.

The Buck Strider is more of a tank and very solid. For extreme tasks (if I went into the backcountry with only a folder and no fixed blade), this would be my choice, though. It does neet a little modification to make me happier with it (reprofiling the edge as mentioned, actually putting an edge on the tanto tip area, and smoothing the edges of the scales which are pretty sharp).

Both are sturdy, and for most practical uses, the SERE fits well. For impractical uses that would hurt most folders, though, it would be tough to beat the Buck without going to custom makers.

CJ
 
Ok, I can tell most people think that the Strider is BIG:) however, I am used to carring large folders. I carry a SIFU and prior to that I carried the cold steel Xl voyager and the HUGE Vaquero. Although, I would say that the SIFU is big and heavy, it is pretty thin in profile. So my next question is how "bulky" (don't know if that's spelled right:) ) is the Strider when comparied to the Sifu or some of Cold Steels monsters?
 
You cannot go wrong with the Sere 2000.
It is an outstanding knife, especially for its price.
 
I like big, heavy, hard use knives. When people on this forum call a knife: "heavy, too big, impractical, over the top," I usualy place an order as fast as I can :-)
 
I handled both of these knives at the same time at the same store side by side.

Simply put.......forget the Strider and go with the SERE.

IMHO, the SERE is damn near perfection in almost every way. The Strider seemed way too big for one hand opening. It's ergonomics were pathetic. I also thought that this knife was a joke or was maybe one of those old time salesman type of display knives.:confused:

I left the Strider and went home with the SERE 2000 that day. I've been very happy with it's been my EDC. It's a high quality knife. My only complaints, if I had to list something, would be the thumbstuds were a little too sharp and the clip needed the tip slightly bent out away from the knife so that it could be easily inserted, with only using one hand, back into the pocket.

Go for the SERE........trust me!!;)

--The Raptor--
 
I have a SERE 200o and I agree with Danbo's earlier post. That is, the knife rides low in the pocket and the thumb studs protrude a bit too far and tend to catch on pocket linings. Other than those "shortcomings", the knife is beautifully made and quite rugged. I have never seen or handled the Buck.
 
I have both and they are two of my very favorite folders (along with the Large and Small Sebenzas, the BM710, The Buck 110 :) and the M16-01F). These two knives almost allow me to forget how much I hate liner locks.

The SERE2K is very nicely done. The fit and finish are excellant and the design is good. It is sturdy, comfortable, a bit heavy, but tough. The bladeshape is not my favorite, but I really like VG-10 and just about all of the other attributes and characteristics of this knife. I usually do not acrry it with suits and ties or lightweight, loosefitting pants, but it is a heck of a knife. If I wore jeans all the time, this would be a worker/tactical folder that would be with me most of the time. VG-10, G-10, sturdy construction and darn near flawless pproduciton execution make this knife a winner.

As to the Buck Strider, I have to first say that I prefer a full tang fixed blade to any folder! from my Simonich Talons and Greco "Little Baron" through the Project 1 and Basic 9, I prefer full tang fixed blades. With that said, sheeple and circumstances often times all buit require a folder. I am not seeking a political debate here, just letting you know how I see things in many parts of the country and world. For those times when you really should have a fixed blade but need or want a folder, there is the Buck Strider. I have one with the BG-42 Spearpoint and would put it up against any folder for ruggedness, strength and use/abuse survival.

I ask you this: How big are your hands? The SERE2K is large and the B-S is beyond large. How much real abuse will the knife see? The extra weight, girth and arguably cumbersome over design of the B-S is like a spare tire, excess baggage ... until you need it, then it's worth its weight in gold! What do you already have? Do you have a good, lightweight, sleek slicer like the Military, Endura, BM710 or the like? Will this be your EDC "do everything one and only?" If so, the S2K edges out. If it will be your "reserved for extreme duty" user/beater, then the Buck-Strider has few peers. None, IMO, at anywhere near the pricepoint.
 
Hopefully, I'll be able to answer some of Nimrods questions. First I have medium hands, other large knives that I carry (Rekat Sifu, Cold Steel Voyager, Even the Cold steel Vaquaro Grande) so I don't really carry about being too large. However, what I am conserned with is "bulk". As far had hard the knife will be used, just everday carry.
 
Buck Strider is my choice for a hard use work knife.Yesterdays chore was cutting a 3" wide nylon strap encrusted with sand,salt,and crud while hanging upside down in the inside of a piece of equipment.The strap had become entangled in the interior of the equipment and had to be cut 4 times. Fortunatly I had my Strider clipped to the pocket of my Dickies work trousers. The clip is secure as I crawl under and inside equipment all day and have never had it fall out.
I have the first run tanto in BG42. The blade required reprofiling to obtain the type of edge I wanted. The tanto tip is very useful for scraping (which I do a lot)and as it is dull from the factory there is no worry about dulling a sharp edge.
The Strider is big. Don't get one if you intend to have an EDC with dress cloths. I have a large assortment of production folder I have tried as work(hard use)knives and the Strider is the best I have found.
As a side note I use this knife around road salt,liquid calcium cloride(liquid salt solution),spray it clean with starting fluid or break clean and lube it with a spray of liquid wrench or WD40 or wipe it with a few drops of 3in1Oil and have had no rust problems at all.
All an all an amazing knife. Not for one looking for a pretty or sleek knife but a great hard user.
One mans opinion of the Strider. I can't speak to the Al Mar as I have never handled one.
 
I've never used the Strider, but I can tell you that the SERE is a serious knife indeed. I normally don't like liner locks, but this one appears to be rock solid. This is a knife that begs to be used and abused. I actually like the fact that the clip make the SERE ride low in your pocket: the knife is practically invisible to prying eyes. As with any clip - on, though, it might be wise to look into the possibilities of belt carry if the knife were to be used in a wilderness context (scrambling, bushwacking, etc.).
 
The Strider tanto and the BM 350 are almost always my EDC. The BM 350 is reserved for tasks that need a thin blade and a knife that won't frighten the sheeple. The BM is a great knife but... My Strider is carried purely as a defensive folder. I can clear my sheath and have it wrist-snapped open in under a second. If I choose not to escelate the situation, the Strider makes a devestating fistload while closed. I have small hands and I like the way it protrudes from both ends of my fist. It is a very competent kubotan.
Today I am going to be doing some work on it. I saw the Bob Kasper modifications he did to the AFCK and I think they would fly with the Strider. Grip tape on the pocket clip should make the purchase pristine, and grinding the G10 around the opening area should speed manuel(as oposed to snapping open) opening. I may also grind the locking liner to make it more subdued and prevent any accidental closings.
The Strider is akin to a 1911 configuration pistol. Out of the box, it's good. It needs to be fine tuned though to make it "poppin".
 
I have owned both and still do own the Strider Tanto. I can't really comment as to which is better. They both excel in many areas.
I like the thin edge bevel on the SERE but dislike the thin tip. I like the thick tip on the Stride but dislike the edge thickness.
Given my druthers though, I am carrying the Strider currently. Just fits me better.
I carry it clipped in my pants pocket and am not bothered at all by the size. Bear in mind though that I am 6'2" tall and weigh in at around 240-250 lbs.

YMMV,

Roy:barf:
 
Raptor,

Do a search in the Strider forum on ergonomics. Mick explains the this in depth :D
 
By vote would have to goto the Buck Strider, one majob reason is that I love the feel of a huge solid knife.
 
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