buck strider liner engagement problems?

B

biogon

Joined
Jan 2, 2002
Messages
2,111
Well, I posted about this a little while back, but it's starting to bug me.

I got my Buck Strider mini about two weeks ago. I love it -- it's been great. My favourite knife by far.

Out of the box, the lock on the liner engaged about halfway across the tang. A reply here, as well as a customer service representative at Buck (when I sent it in) confirmed that this type of engagement is perfect.

Well, it's begun its slide. It's starting to engage about 2/3rds of the way across consistently. If you just look at the liner when it's open, it LOOKS like it's "halfway". However, due to the slanted tang engaging with a straight face on the liner, it's actually engaging much closer to the opposite liner, instead of closer to the near liner.

>>> Edit: Here's a picture of the engagement point:<br>
<img src="http://www.kelvin.net/law/fs/bslock2.jpg"><br>

I can tell because the Ti lock wears/grinds down so much that you can see a line where the particles accumulate.

<img src="http://www.kelvin.net/law/fs/bslock1.jpg"><br>

Where's your liner engaging on the tang? Has anyone's actually slid over until it hits the opposite liner?

Thanks!

-Jon
 
Jon,
The few that I have had my hands all locked up square in the center. The pre-prod. Tanto had a slight blade play and found a new home in Hong Kong. The other 2 are pre-production BG-42 spearpoints, and blade lock up is SOLID!! I have no misgivings about the liner lock position either. IF it is so worriesome to you, take advantage of the warranty & GREAT customer service and send it back. From all I hear the people at BUCK KNIVES ain't happy untill the customer is. These are knifes are great and you should explore the avenues available to you for customer satisfation. PEACE,
Mike B
BCC #572
 
Hi ! Mike :
I think I am the guy who give your tanto 'a new home'. I obtained that knife from my friend, who had already informed me about the flaw of your knife before I acquired it from him. I still collect that knife because I think it will be impossible to get another one in future.
Anyway, it is nice to know from whom that knife come from.
Regards,
Tak-wing
 
I've got a small spearpoint in BG-42.
When I got it, there were several problems with it.
Blade wobble (both vert and horiz) when open, non-centering blade when closed, very stiff opening and closing, liner lock travelled almost all the way over when locked open, and 2 brass washers on the non-lock side, one on the other.
I sent it back to Buck.
Now, it's perfect.
The liner lock moves over just enough so that the left side of the liner is flush with the left side of the tang. Lots of room to wear in. Solid lock up, centered in handle when closed. It's my EDC out of the office.
So, what does my experience say about Buck?
QC needs to be improved, but Customer Service is awesome.
Kind of a mixed message, but I'm willing to deal with it as I believe their products have superior design and materials.
I absolutely love the BG-42 in my Buck/Strider. I actually think it holds an edge better than my Sebenzas. It doesn't cut better because of it's thickness though.
Anyway, I like it so much that I ordered a custom 110 with it.
Lenny
 
My mini tanto locks up solid and in the middle. I wouldn't worry about yours. From the looks of the pic you posted it is fine. The liner will probably stay where it's at. It will need time to set in place. Keep using it and enjoy it. After a month or so of good use you still have a problem then send it in for repair.
 
Lenny,
After reading your post, I took another look at my mini spearpoint. My knife is a little stiff opening and closing, but I figured it would loosen up with use and Tuf-Glide. Mine also has 2 washers on the non-lock side, although lock engagement seems fine. After your knife was returned, did it still have 1 washer on the lock side and 2 on the off side?
Thanks,
Jim
 
Lenny,

Thank you for your response. See, the funny thing is that I -did- already send it in to be serviced.

The customer service verdict? "Perfect lockup, never seen one better before in my life!"

Well, now... I dunno. I'm concerned because 1 month ago, it WAS locking up dead center. In 1 month of light usage, it's moved over to about 2/3rds across.

From your experience, it seems like they are able to adjust it to have lots more space remaining for wear. I don't want to use it for 6 months or 1 year, and when it's completely slid over to the other side, THEN send it in. If they do indeed have parts that can lockup in the beginning of the tang (like yours (!)) I'd like to get the issue resolved now.

USAFSP: I'm just worried because 1) it's already moved significantly and 2) other linerlocks I've had tend to move quite a bit before they settle down -- usually about 1/3rd to 1/2 the tang width. If it starts at 1/2 way... Well.

Thank you everybody for your feedback! I hope Mr. Houser can give his opinion on this matter.

-Jon
 
JimM
Now it only has one washer on each side.
A round one on the lock side, and a weird clipped egg-shaped
one on the back side.
The weird thing about it when it had 2 on the back side was that you could feel the 2 washers sliding against each other while opening and closing it, giving a very imprecise (is that a word) feeling to its motion. Also, having 2 on the back side obviously mis-centered the blade in the closed position. I have no idea what the reason for this washer configuration was.
Oh well, now it's perfect.
Lenny
 
Jon,
The issue with your knife could be a lot of things. It will probably be fine for many years but you want the "probably" part eliminaated and i don't blame you. The easiest remedy would be to send it in, to my attention, and I will have our rework specialist make it to the specs you described. Also, since you already sent it in, and it came back not to your satisfaction, I will cover the shipping to Buck this time. I am sorry for the inconvenience of having to pack it up and ship it again! Please send it to me at:
Joe Houser
1900 Weld Blvd.
El Cajon, Ca. 92020

Take care,
 
I just have to say that I am more than impressed with Buck these days. At one time I was not a fan of their knife selelction or the company itself, however after extended use of the Buck Strider Tanto and the continuing customer support from individuals such as Mr. Houser I am a convert.
My kudos to Buck knives and all the fine people working there.

Roy
Life by the Knife
 
......great when Buck responds like this, or any knife company for that matter! I just got a Buck Strider spearpoint in the large version. It came in need of a more "refined" finish, for my taste. The knife is/was fine for what it is advertised as; a tactical knife. I have spent several hours on this knife and about have it where I want it. I have explained what was done in another post on this forum so I will not get into many details on that. What I will say is that I am VERY impressed with what Buck has produced. This is a knife that looks to be able to take a beating and keep on cutting;) I currently carry it in my back pocket or in a lightweight vest pocket. Don't carry it in my front pocket because too much of it sticks out for my taste, but it wasn't primarily designed so much for concealed carry as it was for just getting the job done. Besides I carry a large wood inlaid Sebbie in my right front and ain't nothing gonna replace it:D

All in all quite a piece Buck has. I like it!!
 
Wow!

Talk about great customer service.

I got my Mini Buck Strider back yesterday -- and she's in tip-top shape!

The liner lock arrived settling with a little outside overhang on the near edge of the tang, and a few vigorous openings has it locking a tiny bit ( < 1mm) inside the tang very consistently. Perfect lockup (given that it'll travel over time.)

It's also not putting down black grit every time it locks open either, so I don't get that black line anymore (titanium dust?) That's comforting!

Solid as can be, withstands moderate spine wacks, twisting, torquing.

A tiny bit of blade wobble in both the lateral and vertical dimensions, but nothing noticeable in everyday use.

Lenny, yep, mine came back from service the exact same way. Curious, yes?

Mr. Houser, I'm very satisfied. Thank you so much for your help. You're an incredible asset to your company, and I'm glad that you're reading these boards.

Any time you need a customer to voice up for you (annual review time? ;) ) I'd be happy to volunteer.

Sign me up for Buck!

-Jon
 
Folks, see my recent thread on "Double spacers in Buck Mini Strider". Biogon recently notified me of this thread. Same problems again with my Mini Strider. :(

Nakano
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top