buck strider question

Joined
Feb 16, 2001
Messages
63
I went down to my friendly overpriced neighborhood "shiv" dealer to take a look at one of the new striders. (I am embarassed to say that I never actually BUY anything from them, I just go there to fondle all the knives that I will later purchase for a resonable price, over the internet, of course.) The strider was there (for $195 i might add). Anyway, very impressive knife, very "overbuilt", very "tough", very possibly might make me feel better about my less than well endowed...um...pectoral muscles. I have one question though. This was a 1st production run model. I thought that the G-10 handles were VERY rough, and while being unforgiving to the hand, I imagined that they would be devistating to the PANTS. I just had a vision of that hugely fat handle with its sharp scales eating a giant hole in my khaki dockers.

Anyway, have they made any changes to the handle in the regular production models?? or are they all the same as the 1st production run models?? And if they are the same, are those rough handles a problem?? Thanks in advance for your responses.

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AV
arinvolvo@yahoo.com
 
I don't know if they have chaged the handles, but my 1 of 500 has not damaged my pants at all. The blade has changed from BG42 to ATS34. I like BG42 better.

Keith.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by arinvolvo:
I went down to my friendly overpriced neighborhood "shiv" dealer to take a look at one of the new striders. (I am embarassed to say that I never actually BUY anything from them, I just go there to fondle all the knives that I will later purchase for a resonable price, over the internet, of course.) The strider was there (for $195 i might add). Anyway, very impressive knife, very "overbuilt", very "tough", very possibly might make me feel better about my less than well endowed...um...pectoral muscles. I have one question though. This was a 1st production run model. I thought that the G-10 handles were VERY rough, and while being unforgiving to the hand, I imagined that they would be devistating to the PANTS. I just had a vision of that hugely fat handle with its sharp scales eating a giant hole in my khaki dockers.

Anyway, have they made any changes to the handle in the regular production models?? or are they all the same as the 1st production run models?? And if they are the same, are those rough handles a problem?? Thanks in advance for your responses.

</font>


Heehee...
if you've ever had any experience with Strider knives, they're not exactly very comfortable and they're (strider knives) proud to make that a point.
they're serious tools so comfort isn't a factor to them as much as function is. They also don't finish their knives like a lot of producers do because it saves costs in production, and we all know saving money gets passed on to the customer (i think chamfering the edges would make the knife cost like $30 more or something like that).
so...if u're worried about a strider hurting your khakis then you know you're carrying it for reasons different than they have intended.


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~Fumbler
the crazied knife weilding Sarah McLachlan fan =)
 
I think I remember reading an article on the Buck Strider and indeed the maufacturer stated rounding the edges would cost extra$$. It was sugguested that if the sharp G-10 handle edges bother you, a few minutes on each edge with some sandpaper would fix that. The Strider is a great folder, try doing that if it seems too rough for you. Best of luck to you.
biggrin.gif
 
Even if I were wearing it in my Dickies work pants or my beat up 501's I would still worry about it eating my drawls. And I never said it wasnt comfortable to wear in the pocket. I dont have any problem with comfort, my every day carry knives are on the "damn-big" end of the size spectrum...and hence on the "not comfortable to carry" end of the spectrum. But like I said, what is the use of a knife if it chews through the pants and falls out of the hole in your pocket one day?

And please, the whole "saving the customer money deal" is a little out there. There is probably no more than 5 or 10 dollars worth of raw materials in that knife. They can afford to smooth out the damn edges. I would be willing to pay a little extra NOW, so i dont have to buy a new wardrobe later.
wink.gif


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AV
arinvolvo@yahoo.com
 
Oh by the by...Someone posted a pic of the BUCK strider next to a custom strider a while ago. What post was that?? And what forum was it on? I thought it was this one, but I cant find it. Thanks

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AV
arinvolvo@yahoo.com
 
I found the article. It's in the March 2001 issue of Tactical Knives. Dwayne Dwyer of Strider Knives mentions that rounding the edges yourself saves 20-30 dollars a knife. It is a big heavy knife, if this REALLY bothers you maybe you should get something else. Take care.
biggrin.gif
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by arinvolvo:

And please, the whole "saving the customer money deal" is a little out there. There is probably no more than 5 or 10 dollars worth of raw materials in that knife. They can afford to smooth out the damn edges
</font>

Knife material isn't exactly cheap.about 5 bucks for the blade material, 10 for the g-10, couple more for the liners...ok so maybe u are right. but manufacturing costs are incredibly high. ever try to make a knife? making blanks then finishing them? you start to understand why it costs so much.



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~Fumbler
the crazied knife weilding Sarah McLachlan fan =)
 
Ill probably just round out the edges myslelf, or send it back to mick. Someone said on the buck forum that he sent the knife back to mick and he rounded out the edges for him. Thanks for the replies guys. (that rhymed)

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AV
arinvolvo@yahoo.com
 
Check out the Buck Strider article in the March 2001 issue of Tactical Knives. I believe they address the rough handle issue.
 
el cid posted:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Check out the Buck Strider article in the March 2001 issue of Tactical Knives. I believe they address the rough handle issue</font>

Yes, they did. Jerry Van Cook said that they recommended to take a file to the edges of the handle, bevelinig them somewhat. I did just that to mine and it does make a bit of a difference.

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Proud member of AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK
 
Found that issue of Tactical Knives quite interesting in that it also contained a review of the Al Mar Sere 2000, by Jeff Randall. In comparing the two, came away wondering if maybe some significant share of the Strider price might have to do with mystique or hype more than materials or actual production costs? Seems about that same time that Blade's article comparing steels by some sort of vote ended with 440A tied for first place. I'm not able to afford knives in the Strider price range, so will never know, but if I could, believe I'd spend the money on a knife that was at least finished. In fairly religious reading in knife mags the past couple years, can't remember any other complaints about unfinished parts on "quality" knives.

In terms of the original thread, can't help but wonder if the rough edges slow down one's draw. If so, doesn't seem so very "tactical" to me to leave them unfinished.

Sorry to insert a FNG's opinion here, but couldn't resist.
 
I like it rough
biggrin.gif
. The grips that is..I have pretty rough calloused hands so the Strider feels great to me.
 
Rougher is harder on the pants and hands, but it IS easier to hold onto during strenuous events. Additionally, anything that will help prevent my hand from sliding up on the blade is great.

As for cost of materials, have any of you priced the materials lately? If you take into consideration the amount of metal that you have to start with to get the blade size they have (ESPECIALLY BG42!), plus the metal in the liners, and the G10, you have significantly more than US$15 invested before you even start cutting and grinding.

Yeah, for $195, there are several people making a decent profit along the way. But, there certainly isn't $180 of profit to spread around.

Don't get me wrong... I wish I could buy a BG42 spearpoint Strider for $50. But, I also understand why I can't.

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The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog. - Ambrose Bierce
Most dog owners are at length able to teach themselves to obey their dog. - Robert Morley


iktomi
 
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