Buck Strider Reviews?

V

Vivi

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Have there been any reviews for the 50$ level Buck Strider folders?

I've been attracted to the Strider design for a stout, durable folder to compliment my EDC SAK when I go for walks through the woods and such. This seems like a good compromise and everything I've handled from Buck seems to be quality.
 
How do you mentally switch from using a SAK to a 4mm thick Buck/Strider?

Compromise implies you get something. I don't think you get much, unless you want to pry apart logs. In which case you have latteral loading, and prehaps linerlocks/framelocks are not especially safe for that.

I don't think there are problems with them quality wise, just be prepared to get a rather poorer cutting knife.
 
Hahah, I enjoy using different types of blades simply for the experience of using them. I'd still use the SAK most often, but for some of the things I find myself doing I'd like a thick blade.
 
buck strider knives are ok. the fixed are light years better than their folders. IMO, the 880/881 series are tough, and while the Ti liners are thick and all, i'd trust a spyderco lockback (the 80mm manix) over it any day. i've worn out at least 3-4 sets of liners by now (to bucks credit, they've always fixed it free of charge). don't bother with the SNG-clones, period.

i like buck and all, but the buck/strider folding lineup... not a winner in my book.


consider a spyderco manix, the buck/strider fixed blades, or a real strider. just my opinion.

i don't carry my *very* beat up buck/strider anymore.
 
ViVi

I did a test recently on my forum for the Coyote Brown Military.

This is the first time I have ever used a Buck Knife and a first for 420HC.

For a tradesman I think its hard to beat. It came extremely sharp and held that sharpness for quite a while.

Woodworking wasnt too bad.

knife-and-wood.jpg


Field expedient tent peg

Tent-peg.jpg


International strength shipping carton, pretty tough, it did as well as BM440C & a AUS KA-BAR Dozier dispite having a thicker blade.

card-cut.jpg


This was very slick $1 shop nylon cord, its horrible stuff, stiff and unweildly the knife still had enough agression though to cut through 10m easily.

cord-cut.jpg


This is something I am not in the habit of doing with my knives, but inquiring minds wanted to know :)

This is a baby milk can, the sides are alu but the base steel. Its a lot thicker than a can of tomatoes for example.

can-base.jpg


Lost a fair bit of cutting ability, this is the same card as before, only now its not exactly slicing.

can-cut-cardboard.jpg


20 swipes on a #1200 grit ceramic steel readily brought the edge back though.

Steel-Card-cuts.jpg


Scuffs to the blade from the card and the can

post-can-cutting.jpg


Surprisingly tough coating, I actually thought these wouldnt clean up much.

This is after a quick run with an automotive rubbing compound.

cleaned-up02.jpg


This is how I rated it.

Cost: ****
Performance: ****
Comfort: ***
Re-Sharpening *****
Overall: ****1/2

Hope this helps.
 
I've got an 889 in the coyote brown and i love it. It's become my work knife and general big beater. It came very sharp and has held an edge pretty well. I only have 2 complaints, the scales could be used to file metal when i got it, very sharp checkering, this was fixed with a little sandpaper and elbow grease. the second thing is that the lock on my knife fails the spine whack test. I contacted buck and they advised me to send it back and they would take care of it I just haven't made time to yet. overall I like it a lot and i think it's a pretty good knife for the money. later, ahgar
try a search and you'll get quite a few returns.
 
Nice review Temper, well done.

I am impressed, more so now after seeing your feedback.

I should stop reading here so much, now another one i want.:D



WR
 
I second that. Excellent review.
I have the 880T & 882BKX, as well as the 888 Solution. I'm very happy with all 3.
Both folders cut and slice the hell out of just about anything. They both snap open quickly and take any edge I want. I prefer a rough, nasty edge on the 880T and more of a fine, shaving edge on the 882BKX.
I very much want the 889, but can't decide on the color. Coyote Brown is the front-runner... but the Olive Drab looks good, too. Hell, maybe I'll just get both.
 
I think I'm going to order the Olive one. Not the best for visiblity, but I think it's big enough that I'll get by if I drop it, heheh. I love the design of it and it's just one of those knives you look at and think "That'd fit my hand great."

Thanks for the reviews. I actually saw that review with the can puncturing earlier and wanted to find it again, so that was real useful of you. It was in english this time too. :)
 
I just pick up the 882-BKX, last weekend. I gotta say, I love it! I've always been an expensive/custom fixed blade, cheap folder guy. So this is my first nice folder. I like the strider design, and the texture on the blade is nice for fast opening. Also the pocket clip doesn't seem like it will bend at all like on a lesser quality folder. And the ats-34 takes a pretty good edge too. All in all i'm very happy with my first quality folder:D
 
Nice work Temper. I used a Buck/Strider a few years back. Low performance due to the thick grind and edge and insecure lock so it had little ability for heavy work and the typical unergonomic Strider handle. One of the worst knives I have seen.

-Cliff
 
Yeah... I saw that review. If I'm not mistaken, you beat the piss out of it, too.
I enjoy your reviews/tests very much, Cliff. However, there's no way in hell any of my knives get used like that. If I wanted to beat the snot out of a knife... I'd use a cheapy from a flea-market.
Your tests are very informative, however. The test you did on the Strider-Buck 880T actually motivated me to pick one up. You pointed out it's weaknesses and since they were never going to be issues with the way I use it, I decided to get one. And personally, I love the handle.
 
That is ergonomics, there tends to be personal differences which are pretty large. My brother liked the grip on the Trailmaster, I didn't.

Rod_Leask said:
You pointed out it's weaknesses and since they were never going to be issues with the way I use it, I decided to get one.
Click to expand...

That approach is exactly one of the ways how I would like people to use the reviews.

-Cliff
 
Thanks for the kind comments guys.

For me, comfort was the biggest issue, that said it wasnt horrible and a bit of plying around with a file or Dremmel would probably get you something you close to right.

I was surprised actually how much I liked it and still think that for a trades man that is a rough ass, its a good choice. I dont know if I would want to use it for backpacking, but for a EDC in a rough environment (Electric cables, sheetrock, carboard cartons it would be perfect) As bad as the handles seem to be, if your hands were slick with Ikky stuff like fish slime or if they were cold, you may appreciate the coarseness of the scales more than you do sat on the step carving a tent peg ;)
 
How's the lockup on the 889 liner lock? How does 420HC compare to ATS 34? Is the 420HC heat treated?
 
Have the rest of you guys tested spine whacks? I'm interested to hear if its a consistent problem or not. I personally think the angle of the tang is too shallow compared to other liner locks in my collection.
 
Lock-up usually isn't much of a problem for me, as I'm used to slipjoints and the like. I don't want it to ever get to the point of failing though. I doubt I'd ever get this knife to really fail on me and if I did from what I've heard of Buck, they'd fix it up rather quickly.

The review have been helpful. Now it's just a matter of scraping together some $$ and ordering it. :)
 
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