Buck Strider SBMF are they worth the hassle?

[cadjak]

I just passed on a trade for a Buck Strider 882 Police. I was looking for an affordable, heavy duty folder. That particular Police was waaay off to the side. It looked as if it was just barely kissing the liner. I have been reading about all the lock up and blade alignment problems with the Buck Strider folders.

The Spyderco Manix is out of my $$ range. I prefer an uncoated, plain edge. The closest I could find in my price range was the coated, plain edged Buck Strider Military folder (5749). I guess my question is, should I take the chance on a Buck, or save my pennies for a Manix?

Thanks,
-c

 

[STR]

I have seen a few of the 882 models with off center blades but I've seen just as many spot on the money too. I had a good one and sold it. My only real issue with them was the super aggressive texturing and the thin liner locks instead of something more substantial. I am not a big fan of being able to see the lock flex under load personally. It seems only the ones making them this way have no problems with this but it scares me and prevents me from fully trusting the lock. I don't care really about all the reports from some that say it is not necessarily a bad lock when this happens. I am not comfortable seeing the stop pin and blade and air in between when in use.

Anyway, you are asking me about two separate lock types. I must admit my immediate bias in this case is the Spyderco Manix since I really like those and most Spyderco models too actually.

I am not sure if made in the USA matters to you or not but there are several heavy duty folders out there that certainly can do a lot within your budget. The Tarani 5.11 Investigator is a great folder to consider for one. The Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter is a tremendous value with a lock quite stout right up there with the Manix model and at less than half the cost on most dealer sights its a nice alternative IMO.

The Buck Mayo NorthShore models I have seen and handled have also been quite impressive so you may want to look at that if you are unfamilar with it.

STR



.

 

[cadjak]

I want to thank you for your Thanksgiving response. I was running back and forth adding charcoal to my BBQ or I would have thanked you yesterday. I used some Black Friday deals to pick up the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter. Managed to do two of my favorite things at once, buy a new knife and eat left overs for Breakfast. I had an uninformed prejudice again Cold Steel products. I never owned one, but I picked up an attitude from reading all the posts from guys that like $300 folders. The Cold Steel U.H. sounds like just what I was looking for. Not too crazy about the Cold Steel billboard ad they put on the blade but that should wear off with use.

Thanks again,
-c

 

[STR]

You are quite welcome.

I tend to forget all about the names behind the knives and focus on the knives themselves although at times it is hard. I hate big logos and lots of ego showing boldly all over the knives but what can you do? Scratch em up!

Seriously, the UH is a big knife and although not perfect I found it to be surprisingly strong and quite a bargain for the money you can snag one of those for. The blade and rocker arm are thick on that model. I've said it before but its worth mentioning again. You can find a lot of fault with much of what Cold Steel does and even in the character and actions of the owner of the company as is the case with some other folks in this industry but certain of their product line speaks for itself in use.

That UH is one heck of a hunting and field knife and would perform admirably for even a hardcore seasoned hunter or user that tends to be hard on his knives. I doubt anyone could use that folder in the field and not have to admit its well thought out and designed by someone that knows field knives. Lynn Thompson's anal retentive focus on good strong reliable locks is very evident in that folder too. I've owned two of those now and both were very good locks that you can't argue with for the money and everything about that folder was beef cake in design. Its one of those knives you buy that you just don't mind using and beating the crap out of because you can do so without a care and it can take it.

By the way, you might be interested in this old review I did on it. I probably should have shown you this last time but I completely forgot about it until I saw an old picture I have stored.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=493797&highlight=Ultimate+Hunter

STR

 

[STR]

For some reason I can't upload pictures as I am used to but I can use my imagecave account to at least show you what I do have. These will probably self terminate in three months though so if you want them right click and store them in your hard drive or they may be lost.

I just thought you might like to see them. I'm kind of 'fat and happy' today sitting here with my belt and my pants undone after pigging out once again on leftovers so I've got nothing better to do. So far typing doesn't make me out of breath. Not till desert anyways.

STR

 

[cadjak]

They've changed the current UH. No more serrations on the forward spine or choil. I can only hope that they didn't decide to cheap out on the lock mechanism as well.

 

[STR]

You may be surprised if it hasn't arrived yet just as I was. I ordered my first one probably in 06. It looked like the one pictured by you just now. Later I ordered another one after giving that one to my son. I got it thinking it was the same because it looked just like it and infact that is what many sights that sell it still show. When it arrived it was not AUS8 steel like the first one but instead the VG1 steel which is better and it had all the serrations for grip like mine shown above. So in effect the one I pictured to my understanding is the newer model. However, I ordered that one in 07 and if there is one thing CS is famous for, its changing or dropping designs at the drop of a hat. There may be a third version out now for all I know.

Then again you may have managed to snag an older AUS8 model. Nothing wrong with that one either really. I liked both just fine.

STR

 

[cadjak]

Maybe it's all part of what Mr. Thompson means when he promotes his "warrior lifestyle". I'll let you know what shows up in the package.

I'm going to try more stuffing and gravy now, otherwise I'll either have to go out and bring in firewood, or do the dishes. Then again, I do own a jacket and I still have some clean dishes somewhere in the house.
Thanks for all the good stuff and enjoy your day.
-c
Edit: I wanted to ask if you have any knowledge of the "latest and greatest" CS locking design. They call it the Tri-Ad.
http://www.coldsteel.com/triadlock1.html

 

[cadjak]

My Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter arrived today. It looks just like the one in your pictures i.e. serrations in the 3 different places on the blade. It is VG1 Japanese Stainless and the handle size is great, long enough to get a good solid grip, if needed. You called it, when you said this blade locks up solid. That's an understatement. This isn't a knife that will easily flip to open or gently glide closed when you release the lock. That's not what I do with my knives anyway. The clip is a bugger. I can't see it ever being easy to attach to a pants pocket (or anything else for that matter). The contour on it seems designed to prevent it from clipping on to things. All in all, this is a great knife. I can see it becoming a favorite EDC, if I can butcher the clip into a workable configuration. I am extremely grateful for your pointing me towards it. Thanks

 

[STR]

Most clips will bend a slight bit so be careful there but the real grippy handle keeps that thing in your pocket for sure. No chance of loss with that one.

You got the upgrade. Thats a darn good steel so I'm sure you'll be happy with it performance wise.

I can make a new clip for that if you break it trying to bend it but I'd need the old clip (both halves.)

STR

 

[cadjak]

Hi Steve,
I took a closer look at the clip on the knife and I think I figured how CS messed it up. They countersunk the place where the clip attaches to the knife. That lowered the clip down so that its too tight against the handle. So I'm thinking that rather than bending the clip I might try to shim the clip and get longer screws. Of course the simpler way would be just to try to tweak the clip at the back end where bends down to get screwed onto the handle. I might just let CS fix it. They must have figured this out by now. They sell a jillion of these things.

Is this how you got started messing with knives?

 

[STR]

Cold Steel does all their clips just like that one curved down the exact same way. I've never figured out why. Last one I tried to bend up broke right off in a blink. You'd be better off heating it up over a stove top first I think. It may discolor it some but you can get that off by hand sanding it down with some 400 grit emory cloth after bending.

STR

 

[tomcrx]

Hi Steve,
I took a closer look at the clip on the knife and I think I figured how CS messed it up. They countersunk the place where the clip attaches to the knife. That lowered the clip down so that its too tight against the handle. So I'm thinking that rather than bending the clip I might try to shim the clip and get longer screws.
Is this how you got started messing with knives?

I had the game problem with CS clips. I took the clip off and ground it down 1/4" with a dremel. You can't even tell it has been done. Also it helps if you sand 1/2" of the handle under the clip. I started with 60 grit and went down to 0000 steel wool. Total time 15 minutes for the whole shebang. Now it is smooth as glass getting in and out of the pocket

 

[cadjak]

What part of the clip did you grind down?

 

[tomcrx]

What part of the clip did you grind down?

The distal end where it turns down. Right where the dime is in the photo. Removing that make it a lot easier to get over the lip of your pocket. I found the texture of the handle was roughing up my pockets and that is why I sanded it. If you notice the Zytel has a texture pattern composed of 3 stacked triangles. Under the clip I removed the top 2 triangles by sanding

P.S. You have a great knife there. I think you will find it to be a great user. It is everything that STR says. CS sells a well designed lockback