Buck Strider Solution

B

blugrn

Joined
Mar 12, 2006
Messages
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Although I have other knives that I am very pleased with (like the Swamp Rat HR), I was looking for a blad that is a bit larger, but still compact enough to carry in most circumstances. I really like the size and feel of the BUCK STRIDER SOLUTION, and it seems like it would be super tough, too. But I was told that somewhere is a test report that says this knife is really not very strong when put to hard use, and that other good production knives are stronger. Does anyone have any info about how tough the SOLUTION really is?
 
I do not have one. I am sure that someone here who does have one will share their experience with you! Check out a Spyderco Manix or Mini-Manix.
 
Keep in mind that Cliff's Solution breaking may not be typical. It was likely an imperfection in the steel that would not be present in other Solutions.
 
In theory I think ATS-34 3/16" thick not as tough as let say Ranger RD6 5160 1/4" thick. However in practice I think this difference far beyond anything expected in regular use.

I heart something about RD4 - you may check it if you need toughnes and only toughnes, it as I understand 4" long.

Also look at Fehrman CPM 3V - toughest Vanadium steel - PeceKeeper and Last Chance.

Best manufacturer with many tough relatively small knives - Bark River.

And of course RosArms Cliff, it has delicate hollow grind but otherwise pretty tough same size but twice lighter then Solution. It has soviet ball bearing stainless treated with Electro Slug Remeltig and Vacuum Arc Remelting (BG-42 ball bearing stainless, 52100 ball bearing steel)

RosArms-Utes-005.jpg


RosArms-Utes-006.jpg


Thanks, Vassili.
 
Thanks for the great responses. BTW, I had no idea that Ranger Knives was making a 4" blade product. I'll have to check that out on their web site.
I'd also like to comment about a topic that comes up time and again (the idea of why one should be concerned about how well a knife would perform when doing tasks that a knife shouldn't be used for to begin with). I compare this to the idea of some of the debates I used to hear (and partake in) regarding how well certain handgun rounds would perform under different circumstances. Of course many of the circumstances we talked about were those that were never intended for a handgun to accomplish. Yet, in the real world of urban police work, there can be times when one doesn't have a rifle available, even though that is the propoer tool for the job at hand...so one has to make do with the handgun. Well the same holds true for knife usage. If I'm in the wilderness without my proper tools (either thru loss or poor planning), I might only have my knife to use for the job at hand.
 
I am not suer they have it in production, but sometimes ago sombody mention RD4, don't remember details - better contact Justin - he is great to respond on customer requests.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
The 4 ich Ranger knife was custom made for ME. It is NOT on their site. Ask Justin to make you one, and he will.
 
Thanks for the great tip on the RD 4" blade knife. Just talked to Justin this morning, and sent in my money order. So far he seems like a great guy and RK seems like a great company. Now I just have to wait. BTW, what is the overall length of you RD 4 ???
 
Hair said:
It was likely an imperfection in the steel that would not be present in other Solutions.
Click to expand...

If this is actually the public responce from Buck I will readily return it for a replacement and have the work duplicated. I noted the work in the review thread where a representative was promoting it and specifically asked if it was to be used for those tasks and then watched as they were done and posted the results. No comments were made that it was defective. It has a deep hollow grind on a very inflexible steel. It is a similar grind as found on hunting knives, it isn't in any way a tough grind or steel. But as noted, it is the official line that this is a defect I will gladly have the work duplicated on a replacement.

-Cliff
 
Cliff, steel varies. I cannot say for sure that it was a defect, and I do not believe it was or was not. But given how easy the failure was with your Solution, I think it is likely that it broke along a weak point which may not be present in other Solutions, or may be stronger in other Solutions. Likwise, if someone buys a Solution, their knife may be weaker than the one you tested.

I know that you are not stupid enough to think that all steel of the same type reacts the exact same way. Tests will yield different results even across knives of the same exact model. You should know this, and that is all I was saying. You shouldn't need to hear this from Buck. This is why scientists do more than one test.
 
Yes, and you also don't consider work in isolation, it isn't like that is the only hollow ground knife I have worked with or that class or even specific grade of steel. It isn't unexpected behavior given that the knife is ground like a hunter out of a brittle high carbon stainless steel. As noted, if Buck wants to contend the results are atypical I will readily have it duplicated on another sample. They were made aware of the results as I noted in the above and didn't take that viewpoint. Nor would makers in general who grind similar hunting knives with the same profile promote them for such work for that reason. In regards to repeating work, you generally don't do it on multiple samples when they are defective like that. For example I tried an epoxy on a high pressure cell and it didn't hold at low temperatures. I contacted the manufacturer and asked if they would support the use, they did not. I went looking for another epoxy . Had they said it was defective and it should have held then I would have returned it and tried again.

-Cliff
 
See what I started...lol! Well, I really appreciate all the info and opinions guys--definitely good stuff there. The bottom line for me is that the Solution seems to have been represented on the market as being "more" than simply a good hunting knife...I mean, hell, its appearance alone suggests it should be capable of some pretty rough use, what with the thick and wide blade, slip resistant grips, etc. If I want a knife that is only is to be used for dressing out game, I can get one that is quite a bit lighter (and cheaper) than the Solution. Even assuming the capabilities of the Solution are "okay", given its price tag, I don't think it represents a good value compared to the competition out there. I'm passing on the Buck Strider.

Frank
 
I just read my own response (should've done this before sending it off I guess), and realized the part about the Solution's grip being a "non-slip" design would actually be totally consistent with a good hunting knife as well as a "hard use" knife. Been a few years since I last dressed out a deer, but I remember the knife could get pretty darn slippery when used in this capacity....lol
 
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