Buck Strider vs. Benchmade 710!!!

The Bear

The Bear

Joined
Nov 23, 2001
Messages
162
Buck Strider Large Folding Spear Point Blade vs. Benchmade 710: both plain edge, satin finish, ATS-34 steel.
Opinions wanted!
Regards
 
It would really depend on what you want to do with it. I have owned both but sold my Striders.

For overall general utility I would go with the 710 hands down, the thinner blade, combined with a recurve and an excellent lock give it a strong edge. I would go even one step further and look at the AFCK Axis in D2, you'll get a better steel and a slightly better blade profile (IMO) for almost the same money.

The Striders are well built (over built too!) but have a tendency to be a little rough on the finish side.

BTW: Current 710's are 154cm, but it's the American made equivelant of ATS-34.

Good luck!
 
You could go with the 710 in M2 too.

I'd say the Strider sits in the grey area between normal folder tasks and fixed blade stuff. Thus it doesn't get used very much. I was getting very slight stop pin deformation upon using it as a chisel, so I bought myself a real Strider fixed blade to do that with. The edge grind is pretty obtuse, even knocking it down won't make cutting cardboard easier. The finish isn't exactly great, but that's like me complaining about the finish on a crowbar.

For general cutting tasks, go with any of the Benchmades. For times when you don't want to carry a fixed blade but want nearly the same performance, get the Buck-Strider.
 
Well, they're both great knives.

But, it is sort of like comparing apples and oranges.

The Buck Strider is BIG, thick, and heavy. But, it is also super tough. The 710 is one of the most highly recommended production knives, and has one of the strongest locks available.

Cpirtle is right - it depends on what you're going to do with it.

IMHO, the 710 will probably outcut the Buck. But, the Buck could probably take abuse that would break a 710.

Not that it matters, but I think ATS-34 is actually the Japanese equivalent of the American 154CM (which went out of production for a while for some reason). The wierd thing is that 154CM and ATS-34 seem to be slightly different alloys, with different composistion. From my experience, ATS-34 and 154CM behave exactly the same. I don't think many people could tell the difference between the two, without the aid of some serious scientific equipment.

You really can't lose with either knife. Both are great.

-- Rob
 
Ask yourself what you want a knife to do, and pick which knife accordingly. I recently made a deal with forumite RDT for his Buck/Strider tanto. I'm a 2 knife guy. I carry an SAK for fine cutting chores. Those thin blades will cut better than the Benchmade!! I've been carrying an AFCK as my harder use folder, but I wanted something that has even better at the hard uses. I see knives falling into 3 categories: light/fine use (SAKs, Stockmans, etc.), medium use (your typical benchmades and SPydies) and hard use (Buck/Strider, TOPS CQB). Since I have a light cutter, I don't need a "compromise blade", so I'm getting a heavy use folder to make a better "tool package" for myself.

Just make sure you start with listing what you want the knife to do, and pick from there.
 
Cpirtle is right (as usual) - it depends on what you're going to do with it.

Both knives are excellent.

For EDC go with the 710.

For a trail knife or a one and only survival knife go with the Buck Strider.
 
If you are planning on using this knife to cut things: 710

If for some reason you are planning to use this knife to crack rocks or cut through car doors: Buck Strider
 
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