Buck Strider: Who has one?

I have three of the Large SB-1 Tanto models. One is "One of 500" in BG-42 (I'm keeping this one stock).

The other two are backups for my Strider GB.

They are great knives. Hefty, solid lock-up.

Minor gripe is that the scales are too sharp. I take them off, bead blast them until comfortable, then reassemble. While disassembled, I make minor adjustments to the tension of the frame lock so that the blade remains well centered while the lock engages 100% (a little trial and error here).

Also, I don't like the geometry of the tanto cut. I reprofiled the leading edge so it is a single angle from spine to edge. This yields a razor sharp penetrating point with razor lower edge.

The GB is my SD knife, so that doesn't do the daily slicing and dicing that a backup is for. The SB-1's are holding up well. Edges stay sharp, blade is easily deployed and solid. After minor mods it is comfortable and efficient.

Yes, definitely worth the $100 price tag.
 
Originally posted by gaijin

Yes, definitely worth the $100 price tag.
Click to expand...

Thanks, gaijin.

I should have explained I was looking at the mini-strider in a spear point blade. I was never a huge tanto fan because of sharpening.


steve
 
Well, i dont own one, yet, but i did get to examine a few recently at a local shop, one of each, a Tanto and SP in each size. First, i will say that if you do buy one, make sure you get a "good" one, by that i mean that of the 4 i examined, only one had good lockup and no blade play. I fully admit that if you get a good one, like that one i mentioned, it looks like its an extremely strong and capable knife, but, the other 3 had various flaws, for example, both of the smaller version had a liner that went WAY too far to the right, well past the center of the blade, that is a defect. Also, each had some blade play. The other large Tanto also had these problems.

So, to conclude, i think that if you get a good one, it will be a great knife, you just have to make sure you do get a good one. Here is a hint. If you order it online, tell the dealer to please make sure the knife he sends you has good lockup and no play. Be nice. :)

On a side note, after i saw them, despite the flaws i mentioned, i must admit, i was impressed with the build quality of the knives, they really seem extremely robust and very strong, and the large models are pretty big folders. Then, about 2 weeks later, i got to see a real Strider GB, i couldnt believe it, it made those robust, large Buck/Striders seem like flimsy little toys in comparison! The AR/GB striders are gigantic and built like no other folding knife i have seen. You really have to hold one to appreciate it, its almost comical how big and strong it is.
 
Is a buck Strider worth it??

Absolutely!
Its a freakin tank.
No one comes close in that price range.
Heard some complaints, but everyone I've seen has been a tank.
Ive got a large spear point and I think its probably the toughest folder I own.

The real Strider is also a tank, it costs three times as much and is probably worth it, but Mick and Company would have a hard time matching the quality of the Buck Stider at the 100 dollar price point.
Buck definitely did good with this one.
I would say its a good deal at the $150-$180 price point. which makes it a bargain.
I haven't owned the smaller one but I think its an equally good deal.

My stipulation would be that you are looking for a really tough, hard use knife.
If thats the case you're in luck.
There are others which slice better, hold an edge better, have better ergonomics, etc. All things are a compromise... But that wasn't what you asked.
 
I got one about a month ago (large tanto). Are they worth it? Well, it depends on your needs. I like what MC Chan said. There ar eknvies that can hold an edge longer, there are knives that feel nicer in the hand, etc. But the Buck Striders cut well and take hard use like a champ. Compared to my AFCK, my SB-1's parts are all thicker and many are wider. Thick liners, thick posts, thick scales, thick blade... Buck Striders are designed to be cutting tools that can be worked hard. An opinel is a cutting demon, but it can't take much abuse at all. If you need a cutter that can be used in hard situations, then by all means the Buck Striders are for you.

I think the Buck Striders are best paired up with a slipjoint with a thin, pointy blade. Right now my SAK does the delicate cutting chores, and my SB-1 eats cardboard, plastic straps, wood, etc. I hope to replace my SAK (maybe this weekend!) with a carbon steel stockman. Screaming sharp pointy slipjoint blades for the fine chores, Buck Strider for hard work. Anything bigger I'll either use a fixed blade, or pull Buzzbait out of my pocket and set him to work!

Karl

P.S., after getting the SB-1, I also want to get the spear point version. These knives are so awesome that you need both versions!
 
Mine still makes me grin when I pick it up and open it. Big freaking strong blade, excellent Bos heat-treated ATS-34, very cool spearpoint grind, and a design that's meant for business.

It's my only fixed-blade substitute. I use mine when a fixed blade is either too troublesome to carry or when one might cause a sheeple stampede.

The handle is made of G10 scales over titanium liners, with an open back design. This light and long handle, in combination with the thick, heavy blade at the front, gives you a knife that can be used to chop with.

You can also comfortably choke up on the handle by about an inch, resting your index finger on the part of the blade below the pivot. This lets you hide somewhat the true length of the knife, and also makes the knife very controllable for precise cuts. The shape of the handle and back of the blade fit my hand like a glove.

It might not be the most suitable knife for any particular job, but I think that it is a suitable knife that will serve you well in a fair number of cutting situations. Its versatility is what makes it a "tactical" knife. Definitely a deal at the $95 I bought it for.
 
Is it worth $100? Yup. Absolutely. I'd go so far as to say it's worth $150.

That said, I did get a LNIB mini tanto for $60 a while back. I'm sure you could do better than $100 -- unless I just got real lucky.
 
I have the Large Tanto, Large Spearpoint, Mini Tanto, and Solution (fixed blade). I like the large folders and fixed blade, but I don't care much for the mini folder myself.
 
Oh yeah, Steven Roos' post reminded me, the mini folder is really small. It made me laugh when I actually saw one in person.

Maybe I'm just used to the large version, but I really think that the small version would be way too small. This limits its usefulness.
 
i have a mini BS spear point BG-42 136/500..
do you find it too thick ?? 3/16
i have problem with the pocket carry-clip... too tight...
:grumpy:
 
Hey Cowgum, if its too tight here are some ideas:

If you ahve the torx bit(if you have the blue benchmade kit it has it) needed to take the clip off, then do that and then bend it a bit. If you dont have the torx bit, then stick something in there and bend it.

Or you can also sand the G-10 down a little right under the clip, and that can help.
 
Are the 2003 large tantos going to have the rounded G10 scales? The new serrated versions have the rounded edges.
 
Originally posted by nonbox
Are the 2003 large tantos going to have the rounded G10 scales? The new serrated versions have the rounded edges.
Click to expand...

What 2003 large tantos?? where can i find .. picture??
 
There are pictures over in the Buck Knives forum, might be a little ways back so I will bring it up for you.

The folders will have the rounded edges now, it is just that the folders will only be available with the part serrated.
 
I have a mini strider. It is worth the money. It is a very well built knife. It will not be my EDC, because it is too thick for such a small blade. Now this is a personal thing, I like a knife that is thinner at the cutting edge. I have to use much greater force when cutting wood than I do with my other knives.

When I have a job that requires a realy tough knife mini will be here.
 
Very good deal at $100. I haven't been able to use mine since I got it, but I was very pleased with it.
 
Im pretty sure i have seen the small ones on Ebay for about $70 or so, so you might want to check out Ebay.
 
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