Buck/Striders, worth the money?

B

Bowzer

Joined
Sep 24, 2003
Messages
77
Hello all!

Have been considering getting a Buck/Strider (probably the larger spear point model) and was just wondering if they were worth the approximately $110 retail price. I am not made of money and do not play in the Sebenza price class. This knife would be about my current upper limit in price. I am looking for a strong folder with good edge-holding for all-around tasks and the utility and strength of a small fixed blade in a foldable package. I really like the looks of this knife (would go for a Strider AR if I had the disposable income) and most of what I have heard so far is good. I guess another option for me might be the SERE 2000 but these are somewhat more expensive.

Just wondering.

Thanks!
 
I carry a Buck/Strider tanto (large) everyday. I would love a spearpoint too! The lock-up is very solid, I find the handles to be very secure and hand filling (it makes most knives feel like their handles were designed for children after) and of course Buck really stands behind their products. For a rock solid folder, this one is tough to beat I think. I use mine to hack, scrape, chop, pry AND slice!

As someone who understands that you want to get your money's worth, the $ spent on a buck/Strider would be well worth it.
 
If your intention is to do everything with just one knife, then you chose the right one. Well worth the money. You can often find them for less on ebay.
 
The Buck Strider is worth every cent. It is a great "heavy duty" knife. That being said I never carry mine as an EDC. The knife goes with me for hunting/camping trips and is carried in a jacket. The handles are the Buck Strider are W I D E , and the G-10 is very aggressivly checkered. The wide handles are (in my opiniom) too wide for comfortable EDC carry. The G-10 while great for grip is arressive enough that it wears on my jeans pockets.

Given the choice between the two that you mentioned I'd go for the AlMar Sere for a strong solid knife that can be carried as an EDC.

Others that you might want to consider might be:

Benchmade 710
Spyderco Military
Camillus Maxx- i don't know if you have a blade restriction size, but I love the Maxx. It is BIG with a 5 inch blade but has very strong (frame lock) like the Sebenza. The blade is D2 steel (which I love in an EDC) the handles are thin so even for a large knife you never even know its in your pocket. The "flippers" on the blade "quick flick" function make blade deployment lighting fast. You can usually pick one up on Ebay (bowie blade) for about $120.00
 
Yup, easily worth $110!
I paid $125 plus shipping. Definitely get the spearpoint. Its more useful and argueably just as strong as the tanto.

I might even get another one unless they come out with a significantly overbuilt version of the SNG soon.
 
Centurian said:
The G-10 while great for grip is arressive enough that it wears on my jeans pockets.
Click to expand...

The G10 on my unrelated folder was also very aggressively textured. What helped me (well, we'll see) was sanding down the G10 where the clip pressed against the scale. With that part being smoother, it feels easier on the pants. Plus, in hand, it's covered by the clip anyways, so the rest of the G10 is still gripping you back.
 
I can not agree that it worse this money. I am pretty sure that it is underpriced SIGNIFICANTLY! This is greate knife, very high quality and best choose of meterials:
ATS-34 by Bos
.180" thick
4" long
titanium liners
G10 - and very delicate G10
All the best!

Thasnks, Vassili.
 
You can get Buck Striders cheap if you look around, or might be willing to buy a used knife here on the forums. The "average" price for one is around $100. They are well worth that! I had one and really liked it. It was VERY tough - you can scrape, dig, pry, hack, chop, etc. with wild abandon, and not worry too much. That's saying a lot considering it's a folder! (I actually did all that stuff with mine and it took a lickin' and kept on tickin'.)

A few other knives out there in the same price range deserve a look. You might want to do a little research on the Al Mar Sere 2000, Benchmade 710, Spyderco Military, and I'm sure I'm leaving out a few... I did the rounds and decided on the Sere 2000. That's the only one of the knives I mentioned that I still own. It's tough, ergonomic, made of great materials, and it's fit and finish is second to none.

Basically, whatever you choose, you really can't go wrong! Just get whatever you think you'll like, and let us know how it works out for you.
 
The Buck Strider gets my vote, too. It is strong. Not terribly classy but it will help you in almost every conceivable situation that calls for a good knife.

It has got that rugged look that appeals to most men.
 
It's worth the money IMO. Although if the choice was either that or the SERE 2000 then I would not begrudge you going for the latter.
 
One thing to keep in mind is Bucks excellent customer service. You'll have the confidence when you are using your knife that you have a company that will back you up.
 
Another choice would be the Microtech mini-SOCOM elite(manual). You can usually find these for around $100 on eBay. It's smaller than the Buck, but would fit in your pocket no problem(thin knife).
 
I've got one of the first 500 large Spearpoints in the BG42 and I love it. You're probably going to have a hard time finding one in BG42, since they only made 500 and people have them squirreled away, but the ATS34 version should be plenty good also.

Mine is not a safe queen either; I carry and use mine. For such a big, boxy shaped folder, it sure carries nicely. I have had much smaller folders dig into my hip and leg, but this big Buck/Strider doesn't. I recommend you find one fast.

:)
 
I have the large Strider/Buck Tanato. It's worth the money no doubt about it. U really have to handle one in real first and feel it. And by all means go get the large one if u can. I was tempted to get a small one in the beginning but glad that I've chosen the large one cuz in fact once u've been familiar with it (all u have to do is to play with it for a day or two) u will find out that it's actually not that large to handle and carry at all. It's more like when handling a Glock 17 and a Glock 19. U will just want to have the bigger one sooner or later, if a relatively smaller size is not your priority.
 
They are made well, and Buck stands behind thier product so it's a good purchase. The only thing I don't like about them is the overall thickness for carrying in the pocket but thats just me, If I was choosing I take a Al Mar SERE 2000 over the Buck/Strider purely for the thickness and the deep carry clip on the SERE.
 
If you want a knife to do EVERYTHING, the Buck/Strider isn't what I'd get. It's incredibly tough, and it's extremely well made, but I found that the cutting ability was lacking. For examine, it's awfully tough to slice open an envelope with one of them.

If I was going to carry one as my main knife -- and I would, no question -- I'd stick a Victorinox Secretary or similar in my back pocket, too.
 
Well, my Large BG42 spearpoint version did come with an edge that was a little thicker than I normally like, but nothing a good session on my Lansky sharpener couldn't take care of. You just gotta get that steep factory bevel off, and then you will have a good slicer and dicer.
 
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