Hello All. Just joined and am looking forward to gathering opinions and info from forum members. I am considering this offering from Buck as it looks like a heavy duty knife that will handle multiple tasks as well as being a great utility knife. Have seen it listed for around $85 online. Really like the modified tanto blade which is now made with 154 CM steel. Appreciate any views from members who own this knife and their comments. Thanks in advance.
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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Buck-Tops CSAR-T Tactical Folder
- Thread starter mauser9
- Start date
stabman
Gold Member
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- Sep 17, 2007
- Messages
- 21,322
It is an awesome beast of a knife.
The heat treat is great.
You will have to thin it out behind the edge though if you want much in the way of cutting performance. The edge may come sharp, but it gets thick behind the edge really quickly.
The stop pin is a bit soft too; it will get dinged faster than you might like; the knife will still work fine though.
It locks up solid...a friend of mine used to throw his at trees; no lock failures.
Thanks for the welcome and the quick replies guys. Pays to ask you pros rather than just relying on a couple reviews. Trying to start a decent if meager collection of "quality" knives and Buck seems to offer what I have in mind so far. So many choices it is mind boggling. Just purchased a Buck Alpha folder which is suited for skinning deer and general carrying but will never be satisfied with one. Steel sounds like great quality on this one. Thanks again
stabman
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David Martin
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I agree with Stab. That model is strong. To find a stronger model you'd have to get a fixed blade. The primary bevel will need some thinning to increase cutting efficiency. Find a custom maker to do the work. It is smooth to open. DM
Thanks for the tip. Learning much already. Did not know of the primary bevel. Glad to know it is a smooth opener. My Alpha Hunter blade springs out fast with those brass bolsters. Think I'm sold on this one too. Like folders myself.
MT_Pokt
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- Jul 21, 2014
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The CSAR-T is a lot of knife! I like it a lot. Unfortunately, it spends more time in the drawer than on my belt. Primarily because I'm spending more time in my office than out doing work.
When I do take it along, I'm usually carrying a 303 in my pocket as well. The blade isn't much for fine cutting; think chisel versus tomato. So if I need to open mail or clean my fingernails, the CSAR-T works as well as any shovel you have lying around.
I agree with what others have said about the thickness behind the edge. It makes for a nice heavy duty cutter, but keep something lighter handy for delicate tasks.
The 1/4" hex drive in the handle has come in handy on a couple of occasions.
I have other TOPS knives and their idea (other than the zombie killers) is to make tools, and this is one of them. To that end, I would not change the blade shape.
Ultimately, I parked it in favor of the Marksman. It made more sense to me to not change the blade geometry and keep the blade 'as designed' to use in those instances it would have been designed for. Thinning the shoulder for finer cutting tasks might sacrifice a bit of the durability, and that wasn't a compromise I wanted to make.
So... if you're a Combat Search And Rescue guy or gal, this is a Tool for you. Otherwise you might suffer some buyer's remorse when you can't slice your tomato for your lunch.
It is like a Mayo, or Titanium in that once discontinued, its value will probably soar.
Badass scale 9/10
Utilitarian scale 3/10
Pocketability 2/10
Edge retention 8/10
Mail opening ability 2/10
Door puncture ability 9/10
I must be tired; I'm rambling...
When I do take it along, I'm usually carrying a 303 in my pocket as well. The blade isn't much for fine cutting; think chisel versus tomato. So if I need to open mail or clean my fingernails, the CSAR-T works as well as any shovel you have lying around.
I agree with what others have said about the thickness behind the edge. It makes for a nice heavy duty cutter, but keep something lighter handy for delicate tasks.
The 1/4" hex drive in the handle has come in handy on a couple of occasions.
I have other TOPS knives and their idea (other than the zombie killers) is to make tools, and this is one of them. To that end, I would not change the blade shape.
Ultimately, I parked it in favor of the Marksman. It made more sense to me to not change the blade geometry and keep the blade 'as designed' to use in those instances it would have been designed for. Thinning the shoulder for finer cutting tasks might sacrifice a bit of the durability, and that wasn't a compromise I wanted to make.
So... if you're a Combat Search And Rescue guy or gal, this is a Tool for you. Otherwise you might suffer some buyer's remorse when you can't slice your tomato for your lunch.
It is like a Mayo, or Titanium in that once discontinued, its value will probably soar.
Badass scale 9/10
Utilitarian scale 3/10
Pocketability 2/10
Edge retention 8/10
Mail opening ability 2/10
Door puncture ability 9/10
I must be tired; I'm rambling...
Will check out the Marksman also. thanks for the tip. Not at all sorry I grabbed the Alpha hunter first as I like the drop point knives for game prep. Think you're right about value if discontinued. If ya can't buy em interest will gain and value will greatly increase. One thing for sure this knife collecting is addictive.
