Buck's Strider Solution Model 888

KLJTech

KLJTech

Joined
Aug 26, 2005
Messages
1,180
Does anyone here own or have you ever used the Buck's Strider Solution Fixed Blade Model 888? I know that it is now discontinued but it’s still available online and I’ve had my eye on this knife for a while. Is this a pretty sturdy knife that would hold up well to heavy use? I have relatively large hands and wonder how the G-10 handle on this knife feels.
Any information that you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
 
I have one and its a good knife. The blade is thick and strong. My friend locked himself out of his house and used this knife to lift the sliding glass door off the railing to get inside. Didn't bend the blade and this knife is a good prying tool. I used it for work all the time. G10 handle is good and it should fit your hand well.
The only problem I have is I wish they would curve the handle down a little like the RAT-5. I don't know how much they are selling it for now but I think The Solution is a little over priced it its still over $140.00. RAT-5 and Solution are about the same size and shape so you can't go wrong with either one. I would have post some photo but I don't know how to do it yet. My Solution came with the regular OD green sheat and also a black Kydex sheat that they throw in for extra. Hope that help with your decision.
 
I have this knife:

buck-888-01.jpg


It is to my knowledge first Buck-Strider, so it is solid thick heavy knife. Kind of tank opener... Only complain I remember that it is heavy.

Here some video - not in particular about this knife but you may see it better I guess:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP9tII6Tp7s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI_iqAyb3xA

Price depends on store - I bought it around 108 as I remember.

Here it is with other similar knives.

buck-888-10.jpg


During manila rope cutting test I found that those tooth on the spine very irritative - hurt my palm. I had to round them up with little file.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
The preproduction model I got was BG42 and saber/flat. 4.625" blade. 312 grams. (My triple-beam balance is metric.)

The production models are ATS34 and saber/hollow. 4.6875" blade. 319 grams.

Both came very sharp w/ a small, flat secondary bevel.

I find the handle uncomfortable on either. When I asked a rep at Buck why the squarish handle edges and rough surface, he told me that was specified by Strider.

I would not regard a hollow-ground knife of ATS-34 as one to carry "when failure is not an option." But that's just my $.02.
 
I decided to go another way and bought a Bark River Bravo-1 instead.
Thank you very much for your feedback.
 
I had a short list of midsized fixed blades that I was looking at and I decided to go with the Bark River Bravo-1 mainly due to Bark River’s reputation and the fact that I didn’t own any of their knives. The Bravo-1 arrived today and I must say that I’m very pleased with it, it certainly is a sold hunk of knife. I’m surprised that a 9” knife with such a thick spine cuts so well. The fit and finish on the knife is first rate, I purchased one with black G-10 handles and you cannot detect with your fingers where the G-10 slabs meet the exposed tang anywhere along the handle. This is my first blade with a convex edge so I have some learning to do as far as keeping it sharp. I called Bark River with a few questions and they were extremely nice and also give me a website to check out for information with regards to sharpening my new knife. http://www.barkriverknives.com/home.html
I’ve already placed an order for a Strop Bat that comes pre-loaded with 3 different types compound to keep my new Bravo-1 razor sharp. These look like they would come in handy for all of my knives when it comes to putting that final finish on the sharpened edge. http://jreindustries.com/strops.htm
Up to this point the only device that I’ve had any luck with when it comes to sharpening my knives with is the Sharpmaker so this should prove to be interesting.
Thank you all for your input.
 
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