CRKT DOG, Buck Strider or Spyderco Chinook?

F

F3Beam

Joined
May 26, 2004
Messages
24
Hi, cheapo knife guy here. Been thinking about getting a new knife but there
are no outlets nearby where I can handle and look at before buying. Was thinking about the crkt dog, looks kinda big and durable, and nice pricewise.
Read about the Buck Strider here but in the pictures it looks soooo plain. Then I saw the Spyderco Chinook...like the way it looks a lot. How would you compare these 3 knives? Much difference in Chinook and Chinook II?

At this price I would only get one shot at a real keeper knife.

Tried doing a search on "Spyderco Chinook" but the search feature isn't working right now.

Thanks!
 
Sorry, don't have any of them, but if you're gonna do a search, try searching just for "Chinook", leave the "Spyderco" out and it should work better.
 
i have a CRKT dog and BS 881T.

I like the 881T better. The crkt is big and clunky, and very heavy. The lock release (deadbolt thing) is kind of hard to use because it's position is a little far back from the pivot. the oval shaped hole thing sucks. and the "low carry" clip is indeed low carry, but flimsy and unsecure feeling. the ergonomics of the handle is good, however.

i suggest to you the BS. Other than it being a liner lock and not-as-good-ergonomics, the BS is definately a keeper.

hope it helps.
 
Hi F3Beam:

I've got them all, and they are all a different piece of cloth.

The DOG is more the size of what could be defended as an EDC. (For me, its a balance between what a LEO would question, and what fits my hand.) The steel is AUS-8A, so will sharpen up more easily, but lose the edge more easily, too. I like the lock, the looks, the grind, and the ultra-deep carry clip. It's a solid knife, great value, and the most conventional looking of the three.

The B/S is a tank. I would not hesitate to put it through any abuse. On some, the liners are problematic (or became so)--such as mine. However, Buck W&R is tops, fixed with no problems. I have the older style, so I swapped the thumb-stud, and ditched the clip (it's more of a pouch-rider given where I live). The older models have a very blocky feel in hand, and the alignment of the blade axis is an optical illusion that takes some getting used to. ATS-34 is a known quantity.

The Chinook (II, for me) is the newest of the bunch in the rotation. It, too, is a real tank (though is not blocky--as with the Buck). It is very slim for so solid a knive, and can be carried R/L and T-up or T-down. I like the S30v, as it seems to take a micro-serrated edge. Some forumites have complained of less-than-ideal lock-up, but mine has been great.

In terms of recent carry: DOG, 4 weekdays last month; B/S, 2 weekend days; Chinook II, all remaining weekend day, all evenings.

This sounds like waffling, but I think you really need to get each of these in hand. They are completely different from each other, but none will be a waste of your time, or your money.


Best regards.
 
I did the same study as you and chose the Spyderco ChinookII. Like the other comments, it's built like a tank with a grip that really fits the hand. Another selling point for me was the nice discount I got ordering online from

www.newgraham.com

Check it out.
og
 
I would go for the Chinook II also.

Great knife, great steel and I love the way this knife fits my hand.

I cant comment on the CRK&T knife as I stopped buying them years ago when I found better brands. The Buck Strider I dislike as I own a real Strider Tac AR and once you have held the real thing, you won't ever consider the Buck model... ;)
 
I have the Buck Strider and Mini Strider. They are very blocky in the hand. Wonderful blade and strength. "Built like a tank" is what you always see and it's true. Aesthetics aren't as lovely as the Chinook. BUT I think the BS would do a whole lot of prying more than the chinook with it's real pointy upswept blade.
I had the Chinook a while and it was a real nice carry. It was a real eye and hand pleaser. It cut everything I asked of it and felt very comfy in hand.
Never handled that CRKT. I do think the world of CRKT's in general. For the price you can't beat them.
I'd look in the forums for used. Ususally when I buy or sell they're great users or like new.
Good hunting and let us know what you decide.
Tom
 
Search for Brownies test concerning the Chinook2 which i use as my secondary EDC. It might be helpful.

I don t know anything about the other knife but actually i don t want to ..i have a Chinook2. It s magic :D

If i want to pry something i ll use my primary or even better my head.
 
Look into the Benchmade TSEK Axis. 440C, BIG and built to last! I bought this to replace an Osborne as my EDC and wouldn't go back. Tough, clean lines, takes a great edge and holds it. What more could you want? I think I'll post a thread to get some other opinions on this tank. :D
 
I've got the DOG and I like it. Lock up is rock solid. AUS8 steel is not the best but not the worst either and it works well for me. I can get its thick spined blade razor sharp. The lock works kind of along the same idea as an axis lock. The big difference is that the DOG uses a bolt of steel instead of a pin.
The handle is a bit too thick for comfortable in pocket carry. I carry it on my belt. This carry hasn't worked for me with other similar sized knives. But the DOG has a ball type belt clip. When I sit down in the car the knife pivots on the ball forward, following my leg instead of jamming into the seat and never looses its grip of my belt. I don't mine the oval hole because I rarely ever use it. The knife openes quite easily with a flick of the wrist.

All in all, I like it. I do think the lock takes a little time to get used to, but I find it very fast, very fun and extremely easy. The handle is a little on the chunky side, but this is a rugged built knife.

Now if only it was only a ATS34 blade with a Titanium frame! That really would be somethig.
 
Thanks for all the info guys!

I agree, if I could actually handle these knives the decision probably wouldn't be nearly as difficult. But after driving to our area's best knife dealer and seeing 0 CRKT's and not a single Buck knife in stock it seems it will have to be online for me.

The search engine finally kicked in and "Chinook" got some interesting results.
Seems that some have experienced a little vertical blade play (Normal?) and
"Broken points" was mentioned. And then the sharpening...but still, this knife
just looks great and like it could handle any job I asked of it.

The Benchmade TSEK Axis certainly doesn't look like a "Tank like" knife from
the pictures. I would never have thought of it like that. It is very pleasing to the eye too. It also looks like it might feel better for pocket carry than the others. I'll be watching the other thread about this knife. And I was surprised to find this knife for $97.

The CRKT DOG, well, price alone puts it in my favor. While it looks to be lesser than the other two it still looks pretty rugged.

While the Buck Strider may be a great knife, I've about discounted it for my personal EDC usage. The optical illusion of blade alignment, plain blocky looks
(must feel blocky too), and linerlock has cooled my desire for it. Now, if I could just get an uncontrollable urge for one of the other three mentioned...
:D
 
I ordered my Chinook2 @ New Graham and because i am in Germany i asked to check the knife for Klingenspiel in any position. The one i got is absolutly perfect no Bladeplay no nothing. New Graham is fun to deal with.
 
I'm happy with my BS 881sp made in 2001. It is real boxy and the edge was too thick for what I do so I spent some quality time with the knife and my Sharpmaker and thinned the edge a little.
 
I havent handled the CRKT DOG so I can't really comment. If it's anything like the rest of their knives, it's probably a good knife for the money.

I own a Buck Strider First Production Run spear point and as the rest have said, they are built like a tank. I am very happy with the steel the BG42 rocks on the pre-production model and a friend had the ATS-34, the Boss heat treat is great. That being said I never carry mine unless its winter and it is in a jacket or vest. I've found that the knife is W I D E and does not carry well for an Every Day Carry knife. The handle is blocky and square which is not the most comfortable in hand.

In my opinion for what it was designed for: a stout strong folder to be used for very heavy duty cutting chores...its great but I don't need that kind of knife everyday. I find that for BIG knives I always carry my Camillus Maxx or REKAT Sifu way more often then the BS.

If I was given the choice out the three knives you mentioned I'd really consider the Spyderco. It's heavy duty but still more user frinendly for carying in your pocket. I have know idea what your budget is but some others I'd consider is : The Camillus Maxx, Spyderco Military, Benchmade AFCK or 710 and finally the Al Mar SERE. All are great "sturdy" knives.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top