CRKT M21-14 / Buck Strider 880 / BM710D2?

T

TACMAN

Joined
Apr 16, 2000
Messages
54
I would like to buy a larger 4" spear point folder for EDC. Eventhough I use my knives for cutting and a small pry bar for prying, I just like the feel of them. I have my choices down to the Buck Strider 880, the BM710 D2, and the CRKT M21-14.

The Buck is twice the money of the CRKT and there is talk that buck may be dropping the Strider line, although it is the "beefiest" of the three.

The BM is twice the money of the CRKT and has the strongest lock system, although is less "beefy" than the other two.

The CRKT is less money, a proven design, and it has the LAWKS "lock safety" system.

Any help would be welcomed.
Thank you.
:confused:
 
Hi, i have a buck strider & its a cool knife,well made solid,but its not comfortable to carry at all, & doesnt feel to good in the hand.its very blocky,the handle shape & grip is very square. the bm710d2 would be the best choice. i have 3 of them since 1999,& they are great. very nice in the pocket, opens & closes smooth,axis lock,great blade shape. its very close to perfect.:thumbup:
 
Another vote for the 710. It is a modern classic, with reason. Great EDC - relatively thin and light, good blade shape, good feel in hand, etc.

Mixed feelings on the D2 at the moment, so I'd recommend 154CM (plenty out there).
 
Buck Strider 880 - much bigger and stronger then BM710. Blade is probably twice thick (3/16" vs 7/64") and heat treated by Bos. And it is stronger overall. I doubt that lock strength is an issue. If you need prying - better get 880.

After all this is Strider design produced by Buck.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
I own an 887 - check the lockup on any liner lock, as my first was replaced by the second which still fails a mild spinewhack.
I also own CRKT's and the LAWKS is great, but also an indictment. It wouldn't be necessary if linerlocks were made within specs to operate correctly. It's like catalytic converters - they were cheaper to install than precisely machining and assembling an engine to the tight specs necessary.

So go with the BM - I've heard very little wrong about the Axis lock. It doesn't seem to need a safety on it.
 
...and as you indicated, the CRKT is much cheaper. I have one in my pocket right now. It is a large, tough, do everything folder. The value for the price is outstanding. The LAWKS works well and gives you confidence that the lock won't fail. If I were not retired from the Army but still on active duty, I would gladly carry and trust the CRKT.
 
The BM 710 and Buck Strider are both well worth the extra money, I wouldn't even consider the CRKT. Personally I prefer the 710, but if you think you need the stoutness of the Strider....
 
Dog of War, if you never considered the CRKT, how do you know the Buck and BM are worth the extra money? I've carried a number of folders in my 23 year military career (Sebenza, BM AFO, two sizes of BM AFCK, Gerber AR300, Spyderco Military to name a few). They were not all equal and I have my favorites (Sebenza & AFO), but the CRKT mentioned is as good as most of the other ones mentioned. It's large, has tight lockup, good (not premium) steel, sharpens well and holds an edge, the lock works as it should. I'm having difficulty seeing the problem with it. I'm not "dissing" the other two because I don't have any track record with them personally, but there is nothing wrong with the CRKT.
 
just a note, CRKT's blades are usually stamped with 'made in taiwan'. my m16 EDC is anyway. to me this is undesireable, although that's obviously a personal annoyance. not neccessarily a deal killer, i've had my eye on the m21 for a while too. i like the blade profile.
 
Buck/strider all the way. Nice and beefy. With the bos heat treated S30V. A nice htick liner lcok. And grippy G10. It might be able to cut a crkt in half :D
 
bruce said:
Dog of War, if you never considered the CRKT, how do you know the Buck and BM are worth the extra money? I've carried a number of folders in my 23 year military career (Sebenza, BM AFO, two sizes of BM AFCK, Gerber AR300, Spyderco Military to name a few). They were not all equal and I have my favorites (Sebenza & AFO), but the CRKT mentioned is as good as most of the other ones mentioned. It's large, has tight lockup, good (not premium) steel, sharpens well and holds an edge, the lock works as it should. I'm having difficulty seeing the problem with it. I'm not "dissing" the other two because I don't have any track record with them personally, but there is nothing wrong with the CRKT.
Click to expand...
Hi, bruce. Of course I was just expressing my opinion. When I said "I wouldn't even consider the CRKT" it didn't mean I've never owned or used CRKTs; I have, and my experience hasn't been good. I know some people like them, but as you can see in this thread I'm not the only one who doesn't - see tirod3's reply above for example.

Also see this thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=395173
 
i own all three of them and i have to say the bm is the better in terms of quality but for what you are going to do ( prybar) go with the buck,its a good knife in terms of taking a beating and coming back for more or just invest in a cheap prybay and get the bm:)
 
Handle them. I cannot pick which one is a better although I have the 710 model in 154 cm, if it was D2 I probably prefer the 880. Anyway thats neither here nor there, ever since I got the 880 it has seen a lot of EDC time where as I use the 710 as gents folder and it is an incredible slicer. However, for EDC I prefer something a bit beefier so I'd go with the 880 or other folder. The main reason I'm telling you to handle them is because people have said they are heavy or uncomfortable but, to be honest I think they fairly light and comfortable. It is definately not as comfortable as G10 but the handle has great ergonomics and the zytel gives a good grip.
 
Thanks Dog, I hadn't read that thread. Actually, I had an M16 and sold it also! ...and I haven't found any other CRKT product I liked, but my M21 seems to work, at least for me. One thing though, I don't think I would have chosen it for my "only" folder. That spot is reserved for my Sebenza. But it is dang beefy and maybe I just got a good one.

I've owned about four Benchmades and wish I hadn't sold a couple of them. One thing I don't like about the 710 is the tip-up carry. Some do -- and I've always carried my Sebenza (tip up) in a pouch anyway. It always seemed easier to get to with all my gear on.

Regards.
 
Hi again, Bruce. I probably should be less judgmental on some things. I admit I haven't checked out any of CRKT's line in the last couple years, and things can always change. Cliff posted a review recently of an AUS-8A M16 and apparently it had a good heat treat, which always seemed to be a shortcoming on my CRKTs. So if that's improved and they've really beefed up the liners and lock, I'd say OK ... though I'd still grind off that $#@!^&*! flipper. :)

I also admit lately I've gotten pretty disillusioned with folders in general. I still own quite a few and carry at least one most the time, but seems there's always a rub with any folder - handles too slippery or too rough, clip doesn't carry the way I like or tears up clothes and furniture, too thick, too heavy ... and then there are those nagging quality control issues (for that reason alone I know why people buy Sebenzas.) My money seems to go to fixed blades now, and I'm even happy with my <$10 Moras. Go figure.

Regards to you too, bruce.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top