Hard Use Review of Buck Strider 889

fedaykincmndr

fedaykincmndr

Joined
Aug 3, 2004
Messages
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I finally pulled the trigger and bought this knife after much debate with myself and extensive research. I am, for lack of a better word, IMPRESSED. I haven't owned a knife yet that I trust as much as I do this one. That said...

First of all there must have been a bad run or a handful of bad experiences as far as the linerlock goes because mine locks up beautifully and so have all the ones that I've handled (3 or more I can't remember). The liner is a standard thickness IMO and locks right of center; zero blade play.

I got the one with an OD handle; it's probably the most comfortable handle of any knife I have. It's extremely grippy and very ergononmic in just about every grip I can think of. The way it's shaped even allows for a grip on the bottom of the handle that functions well with light chopping.

The blade is spectacular to say the least. Great, clean hollow grind and for being an obtuse edge is very sharp. The coating, after a lot of use (more on that in a moment), has no signs of wear or even discoloration. The blade is very thick with a nice shape and thick point as well.

Now for the meat and potatoes...

Chopping: two-finger thick branch of green maple, about 6 strokes and it was cleanly cut.

Prying: Back window of my truck, a couple of interior doors NO wear, chipping, rolling, or phasing of the beefy tip.

Batoning: Forearm thick, semi-seasoned maple took a few minutes but lockup was still as solid and the blade would take the hair off my arm still.

Wittling/Cutting: Seasoned oak twig carved into shavings; still shaves hair off my arm. Thanksgiving turkey fell victim as well; bone was hit multiple times no chipping or rolling and this was before the other stuff.

In summary, the best folder I've owned. Made in the US strong, tough, and all around great. If I've missed anything ask me I may have left something out. If you need a folder that will stand up to a lot of abuse I'd recommend this one. After all that it was BEGGIN for more. :D :thumbup: :D :thumbup:

pics to follow...
 
Nice commentary, do you intend this to be your primary EDC knife? How do you feel about the general cutting ability compared to other folding knives you have owned?

fedaykincmndr said:
First of all there must have been a bad run or a handful of bad experiences as far as the linerlock goes because mine locks up beautifully and so have all the ones that I've handled (3 or more I can't remember). The liner is a standard thickness IMO and locks right of center; zero blade play.
Click to expand...

In general the complaints with the locks are not as much to do with lockup but how the lock handles torques and impacts, commonly tested by the "spine whack".

-Cliff
 
I spine whacked the living piss out of it multiple times and when I was batoning did more than a few torques. Still no problems.

I have been carrying it as my primary since I got it and love it. As far as cutting ability goes, on par if not superior with other knives that were more expensive. Ease of sharpening is astounding and it cuts like a scorned woman's tongue!

To be really honest I didn't expect it to stand up to all that, but it did. And what really surprised me is that there was no blade play or ANYTHING afterwards. It still functioned as it did when I got it and still as sharp.

I forgot to say what I didn't like. The pivot screw lost it's finish within a day and I could move it with my finger if I pushed and turned (kind of hard but it still worried me) after a bit of carry, but I added some blue loctite and BAM! Good as new. As for the finish I just used my wife's black nail polish that I yanked awhile ago.

Would anyone know if matte black Testos would work?

Thanks for the compliments BTW.
 
they make a limited edition one that is quite nice...

889LE.jpg
 
fedaykincmndr said:
I spine whacked the living piss out of it multiple times and when I was batoning did more than a few torques. Still no problems.
Click to expand...

That's good to hear, linear locks can be problematic in implementation but when they are done right then they can be very capable.

The pivot screw lost it's finish within a day and I could move it with my finger if I pushed and turned (kind of hard but it still worried me) after a bit of carry, but I added some blue loctite and BAM! Good as new.
Click to expand...

That happens to a lot of folders with adjustable pivot screws, especially in heavy work especially with those without bushings where you have to leave the screw less than fully tight to allow ease of opening.

-Cliff
 
Cliff Stamp said:
That happens to a lot of folders with adjustable pivot screws, especially in heavy work especially with those without bushings where you have to leave the screw less than fully tight to allow ease of opening.

-Cliff
Click to expand...


I had to use lock tite on a Buck 186 which I had upgraded to a BG-42. It seems Buck does not have the correct Bushing. If the screw was tightened to much the blade would not move. So I backed it off a bit added lock tite to the threads adjusted the screw and let it set for a day.
 
I have caried one as my work edc for about a year now.I work in a warehouse shipping salmon.I primarly use it for cutting straps,plastic wrapping,cardboard,wood and ocasoinally cable to great efect.I touch it up with a ceramic hone once and a while to keep that hair popping edge but other than that it's low maintainence.My lock is still straight and solid after a lot of twisting and prying.
 
Deep6Osama said:
If the screw was tightened to much the blade would not move.
Click to expand...

This is one of the most commonly promoted advantages of the Sebenza over most folders. I have never found it to be a critical issue but for some it is the feature to have on a knife.

-Cliff
 
I have that knife in black and I also have the desert ironwood edition. That said I like them but the liner is too thin to trust. YMMV and apparently did, but I would be a lot happier if the knives were frame locked instead.

I dont baby the black one at all and it is getting beat pretty well and does take it but it is not BG42 or S30V after all.

The Sebbie is easily a safer and much better knife all around. I do EDC the black one sometimes and have carried the pretty one as a big gents knife (!) but the only liner lock I would trust is the Strider AR/GB and I do have one of those.

MUCH thicker liner.
 
Have there been changes in the liner locks on the Buck 889's since they came out?

I see people say they are to thin, but the one on mine is VERY heavy and locks up like a tank.
 
The Last Confederate said:
Have there been changes in the liner locks on the Buck 889's since they came out?

I see people say they are to thin, but the one on mine is VERY heavy and locks up like a tank.
Click to expand...

A couple questions, if you don't mind: How long ago did you buy it? Are you able to measure the thickness of the liner? Can you post a pic of the lockup?
 
Blue Sky said:
A couple questions, if you don't mind: How long ago did you buy it? Are you able to measure the thickness of the liner? Can you post a pic of the lockup?
Click to expand...

It's been less than a year since I bought it, I will get a picture of the lock in the morning and post it.
 
a223cat said:
I have that knife in black and I also have the desert ironwood edition. That said I like them but the liner is too thin to trust. YMMV and apparently did, but I would be a lot happier if the knives were frame locked instead.

I dont baby the black one at all and it is getting beat pretty well and does take it but it is not BG42 or S30V after all.

The Sebbie is easily a safer and much better knife all around. I do EDC the black one sometimes and have carried the pretty one as a big gents knife (!) but the only liner lock I would trust is the Strider AR/GB and I do have one of those.

MUCH thicker liner.
Click to expand...


Just for comparison, the swamp rat rat trap has a THINNER liner than the 889, true the 889 is thinner than an AR but its still a trustworthy liner in my opinion, mine has never failed a spine whack or torqueing. There is also a large difference in price between a sebenza and a buck strider! just my 2 cents.
 
The liner isn't too thin IMHO. I don't know what liners anyone else has experienced but my CRKT M-16 has had the living hell beat out of it and it's still solid. As far as I can tell it's thinner than my 889. Like I said in the review, I put the 889 through the ringer and it still locks up like a tank.

Last Confederate I think you're right. I've read some of the older reviews and everyone had problems but all the ones I handled and mine were great.
 
Blue Sky said:
A couple questions, if you don't mind: How long ago did you buy it? Are you able to measure the thickness of the liner? Can you post a pic of the lockup?
Click to expand...

I apologize for the delay, I had some car trouble yesterday and wasn't able to take the picture until this morning.

Buck-889-Linerlock.jpg


The liner is a full 1/16th of an inch thick, and appears to be case hardened metal. It is very strong and takes a lot of effort to disengage it, which is why I am surprised to find the occasional reference to them being "thin and weak".

That's why I wonder if Buck has maybe changed them since their introduction, as I can't imagine how much force it would take to get this one to fail.
 
Thanks TLC, that shows it well. Looks very much like mine. All this talk about thicker liners had me wondering just what I had.

FWIW, the 889 is a favorite of mine. A little big for EDC most places but out hunting or creek-walking it shines. The liner does stand a little proud of the handles, so when I start twisting or drilling with the point I'm careful to leave it alone as much as possible. Usually a small grip adjustment is enough. That said, I've not yet had an incident that has caused me to doubt the lock up in any way, it's solid and tight.
 
I had one of these when knifecenter first stocked them. I didn't like not being able to disassemble it, the grip texture, and the liner engaging at the center of the tang. I see in these photos and comments that it might be designed to do so, but I prefer engagement on the far left of just the thickness of the liner. I want as much room for wear as possible on a liner lock. Well, I did when I used them-this was actually the last one I bought, and didn't keep it long. No lock problems, I just don't like them.
 
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