I cant decide between Buck Strider 880 & Manix

G

gont

Joined
Feb 20, 2003
Messages
14
Please help me decide between the two. I have read scores of posts already. It will be used hard at work for all manner of tasks as a police officer.

Thanks for your help and experience
 
I dont know where in NM you are, But I would suggest either of those knives and a good tactical fixed blade to do the heavy work. A folder is great to cut a seat belt, but not much good to get in to the car. A large fixed would be a better choice there.
 
Go with the Manix. It's a fantastic design and of equal importance to me, Spyderco is an honorable company.
 
My choice would be Manix.

I have the Bucks, they are good knives, I think the Manix is a better overall knife.


Thomas Zinn
 
IMO, the lock on the Buck Strider is nowhere near as good as it should be, and the handle ergonomics are average at best.

The Manix is a better knife in all respects.
 
gont said:
It will be used hard at work for all manner of tasks as a police officer.
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Unless you want to do signifiant prying with the tip get the Manix, otherwise it is vastly superior to the Buck/Strider in terms of cutting ability, handle ergonomics, security, point penetration, lock strength/security and ease and versatility of opening.

-Cliff
 
If you have a really large hand, you may find the Buck more ergonomic. The problem with shaped grips like the Manix's is that if your hand is too large, it is forced into a grip that's too tight for flexibility. The coarser finish of the Buck can be an advantage also, especially if your hand is sweaty or greasy.
 
Both are of high quality S30V steel but I'm afraid that I am biased only because I already own the Manix and am extremely pleased with it.

Can't really comment on the Buck because I don't own one and haven't read any reviews on it.
 
digdeep said:
Both are of high quality S30V steel but I'm afraid that I am biased only because I already own the Manix and am extremely pleased with it.

Can't really comment on the Buck because I don't own one and haven't read any reviews on it.
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I belive the Buck is ATS-34 not S30V.
 
I have both, I like Buck more, it is Paul Bos HT, it is ATS-34 proven to be very good for long time now (fine grain steel, from Hitach Yasuki Speciality Steel used russian Electro Slug remelting process to refine grain structure - different then CM 154 even it has same composition). Blade is thicker, solid and stronger. Grind is hollow - that special Buck edge 2000, they came up after long testing on CATRA machine.

Very comfortable handle - even it looks simple - this is kind of aristocratic simplicity which you may appretiate only when you know it closer - it is slightly expanding to the end and have delicae finger grow. It surprizengly fit plm very well and don't has any uncomfortable angles, more flexible in hand if you like play with knife. G10 surfase is very delicate but grippy.

Washe is made from phosfat bronze - very smoose action. Titanium scales and liner is thick but also very smooze. To open you may use pins and blade back.

And this is Strider design.

Pics:

Buck880SP_11.jpg


Buck880SP_09.jpg


Buck880SP_07.jpg


Spyderco-Manix-13.jpg


Spyderco-Manix-01.jpg


Spyderco-Manix-08.jpg


Thanks, Vassili.
 
Gont,

What sort of tasks does a police officer use his knife for on a day to day basis?

On TV it seems like LEOs use their knives for rescue work (cutting ropes, seatbelts, caught clothing), as a back up weapon (weapon retention, threatening people during interrogation as in the Matrix ;) etc) and for some mundane tasks like slicing open boxes, etc.

I am wondering how close to reality TV really is concerning knife use in your occupation?

As for your chioce of knives, I would strongly prefer the Manix for the reason stated above. See Cliff's review of both knives. The Manix offers better cutting performance, stronger and more stable lock and better ergonomics, can be configured for a variety of carry options (left handed carry for use in weapon retention drills).

As written above, I would only consider getting the Buck if you are going to pry a lot, as the Spyderco tips are pretty thin (because knife tips are for penetration, not prying for most uses) and the Buck tip is much thicker. However, a 4" folder makes a poor prying tool and I am sure your squad car is equipped with a much better pry bar.

If you do decide to get the Buck knife, you would do yourself a great service to see some of the great modifications that are done on the USN forum by "knife pimpers", they will really increase the security and ergonomics of the Buck.
 
Thanks for all of the suggestions so far. Here are some of the tasks I use a knife for.
-cutting off clothing
-cutting wire/rope
-weapon retention/backup weapon
-cutting/prying holes in wood fencing and drywall.
-I have used a folder as a step jammed into a fence to get on a roof
-any number of misc cutting chores

From day to day I never know what I will need it for, thats why the job is so fun.
 
Where would I find the USN forum and "knife pimpers"?

Also if there is an obvious choice Im not considering please let me know.
 
The Manix is about as good as it gets. I had one and sold it and should have kept it. I like the blade shape better than the Strider and I'm a big fan of the Spyderco opening hole vs a thumb stud. I think the Strider would universally fit more hands but the Manix is big enough that only the guys with really wide hands are going to have a problem with it. Personally I am not that big a fan of ATS34 anymore. I liked it at one time but have found it to be the most prone of all stainless that I have owned to forming rust. It comes right off if you catch it in time but I don't like it. I would have to say after owning some ATS34 and D2 knives that it seems to me that D2, even though it is technically a 'non stainless steel' is less prone to rusting than ATS34 which is a stainless. Go figure.
 
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