Opinions? Buck Strider Solution

[fulloflead]

I have a buddy looking at this knive. Unfortunately he's WAAAAAAYYYY too dumb to figure out how to start his OWN membership and get it to work. (Sorry buddy! I know you'll be at least watching. )

Anyway, any opinions on this knife?

Here's mine. I almost bought it and then just got interested in something else. I like Bucks version of the Striders because I think they got the price right and that Strider is WAY over-priced (but quite skillfully marketed). And, frankly, I trust Buck's craftsmanship and heat-treating. After 150 years or so I figure they know a lot about how to make a knife. Their knives with Buck Steel (without a steel type stamped on the blade) often outperforms many of the other knives with known steels. The Buck Strider is stamped ATS-34 and Buck probably took some care to heat-treat it correctly. On the other hand I'm willing to bet that Strider, like many companies, just lasered out a shape and slapped a handle on it.
I may be wrong here, but I trust Buck to a certain extent and the bottom line is that I'd definately buy a caloboration knife from them for $100 over an original for $200 or more.

 

[Steven Roos]

I LOVE mine! It is by far one of the best fixed blades I have ever seen! Solid construction, great feel, and great edge! Plus, the heat treat is done by Paul Bos, so it is top notch!

The only thing I didn't like about it was the sheath. Granted, it was well constructed and I loved the extra pouch, the kydex insert marred the finish on the blade. I sent my B/S Solution off to Eric at On/Scene Tactical, and I expect a brand new sheath any day now!

 

[NIB]

Originally posted by fulloflead
I like Bucks version of the Striders because I think they got the price right and that Strider is WAY over-priced (but quite skillfully marketed). And, frankly, I trust Buck's craftsmanship and heat-treating.

Well to each his own but I'll take a real Strider knife over anything else. Oh and by the way....Strider and Buck both have thier heat treating done by the same person Paul Bos.

On the other hand I'm willing to bet that Strider, like many companies, just lasered out a shape and slapped a handle on it.
I may be wrong here, but I trust Buck to a certain extent and the bottom line is that I'd definately buy a caloboration knife from them for $100 over an original for $200 or more.

Like I said to each his own and I'll take the real thing cause I have used the real thing in the real world and it works.

 

[mschwoeb]

Well, as far as the folders go, the Striders have quite an edge over the Buck/Striders. But when it comes to the Solution, it is much different. I think that the Solution is very close to being a high quality knife almost identical to Striders. This does not mean that there are not quite a few differences between even the closest Strider and this knife. Strider knives have a LOT of work go into them, and it shows in the result. You really do need to feel one, try one out before making a conclusion about them.

That being said, the Solution is a good deal.

 

[AlphalphaPB]

I had the opportunity to hold both a Buck-Strider Solution and many Striders at the show yesterday, and the Buck-Strider just didn't fit my hand as well as the one I wound up buying (MFS).

The finishing will necessarily be of slightly lower quality on the Buck. The G10 scales were not as carefully chamfered around the edges, and the edge just wasn't as sharp. Yes, I know that you can knock the bevels down yourself. But I'm just pointing out that out of the box, the real Strider knives are more finished. My MFS, in comparison, has a much more reasonable edge angle, and came very sharp.

Both the Buck-Strider collaborations and the real Striders are heat treated by Paul Bos' proprietary process. I believe that Buck has bought the rights to use this process. I think all Strider knives are either Bos ATS-34, BG42, or S30V.

Strider knives are made by a combination of manual and automated processes. At the very least, the handles take some time and skill to either cordwrap or epoxy the G10.

Of course, these knives are real user knives. Neither of them will fail you, and you should buy the one that fits your hand and matches your expectation of finishing quality. I don't want to come across as one of those brand-name zealots who defends the brand with their life, but I like my Strider.