Price Check: ATS34 GB

K

krept

Joined
Jan 14, 2002
Messages
568
I have never held a Strider before today. By some FREAK chance of luck, I was out on an environmental site visit. We stopped by this hole in the wall truck stop/diner and there was an older gentleman selling knives inside and offering a sharpening service.

Long story short, it turns out that out of the 30 or so knives this guy was selling, he ordered a GB (plain edge, no stripes) for a buddy and the buddy decided to back out of the deal. So here this guy is "stuck" with an unused Strider way out in po'dunkville and he wants to get rid of it, but noone wants to buy. Apparently he's had it for a while.

The guy said he will let it go for what he put into it ... $115-$110 - he couldn't remember so he said $110 and it's mine. The blade is stamped "BOS" with a flame, meaning it's heat treated by Bos and the steel was stamped ATS34. Having been recently become aware of Strider knives, I know that these models from the newer steel are selling at twice this. (I am aware ATS34 is a great stainless steel)

The guy said that he moves many CRKTs and Buck knives, but can't sell the Strider to the truckers that frequent the place. Bottom line... is this a good price for this knife considering it's unused? I mean on the surface the knife looks flawless and fit and function are stellar. Or should I hold out and get a GB with the newer steel? Is it that much better?
 
BUY IT NOW! They are going for $350.00+! The steel used is actually BG-42 and was misstamped at the shop. If it really is a GB, you have the find of the year. Make sure it is not a Buck/Strider version, though. Either way, the price is good for the Buck/Strider version as well. Great find.
 
BUY IT!!!!
Like Ryan said, none have been made with ATS-34, some were just misstamped. GREAT find.

Jeff
 
I wish I had your luck!!!!!:eek: It sells for $350!!! If you havent bought it, tell me were he is so I can go on a road trip. This has to be a gag post.
 
No man, this is for real. I really don't make a lot of money and because of this I have become interested in knifemaking. Even this much is a lot of money considering I have 2 pieces of 154CM, a piece of D2 and a piece of CRUWARE to work with, but NO GRINDER.

Thing is, I have become recently familiar with Strider knives. It's a bummer I didn't know sooner because I used to be a local at Oceanside pier, long before Mission went through, long before Hill St. was renamed PCH. Way before Del Mar on Pendleton became Club Del or whatever. You guys from that area know what I'm talking about. Now I'm stuck out in AZ. At least they have better laws than Cali.

I'm super impressed with the knives that Strider makes that their designs are actually what got me into knifemaking. I actually can't stand a knife that isn't a user and this one seems a user.

I can't believe that this was misstamped. Is that for real?

Thanks for the heads up that this is a deal. Things like this don't happen to me ever, really. Hope it's still there!
 
How do I tell if it's a Buck/Strider, btw? The blade said BG very small near the ricasso or whatever it's called.

Not that it matters, it's still a solid knife and fit for strong usage by my view. Does the same Strider warranty apply if this were associated with Buck?

One thing I did notice is that the bushings or washers looked goldish in color. The liner lock came from left to right if you are looking inside with the blade pointed straight ahead.

Cheers.
 
Krept,

You can also tell by the spine thumbgrips. The AR/GB's grips are "half circles" whereas on the Buck, they are shollower and closer together with more vibrato. (excuse the architectural speak).

SC

ps: The Buck also has a lanyard hole at the lower rear. AR/GB...nay.
 
OK thanks, I see from the pictures that you took (great, BTW) what you are talking about. I seem to remember the thumbgrips or checkering on the spine being closer together and finer, as if they were made by a saw rather than a drill bit, which those on the BG appear to be. Then again, my EDC is a Microtech and the checkering or lines on the spine of that are fine.

Thing is, it said GB on it. Does the Buck version say that on it as well? Even if it is the Buck collaboration, is that still a good deal? I mean the only other knife I have like this (manual folder) is a Spyderco Endura that cost about $70. This knife seemed worth $40 more than that, easy. Does the same warranty still apply?
 
You all are forgetting the easiest way to tell the difference. The Buck Strider simply says Buck Strider on the blade near the Thumb-knob thingie.(Technical term) The GB doesn't. The only thing that I question on this is the fact that it says GB on it. I can't recall seeing any pieces with the model designation stamped on it. Anyone ever seen one stamped with GB or AR or such on it? As to the stamping; yes it is made of BG-42. There were a few knives that suffered the humiliation of the wrong stamp. With a small custom shop, would you sell the knives with an incorrect stamp or trash the blades due to a small oops? Can't afford to waste much. So, they went out.
 
Thanks for the tips. I'm going purely off memory but if I remember the pivot looked a LOT more like a torx head than the larger one on the GB.

I think it's a Buck and will find out tomorrow. The lines looked good but they didn't look as ergo as the GB.

I have to say it certainly said GB on it. Small print.

Again, I'm checking it out tomorrow. Thanks for the tips, that's one of the things that makes these forums such a great resource.

cheers
 
It was a Buck Strider and the guy insisted going price was $200. Didn't buy it, liked the looks and lines of the non Buck GB better. Thanks again for drawing my attention to the differences.
 
Looks like you guys worked it out. Thanks.
For the record, we have never stamped a knife GB or AR.

Mick
 
I may be mistaken but I can honestly remember seeing letters near or on the ricasso that were oriented to be read with the tip up or forward. There were three rows and the bottom row simply said "GB" written in narrow font, similar in size to the letters at the top of the screen. I don't have any idea as to the rationale of the Strider naming system, but I do know many models are named by two letters. I didn't know the model of the knife I was looking at, but remember seeing markings and thinking "must be a GB."

If I am correct on the markings, then it must be aftermarket engraving. I wouldn't be surprised as they looked completely different in nature relative to the Strider and Bos stamps.


In fact, the lettering looked like it was in the same location as the ones on the GB photo on the Strider website.

I just noticed the info says that the Buck blades are made from ATS-34, BTW...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top