Strider 889 420HC opinion

W

wingslevel

Joined
Apr 18, 2009
Messages
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Hello, again am very new to Buck but in last 2 weeks have grabbed the 103,105,118D2,119,120,Sirus,Paua Shell Rush, that Elk Ranger and Water Buff Duke to add to my couple 110s (have no idea year/steel or anything) and Buckmaster so working on it!

Am very confused since don't know that much about the different materials of handles etc..but have found a plain jane Strider SBMF 889 w/ 420HC and the rivets instead of higher end hex screws (am guessing) in the handle.
Thought might be good addition as a heavy duty folder when want something more then the Sirus or Rush but nothing on my belt.

For $60 new what do you think? All the talk I've read about them deal more with the better steel/handles and all so wasn't sure if that's a little steep or not.

thanks again for all the help so far.
 
NO NO...don't spend $60 on the 889.
go look at my UPS man thread. See that 889 at the top of the picture?
Its an ATS-34 blade with the same handle as the one your looking at I believe and it cost $25.
 
at the risk of deal spotting... where?
 
Thanks!

Something is not right. My thank you bounced. You might want to check to see how full your mailbox is.
 
Check the lockup on any of the 88x series. I have 2 I bought about 3 years back. Both of them fold up if you just push on the back of the blade. One is better than the other, but both are unsafe to use. I only discovered this when I got them back to South Africa. Too late to return as post goes missing in SA. That was a while back and I'm sure that QA has subsequently improved, but check it out nonetheless.
 
Thanks for the heads up on overall quality. Hadn't seen them new anywhere and thought might have some potential.

As a newbie all the other knives you guys have recomended have turned out to exceed what I hoped so guess I'll pass on this one. Thanks again
 
A quick note on the 88X series.

I have several and use them hard as garage/garden knives. (I have both the 420HC and the ATS-34 versions as users - they have the FRN/plastic handles and not the G10)
All of them lock up solidly and I've never had any issues with any of them.
The ATS-34 does hold an edge longer than the 420HC, but I tend to use the 420HC model (with the coyote brown handles) more in the garden. I've had it covered in mud and have definitely NOT babied those knives at all.
They've taken everything I've thrown at 'em and still look like they're in new condition with only slight wear on the black blade coating on the 420HC 889.

If you can find one reasonably priced, I'd say go for it - you won't be disappointed.
(It's also a less expensive way of finding out how you'd like a Strider SnG folder without paying the price of an SnG to find out.)

Regards,
Mike
 
TheFlash said:
If you can find one reasonably priced, I'd say go for it - you won't be disappointed.
(It's also a less expensive way of finding out how you'd like a Strider SnG folder without paying the price of an SnG to find out.)

Regards,
Mike
Click to expand...


Just did that. E55, or $82, shipped, for a NIB black/black one, 420HC. Due to arrive in two days; will post pic when it's here. Seller (don't know the guy in person but I know he's :thumbup: concerning honesty) assured me lock-up is solid and blade is centered. He had a used one as well with solid lock-up but off-center blade, and no box. Better get the good one then. If I don't like it, I won't touch it and will sell it on at probably little or no loss.

If I'm keeping it, it won't see much EDC-time because of its size but it would probably make a good beater/outdoors-knife. I have a nylon 110-sheath in which it might fit (without clip); I'll try that, too. My 110 and my Sharpmaker proved a match made in heaven - factory edge was OK-ish, but my 110 is perhaps my sharpest knife now. That 420HC sure isn't bad, and in my experience, every knife gets dull eventually.
 
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Oh, yeah. It's in. This is one bad m************ son of a smokin' b****.

:cool:

It was - well - NEAR mint, but I'll accept the seller's "Mint" description. Let's say "minor shopwear" on the coating of the blade. Some of it was already visible on his pics of the knife so I wasn't too surprised. Box is still fine, warranty-papers and all. Factory-edge was OK-ish but not to my standards, and damn does that 420HC sharpen up well. It's now in scary/stupid-sharp territory.

I must say, I never understood the shape of Striders but now having handled this certified imitation, I totally understand. It feels completely logical. Frightening thought as this would imply... ...but no, this is my first day being unemployed so this is my last knife in a while anyway. Don't feel sorry, both sides were to blame and I found part-time work which somewhat compensates the huge drop in income. Hey, and I'm not the only one.

Anyway. I'm considering removing the coating entirely, as I'm quite sure I have a keeper here. Won't go there just yet, the battle-scars on the coating will probably look cool enough. This is a workhorse, after all. I like its sheeple-unfriendlyness as well. :D
 
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