Strider AR/ Buck Strider?

GregB

GregB

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Considering a Buck Strider Spearpoint or a Strider AR. How do the two compare for the money. I realize that this is apples and oranges. I've heard that the handles on the Buck really eats up the pocket, are the striders the same? Are they the same weight and lenght? How are they for EDC?

Greg
 
I don't know about the Strider AR , but the SB1 880 SP is a great knife . I got it to be the little brother to my CUDA MAXX 5.5 . While this one is used , and has had the handles soffened , it is one heck of a folder . The lockup is great , and the hollow ground edge is way to sharp for a knife blade this thick . I have handled a AR , and the differences are there , I just don't care about the differences . For 1/3 the price you get 4/5 the knife , and when you are talking about a STRIDER 4/5 is more than almost any other knife out there (only the CUDA MAXX compares ).Get the BUCK/STRIDER (in spearpoint) and you will NOT be disapointed . Get the real thing , and the only disapointment you will have is about the lightness of your wallet.
 
3 minutes with 400 grit sandpaper will smooth out any roughness in the scales. Mick said that if Buck would have had to do this, the price would have been increased by something like $20-$30.
 
Well, I have handled both models. I was not impressed with the Buck version: Fit and finish was fair, at best. The couple that I compared had off-centered blades. Frankly, they seemed rather crude to me. Now on the other hand, the Strider had great fit and finish and the blade was perfectly centered between the handles. And Paul Bos heat treated the blade. I understand that Paul oversees the heat treating at Buck. But with the Strider, he has a more personal interaction with the heat treating.
One of these knives as an EDC? I dunno--what's your profession? It might work for you.
But I think for most, the Buck/Strider would be well suited for a camp outing or a hunting trip.
For me, life is short. I would rather pay more for a superior knife and enjoy it's attributes. I've turned the corner in my knife appetite--I like higher end products. It's a personal thing. If you would prefer saving your hard earned cash, buy the Buck.
Best o' luck!
Barry H
 
Greg

I recently purchased a Strider AR. It is by far the most sturdy, bomb proof folding knife I have. It has a huge pivot and is the next best thing to a fixed blade knife. It is a big knife though, but I EDC it in a SOE belt sheath.

It is a hard use knife...if you damage it or break it somehow it has an unconditional warranty.

If you can fork out the $$$, you won't be disappointed. :)

fdc80c16.jpg


I just got a digital camera 2 days ago...so the picture ain't that good, but check out the pivot and overall sturdy build.
 
Not to muddy the waters but, you might also take a look at the Al Mar SERE 2000. It too is bomb proof.
 
I have a Strider GB, and have handled many of the Buck versions... I thought about this as well, when I bought my Strider, it was the most expensive knife I had ever purchased, but it was well worth it... I suppose if you get to handle the exact knife you purchase, a Buck version is a good compromise... Mick and Duane would not have allowed their knife to be 'copied' if they didn't have some faith in the company producing them, I am sure.

However, have handled a few Buck/Striders, and most have pretty good lock up... But the real deal is solid as a brick S**t house. NO blade play in any direction. When compared to the real deal, ANY blade play seems like a lot of blade play.

Another difference that made me choose an original.... Notice the finger choil on the AR/GB is very pronounced... the one on the Buck is only present on the handle, not on the blade... I found that the choil really helps with more 'delicate' work with the blade, as I have more control and stability while 'choking up' on the blade.

No offense to last poster about the Al Mare SERE, but the SERE is not NEARLY as solid as the Strider... I have one as well, and love it for different reasons... Get an AR (if you can find one) or a GB... you will not regret it... and If you don't like it, you will have no problems reselling it for the same price you purchase it for.

-Dave
 
No offense taken Iverson. I have a SERE but have never even seen a strider, let alone handled one. The Striders sure look solid and are on my list of knives to add to my collection.
 
Hi Willie... I love my SERE and it is built really tough. I would recommend a SERE to anyone! Please do check out a Strider.... I had never held one until I say a GB in S.W.A.T. magazine a few months ago... and I found one for sale here on BFC.. I read about the 'specs' and knew it would be a good sized folder... but WOW when I got it, it was WAY more than I had expected... This one is really, really worth the $350.00 Also, I have some great interactions with Mick and Duane here on the forum.. It also is nice that I could chat with the makers.

I fully intend to purchase some more Al Mar knives in the future as well... I hope that you know that I meant no disrespect to you in my last post as well... Thanks...

-Dave
 
Well I have both the SERE 2K and the Strider AR....I'll take the AR anyday, anytime. :D The AR is rock solid but smooth as butter and fits me perfect.
 
Not having owned the actual Strider version, I cant comment on that one. But I did own a large Buck Strider folder for a while. Didnt own it long enough to actually use it, because the thing pinched my hand everytime I opended it up. Never had a folder do that before, but this one did. Other than that, it was a rock solid knife.
 
I've never actually held the Buck version, so I can't really compare, but I do have an AR, and I can tell you that it is one robust folder.
It can probably take the place of a fixed blade for most tasks - it really seems as though it can handle things that you would never consider doing with a folder.
And as Dave mentioned, the finger choil works great for choking up on the knife for delicate work.
When backpacking or hiking, I like to travel light, and this knife is what I will carry. It will handle anything that I will ask of it.
If it ever needs a tune up or you want it refinished, just send it back to the Strider guys. Their customer service is top notch.
 
Harrydog...


Good point... I forgot to mention the unconditional lifetime guarantee that the fella's at Strider offer. I call it a 'gurantee' rather than a 'warantee'.. because a warantee offered by a big company does not mean crap to me... I have been denied my 'warantee' on several products because of 'abuse' of the product... B.S. I say..

Well, Mick and Duane make their knives to be 'Abused'. I have never had to find out, but I bet the only way to VOID their guarantee would to be to purposely cut your knife with a welding torch.... or something of that ilk.

A warantee or guarantee is only as good as the people who back it up... and although I've never met them, from my contacts here online with them, and from all of the people I know who have met them... their guarantee is as good as gold!

-Dave
 
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