What are the striking differences between the Buck Strider and the Strider AR?

[golok]

Although both knives are somewhat similar, there are basic differences in design and materials used.

However, in terms of cutting edge and toughness in the field, are there any glaring differences?

I have handled the Strider AR but have not held the Buck Strider in my hands, so I am at a disadvantage as to how to make a comparison between these two knives.

I know there are some of you out there who possess both blades.

What is your view of these two types of Striders in a personal comparative study?

 

[Peter Atwood]

When I had my Buck Strider I thought it was big. I had the tanto version and I was kind of disgusted with it because it didn't seem very useful to me. It wouldn't cut for crap, or so I thought, and I even had the BG42 first run edition. I made a comment about it to Les Halpern who makes all the G10 grips for Buck and he paused for a moment and then said to me "Would you use a sledgehammer to nail a tack into the wall?" I took that to mean that the knife was not intended for light cutting chores but rather to penetrate ribcages and the sidewalls of annoying neighborhood Boom Boom cars. Point well taken.

I bought an AR in S30v recently. I had to see what all the fuss was about. The real thing is nothing at all like the Buck version. If I thought the Buck was big, this thing is monstrous yet very balanced! And it cuts incredibly well. It shaves hair like no other knife I've ever owned, and performs flawlessly on every task I have asked of it. I have pried paint can lids off with it, popped holes in five gallon bucket lids, cut rope, sliced fruit, cleaned fingernails, nipped threads, scraped crap off the walls, chopped wooden molding, and numerous other everyday chores both large and small. I am completely sold on this knife. It's amazing.

Maybe there's a big difference between the tanto and the spearpoint in terms of cutting ability, I don't know. But I'm willing now to get a GB and take that risk.

What I find most interesting about the AR though, is that it is inspiring to anyone who makes hard working folding knives. Owning this knife will make me a better knifemaker, there is no doubt in my mind.

 

[Alberta Ed]

I've had a Buck Strider spearpoint for about a month now. The blade is 3/16" thick, with enough heft to flip it open one-handed. It opens so easily though, even slicker than my well broken-in Voyagers, that a light nudge on the thumb stud swings it open. Despite the thickness of the blade, this is one of the best all-around cutters I've owned. I've used it for everything from cleaning fingernails to cutting back tough shrubbery, food prep, boxes, but haven't tried it out on dissecting cars yet . It is a handful, though, so I'm looking for a suitable belt sheath, maybe a magazine pouch from Uncle Mike's. This is definitely a user.