Tops/Buck CSAR-T: Need an overall Opinion from an owner!

I just got one at a gun shop in western PA and paid more than that for it. I had been looking from time to time and didn't find any in stock online. I snapped up the last one they had. It's a beast. I like it. I did take the clip off but I do that on 80% of the knives I buy. It resembles more of a spear point blade profile than an American Tanto so I like that (I don't get excited on the AT profile). I am not certain that spear point is exactly what I mean. It just isn't as angular as the AT, more like a vestigial AT.

I have a ZT 301 that is similar in heft and I like that knife a lot. So I think I can say it is worth it. Just don't expect it to be a dainty EDC pocket carry like my Spyderco Endura is. :D
 
Built like a tank, has the BOS heat treated ATS34 blade that takes a great edge. That said, 90lbs. weaklings need not apply, as this knife could be used as a small boat anchor. I bought it new for a little less than your price, and I think it's worth every penny.

/dusty
 
I picked one up, $100 from knifecenter plus $50 between shipping and brokerage brought it to 150$, then I found it for $100 in Toronto. Literally makes my Alpha Hunter look like a toy. Between the frame and the G10 scales the grip is a big block, but it still fits your hand really good. I tossed the pocket clip too and carry it in the sheath. I use it for some light chopping without a worry, you could use this in just about any cold steel video you have ever seen. After buying this I got an Alpha Hunter and now I want to get a Bravo.
 
Recently bought one off another forum for $75 and the thing is built like a tank. I really like the sheath, too.
For that price I love it - but I wouldn't have paid very much more for it, as there are too many just-as-good options out there.
This will be my backpacking belt-knife, with my RC-4 or 3 strapped to my pack.

KD
 
Stout knife. Bomb proof. Heavy duty to be sure. But...

I purchased 2 in the $60 range BNIB shipped from a well known online dealer. Nether of the blades were centered, one touched the liner. Adjusting the pivot screw helped get them closer, but deployment of the blade required 2 hands. Very tight. Left it off centered, but one-hand openable. Also, the knives did not have an acceptably sharp edge, ie. would not cut paper, only tore paper. I kept one knife and gave the other away to a friend who works at a brick and mortar knife shop who helps me with special orders at a fair price.

Quality control on these are hit or miss. I did not return them since the price was right and I know how to sharpen. Better if you can handle the product and chose from an assortment. At least make sure you can return if buying online. Good luck!
 
I've owned mine for quite some time now and I can honestly say it was a very rewarding purchase this thing is built like a tank and the lock up on mine is out of this world also the Paul Bos ats-34 is a great proven steel that has outstanding edge retention and is reasonably tough all in all this thing really reminds me a lot of the older Buck/Strider collaborations and is a perfectly fine replacement in the Buck lineup.
 
Strong tough knife. Good materials. Handle is not comfortable for me. Blade is impossible to get centered, it invariably touches the liner. The knife is massive and correspondingly heavy, so heavy I never carry it, and I am used to carrying big folders.
All in all, the CSAR was a waste of money for me, and I don't say that often about a knife. Biggest downpoints are F&F, handling and weight.
 
I have one. It is scalpel sharp, balances perfectly on one finger in the choil, hell, i have even batoned with mine. They are a great knife. I did a review on it. AWESOME smallish knife. Sheath is great too, but needs a swivel mod IMHO, which i will do in the future. Here is some pics.

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As you can see from the pic, i am not easy on them. That was the 2nd baton stick of about 2" in dia, that i broke. I paid $99 for mine & it was worth every penny.
 
My friend has one of the folding ones.
He throws it at trees, digs out roots, and digs in the dirt and rocks with his.
It is every bit as tough as any folder can be.
And yes, it is also as much a boat anchor as others say as well.;)
 
I am a CSAR-T folder owner, and a happy one. It's heavy but the toughtest Buck knife IMHO even the Buck/Striders. I have had no centering issues and fit and finish on mine was very good. G10 was very grippy and blade was sharp. I think the sheath is another strong point as it has about 4 different carry options for different size molle straps, alice, or plain belts. Again, my opinion is it's the best value out there for a tank of a knife. Half the cost of a DPX Hest or a ZT/Hinderer and at least $50 less than a ZT0200 or the Buck/Striders on the auction sites or exchange. I think it compares to the DPX Hest and i would rather have 2 CSAR-T than a Hest. My 2 cents.
 
Thanks guys i'm definately gonna pick one up! Have they redesigned it because the one in the pics looks different than the one ive seen in youtube vids? Thanks again for the opinions!
 
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supernate1990 said:
Thanks guys i'm definately gonna pick one up! Have they redesigned it because the one in the pics looks different than the one ive seen in youtube vids? Thanks again for the opinions!
Click to expand...
The one in the picture is a fixed blade. The one with all the centering problems obviously isn't. :D
 
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