kamagong
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2001
- Messages
- 10,677
I picked up a Strider SMF a few days ago. Im the third owner of this knife, but from what I can see this knife has not seen much use. The lines of the G10 scale are nice and crisp, and have not rounded off through use or carry.
Fit and finish of the SMF was good, not great. While the fit was excellent, the finish was only slightly better than my Spyderco Military. It doesnt compare to the close tolerances of the Sebenza, it doesnt even compare to the F&F of my Microtech LCC. Its not an issue though as I expected this. I can see how it would bother some people though.
I got this knife to fill a specific niche, that of a tough folder that I would have no qualms about abusing. This knife is a brute make no mistake about it. The thick S30V blade, bull pivot, and G10 and titanium components combine to make what seems to be a near indestructible folder. Its true that its not the best cutter, I confirmed that the day I received it by cutting up the shipping box it came in. Doesnt matter to me, I have other knives available for when I need pure cutting efficiency.
The S30V blade takes an incredible edge. It came to me slightly convexed, and the blade responds beautifully to stropping. I havent yet put it through its paces, but I expect good things from it.
The SMF locks up like a vault, as solidly as my Sebenza without any vertical or horizontal play. I dont know how it locks up so well as the blade tang does not engage the lockbar fully along its length as seen in these couple of pictures. It was a bit disconcerting at first, but then again it works perfectly fine. It seems that this is normal engagement for SMFs and SNGs.
The only issue I have is with how fast the lock is wearing in. When I received this knife the lock was pretty sticky, a common occurrence with new and new-ish Striders. Ive since spent the past week cycling the SMF open and closed, and the lockbar has moved over quite a bit.
Before
After
Im hoping this isnt an issue and that the lock has now settled in. If it does become a problem, Im glad to have Striders bulletproof warranty.
Im glad I picked up this knife.
Fit and finish of the SMF was good, not great. While the fit was excellent, the finish was only slightly better than my Spyderco Military. It doesnt compare to the close tolerances of the Sebenza, it doesnt even compare to the F&F of my Microtech LCC. Its not an issue though as I expected this. I can see how it would bother some people though.
I got this knife to fill a specific niche, that of a tough folder that I would have no qualms about abusing. This knife is a brute make no mistake about it. The thick S30V blade, bull pivot, and G10 and titanium components combine to make what seems to be a near indestructible folder. Its true that its not the best cutter, I confirmed that the day I received it by cutting up the shipping box it came in. Doesnt matter to me, I have other knives available for when I need pure cutting efficiency.
The S30V blade takes an incredible edge. It came to me slightly convexed, and the blade responds beautifully to stropping. I havent yet put it through its paces, but I expect good things from it.
The SMF locks up like a vault, as solidly as my Sebenza without any vertical or horizontal play. I dont know how it locks up so well as the blade tang does not engage the lockbar fully along its length as seen in these couple of pictures. It was a bit disconcerting at first, but then again it works perfectly fine. It seems that this is normal engagement for SMFs and SNGs.
The only issue I have is with how fast the lock is wearing in. When I received this knife the lock was pretty sticky, a common occurrence with new and new-ish Striders. Ive since spent the past week cycling the SMF open and closed, and the lockbar has moved over quite a bit.
Before
After
Im hoping this isnt an issue and that the lock has now settled in. If it does become a problem, Im glad to have Striders bulletproof warranty.
Im glad I picked up this knife.
