A few words about HONESTY

I dont think the problem is purely in strider-hate or strider-love. its shared. The main thing ive seen here thats different for strider is that when anyone, and i mean ANYONE posts anything even remotely negative about strider, a huge slew of strider-luvahs show up and basically attack the poster insinuating that:
1. they shouldnt have posted.
2. they should have got it fixed by strider and that strider fixes everything without questions.
3. they are a strider-hater and how pathetic it is to hate striders
4. BF hates striders and its a conspiracy
5. they created the problem themself, or a third party willfully created the flaw for no reason

The reality is that none of the threads would escalate unless that happened. its as if many people think consumers owe it to strider to never make any flaws public. A buyer who gets a bad knife owes nothing to the company since technically the company has their hard earned money and they have a faulty product. Fixing those flaws isnt a wonderful, great addition to their service...its basic business practice. Any knifemaker who wont fix a flawed knife shouldnt be in the business. Belive it or not, just because a company repeatedly fixes flaws in sold knives doesnt mean thats a good thing...it just means they are doing what they should on that end of their business.

The fault doenst just lie in strider-haters pocket, though. Sure, lots jump on the bandwagon when topics come up....why? i hate to say it but maybe its because a higher percentage of strider lovers use phrases such as "f-tard", "poser" and such. You rarely see that outside W&C except in some of the aformentioned strider threads. Dont even bother hitting any of the strider-friendly or supported forums....its like walking into an adolescent vulgarity contest and the majority of talk about BF is in regards to how queer everyone here is...So i would agree that Strider gets jumped all over, but i think you need to look a little further than BF to see the cause of that.....

The "hardcore tools for hardcore individuals" doesnt help either. Its pretty easy to jump all over the image that strider associates with their knives since it rivals and mirrors the mall-ninja style, regardless of if the knives themselves might be above par. The tough part of that is that a percentage of people who by striders then actually think they are hardcore individuals because of the knife and look at things like poor fit and finish as almost a selling point. how many times have you seen mentioned "i would never buy a knife thats too pretty to use....no problem with striders, though!" Just because a knife looks good doesnt mean you can't use it. you shouldnt need to buy ugly knives just to entice you to actually use them.

So yeah, i think strider gets jumped on. probably more than they deserve. but that doesnt mean those attacks are simply out of the blue. While we might need to look at ourselves and figure out why we react the way we do, you need to look at some of the other factors and figure out why we do, as well.

I will personally say that I havent met Mick Strider but have handled his knives both custom and production. The ones i saw were raw and uncomfortable, but just because i dont love their style doesnt mean they aren't good tools for the right job. I would say that I have more of a beef with how Mick handles himself and how his followers handle themselves than with the knives. its nearly impossible to separate the two, though, for obvious reasons.
 
I bashed my Spyderco Pacific Salt's FRN handle and clip mounting system when the entire clip sheared the molded in "retention box" and allowed the clip to go wherever it may.

For bashing this, IMO, flimsy clip mounting, I got called out by the Spydie fans, to the point of some of them declaring that what had happened to mine had to be impossible. They had never had anything like that happen to any of their Spydies you see.

It tooK Sal Glesser himself saying that these things can and have happened and offering up a fix to shut up some of the critics of my criticism. I still have the knife, and love it, but it is not an EDC. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Manix tomorrow if I had the need for one.

So I wound up criticizing a $50.00 knife that didn't meet my expectations for durability. I would readily criticize any $400.00 knife that wasn't picture perfect out of the box. I also readily criticize the marketing, naming, and decorative excesses of the so-called tactical knives. Something about that combination of excesses, no matter in what ratio each appears in the mix, makes me think that I must lower my IQ to buy in.

So I don't buy in. The fanboyz always make it easy for me to keep my cash.
 
I got an "infraction" for my trouble, so Im done with this.

Use what you want, Strider or not. at the level of production for most 400$+ folders anything you buy (minus the occasional factory defect) will perform for you, be it Strider, Reeve, or even the mythical Busse folder when it comes out.
 
Okay, since I started this, and since it is Christmas, let me just end with this -

If you don't like Striders, don't buy them. Period.

If you do like them and can afford to get them, go ahead and do so.

Not every Strider fan is a "fanatic", but don't come in and start blasting Striders and the people who buy them and then expect that nobody would speak out. I know this doesn't apply to everybody, but there are some who think that many people don't know anything about knives. Well, not all of us are that illiterate.

QC issues happen to everybody. No matter who they may be.

The best way to evaluate a knife is to see one up close, and if it feels good, buy it and use it. Then use it. If it's good, then I guess you can get another one. If it sucks, then don't buy from that manufacturer again. If you want to let other people know how the knife performs, whether good or bad, do so OBJECTIVELY and without bias.

And for all those who wish me ill - I will still greet you a "Merry Christmas" and leave it at that.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!:D
 
We have plenty of current and former enlisted men here at Bladeforums, men who both have military experience and know about knives.
 
I had to issue two minor infractions in this thread for inappropriate language, but that doesn't mean you can't express your feelings. Just say "reproduce." :)
 
Boats said:
For bashing this, IMO, flimsy clip mounting, I got called out by the Spydie fans, to the point of some of them declaring that what had happened to mine had to be impossible. They had never had anything like that happen to any of their Spydies you see.

So I don't buy in. The fanboyz always make it easy for me to keep my cash.
Click to expand...

I went a few years without purchasing spydies because of the overzealous defense and praise. Now the only two folders I have for edc atm are a Paramilitary and a Cara Cara. It gets hard to associate yourself with other owners of certain brands at times on these forums. It is a bit silly when put in perspective, especially since 99% of the people who actually see you with a knife of whatever make couldn't identify it for the life of them.
 
darkestthicket said:
Rat Finkenstein said:
Blah blah blah.

Rants belong in W&C.
I don't have any problem with strider knives, but anyone can say what they want about a knife they purchased. Most people call them out for some pics, and others tell them they should contact the company.
Others become hugely offended and write a lengthy rant that nobody is going to bother reading. At least Mick is to the point when he comes by to say "lick my sack".

Go back to your hole, wherever that might be.[/QUOTE]

highlighted for you. after rereading it seems less offensive, perhaps im over sensitive after defending Strider semi-rationally for 3 days now.
Click to expand...

This quote is as far as anyone needs to read in his rant:

I am over here at BF because of the post about Strider knives
Click to expand...

Well, I am here because I like this forum and I like knives.
He just coming here to stir the pot from some other forum. (why I told him to go back to his hole) If he doesn't like this forum, he should just leave. His post is a Rant, and as such belongs in W&C. I am not going to waste my time getting lectured by a troll, so reading his long speech is out of the question. For other examples of his kind, see the infamous lick my sack thread and notice all the banned idiots off their meds who came over here to attack & insult people.

I find it strange that people are offended by a forum that allows people to say pretty much anything they want about knives without being ruthlessly attacked, censored and banned. I guess some people feel safe and warm inside a insular group-think.

My post was not meant to offend, just calling it as I see it.
Click to expand...
 
A humble Buck 110 got my father through his lone combat tour in Vietnam in 1968.

If I ever start "Ambush Knives" or "Hue City Tactical" or "Jungle Chopper Knives," I'll have him front the company, even if he has passed by then. I can always claim that his combat experience, and allowing decades to pass while he ruminated on the shortcomings of the Buck 110 in combat operations, inspired all of the designs.

Then, if the quality is good enough to stand on its own, the background "color" would surely be a market driver if I just get the narrative right.

I would hate to have anyone ever think that they had just bought a competently executed folding knife made by a company run by a peactime Navy veteran who also used the humble Buck 110 of his father, to cut away UNREP fueling rigs and who also thought the knife had a few shortcomings far back in the late 80s, far from the Tet offensive.:rolleyes: ;)
 
punisher_nbi45 said:
And for all those who wish me ill - I will still greet you a "Merry Christmas" and leave it at that.
Click to expand...

I do not wish you ill, I only question your motives, although you are much less flamboyant than many of your predecessors.

Merry Christmas to you as well. I would rather see you stick around and enjoy the forums than just pop in to shout about striders.
 
He just coming here to stir the pot from some other forum. (why I told him to go back to his hole) If he doesn't like this forum, he should just leave. His post is a Rant, and as such belongs in W&C.
Click to expand...

First of all, Rat, I was in the other forum and this was posted by another member. I was interested, clicked the link and went here to read the thread, and stayed silent for the whole time until I just reacted when things got out of hand. BTW, I never said I don't like BF. And I'm not going to leave just because you tell me to, unless the Mods ban me. I like knives, too, and I have as much right to read/do research in this forum about knives as much as you. As an addendum, let me point out that I'm not slamming all BF members. No way, a lot of BF members are sensible, good people who share the same love that I do - knives. I just wonder about those who seem to take glee in slamming Strider (or any manufacturer for that matter) without taking into account all the facts.

I am not going to waste my time getting lectured by a troll, so reading his long speech is out of the question. For other examples of his kind, see the infamous lick my sack thread and notice all the banned idiots off their meds who came over here to attack & insult people.
Click to expand...

When did I ever lecture you, Rat? I would never presume to lecture you, or anyone else. If you took me for being a troll because I spoke out about the too many Anti-Strider remarks that got out of hand, then that is your opinion. And by the way, I read that particular thread, and although there are things said there that I don't agree with, I will not start another thread/flame war over it.

I find it strange that people are offended by a forum that allows people to say pretty much anything they want about knives without being ruthlessly attacked, censored and banned. I guess some people feel safe and warm inside a insular group-think.
Click to expand...

Let's agree to disagree on this one. You have your point of view regarding how manufacturers/knives should be treated, I have mine. Just like in our choice of forums. Again, to each his own, I won't bash you if you like BF above the others, that is your choice.


My post was not meant to offend, just calling it as I see it.
Click to expand...

That's funny, I feel the same way and I did just that. I do not know anybody on this forum, and I would rather stay and learn all the knowledge that everybody has to offer, and not make any enemies. However, having said that, I still stand by what I said, not to make flames, but because I stand by what I believe in and I'm just being honest about that.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!:thumbup::D:D:D:thumbup:
 
Frankly, most Bladeforum readers want to hear the Good Bad and Ugly.
What business has never gotten a customer complaint?
How it's handled is what I look for.

And yes, I expect a heckuvva lot more from a $500 knife than I do a $100 knife.
I expect high quality, a lifetime warranty, and superb customer service.
I think that's perfectly normal and fair.

Rat Finkenstein will support me on this one, I have seen owners of "other" High Cost knife brands post a thread about a problem, even include pictures, and the OWNER of the Knife Company actually replies, sometimes only hours later, citing their service and lifetime warranty, and that all will be taken care of, even fully replaced, and for them to simply send it back.
That's what I look for, the service. A warranty is only as good as how it is backed.

If I had a problem with a Strider, Busse, CR or any other high dollar knife, I would contact the company itself, and I may post at BladeForums for my fellow knife owners to read and respond to.

The business owners and their representatives can turn these kinds of things into GOOD NEWS stories, by simply responding in kind, and putting their best foot forward.
Or, not do anything, and reproduce themselves and their company by ignoring a displeased customer.
 
Skunk,
I can definetly state that Jerry is a model of customer service and fixes any problem with haste.

With Strider, Mick no longer posts here so all that will be shown to the average forumite is that there is a problem with a Strider with no responses from anyone related to Strider, hence the need for telling the poster to send it to Strider so they can fix...etc.

I do agree with what you say for the most part.
 
punisher_nbi45 said:
First of all, Rat, I was in the other forum and this was posted by another member. I was interested, clicked the link and went here to read the thread, and stayed silent for the whole time until I just reacted when things got out of hand. BTW, I never said I don't like BF. And I'm not going to leave just because you tell me to, unless the Mods ban me. I like knives, too, and I have as much right to read/do research in this forum about knives as much as you. As an addendum, let me point out that I'm not slamming all BF members. No way, a lot of BF members are sensible, good people who share the same love that I do - knives. I just wonder about those who seem to take glee in slamming Strider (or any manufacturer for that matter) without taking into account all the facts.



When did I ever lecture you, Rat? I would never presume to lecture you, or anyone else. If you took me for being a troll because I spoke out about the too many Anti-Strider remarks that got out of hand, then that is your opinion. And by the way, I read that particular thread, and although there are things said there that I don't agree with, I will not start another thread/flame war over it.



Let's agree to disagree on this one. You have your point of view regarding how manufacturers/knives should be treated, I have mine. Just like in our choice of forums. Again, to each his own, I won't bash you if you like BF above the others, that is your choice.




That's funny, I feel the same way and I did just that. I do not know anybody on this forum, and I would rather stay and learn all the knowledge that everybody has to offer, and not make any enemies. However, having said that, I still stand by what I said, not to make flames, but because I stand by what I believe in and I'm just being honest about that.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!:thumbup::D:D:D:thumbup:
Click to expand...

It seems we share some similar views. No harm done.
 
What really, really annoys me about many (not all) Strider fans is that they are usually the first to start the name calling, while claiming (falsely) that they have been called all kinds of things. How is that for honesty?

And in the name of honesty, the Strider-fans should realize that there are bound to be some Strider knives going to leave the shop that are not 100%, and it is absolutely normal and acceptable to report about such an occurance on a knife forum, this is no reason to call anybody a liar or to question someones integrity. It happens with all brands, why should different rules apply to Stider knives? I do have to say for owners of such "tough" knives, there seems to be a surprisingly large number of cry-babies among the Strider fans when it comes to their beloved brand.

And finally, it should come as no surprise that the disappointment with an imperfect knife is somewhat proportional with the price. If you get a Opinel that isn't perfect, it might not even make it on this board, because the emotional investment is simply not there. If a $100 BM or Spyderco has issues, you usually hear about it. If a $400 Strider isn't perfect somebody is going to be seriously disappointed. You are surprised by this? I am not.
 
Guess this wouldn't be a good time to discuss my first Strider that the FedEx man dropped off today huh ;) ;) :D ;) ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top