Anyone EDC a Strider SMF?

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JTR357

JTR357

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I hear & see a lot of SNGs,but not many SMFs.I haven't gotten the chance to handle one.Are they heavy/bulky?Are they much bigger than an SNG?I think I may actually prefer an SMF over an SNG.I had the opportunity to handle So-Lo's for a few days(Thanks man:cool:) & I didn't really like the smallish cutting edge combined with the large handle.It just felt like they could fit a lot more blade in that handle.

I'm looking to get my first Strider & I'm looking for some feedback about these two.If you have some comparision pics or in hand pics that'd be great.


Thanks,
 
I don't own one but I've handled both. If you don't like the blade edge to handle/finger choil ratio on the SnG, I'm guessing that you might not like that feature on the SMF since the ratio is about the same. You'll certainly have more edge to work with, but you'll also have that much more handle/finger choil.
 
Thanks Kaizen1,What about this new 3/4 grind I'm hearing about?Is the ratio any better with that?


Do they make a choiless SNG or SMF?
 
I don't edc one but carry one occasionally. It is chunky in the pocket but not giant. It's definitely not as comfortable to carry as some thinner knives I have.
I have some pics of it with my Para-military but Photobucket is down for maintenance right now. I can get them tomorrow if you like.
 
JTR357 said:
Thanks Kaizen1,What about this new 3/4 grind I'm hearing about?Is the ratio any better with that?


Do they make a choiless SNG or SMF?
Click to expand...

I haven't handled the 3/4 grind, but my understanding is the that only difference is the primary grind on those is a saber hollow vs the normal full flat grind. I believe they may put a thinner edge on those as well, but it may just be less material at the "shoulder" of the edge. Everything else should be the same. I've never heard of a choil-less SnG or SMF and doubt that they have any.

Here's a 3/4 grind:

sng_blk_rg2_650.jpg


Here's a normal full flat:

3ffcb6689f03c5ce4b0743c3f221a6ae.jpg


The only folder that they have with a seemingly smaller finger choil is the RCC, which I'm personally not a fan of. They are cheaper than the SnGs however:

628ea4b151b6dafa238dd35280e12374.jpg


I'm guessing that you could grow to love the SnG or SMF design over time, but some may wonder why you should even try to force yourself to like a knife that's in this price range.
 
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JTR357 said:
Thanks Kaizen1,What about this new 3/4 grind I'm hearing about?Is the ratio any better with that?


Do they make a choiless SNG or SMF?
Click to expand...
From pics I've seen the 3/4 grind versions just have a different grind and everything else is the same as the regular FFG. And I haven't seen a choil-less SNG or SMF yet.

The SMF will essentially just be a larger scale SNG. If you don't like the cutting edge to handle ratio then maybe you should look at different designs?
 
i have owned and edc'd both and prefer the SnG to the SmF, but both are good.

the SmF is just enough larger to not carry as well, imho the SnG is one of the better edc's around.

the cutting edge of the 2 is very close in size anyway, i dont think there is enough difference to justify the larger SmF but some do.

the last SmF i had i swapped for a SnG FWIW.
 
I EDC a standard SMF. My daily attire is cargo shorts and I carry the knife in a front pocket or cargo pocket and although it's big it is also light for the size so I have no issues.

I started with a SNG but the day I got it I realized it was too small. I have owned a few SNG's and SMF's and always come back to the SMF because it fits my hand better and has a bit more edge. The SMF CC carried about like the regular SNG, btw. if you are concerned about ease of carry you might want to go that route.
 
I have 3 SMF's and rotate them as EDC's depending on what I was wearing.

For Casual dress I carry the SMF CC as it's a lot thinner, all other times I carry the standard SMF DP or my RW-1.




Concealed carry on the bottom.


Size comparison between the CS Hatamoto and SMF RW-1.


Comparion between the ZT 0301 and CS Recon 1
 
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:thumbup:Thanks for the comparision pics Ankerson.

I really want to like this knife,but I think once I get one,I'll end up selling it.

Appreciate all the info everyone.
 
I have held back on getting a Strider for a long time. I finally picked up an SMF last week. I have been carrying it now for the past week. I think it carries well. For me it pretty much disappears in my pocket. I only notice it when I reach for something in that pocket.

The knife itself is comfortable in hand and the blade shape is pretty useful. It is thick and not the best slicer, but it does cut well. I am totally happy since I got mine. My only problem now is deciding between the SMF and My XM-18.
 
SnG carries perfectly well, SmF a bit large. Of course being a small person doesn't help here.
 
I tried it for a while. It carries well for its size, but it is bulky. I finally admitted to myself that I don't really need that much knife for EDC, so I stopped carrying it for the most part.
 
John,

IMHO if the cutting edge on the SnG was too small, I think your going to find the SMF to be too small. The SMF does have a tad longer cutting edge but it's not much :o

The handle is larger, and the blade is thicker... but cutting edge is damn near the same.

CC and DGG carry a LOT better the Lego SMFs. One thing to think about is at the $550 price tag you can get a gen XM-18.


I LOVE my XM-18 :D (in fact she's in my pocket again today)
 
one day i compared the cutting edge length of my SnG, SmF and AR and the difference wasnt much, even comparing the SnG to the much larger overall size AR, i dont remember exact spec's but i know it suprised the heck outta me & didnt amount to much at all.
 
The ratio of blade to handle on the SnG and SMF bother me. It is not apparent as much in pics as it is in hand. The ergos are great and that's what matters but to me after a little while carrying them they start to just look so goofy but that's just me. Oh and edcing is personal preference when it comes to size. One guy's disappear in the pocket is another guys tank.
 
Take a look at this picture and judge for yourself:

IMGP3222.jpg


The SMF has the worst cutting edge/overall length ratio, and the Manix also has a choil, so that is no excuse.
The Strider handle is very uncomfortable because of its straight back and the sharp corner that keeps hitting the palm of your hand. Because of the huge choil, you are almost obliged to choke it, otherwise your index is about five inches from the edge.
There is no lanyard hole, just a lanyard cutter.
The lock is quite sticky and has a lot of friction compared to the 'Zaan.
I actually like the SMF's edge, it was not extremely sharp out of the plastic bag (generous courtesy of Strider), but I put an extremely sharp edge very quickly without the need to re-profile.
And they have a very bad customer service, expect to part with your knife for months when you send it in.
 
Nice picture , but in my experience , actually having them in the hand , I found the CC to be far more comfortable than any of the CRK's or the Manix....so while pictures may show , you need to feel to tell the difference , and feel is subjective to each. :)

Darn good comparison pict though.
 
I've been EDCing an SmF for the last couple of months.
It could use a better blade to handle ratio, but it ain't that bad.
It is light enough for carry, but it does take up a fair bit of pocket real estate.
The handle has hotspots when used in bare hands, but feels GREAT with gloves on.:thumbup: Easy to open and close with gloves on as well.
The pocket clip is NOT good for fast deployment, but at least your $500 knife won't fall out, so it's not too bad on that count.
The thickness of blade does make it less "slicey" than most of my knives, but it does okay.
Overall a good knife. I still stand by my earlier pronouncement that it's about $150 overpriced, but there's something about the design that made it so I needed it, overpriced as it is.
Certainly not the perfect knife, but damn cool nonetheless.:)
 
Offcorse I take one SMF in EDC rotaion...with Spyderco Mili...it´s great knive;) not small big engoh for work great...

Greating from germany

Kay

I´m sorry my english is not so well...i hope you under stod waht i want to tell;)
 
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