Are striders/hinderers worth the money?

[sideways]

There is a point (I won't say what that point is because material costs differ etc) beyond which you are no longer paying for the material and the cost of shaping those materials into the ready product.

Sometimes you are paying for the artistic value a maker adds. Other times its purely for the branding.

Making things by hand costs more money but does not necessarily give you a better product than a machine. Robots making things with micron tolerances can not be beat by humans IMHO.

If you have to ask if something is worth the money.... it probably isn't. To you.

 

[bodog]

I don't think many people are saying that it's unreasonable to buy an expensive knife. I think guys are saying that specific knife companies aren't currently producing knives that are worth what the knives sell for. For instance, if/when I decide to purchase another expensive folder, it will be an olamic. Eugene is genuinely on top of the game regarding customer service and their knives are great too.

 

[thefamcnaj]

^yes he is.Eugene is a great guy producing a great folder. That's one knife that doesn't have abprice to me. I'll have it forever

 

[dcmartin]

People keep comparing knives to cars. Ferraris are overpriced and over hyped, but they do have finely tuned engines that perform well above less expensive cars for those who do not work on their own rides. The same cannot be said for more expensive knives, when in most cases they actually perform less well and most folks are just wilfully blind about it.

I'm not sure I can agree whole heartedly that more expensive knives actually perform "less" well. All of my mid techs out perform my production knives...all of them. With the exception of my Spyderco Gayle Bradly....geeze that thing is quite the tank and holds an edge forever! Buttery smooth too.

But I will say.... My mid techs, they hold an edge much longer, they have better fit and finish and (most all) have better blade steel. What you get with a mid tech or custom is someone spending more time on it to make sure the details are perfect or very close to perfect.

Don't forget the heat treat, just because 2 knives have the same blade steel doesn't mean they perform the same. Heat treat can make all the difference in the world, ask any maker. I'm sure the production knives have a decent heat treat....but sometimes blades have to be soaked and quenched various times to alter / optimize their molecular structure. Do you think production knife makers have the time to do this... Even if they did have the time, it's not cost effective. I think in the end (with a mid tech) that's what you are paying for..... Total time involved for the maker.

Yes it makes a difference in the performance! Performance isn't just how sharp a knife can get, it's about how smooth the pivot stays after you "hard use it" It's about how the lock up and or the centering doesn't change even after a few years worth of "hard use" it's about how sharp it stays after you've cut drywall or broken down literally tons of cardboard boxes (ps, please use a drywall saw for cutting drywall)

Ok, the "willfully blind" thing.... I think what you are trying to say is that maybe people are kind of seduced by the more expensive knives when really there is no merit to them?? Sure, I think there are some who buy just for the name recognition or the cool factor but it doesn't change the fact that the knife in question (whichever mid tech it may be) is still a better built knife.... Better materials, better fit and finish.
For individuals that buy them...it is their prerogative and like it's been previously stated, If it's worth it to them.... then it's worth it.

Not trying to stir anything up, just didn't completely see eye to eye with you.

Carry on

 

[snooka]

For strider :
Each blade takes less than a minute to water jet the shape, and a couple more minutes to CNC cut the angles. A further few minutes is likely spent doing final fit and finish before sending these out for mass heat treatment. If you think someone is personally shaping and crafting each Strider blade, and then carefully heat-treating each one individually, you’re WRONG... they just price them that way! ... another Strider is born, and ready to soak some sucker for $300-$400, and sometimes more!

 

[RemyKaze]

I'm not sure I can agree whole heartedly that more expensive knives actually perform "less" well. All of my mid techs out perform my production knives...all of them. With the exception of my Spyderco Gayle Bradly....geeze that thing is quite the tank and holds an edge forever! Buttery smooth too.

But I will say.... My mid techs, they hold an edge much longer, they have better fit and finish and (most all) have better blade steel. What you get with a mid tech or custom is someone spending more time on it to make sure the details are perfect or very close to perfect.

Don't forget the heat treat, just because 2 knives have the same blade steel doesn't mean they perform the same. Heat treat can make all the difference in the world, ask any maker. I'm sure the production knives have a decent heat treat....but sometimes blades have to be soaked and quenched various times to alter / optimize their molecular structure. Do you think production knife makers have the time to do this... Even if they did have the time, it's not cost effective. I think in the end (with a mid tech) that's what you are paying for..... Total time involved for the maker.

Yes it makes a difference in the performance! Performance isn't just how sharp a knife can get, it's about how smooth the pivot stays after you "hard use it" It's about how the lock up and or the centering doesn't change even after a few years worth of "hard use" it's about how sharp it stays after you've cut drywall or broken down literally tons of cardboard boxes (ps, please use a drywall saw for cutting drywall)

Ok, the "willfully blind" thing.... I think what you are trying to say is that maybe people are kind of seduced by the more expensive knives when really there is no merit to them?? Sure, I think there are some who buy just for the name recognition or the cool factor but it doesn't change the fact that the knife in question (whichever mid tech it may be) is still a better built knife.... Better materials, better fit and finish.
For individuals that buy them...it is their prerogative and like it's been previously stated, If it's worth it to them.... then it's worth it.

Not trying to stir anything up, just didn't completely see eye to eye with you.

Carry on

I'm sure there is merit to them. Just saying that a few of the more widely accepted midtechs are easily out shined by less expensive offerings. So, what is the point? Fit and finish? That's for collectors, not so much for users. I want a knife to PERFORM and exceed expectations for that price point. I'm not talking about all midtechs, per se, but the ones that people convince themselves are a pocket miracle because yes, they are seduced by the cloud of excitement surrounding certain makers/knives.

 

[B34NS]

Are Hinderers worth it? You bet, for every misguided, scorned, thin-skinned complainer, there are 100s that will say they are worth it and that Rick Hinderer Knives customer service is top notch. You can't please everyone. Regardless, Rick Hinderer Knives are worth it.

For those of us not on active duty, fire fighter or the alphabet boys, they aren't worth the same thing to everyone.

The fact I can't buy direct is enough for me, but I digress. More than 1/8" thick for a 3" blade is a deal breaker for me personally, accompanied by the "spanto" paired with a "flat" grind, makes for a cubersome slicer when actually doing work with it. I've tried to like them, but they're just really made for who they're made for. I really was looking for a robust folder, but a folder that's almost as thick as a GSO 10. Ha! Not for me. The flared tip makes for a real challenge for those like myself who are classically trained kitchen types, trying to choke up on the tip is an issue for two reasons I felt. The shape of the tip makes it hard to "pinch" the tip for ultrafine work and the handle becomes a little unweidly in that position. I like having a blade that's balanced for more than two hand holding positions, whether it's a folder or fixed. It's possible with them, but makes the work feel a bit awkward.

Not trying to knock Mr. Hinderer and crew as they obviously have a great business with an eye for quality, fit, and finnish. I just can't justify spending $385 on a folder that will struggle to cut vegetables well.

As far as Strider is concerned, there are some core design flaws with the blade angle and lock system that was enough to dissuade me from looking twice.

Both? I've never had an interest in having a choil on a folder. Same for the jimping. No thanks.

 

[Ankerson]

I would say they are worth the money.

Striders - $400 - $550

Hinderers - $385 (Not worth more than that) I never owned one because I won't pay more than $385 for one period..... NEVER HAPPEN..... Spoke with RH and he said that's what his price is...

Although the lines are getting blurred more these days with the Production manufacturers really stepping up their game.

So in the end if a person has to ask if they are worth it then the answer is NO to them....

 

[RDA]

With all due respect, if we're talking about 3.5" XM-18 Slicers, worth it to who? Certainly not to people like me who can't buy one directly from the factory and don't feel compelled to own an original, especially now that the 0562CF is here. Call folks like me what you will.

The OP asked a question, I answered it. Do I think they are "worth it", my personal response is yes.

By the way, you can buy one direct, 1,000s have been sold direct to customers via knife shows, their forums and their website. Please get with the times and stop the nonsensical comment that you "can't buy them direct". The time frame they are available may be short but it does exist. In addition, some dealers sell them at table price.

But like it or not, the value proposition for buying a 3.5" XM-18 Slicer on the secondary market has vanished . . . if it ever really existed at all.

I don't even know what this sentence means.

I take issue with the idea that if we don't think Hinderers are worth it, we must be "misguided". That's fanbag talk. Come on, now. Rob? Is that you? LOL

You misread my comment. Keep in mind that my use of "misguided" is in the context of the complete sentence which describes those select people that have an axe to grind with respect to Rick Hinderer Knives (and not strictly to someone who doesn't think they are worth it). I know not everyone is going to think they are worth it and surely not everyone needs or would benefit from an XM knife. To each their own, spend your money how you see fit, $400 or more for a knife is a substantial amount of money for most people. I know people who absolutely think spending 100s of dollars on a gaming system or 1,000s of dollars on a flat screen television is worth it, it may be to them, but I don't even though I could choose to spend my money that way. Frankly, the OPs question can only be answered by himself.

Clearly I am not Rob.

 

[Popsickle]

if you have the money to spend and can justify the purchase then yes its worth it.

in my opinion SKI makes a helluva knife. can you get a knife just as good for less than half the price? Sure you can. Hinderers secondary prices are nuts but the blade is well worth it if you can find one direct.