Benchmade: Tanto & Stryker Series

[cncpro11]

Those old school Strykers look so clean with the thumb disc and liner lock. Definitely going to add one or two to my old school collection.

 

[RevDevil]

Jazub & harris2 - i'd like to apologize, i was unaware of the facebook thing going on. I didn't want to stir anything.

It is most certainly a discussion...of opinions at that. And I was defending my opinion after you more or less told me what I said was BS. Whether you intended it or not, the way your statements read to me is calling my integrity into question.

Indeed, many of the threads that get posted are of a nature where folks start bashing first, and the end result is a lack of experience. Had you simply mentioned the reasons why to validate your comments your reply would have been clearer with that added context. In the end, people in general seem to think that a specific knife, blade shape, brand, or steel can magically do anything and everything. They completely neglect the influence of skill of the person using the knife. Some folks that read forums casually are the type to read it online and preach it as gospel truth, just trying to stop misinformation. Oh well, no need to take it so personally.

 

[DrFish]

Those old school Strykers look so clean with the thumb disc and liner lock. Definitely going to add one or two to my old school collection.

Have to agree that the design looks better with the thumb disc opener. It looks more coherent that way. After all, it was originally designed for a thumb disc.

 

[pbcg]

Those old school Strykers look so clean with the thumb disc and liner lock. Definitely going to add one or two to my old school collection.

The Proto was a gift from a very good friend and I've never used it. The satin finish on the other one really does a great job hiding all the scratches from use. That knife has seen a lot.

I love the disk too but I also like the thumb stud version.

 

[pnsxyr]

Indeed, many of the threads that get posted are of a nature where folks start bashing first, and the end result is a lack of experience. Had you simply mentioned the reasons why to validate your comments your reply would have been clearer with that added context. In the end, people in general seem to think that a specific knife, blade shape, brand, or steel can magically do anything and everything. They completely neglect the influence of skill of the person using the knife. Some folks that read forums casually are the type to read it online and preach it as gospel truth, just trying to stop misinformation. Oh well, no need to take it so personally.

Fair enough. I figured you did not want to read the full text of the long-winded justification I had on why I felt the way I do.

I am one person, with an opinion, with a very small amount of experience when compared to the collective experience of all users. I make no claims at being right or that my experiences will be replicated by others.

If God ever tells me first hand that I am enlightened and have all the right answers, I will cite my source in the acceptable format as I hate plagiarism
(but I don't foresee that happening anytime soon)

 

[pnsxyr]

The Proto was a gift from a very good friend and I've never used it. The satin finish on the other one really does a great job hiding all the scratches from use. That knife has seen a lot.

I love the disk too but I also like the thumb stud version.

That proto is a really, really rare piece. I've seen images but never seen one in person. While subtle, I really hoped the production version would have a blade like the proto you have as I really, really liked the design characteristics.

 

[pbcg]

That proto is a really, really rare piece. I've seen images but never seen one in person. While subtle, I really hoped the production version would have a blade like the proto you have as I really, really liked the design characteristics.

Thank you.

I see you noticed the very slight differences in the blades. The original first generation Stryker blades retained the Prototype design but were replaced very early on in production with the second generation blade design.

Second generation but still early model Strykers (pic 2 satin blade). You can see that they have a 'Nub" or protrusion after the serrations end followed by a relief cut. Also, the blades are not interchangeable.

I guess that was the "improvement" over the first generation blades, but as you noted the original blades are very rare indeed and I also prefer the look design wise.

 

[cncpro11]

The Proto was a gift from a very good friend and I've never used it. The satin finish on the other one really does a great job hiding all the scratches from use. That knife has seen a lot.

I love the disk too but I also like the thumb stud version.

Wow! What a great friend to give you such a special gift!

 

[pbcg]

Wow! What a great friend to give you such a special gift!

Absolutely!

He's also the same friend who gave me my first "quality knife" an original Benchmade AFCK that I still have, and got me into knives so to speak. Until then I used to regard pocket knives as disposable because the ones I had didn't tend to last very long lol.

Yes, a very good and dear friend indeed!

 

[pnsxyr]

Thank you.

I see you noticed the very slight differences in the blades. The original first generation Stryker blades retained the Prototype design but were replaced very early on in production with the second generation blade design.

Second generation but still early model Strykers (pic 2 satin blade). You can see that they have a 'Nub" or protrusion after the serrations end followed by a relief cut. Also, the blades are not interchangeable.

I guess that was the "improvement" over the first generation blades, but as you noted the original blades are very rare indeed and I also prefer the look design wise.

I will have to keep my eyes out for one of the earlier ones...I did not realize they made a few production models with it!

I was really sad when the first Strykers I saw in person did not retain that proto blade. To me it was kind of like the RH Spanto became later on, with some similarities to the Chu and Ko Kissaki...from what I have read, that is really one of the best configurations for a knife that doubles as both a weapon and a tool, and I've read this is what the more modern Kissaki ultimately evolved to as it improved on functional qualities. I absolutely love the Spanto for a hard-work blade and what you have on your proto looks very similar in terms of the core design (although the Stryker is a bit thinner and I imagine it is a wicked penetrator). I agree that cosmetically the grind lines are very appealing and in a way it captures both the tanto and a spear point in one.