- Joined
- Jun 19, 2004
- Messages
- 51
Dear Forum-ites,
I am looking for a big strong folder, solidly made, easy to clean and maintain, for fairly heavy use, but one that can be carried in a pocket without needing braces to keep my trousers up.
I have narrowed down my search to a Strider SMF or a benchmade 630 skirmish. Both have the blade size and strong build I am looking for, both use a good steel and both are not too bulky for pocket size (and no I don't want a fixed blade).
I have not and never will handle either unless I purchase them, as I live in South Africa, so am dependent on gleaning what info I can.
I am well aware that the SMF markets at double the price of the Benchmade. I own a couple of Benchmades (710 in M2 and 705 in ATS34) and like them both very much. Quality is good but not near a Sebbie. It seems though you get good bang for bucks. I would happily go for the more expensive Strider if I could be convinced its build quality was much better - but several posts on different forums suggest that while robust it lacks somewhat in QC that a price tag of over $400 would seem to require, with no such aspersions on the QC of the 630. Unfortunately the special ops aura around the SMF doesn't do it for me - I need harder facts to persuade me to part with the extra bucks. Can you convince me the SMF really is the better tougher knife, built to a higher quality and standard than the benchmade, and perhaps are there other alternatives I should consider within my suggested parameters.
I am looking for a big strong folder, solidly made, easy to clean and maintain, for fairly heavy use, but one that can be carried in a pocket without needing braces to keep my trousers up.
I have narrowed down my search to a Strider SMF or a benchmade 630 skirmish. Both have the blade size and strong build I am looking for, both use a good steel and both are not too bulky for pocket size (and no I don't want a fixed blade).
I have not and never will handle either unless I purchase them, as I live in South Africa, so am dependent on gleaning what info I can.
I am well aware that the SMF markets at double the price of the Benchmade. I own a couple of Benchmades (710 in M2 and 705 in ATS34) and like them both very much. Quality is good but not near a Sebbie. It seems though you get good bang for bucks. I would happily go for the more expensive Strider if I could be convinced its build quality was much better - but several posts on different forums suggest that while robust it lacks somewhat in QC that a price tag of over $400 would seem to require, with no such aspersions on the QC of the 630. Unfortunately the special ops aura around the SMF doesn't do it for me - I need harder facts to persuade me to part with the extra bucks. Can you convince me the SMF really is the better tougher knife, built to a higher quality and standard than the benchmade, and perhaps are there other alternatives I should consider within my suggested parameters.
