I've been intrigued by this folder since it was first announced, since it appears to combine some of the best features of two of my favorite folders - Spyderco Military and Strider SMF (though this folder is SNG-sized). When the plain-edged version was offered - in the same price class as the Military - I couldn't resist buying one.
First Impressions:
- A nice combination of properties of the Military (lock) and Strider SNG (strength), with blade ergos of both.
- Smooth lock operation.
- Perfectly centered closed blade.
- Secure lock-up with no blade play in any dimension.
Disassembly:
Sorry - not on this folder! The four spacers are secured by four rivets.
Adjustments are limited to pivot-tension adjustment by T10 Torx bit, and clip is reversible for either-hand carry.
Some Carry Properties:
- Weight: 5.275 ounces.
- Width: .600 inches (not including clip).
Pocket clip is conventional 3-bend spoon-end steel clip, attached by three screws - for tip-up carry by either right- or left-handed users (three extra clip-attachment screws are installed in the unclipped-side scale). Thumb-opening is ambidextrous via elongated thumb-hole and/or dual thumb studs.
FRN scales are quite sharply-checkered - expect some fabric-wear due to abrasion by the sharp scale checkering under the clip. Clip tension is high, so you're not likely to lose this knife - but some may want to smooth the scale beneath the clip to reduce fabric wear where the knife is clipped. About 1" of the knife is exposed above the pocket.
Some Structural Properties:
- Scale thickness: About .15" (Some of this thickness is scale-texture).
- Liner thickness: .050".
- Blade stock thickness: .150".
- Pivot (I believe) is essentially the sturdy pivot of the Gen 1 SNG (Not the stronger bull-pivot of current Striders).
- Dual phophor-bronze pivot washers.
- Four stainless spacers - firmly riveted in place.
- Open-back design for easy cleaning.
There are folders with more robust construction than this folder - but none I'm aware of in this price class.
Liner Lock Operation:
- Smooth thumb-opening.
- Easy One-hand closing.
- Fast inertia-opening possible.
Liner-lock operating characteristics are essentially identical to the excellent Military liner lock. Liner-locking arm (.050" thick) snaps firmly in place about 1/3 of the way across the radiused butt of the blade - with plenty of room for long-term wear - whether eased open or inertia-opened. Blade lock-up is solid with no blade-play in any dimension. Attempts to unlock this knife be spine-whacking or attempting to torque the knife open will just tire you out.
The exposure of the liner lock lever is perfect in my opinion - accidental unlocking is not likely. Blade-detent provides initial resistance to opening - an important consideration in a knife designed for tip-up carry. I consider this knife quite safe for tip-up carry.
The Blade:
Two excellent blade-ergonomics features combine to provide excellent fine-cutting control:
- Choil cut-out to accomodate forefinger.
- Seriously non-skid milling on the blade spine for firm thumb purchase.
Spear-point blade shape with a large-wheel-radius partial hollow-grind. This hollow-grind is very shallow - almost a double-flat grind. Grind-height varies from 11/16" at blade base to 1/2" near the tip - for a stronger tip. Blade-flats are carried to within 1/2" of the blade-tip, combining a strong blade-tip with a strong blade body approaching pry-bar strength. Sharpened edge is 3" length.
Blade material is ATS34, with Paul Bos heat treating. The edge-grind is perfectly balanced and complete, with a subtle change in included-angle edge taper toward the tip - for a more durable edge near the blade-tip. I suspect that these blades are edged at the Strider factory - since my SMF blade was edged similarly.
The blade-flats are stippled. I really don't know the designer's intent of this stipling treatment - perhaps Mr. Tarani could enlighten us.
The Grip:
I found grip security excellent for my medium-size hand. The sharp scale-checkering enhances grip security. My preferred grip method for most cutting with this knife is with forefinger in the choil cut-out and thumb along the blade-spine, providing outstanding cutting control. For even better fine cutting control, place your middle finger in the choil cut-out and place your forefinger on the blade spine near the tip.
Summary:
- Outstanding blade ergonomics.
- Outstanding heavy-cutter blade.
- Outstanding grip ergonomics.
- Outstanding value.
- Robust construction.
- Excellent lock operation.
- Safe for tip-up carry.
- Ambidextrous carry and use flexibility.
- Good overall build quality.
Reservations:
- Riveted spacers - tinkerers need not apply.
- Some may find the scale checkering uncomfortably sharp.
I consider this knife one of the best heavy-duty folder values available ($112 shipped). If you've been curious about Strider folders, but hesitant about Strider prices, the Buck Strider Tarani folder is an excellent and inexpensive introduction. This knife is the plain-edge version.
First Impressions:
- A nice combination of properties of the Military (lock) and Strider SNG (strength), with blade ergos of both.
- Smooth lock operation.
- Perfectly centered closed blade.
- Secure lock-up with no blade play in any dimension.
Disassembly:
Sorry - not on this folder! The four spacers are secured by four rivets.
Adjustments are limited to pivot-tension adjustment by T10 Torx bit, and clip is reversible for either-hand carry.
Some Carry Properties:
- Weight: 5.275 ounces.
- Width: .600 inches (not including clip).
Pocket clip is conventional 3-bend spoon-end steel clip, attached by three screws - for tip-up carry by either right- or left-handed users (three extra clip-attachment screws are installed in the unclipped-side scale). Thumb-opening is ambidextrous via elongated thumb-hole and/or dual thumb studs.
FRN scales are quite sharply-checkered - expect some fabric-wear due to abrasion by the sharp scale checkering under the clip. Clip tension is high, so you're not likely to lose this knife - but some may want to smooth the scale beneath the clip to reduce fabric wear where the knife is clipped. About 1" of the knife is exposed above the pocket.
Some Structural Properties:
- Scale thickness: About .15" (Some of this thickness is scale-texture).
- Liner thickness: .050".
- Blade stock thickness: .150".
- Pivot (I believe) is essentially the sturdy pivot of the Gen 1 SNG (Not the stronger bull-pivot of current Striders).
- Dual phophor-bronze pivot washers.
- Four stainless spacers - firmly riveted in place.
- Open-back design for easy cleaning.
There are folders with more robust construction than this folder - but none I'm aware of in this price class.
Liner Lock Operation:
- Smooth thumb-opening.
- Easy One-hand closing.
- Fast inertia-opening possible.
Liner-lock operating characteristics are essentially identical to the excellent Military liner lock. Liner-locking arm (.050" thick) snaps firmly in place about 1/3 of the way across the radiused butt of the blade - with plenty of room for long-term wear - whether eased open or inertia-opened. Blade lock-up is solid with no blade-play in any dimension. Attempts to unlock this knife be spine-whacking or attempting to torque the knife open will just tire you out.
The exposure of the liner lock lever is perfect in my opinion - accidental unlocking is not likely. Blade-detent provides initial resistance to opening - an important consideration in a knife designed for tip-up carry. I consider this knife quite safe for tip-up carry.
The Blade:
Two excellent blade-ergonomics features combine to provide excellent fine-cutting control:
- Choil cut-out to accomodate forefinger.
- Seriously non-skid milling on the blade spine for firm thumb purchase.
Spear-point blade shape with a large-wheel-radius partial hollow-grind. This hollow-grind is very shallow - almost a double-flat grind. Grind-height varies from 11/16" at blade base to 1/2" near the tip - for a stronger tip. Blade-flats are carried to within 1/2" of the blade-tip, combining a strong blade-tip with a strong blade body approaching pry-bar strength. Sharpened edge is 3" length.
Blade material is ATS34, with Paul Bos heat treating. The edge-grind is perfectly balanced and complete, with a subtle change in included-angle edge taper toward the tip - for a more durable edge near the blade-tip. I suspect that these blades are edged at the Strider factory - since my SMF blade was edged similarly.
The blade-flats are stippled. I really don't know the designer's intent of this stipling treatment - perhaps Mr. Tarani could enlighten us.
The Grip:
I found grip security excellent for my medium-size hand. The sharp scale-checkering enhances grip security. My preferred grip method for most cutting with this knife is with forefinger in the choil cut-out and thumb along the blade-spine, providing outstanding cutting control. For even better fine cutting control, place your middle finger in the choil cut-out and place your forefinger on the blade spine near the tip.
Summary:
- Outstanding blade ergonomics.
- Outstanding heavy-cutter blade.
- Outstanding grip ergonomics.
- Outstanding value.
- Robust construction.
- Excellent lock operation.
- Safe for tip-up carry.
- Ambidextrous carry and use flexibility.
- Good overall build quality.
Reservations:
- Riveted spacers - tinkerers need not apply.
- Some may find the scale checkering uncomfortably sharp.
I consider this knife one of the best heavy-duty folder values available ($112 shipped). If you've been curious about Strider folders, but hesitant about Strider prices, the Buck Strider Tarani folder is an excellent and inexpensive introduction. This knife is the plain-edge version.
