Can anyone tell me about this brown damascus? (M. Strider)

DesertDweller

DesertDweller

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May 5, 2005
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391
Hi All -

I've had this custom SMF for years. I'm not well-versed in Strider knives but understand this brown damascus is a pretty rare beast. I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me anything about it. How was it made? How many were made with this damascus? Anything else? Thanks!


 
You will find that Striders are easy to sell here.
You can definitely get in touch with Dwyer, I had him call me a year ago when I was looking into SM-100 so ... at least a year ago... he was not completely off the map...email from his site will probably come back as "T. Dwyer" .... I think you are right that it is absurdly valuable so worth either getting in touch with him or one of the big consignment sites that have a vested interest in seeing you get top dollar for it. I have his number if you do your homework and can't get in touch but I think all I did was send an email to the website and he got back to me within a week or two. I
His number has a 760 area code, I don't think its a big secret or anything but out of respect don't want to just publicly post.
 
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DesertDweller said:
Hi All -

I've had this custom SMF for years. I'm not well-versed in Strider knives but understand this brown damascus is a pretty rare beast. I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me anything about it. How was it made? How many were made with this damascus? Anything else? Thanks!


https://i.imgur.com/ed1TrZV.jpg[/img]']
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Bladeforums isn't exactly strider friendly, and for good reason. Check this thread created by bladeforums owner:

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/mick-strider-has-some-explaining-to-do.453852/
 
Maybe I am missing something, but I don't know why you would contact Dwyer for a Strider custom. Strider has a website and I believe a facebook or instagram forum as well as their presence on USN. The forums may have the knowledge, but Mick Strider would be the best contact.
Good luck
 
Very few people are still interested in the drama which has little bearing on the current resale value of the knives, Striders sell fast here.
Dwyer was able to help me with valuing one of my Striders and his opinion was pretty spot on.

I was under the impression that when that knife was made they were still working closely with each other. And also because he is easier to get in touch with and might be able to help not only with value but passing along a message.
 
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Peter Hartwig said:
Maybe I am missing something, but I don't know why you would contact Dwyer for a Strider custom. Strider has a website and I believe a facebook or instagram forum as well as their presence on USN. The forums may have the knowledge, but Mick Strider would be the best contact.
Good luck
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I don't use Instagram or Facebook, but I guess I am in the minority there. I didn't have much luck getting in touch through his site but I only sent one maybe 2 messages.
 
ElementalBreakdown said:
I don't use Instagram or Facebook, but I guess I am in the minority there. I didn't have much luck getting in touch through his site but I only sent one maybe 2 messages.
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I don't use them either, but have heard others refer to the site.
and you may be right about Dwyer having the needed knowledge(certainly on the Damascus). It just wouldn't be where I would start-but if all else fails, why not
 
He's very good about getting back to people which is why I suggested it. It's not like I am even a customer, and considering that he is pretty well known I just really appreciated the fact he was so attentive.
 
When this knife was made, I think there was still a lot of collaboration going on between the 2. I'm not suggesting Mick would not be able or willing to give lots of info, but just like any project you do with one of your buddies, I am sure that Dwyer could add something to the conversation about the composition, history, etc.
But that's an enthusiast's angle- I wouldn't be looking to get rid of this knife it it were mine, and I would want to know as much as possible about it.
 
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The most knowledgeable and "inside" Strider community on the web right now is the FB group. I understand and agree with people's reasons for not using FB or Instagram and felt the same way until a friend showed me the expanded world of knives using them unlocks. I don't post any personal information on either. Hell, there's not even a picture of my face on the IG. If you look at them strictly as gateways to knife forums, I think there's a lot of value to be had.

I wouldn't sell a knife like that without running it past the official FB group. It's one of the most generous and helpful knife communities I know of. If you make a post with those pictures there people will help you not get ripped off. For a knife like that the group would self police any scamming or low balling. When you find a price you'll be able to get it that day most likely as well.
 
ElementalBreakdown said:
Very few people are still interested in the drama which has little bearing on the current resale value of the knives, Striders sell fast here.
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The "drama" that you speak of is stolen valor, one of the lowest of the low things out there. That sort of scumbag behavior will always be relevant here. Go ahead and ask the owner of bladeforums.

Also, it pertains specifically as to why the OP won't get the best answers for the questions asked here...

And speaking of those questions, none of them were about value. Not sure why people are bringing that up. Try reading the OP again.
 
Just answer the frickin' question about the knife.

If a post is not on topic, ignore it. Do not call people names.
 
Like all Strider knives, its primarily a "choil" with a high performance "handle" that manages to incorporate a small portion of sharpened edge.
 
elasmonut said:
Like all Strider knives, its primarily a "choil" with a high performance "handle" that manages to incorporate a small portion of sharpened edge.
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No fan of strider here, but what you described is most Spydercos, are you as direct about your review of those as well?
 
I would say your best course of action is to email Josh Lee at Strider knives. He is Mick’s right hand man and will most likely know everything there is to know about it. That is, if you don’t want to go the Facebook/Instagram route. josh@striderknives.com is his email.

Unfortunately I don’t know much about your knife. Even though this is a full custom I can tell that it was probably made during the “second generation” of the SMF based on the flame pattern on the lock side, the fact that it has an LBS, and that the LBS is stamped Hinderer. I believe that the Gen-2 style SMFs started to be made in mid 2005. I’m not sure how long that generation lasted so it might not have been made specifically in that year but it is old. I also believe that particular blade grind is on the older side as they haven’t been shaped that way in a long time. It’s also pretty rare to see it on an SMF.

Edit to add: it’s definitely not any older than 2005. The DET-1 SMF’s as well as the first generation civilian SMF folders did not have LBS buttons on them and those were made in 2004 and earlier.
 
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The OP did not bring up anything regarding the legacy of Strider knives. He was just asking about the pattern welded steel on his very nice and very valuable knife. Try not to disrespect him. He didn't do anything wrong.
 
Yo Mama said:
No fan of strider here, but what you described is most Spydercos, are you as direct about your review of those as well?
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Oh yeah mate! Both companies make quality knives, but I chose the spydie Resilience over the military, because ...no "choil" lol
 
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