Can't Decide: Sebenza or Strider?

L

L84Cabo

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Nov 1, 2008
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I'm looking for a knife with a 3" - 3.5" blade. I THINK i've narrowed it down to either a Sebenza (small or large) or Strider (SNG or PT). I haven't handled either yet. Knife will see use in everything from EDC in urban settings (around the house and town) to backpacking and whatever else life happens to thorw at me. I know both are quality knives. The Sebenza is probably more refined and the Strider will see me through the appocalypse, zombie attacks, etc.

I suspect that once I actually handle them, I will be able to make up my mind. But that aside...any comments, opinions, etc. would be appreciate.

Peace
 
I like the Sebenza. I think they are hard to beat and if you scratch them up very bad you can send them back and for a small fee they will make them look like new. I like the way they carry in your pocket. If you have big hands you may want the large. Good luck! Kevin :thumbup:
 
I don't have either one, but if I had the choice, I'd take a Sebenza.

However, if you plan on giving your knife hard, abusive use, go with the Strider. I just can't see abusing a Sebenza, but the Strider is made for it. Sounds like you already know that... "The Sebenza is probably more refined and the Strider will see me through the appocalypse, zombie attacks, etc."
 
If you want to pry, get a pry bar, if you want to cut, get a Sebenza. If you want a Strider, get a Strider, but I don't really know what it would be good for assuming you don't plan to reprofile the factory edge, which I can't recall seeing any Strider owner do.
 
each is very tough and made from quality materials.

they generally appeal to people for very different reasons. i have one of each, large sebbie, sng cc. i like them both, but the sebbie gets far more carry time.

the sng is not as carry friendly, it is wider and slightly thicker.

the strider blade also has a thicker tip, so i find the sebbie better at everyday cutting tasks.
 
I have a small plain 2001 Sebby - BG42 steel , and it is and has been a EDC for years.
I also have a tiger stripe SNG . The Strider is not EDC , as it is a larger knife, and build Tough. It is a brute of a knife in looks , and in function. It does what it says on the tin !

For all hard use , both will do the job, indoors and outside. Choose one for wht you want it to do.

The Sebby is more sheeple friendly, but amongst knife friends , the Strider gets the nod , as it looks so up to any tasks.

Moneywise , they are both expensive , but you get value for money.:D
 
You can/will listen to a million opinions but truth is you'll never really know until you get both so start saving.. you can sell other one once you decide and not loose much money. THEN you'll start wondering if maybe the xm-18 is better?
 
Anyone have the popcorn? he he. buy what appeals to you the most, you are going to use it.
 
If you want a 3" or longer blade, the PT is out. That one is a small knife. The blade is about 2 1/2" and the cutting edge is more like 2 1/4".

I've had all of the models you mentioned in both brands. I still have and use the Sebbies daily (both sizes). I've found that a small regular Sebenza is capable of doing 90% - 95% of the cutting I do, and that's after 55+ years of carrying and using a knife. Any knife task more than that can be handled by a large Sebenza. If they can't do it, then I go to the camp axe. I don't even have any FBs anymore.

The Sebenza is simple, strong, easy to use and maintain, and easy to d/a & r/a. There's nothing more that I want in a folder than that.
 
Well said Dale. :thumbup:

Both cut well, both carry well, both are as strong as anyone should need in a folding knife.

A SNG has the same cutting edge of a small Sebbie, but is as long as a large Sebbie. (just thought I would throw that out)

I do love a Regular Sebenza, but I carry a SNG more these days. The CC or GG SNGs are very thin, and a little lighter than the normal "blockier" SNGs. I also do not like the way Chris heat treats his S30V so will only buy stainless Damascus or BG42 Sebenzas. I do like Strider's heat treat on S30, so that's another very small thing, to consider. Please don't take me wrong there is nothing "wrong" with Chris's heat treat, I just think he could bump up the RC a little.... Then there are the story's of chipping with Chris's S30. It has never been a personal problem, but its hard to believe all the people reporting on it are making it up?

Just rambling here please bear with me. :o

A SNG is very hard to beat after it goes through its break in period. With the CC or GG they are very thin in the pocket, very light and pack a very tough knife in that thin and light package. More handle makes for great leverage when you need it. Reprofiling makes it a great cutter. (IMO Sebbies also need reprofiling to be good cutters) The SNG has a stronger clip, you can snag a pallet's shrink wrap and twist a Sebbies clip way up and off the scale,with the SNG it will take much more force to pull it up and off the scale. Also I can pry with a SNG and not worry about breaking it, for the cost of shipping Strider will fix what ever I can do to it. That's kind of nice. Yes I do pry with folders in this class, same with a XM. You pay extra, to get extra. :cool:

Sebbies bring you the very best folding cutting tool money can buy (I like the BG Sebbies the best), and Strider brings the lightest thinnest (CC or GG) tough guy folder money can buy. If you break the Sebbie they will fix it on YOUR dime, if you break the Strider they will fix it on THEIR dime.

One more little thing, with Strider offering stonewashed blades the SNG does not have to look so mall ninja-ish. ;)

After work I will post some photos of both knives :cool:
 
Last edited:
Lycosa said:
OK, L84---Which knife did you decide on? :)
Click to expand...

Hehe...I want both! Duh. I'm really gonna need to find a store that carries them and check them out in person before I make up my mind.

And to that end, what is up with Strider? I live in San Diego...they're made in San Diego...but I couldn't find a single dealer on their website that was in San Diego. And Striders website is terrible. Anyone know a store in this town that carries Strider...or better...both so I could compare them side by side?

Thanks for all the comments!

Peace
 
Buy Both... Have twice the fun! Like making amore with 2 beautiful women:D I picked a LE sebbie and a digitanto sng... The SNG gets my nod but I have love for the sebbie too.
 
If you have some weekend time Plaza Cutlery just up the 5 freeway to the 405 has both knives and then some. I recently picked a SMF over a Sebby or SnG and I got the original large G10 and titanium handle. It's very personal preference and how do you expect to rely on warranty, are you gentle or will you really push the knife?
 
You've already got lots of advice.. One thing I would add, is that the "out of box" experience was very different between the two knives. When my Sebenza was first unboxed, it was perfect. There was no breaking in of the knife required at all.

My Strider on the other hand had me swearing for the first week I had it, and it wasn't until I got past that initial experience that I "got it". The main problem was that the frame lock would engage so hard that it was actually quite difficult to dis engage. Add to that a less than smooth experience when extending the blade, and I was finding myself putting it away and going back to my Sebenza. After the first week though, everything works perfectly, and I find myself using both equally.

You can't really go wrong with either knife. I have to admit though, that I'm still impressed by the Sebenza every time I use it.
 
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