Carbidizing your Strider: Yes or no?

V

VolundoftheForge

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Jan 3, 2012
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Hey guys, what do you think: Is it a good or bad idea to carbidize/have carbidized the lock-bar on your strider? Pretty sure Strider won't fix your knife if you do this, but is it worth the risk?
 
If you want to void your warranty, then go right ahead. Straight fom their website.

"If you purchase a used knife that has been modified in any way you buy at your own risk and we STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU DO NOT BUY "PIMPED" folders because 90% of them are ruined beyond normal repair and it will cost just as much to fix them as it would to purchase a new knife"
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I wouldnt because you might need the warranty some day, if it was some cheapo knife then sure but when its a 400+$ knife i think your best leaving it be.
 
Good points. I'm not sure how fast titanium wears before and after carbidization, so I wasn't sure if there was a huge benefit. Mine has the old lock-up.
 
VolundoftheForge said:
Good points. I'm not sure how fast titanium wears before and after carbidization, so I wasn't sure if there was a huge benefit. Mine has the old lock-up.
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ti wearing is like a car tire (kinda) But itll be along time before it wears to the point of replacement
 
VolundoftheForge said:
Good points. I'm not sure how fast titanium wears before and after carbidization, so I wasn't sure if there was a huge benefit. Mine has the old lock-up.
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ti wearing is like a car tire (kinda) But itll be along time before it wears to the point of replacement
 
chrisfa said:
ti wearing is like a car tire (kinda) But itll be along time before it wears to the point of replacement
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See, I'm more worried they won't replace it more than anything. Though I guess I could wait til that point and if they won't fix it I could have it carbidized and customized since it'll be useless. :P
 
VolundoftheForge said:
See, I'm more worried they won't replace it more than anything. Though I guess I could wait til that point and if they won't fix it I could have it carbidized and customized since it'll be useless. :P
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Im pretty sure that if the lock bar completely wears out they will replace it due to defective workmanship. The lockbar isnt supposed to just wear out like that. Even on cheapie knives with cheap grade ti like the ti fender or even china knockoffs the ti doesn't just noticeably wear out.

It is softer then steel thats true. But its like comparing oak to maple flooring. Sure maple is the harder of the 2 but oak makes a fine floor too.
 
I would find a GOOD customizer that can do a ceramic ball insertion to the lock bar, and can re-cut the engagement face to match, much like CRK is doing now.

If you're going to void the warranty, do it with style!
 
Not worth it. So you carbidize it, and then the lockup isn't what needs repairing when something goes wrong... You're SOL when Strider will fix most anything that doesn't involve deliberately damaging or altering your knife. Part of paying 500 bucks for that SMF is knowing that should it ever fail in any way, SKI will make it right.
 
Ive had a few striders and it seems like the only problem any of mine ever had were lockup issues...if carbidizing fixes the only problem, it should never need to be sent back, unless you wear out the blade or seriously abuse one...I say go for it! :D
 
VolundoftheForge said:
See, I'm more worried they won't replace it more than anything. Though I guess I could wait til that point and if they won't fix it I could have it carbidized and customized since it'll be useless. :P
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So why would you not send it in and get it repaired properly? Provided you can explain in detail exactly what you see wrong, included within a note and the knife; it should be fairly simple for them to repair the knife and get it back to you. They won't replace the knife, but they can and will repair it, so why not make the effort?
 
In most cases, I don't think you'll be wearing out that lock during your usage. Plus with Strider's new lock up, I think it's beneficial to allow the framelock to wear in a bit to allow a more solid lock. I find that carbidized lock faces are a bit overhyped, as the carbides themselves are just etched into the titanium meaning that they too eventually will wear out, I don't think it's worth having to add if the maker didn't include it from the beginning with a good lockup.
 
RevDevil said:
So why would you not send it in and get it repaired properly? Provided you can explain in detail exactly what you see wrong, included within a note and the knife; it should be fairly simple for them to repair the knife and get it back to you. They won't replace the knife, but they can and will repair it, so why not make the effort?
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That's what I was thinking too. ;)

So this whole thing.... I call it a thing because this thing that one will have to pay for will void the warranty on some very expensive knives so it becomes a thing..... And not needed...
 
You never know, you could void your warranty and and end up finding out you have a defective pivot and the knife could develop terrible play and could have been fixed for free but since you voided the warranty now your beat.
 
Cait_Sith said:
In most cases, I don't think you'll be wearing out that lock during your usage. Plus with Strider's new lock up, I think it's beneficial to allow the framelock to wear in a bit to allow a more solid lock. I find that carbidized lock faces are a bit overhyped, as the carbides themselves are just etched into the titanium meaning that they too eventually will wear out, I don't think it's worth having to add if the maker didn't include it from the beginning with a good lockup.
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Mine's the old lock-up.
 
Given Striders warranty, id hold off on doing any mods yourself. As has already been stated, part of what makes the knife so attractive (to me anyway) is the warranty. I like knowing that if I break a knife, they will fix it. Remember, these guys are knife makers who have been doing it a long time... they know what they're doing. I say leave well enough alone... Just MHO...

Cheers!
:thumbup:
 
The_Guide said:
Given Striders warranty, id hold off on doing any mods yourself. As has already been stated, part of what makes the knife so attractive (to me anyway) is the warranty. I like knowing that if I break a knife, they will fix it. Remember, these guys are knife makers who have been doing it a long time... they know what they're doing. I say leave well enough alone... Just MHO...

Cheers!
:thumbup:
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Thing is, I like having a knife that I can open and close and play with, and knowing they're going to cap the thumb studs and probably make it look rather ugly doesn't appeal to me. I'd rather pay $100 or so for a new lock-side honestly.
 
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