Considering Strider and ZT, what else should I be looking at?

T

TFin04

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Aug 21, 2005
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Hey guys, looking at a large, hard use folder. I like designs from both Strider and ZT, and especially their 'you break it, we replace it' warranty.

For an S30V frame lock knife, should I be considering any others that are similar to these two? I like the Sebenza's as well, but they seem to be more of a high end gents knife than a purpose built hard use folder.

Thoughts? Whatever I buy will get abused. Keep that in mind when making a recommendation. :)
 
I think you'd have a very hard time breaking the Sebenza or the Umnumzaan in normal use of a knife. what will you be doing with the knife to abuse it? anything extreme should be done with a fixed blade. you might also want to consider yuna knives and the xm-18
 
If you like the sebenza but want more use out of it, look into the Bradley Alias I (large) and Alias II (small) they look like the sebenza have s30v, ti handles, but they arn't as well put together, and they are half the price. But you would be more apt to use it.


Also if you want a really large blade, look into the Benchmade LFK. it is huge...
 
I wrote a review on my SNG in the review section... and there are a few others there as well. Def. worth a look... my vote goes SnG or Umnumzaan.. I went with the SnG because of the warranty... and the zt350 too, because of the price...
 
If you don't mind a lockback, take a look at some of the large folders from Extrema Ratio. They make some very heavy duty knives.
 
Extrema ratio makes basically the king of folding prybars.

I think the pinnacle of the hard use folder is probably the rick hinderer xm-18 hard to get you hands on one but i dont think ive ever heard from anyone that they are less than exceptional.

Every strider i have ever handled has been top-notch btw. I dont currently own one of their folders but i will eventuallyacquire a few.
 
I doubt Strider's folders are any tougher than Sebenzas or Umnumzaans. I know my PT appears weaker and arrived with a lot more problems than my Small Sebenzas.
 
Unless you have alot of money to burn, get yourself a ZT 0200...That's a great folder...I have a pair of 'em.
 
I like the Sebenza's as well, but they seem to be more of a high end gents knife than a purpose built hard use folder.
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I don't know where you got the idea that the Sebenza is more of a gents knife that a hard use folder. The Sebenza is one of the ultimate hard use folders. The name even means work knife. The Sebenza is a cuting tool. It has good edge geometry and is easily maintained. CRK's warrentry is amoung the best in the buisness.
I don't think you could go wrong with a Sebenza or Strider SNG. I've got both. The only thing with the Striders I don't care for is they are kind of "gritty" new and the folders take a few hundred openings to smooth out.
 
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I will here give a pointer to an awesome European alternative that really impresses everyone who held it: the Pohl Force Alpha Two (LINK to the official site, and when you click "Partner" you'll find a USA dealer). It was designed by the highly experienced Dietmar Pohl in consultation with various military and outdoor sports/survival units - hence you can use it with gloves. If I am correct, the (semi-serrated) tactical version is used by German soldiers in Afghanistan now. I have the near-identical Alpha One predecessor. it offers an amazingly sturdy lockback and totally overbuilt construction. Indeed, even my ZT200 seems almost like an average knife next to it. The lock feels even sturdier than the lockback of my big Spyderco Manix which is a reference in that matter. Being made (to a really high standard) in Taiwan, it's not overly high priced. There are various clever construction details like a pivot screw that you can adjust with a coin, or normal screws for the rest of the handle - handy if you don't have a torx around in the field. Even a fold-out manual and a quality assurance certificate signed by Mr. Pohl is included. On some pictures you see it without a thumbstud, and indeed you have to mount it yourself. It's at least in Europe delivered with the thumbstud in a little bag for legal reasons as it's legal in Germany to carry such a beast of a knife as long as it's a two hand knife :)
There is at first sight one caveat: the steel is (properly hardened) 440C. It does work really well though and I once read that reasoning is that in the field it's still doable to sharpen and it's pretty rust-resistant.
It's really worth checking out, in my opinion!

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I'm not saying the Sebbie isn't up to the work, but if I manage to break a knife I want the warranty saying I can get it fixed.

It will be used for rescue work and possibly heading to the sandbox. From the Sebbies and Striders I've held, I prefer the Strider for that kind of work.

I'll look into the other ones posted here, thanks for the input so far.
 
TFin04 said:
I'm not saying the Sebbie isn't up to the work, but if I manage to break a knife I want the warranty saying I can get it fixed.

It will be used for rescue work and possibly heading to the sandbox. From the Sebbies and Striders I've held, I prefer the Strider for that kind of work.

I'll look into the other ones posted here, thanks for the input so far.
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Personally I prefer Strider, I have 3 SmF's and can confirm they are tough enough for yeah. :thumbup:
 
TFin04 said:
I'm not saying the Sebbie isn't up to the work, but if I manage to break a knife I want the warranty saying I can get it fixed.

It will be used for rescue work and possibly heading to the sandbox. From the Sebbies and Striders I've held, I prefer the Strider for that kind of work.

I'll look into the other ones posted here, thanks for the input so far.
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If it were me going into the sandbox I would definitely go with the Sebbie because of it's ease of cleaning and they even give you the tool to do it. IMO Striders warranty is no better than CRKs. I was told by Strider that they no longer cover abuse in their warranty and furthermore I just recieved a Strider that came messed up so I sent it in over a month ago and after countless emails and several calls I haven't event got a ETA on when it will be done or what payment they accept for return shipping. As oppsed to CRK who returns all emails or calls the same day of they are in that day. My pocket clip got bent out of shape on my 21 and CRK had it back to me in less than a week with no charge for the clip which was clearly my fault.

But it is your money and ultimately up to you.
 
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