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

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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Since it'll be put to such hard use, and possibly over there the 'sandbox', I think the Seb is the way to go because of its simplicity, ease of maintenance, cleaning and (dis-)/(re-)assembly. Quite simply, other than a fixed blade, there is no easier knife to break down to clean and tune, then put back toether... CORRECTLY! Also, if you are out in the trenches and it fails, even the best warranty is pretty much useless until you can actually get to a mailbox. With a Seb, you at least have a chance at fixing it yourself becuase it is so simple to begin with, and easy to break down, tinker with, then reassemble.

And anyone who has owned both Sebs and Striders will tell you that a Sebenza is just as "tough" as a Strider... regardless of one's perceptions and opinions, and regardless of Strider's somewhat inflated mythology. If you have used both, and taken both apart to see how they are put together and with what materials, their similar merits become apparent.

But I cannot speak from experience when it comes to Hinderers, Yunas and ZTs (don't forget their Mudd knives). Good luck.
 
IMO if your looking at rescue work and the sand box the ZT 0500 can't be beat, but if you have the money an XM-18 is a serious contender and if you are Fire/EMT or Military you can order direct from rick.

Also any one saying that a sebbie is as strong as a strider is either in denial or on crack, the hollow ground blade is no where near as strong as the flat ground strider blades, heck my sebbies blade is only 1/2 as thick as the blade on my SMF.
Each is excellent in its own right and neither is better than the other, but each has its strong points and its weak points, and playing in the sand box IMO is a definite weak point for a sebbie as that sand is harsh and gritty and will destroy the tolerances in the blink of an eye- hence the ZT suggestion.

If you have the cash get the strider or Hinderer, if not get the ZT 0500 MUDD.
 
spidyman said:
IMO if your looking at rescue work and the sand box the ZT 0500 can't be beat, but if you have the money an XM-18 is a serious contender and if you are Fire/EMT or Military you can order direct from rick.

Also any one saying that a sebbie is as strong as a strider is either in denial or on crack, the hollow ground blade is no where near as strong as the flat ground strider blades, heck my sebbies blade is only 1/2 as thick as the blade on my SMF.
Each is excellent in its own right and neither is better than the other, but each has its strong points and its weak points, and playing in the sand box IMO is a definite weak point for a sebbie as that sand is harsh and gritty and will destroy the tolerances in the blink of an eye- hence the ZT suggestion.
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I doubt your SMF is tougher than the Umnum which would be the closest CRK equivalent in size to the SMF. BTW bigger and bulkier doesn't always equal tougher. As for you speculation on tolerances being destroyed I think you're incorrect.The tolerances being that tight will keep a lot of the junk out that your SMF would swallow up whole.And what ever minute amount that does get in the seb will be easily cleaned out. And if you think g10 and ti is stronger than full ti slabs then more power to you. Don't get me wrong I like Striders. I like their HT their ergonomics and the way they look. I just feel after my recent experience with them that their CS and QC isn't even close to being in the same league as CRK or even Spyderco.Hopefully I will get my PT back soon in acceptable condition and be loving it again. But until that happens I'm going to tell people truthfully my experience with them.
 
Having owned ZTs and a strider, I only kept the ZTs. The strider was simply not worth it IMO. It offered absolutely nothing that the 300 series of ZT didn't, and to be honest, I even liked my 0200 ZT better than the strider.
 
The Braley Alias I is a decent frame lock. It is made by Benchmade and looks a lot like the Sebenza.
 
Chris Reeve Umnumzaan:

http://www.chrisreeve.com/umnumzaan.htm

These are as tough as a folder comes. Strider cannot match the the level of quality control that CRK can. The only thing an SnG has over the Umnum is a slightly thicker blade. I can confirm, first hand, that Strider does not put a folder together as well CRK does. For that price range, you are really ripping yourself off by going with an SnG over a Sebenza or Umnumzaan.

Viennacutlery%20Bild%20765.jpg
 
Folders aren't built for "Hard use". Unless a MRE is considered tough to open..lol.
A fixed blade is. JMFHO
 
ZT0301. Tough as they come and half the cost of a Sebbie. And I like Sebbies- have had a lg since '98-still going strong, but the ZTs are folding tanks.:thumbup:
 
TFin04 said:
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. :)
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I know of no such warranty on ZT knives.

I prefer the SMF to all other knives except perhaps my Spyderco Military.
 
TFin04 said:
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. :)
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Get the new Strider AR framelock if you want something nearly unbreakable. That knife is a beast.
http://www.bluelinegear.com/images/product/medium/514_1_.jpg
 
For hard use I'd really, really recommend a fixed blade knife. You can get something like the Becker Necker or Izula which will take as much crap or more as the ZT series, and in a pocket sheath it's pretty EDCable. It's way cheaper too. Plus the RC warranty is unbeatable.
 
Guys this knife will mostly be carried stateside and I am not able to carry a fixed blade when I'm running around doing day to day stuff. Just looking for tough folders to fill the gap in a lot of areas. I have some RAT fixed blades when a fixed blade is more appropriate.

I'm pretty well set on an SNG. I do like the Military (owned one previously) and the CRK Umn but the warranty from Strider keeps bringing me back there.

As far as the ZT warranty, there is a video on Youtube from their SHOT show booth in 2008 that specifically says they don't want their customers to not use their knives in fear of breaking them, and that ZT would replace a knife that was broken. I haven't checked to see if this is in writing or not, just assumed their rep would have the correct info. That said, I've ruled ZT out anyway, as I prefer a manual knife and like the grinds, size, and weight of the other knives better.
 
TFin04 said:
Guys this knife will mostly be carried stateside and I am not able to carry a fixed blade when I'm running around doing day to day stuff. Just looking for tough folders to fill the gap in a lot of areas.

I'm pretty well set on an SNG. I do like the Military (owned one previously) and the CRK Umn but the warranty from Strider keeps bringing me back there.
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I would stick with an SnG then. :D :thumbup:
 
If I was buying a knife because of warranty then I would pick a CRK over a Strider. Sure Strider may cover everything but so will CRK within reason and CRK's customer service is head and shoulders above Strider. I have owned both and always had that nagging feelin in the back of my head, "What if I have ro send this Strider in? Will I see it again? How many weeks or months will it take?" You shouldn't have to ponder those questions about any purchase you make.
 
bobnery said:
If I was buying a knife because of warranty then I would pick a CRK over a Strider. Sure Strider may cover everything but so will CRK within reason and CRK's customer service is head and shoulders above Strider. I have owned both and always had that nagging feelin in the back of my head, "What if I have ro send this Strider in? Will I see it again? How many weeks or months will it take?" You shouldn't have to ponder those questions about any purchase you make.
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CRK has a fair warranty. If you buy a car and run it into a tree you shouldn't expect it to get replaced.

However, I feel the SnG is, regardless of the warranty, a better knife.
 
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