Does anyone share my appreciation for Strider Knives, or just Frame Locks?

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XTCbladework

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Dec 5, 2013
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Mick Strider. The name that changed my understanding for what a quality folding blade knife was, and started my stride towards my goal in finding the best EDC Framelock, in existence. I haven't Had many Strider Knives, and if someone who hashappens to pass over this post i'd like you to comment and tell me everything you think about them. :D

:foot::foot::foot::foot::eek::eek::eek::eek::foot::foot::foot:

Do not fret, if you have anything against frame locks, i would really like to know. just for the sh@#$ n giggles.
 
Frame locks are sweet, but axis locks are stronger, and much less likely to fail/wear poorly, from what I've heard... That being said, I only own framelocks :) a strider sng being one of them. It is my favorite knife that I've ever handled. Over a sebenza, umnumzaan, some brous's ZTs, benchmades, and spydercos!
 
The thing I like about framelocks is how clean and simple they can be. I've got some with bells and whistles, but my favourites are the plain ones like my Sebenza, TR3 Integrity, etc. Just two slabs of titanium a blade and as few screws as posible.

I don't worry too much about one locking system being better than the next, I use a lot of different locks (as well as slipjoints) and haven't had issues with the lock on any quality folder (I did have two Buck linerlocks fail).
 
I will play devil's advocate. I have a few Striders and they are fine knives, but in my experience they have a tendency to develop bladeplay because the blade tang is harder than the titanium lock face. I prefer frame locks that have been carbidized to reduce wear (Hinderer) or frame locks with steel inserts. And prefer a compression lock or triad over frame locks. Still love frame locks though and you can't really go wrong with Stider since if you ever do have issues they will fix it completely.
 
I love frame locks, strider being one of them. Super strong but the blade geometry make it a cutter rather then a slicer. If I had to out in the wilderness for a time that is the blade I would like to be carrying.
 
Strider, CRK are great. I've had customs, like Jim Burke that were outstanding.
Yeah, I like 'em a lot.
 
Strider has some of the most comfortable knives to hold. They just feel right in your hand with the forward choils and since they have the SMF, SNG, and PT there is a knife to fit everyones hands. They only have a few different models but each model has a ton of variations from blade steels and coatings to handle textures, colors and finishes. The PT is my favorite since I prefer smaller folders and the only other folders to give my PT a run for pocket time is my small Seb.
 
I prefer frame locks. Of all the folding knives in my collection I carry my frame locks the most. The Strider SnG I had was a very, very comfortable knife. I'll eventually get another one.
 
I love the 14 Striders I have. Which is about 12 too many, but I can't bring myself to part with any. Great design, great feel in the hand and the best on the market today. Not to put down any other maker, I have Hinderer, CRK, Spyderco, BenchMade and ZT's in my collection. Of all the knives I have, the Strider is the only knife designed to protect the user against getting cut closing the knife. The finger grip on the blade is away from the cutting edge and has a tip that prevents your finger from slipping off during use if you are choked up on the knife. The tip is what protects you from getting cut when closing the knife.
The best EDC in existence can only be determined by the individual and the end use for them. Out of all the knives I have, I carry a Strider every day and rotate a few of the others to justify my obsession with good quality knives.
 
I agree, if you're looking for a slicer from strider, go the SJ75 route. Able to pass as a hard use knife but able to slice through clean with a nice thinly ground hollow grind that makes it a laser once reprofiled. I can never get over the secure feeling of the front forward choil on the SNG though.
 
The rules in this forum don't allow me to tell you what I think of Strider and what a piece of work he is.:thumbdn:

I'm not a fan of framelocks, there are some well designed knives that use framelocks, some from well known and respected knife manufacturers that perform well and others that I would not use unless my tasks only called for cutting string, the same could be said for liner locks. Overall, I am a fan of ambidextrous locks as I am ambidextrous myself and left hand dominant.
 
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Thousands and tens of thousands of people love framelocks and especially TI-Framelocks. I like the beefy look and feel, but I like all kinds of locks and knives as well.
 
As others have stated, the Striders are ergonomic and fun to use on a daily basis, etc., but.....they do have the slightest blade play from either the lock face geometry or stop pin only contacting the titanium lock-side. Hinderers' lock geometry is rock solid without any stickiness. But I do like to use my Striders more.


 
Took one in a trade several years ago thinking for the bucks they charge there must be something to it. There wasn't.
 
I heard all the stories about Striders having blade play, poor fit and finish, dull can't get them sharp, made by Satan himself, so I tried a new SMF to see for myself and it's probably the tightest locking frame-lock I own. The blade is dead centered, Lock-up tight, both stop pins are flush, fit and finish is very good, shaving sharp on delivery, I can't complain. Maybe Strider is the Devil, but this SMF I have is up there in quality. They are supposedly are a lot better these days than they were in the past.

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As to the broader question about frame locks, one of my three Spyderco Military's is titanium with the Reeve Integrated Lock and steel insert. It locks up just fine but no better than my standard Milis which are much lighter. Thus you gain "coolness" but lose the benefits of the light weight. When I get around to selling a bunch of my tactical style knives the Ti Mili will be the first to go.
 
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