Emerson vs. Strider. Help me decide.

Most regular XM-18s can be hard enough to get, looking for a slicer custom would be difficult even if you were willing to pay the extremely higher prices for them. The other option would be to get a "regular" XM-18 and have someone customize the knife for you, bringing the blade to a thinner grind. But you'll ruin the warranty if you do that and honestly, I don't see how the XM-18 would provide that much more of an advantage, if any, than the Emersons and Strider above. I EDC an XM-18 myself and have owned 3 of them, so I'm not biased against XMs. But you're talking about $575+ for the XM-18 and then extra costs for the customized grind AND ruining the warranty. It's not the route I'd take, personally.
 
Kaizen1 said:
Most regular XM-18s can be hard enough to get, looking for a slicer custom would be difficult even if you were willing to pay the extremely higher prices for them. The other option would be to get a "regular" XM-18 and have someone customize the knife for you, bringing the blade to a thinner grind. But you'll ruin the warranty if you do that and honestly, I don't see how the XM-18 would provide that much more of an advantage, if any, than the Emersons and Strider above. I EDC an XM-18 myself and have owned 3 of them, so I'm not biased against XMs. But you're talking about $575+ for the XM-18 and then extra costs for the customized grind AND ruining the warranty. It's not the route I'd take, personally.
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Except he IS in the military and he gets the retail $385 price tag from Rick directly:thumbup:.
 
Noctis3880 said:
Except he IS in the military and he gets the retail $385 price tag from Rick directly:thumbup:.
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Forgot about that. But there's still the other problems of:
-Paying the higher price for the custom and there still might be some waiting because of other LEO and Military orders
-Paying the extra money to customize the knife and ruining the warranty
 
Kaizen1 said:
Forgot about that. But there's still the other problems of:
-Paying the higher price for the custom and there still might be some waiting because of other LEO and Military orders
-Paying the extra money to customize the knife and ruining the warranty
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If he orders it directly from Rick, he should be able to request his own grind.
 
Noctis3880 said:
If he orders it directly from Rick, he should be able to request his own grind.
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sadly you cannot. From what i understand they have the blades CNC'ed out and they are all the usual spanto

custom ground blades are available ONLY at lotteries
 
If it's easy to order a custom from Rick because he's in the military, I'd suggest that as an option as well:thumbup:
 
Edwood, allow me to further muddy the waters by suggesting RJ Martin, he's got several folders in the upper end of the price range you've mentioned, and IMHO his blades are gorgeous... I've yet to handle one, but if the Kershaw Zing and Volt I've got are as good as they are, I can only imagine how killer his handbuilt pieces are...

Stay safe,
Jack
 
I have had a CQC-11 for about three years. It is the most comfortable knife I have ever had. Can't beat the ergo's. Tough, has never disappointed. I wish they made fixed blades with the same ergo's. The single bevel grind is no issue, just need to learn how to sharpen.
 
FunkMasterFlex said:
I'm guessing the Spanto grind is completely capable of stabbing through kevlar.
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No more than a regular tanto ground knife. Only real difference is that it has belly for slicing cuts.

If stabbing is the idea, I would recommend a fixed blade in 1095 steel, double-edged spear point.

Leave the folders for actual cutting tasks and get a Spyderco Military:thumbup:.
 
i have had problems with emersons lock and would only trust an hd model with frame lock if i had to stab through something tough. I have only handled a couple striders and found them to be difficult to open.

I would suggest a hinderer as well.
 
Ed asked for a Emerson or Strider recommendation.
When Strider designed the SnG, every detail for improvement was thought out; less parts, how the ti recess locking bar was milled, the bolt construction, the blade stop. Strider took the folding knife to a new level. It's obvious which folder to pic.
 
I personally prefer Strider over Emerson, because I feel Striders have better lockup and are more solid overall. It's probably worth mentioning that not all Striders are tantos. They make plenty of spear-point blades too. If shankin' bad guys through body armor was something I might need to do in a day's work, I would look into a fixed blade. Something like a Bark River STS-5. That's what it was designed for.

STS_5_With_Script.sized.jpg


Or you could just stab them in the throat. :)
 
While I do like Emerson knives, I would get an XM-18/24, or a Strider SMF. I'm just not a fan of linerlocks...and don't think I would stake my life on one. I would get an overbuilt framelock like a Strider or XM. I own both brands and my preference would be towards the XM, especially being a LEO, you'll get it for $385, which is a steal. Plus there seem to be less issues with the Hinderer's. Customer service is also supposed to be excellent, although I don't have any personal experience with Hinderer's CS. I have with Strider, and while Strider did take care of me, there was zero communication on Striders end, either by email or phone...I just stuck the knife in a box with a note, and a check for $15, and crossed my fingers. I got the knife back in ~3 weeks, ready to go. Again, I love both brands, but at least on my specimens I feel the lock up is better on the XM...beefier tip, stronger blade...(no opening hole which could be a weak spot on an SnG, SmF, a Ti liner on the non-lock side scale, and a flipper option for faster deployment. I do give a slight advantage to the Strider for Ergo's as I do like the larger choil. Anyways I don't think you can go wrong with either the Strider or Hinderer, good luck in your decision.

Dave
 
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