I bought an SNG, bare bones, with tiger stripes. It had lock stick issues. I sent it in to Strider, with a money order for return shipping, and explicit instructions, and also a request to remove the coating. I cannot remember if I told them I would pay to have the coating removed or not. Being this was the most expensive knife I had bought up until that point, and I had had a few Sebenzas, Mnandi, PT's and had just bought an SMF before I sent the SNG, I wanted to know that my expensive knife was received. I believe I spoke with Josh once. I verified that he had the knife, and left it go for a month or so. I asked on Jerzee Devil, and was told that they were getting ready for the Brooklyn Knife show. I just wanted status on my knife. I live in Maryland, they are in California, wasn't really something I could walk in an ask about. So, I sent numerous emails and called the number on their website. I was told in an email the knife was on the way back, but didn't get it after a couple months.
A member on JD and here at BF assisted me. She found out what was going on, Mick himself actually removed the coating, asked why the hell didn't I buy one without coating (I'm guessing they're still pretty rare, I just jumped on an opportunity, but I can't blame him for his question) and he tuned it up for me. No special grinds etc, but he put a great edge on it, and stone washed the blade. No more lock stick etc. I got the knife back about 5 months after I sent it in.
I am indebted to the JD member, and Mick didn't have to remove the coating or sharpen it. I subsequently sold or traded most of my knives in the next couple months, the Strider blades were just too thick for me. I bought two SNG CCs a couple years ago, and after that, I bought an SNG CC and an SMF CC last year. Didn't keep them longer than a few months.
It is my belief that for the price, the knives should have better qc. The argument that these are for "professionals" is a cop out. Plain and simple. The CC models had better edges, still thick but nowhere near as bad as the regular models. The handles were not as sharp as those on the regular models, but still not comfortable for long periods.
I was eventually taken care of, no complaints there, and I wholeheartedly agree that Strider is a business, you do not want to develop a pen pal relationship with your customers. But, again, this was the most expensive knife I had purchased until then. I wanted to know what had happened to it. Did they get it, did they send it out. I sent in my large micarta Sebenza to Idaho. I called Fooj to see if they got it. I explained why I was calling. Fooj was cool about it. Two week turnaround time at most.
I love the design of the PT/SNG/SMF series. The SMF is their flagship design. I would be fine with the issues if these were priced comparably to Zero Tolerance knives. However, it is my belief that ZT has higher quality knives.
A little customer service goes a long way. I realize that they were getting ready for the Brooklyn show, and then the holidays came up. At least maintain lines of communication. On the other hand, Mick did customize my blade, when he didn't have to. Thankfully a third party stepped forward to help out.
