First high end purchase; CRK Sebenza or Strider SnG????

Shadow213

Shadow213

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2005
Messages
1,179
I've been saving up to buy a Sebenza, however at the same time, I've been looking into Strider knives lately as well. Right now, I'm looking at either a Sebenza or Strider SnG. I suppose that it is a matter of personal preference between the two, of which both knives/styles appeal to me.

I'm sure that both companies produce top of the line cutting machines, but would there be an advantage of one over the other? If you were choosing between these two, which one would it be and why? :confused:

sng-gen6.jpg
sebenza.jpg


Thanks for your input!! :D
 
I've owned several styles of both knives and like them both for different reasons. The Sebbie is a better slicer, and is smooth as butter to operate. The SnG is more of a brute, a pocket tank with an attitude. My long time edc until just this week was a gen 6 SnG. I only got rid of it to trade back up to the SMF that I've been missing. I'd go with the SnG. :cool:
 
I've only owned one Strider folder. I really wasn't all that impressed, and sold it. I have three Sebenza's and they are all keepers. There's just something about them that truly satisfies a person's need for perfection. Light, strong, smooth, compact with lots of blade for it's total size, great customer service from CRK, plus the ability to easily take it apart if you need to to clean it, etc.

The Strider just didn't do it for me, but lots of guys apparently like 'em a lot. Mine was light and tough, etc. But, it just didn't "turn my crank."

Yeah, one more note. When I got my Strider, the first thing I thought was, "Ya know, this knife isn't really worth what I paid for it. Over three hundred bucks, but it's only a hundred and seventy-five dollar knife." That was MY impression. I could be just spoiled by Chris Reeve. Perfection in every product.
 
I'd buy the sebenza. Better slicer, more usable point, company has been in business longer, CRK is an award winning company and the benza an award winning product. The company has a somewhat cold but responsive presence on the forums. However, I wouldn't buy any strider primarily based upon the behavior and attitude the owner has expressed on these forums. I wouldn't want to give that man any of my money.
 
How about a car analogy?

Which are you? Mercedes (sebenza) or Hummer (Strider)?

In recent posts of Mr Strider, I would have to agree that I would feel not fully comfortable dealing with him or his organization. YMMV.
 
Obviously, it depends on what you value, but ...

A Dogs Best Friend said:
I've only owned one Strider folder. I really wasn't all that impressed, and sold it.

...

The Strider just didn't do it for me, but lots of guys apparently like 'em a lot. Mine was light and tough, etc. But, it just didn't "turn my crank."
Click to expand...

So, that kinda captures things for me. The unbelieveable enthusiasm for STrider is easy to catch. I keep picking them up and trying them, but finding things I don't like. Most importantly, I hate how the handle on the SnG opens up wide at the back, then narrows to a pinch grip at the front. Makes my hand want to slide forward on the blade, and just don't like the position.

The Sebenza's handle feels more sound, if not the best ergonomics on the planet. It's the Sebenza's unbelieveable precision fit-n-finish and incredible cutting ability that really hook me, and would make the Sebenza my choice of the two.

Obviously, there are zillions of people out there who aren't bothered by the SnG's forward-biasing handle, and lower level of finish. As ADBF says, it just doesn't float my boat. I keep picking them up and trying them, in the hopes that someday I can join the flock, but it hasn't happened yet.

Joe
 
I know that there is a hardcore fan group on both sides of the aisle for this one, so don't think that I'm trying to start a flame war on which is best.

IMO, both knives are premium production pieces. ;)
 
I went for the Sebbie first. Excellent knife. I've just ordered an SnG. I decided I wanted both of them for the simple reason that I wanted two different types of top end folders.

Actually, I also want a custom one as well but that will have to wait.
 
I'd go with the Sebenza.

The Strider is tough, but the Chris Reeve will be perfect.

Fit and finish can mean a lot with your first expensive knife.

David
 
Both are nice knives. I actually own both. Differences and strengths of each have been discussed a lot on these forums. Bottom line is your expectations in a knife as the buyer. Both will cut, last a long time and are backed by quality people, but both diverge in their mission statement, visual impression and level of fit/ finish "out of the box."
 
I have had 3 different Sebbies, but I just wasn't feeling it. I have an SNG that has been with me constantly for 5 months, and I can't leave the house without it. I have cut things with my SNG that I don't think you should use a knife to cut. 4 Gauge speaker wire for one. It is shaving sharp again in under 10 minutes with a Sharpmaker system. I am one of the guys on the other side of this debate. The CR's are great knives and worth every penny, but the Strider is a better knife in my opinion. I will not speak of personal opinions on the owners of either companies, because I am not one of those, "you buy the knife, you buy the man" kind of guys with production knives. Customs yeah, but that is a different story. I think the Strider is the better knife. Oh and lastly, my SNG is a 6th gen. with a flat ground blade. It slices with the best of them.
 
Get both. You can probably get a previously owned Sebenza and one of the new G-10 Buck/Strider SBTs (Buck's SNG collaboration) for the price of a new SNG or Sebenza.
 
I'll chime in here to say that the car analogy isn't far off. Although if you get the PT you're getting more of a sports utility. I have had and used 3 different sebenzas- 2 regular and 1 classic-, and while they were nice they didn't really do it for me. At the same time, I'm not too sure about the Strider products just because I'm not that familiar with them- I've never ever seen a strider in real life. The sebenza is nice, and a good platform for mods and upgrades. The strider is a bit limited in this regard, although I know a very nice place where you can have some DROP DEAD gorgeous things done to any of the striders.

I wouldn't suggest judging the Strider product based on the Buck collaboration stuff. Buck has done a GREAT job with these, and the strider guys have never complained about these, but they're not semi-customs like the AR/GB/SMF/SNG/PT knives. If you want a tough-as-nails folder and you want to spend what it'll take to get a Strider, why not go custom and either get a Charles Marlowe SA or Bulldog, or a Rick Hinderer Firetac? These are VERY nice knives by VERY nice people, will run you about the same as the products you've suggested but are full customs.

So, in short:

What you asked? Strider- seems interesting and higher resale than some sebenzas if you go to the right place.

What I'd suggest? Neither- Marlowe or Hinderer.

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
I think that both companies put out great knives, and I have owned knives form both of them. I had a large Sebenza for a couple of years, and had a Strider AR for a while too. I ended up selling them both off when I needed some money, and honestly the only one that I am thinking of getting again is a Strider, but not necessarily an AR again. I also got to play with one of the early SNG's in a passaround.

The only reason that I wouldn't really think of getting another Sebenza at the moment is that I have a few different customs that are very similiar, only with some additions that I prefer. Chris Reeve makes a very nice knife, and I have never heard of anything less than a perfect knife leaving the shop. They are great cutting tools, and just cutting tools. Strider on the other hand make a really overbuilt, and somewhat less refined knife. It can take a beating and keep on working just fine.

As has been mentioned it really depends on just what you want and need from a knife. Strider won't be very pretty or have a perfect finish, but it is one tough knife. They are also overbuilt so they won't cut as well as a Sebenza. Sebenza's on the other hand are more refined knife with a better finish. It will fit in much better with a more dressed up lifestyle, and out cut a Strider any day.
 
I went with the Sebenza. It just seemed better finished, and the company seems to take better care of the customer for adjustments and repairs, but that's just an informal web survey.

I will say that, being a handgunner, the typical single action revolver can be hard to control for followup shots, due to the flared butt, increasing in width and girth towards the bottom of the grip, or the "pinky side". The ergonomics are great for a first natural point, but exteme recoil will ruin that grip in a hurry. The Strider appears to have the same flare, and this is one reason (and I fully admit, it may be a STUPID reason!) that I chose the Sebbie.

Also, if it's good enough for Doug Ritter, it's good enough for me. :D
 
A Dogs Best Friend said:
When I got my Strider, the first thing I thought was, "Ya know, this knife isn't really worth what I paid for it. Over three hundred bucks, but it's only a hundred and seventy-five dollar knife."
Click to expand...

I think this is just about what the Buck-Strider collaborations cost. Maybe one of those would be a reasonable compromise.
 
heres my $.02, they are both great knives, but i would have to say go sebenza. if you can at some later point, pick up the sng as well, but if it had to be one or the other, id go sebenza. my reason is that the sebenza is the kind of knife that you can have until you're old and even pass it down to next generations. it really is a timeless piece that has an "i've graduated" feel to it. it is a fine piece of craftsmanship and the attention to detail is excellent. the sng is an excellent knife, but hits along the workhorse type that wont fail you and has a "rougher, rugged" feel to it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top