First strider On it's way and question about the blade steel and the knife itself

Allen R.

Allen R.

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Nov 1, 2011
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So i took the plunge and finally bought my first "high end knife" It is a strider sng 3/4 grind with Z-wear steel, the only info I can find out about this steel is what strider says about it which is "It's the German cpm3v" my questions are 1. Does anybody have any experience with this steel from strider? If so how does it perform, I prefer toughness over edge retention and have heard 3v is about as good as it gets 2. Do i need to purchase the strider pivot tool, again first strider so I don't know crap about them, how easily does the pivot come loose or how often does it need to be adjusted, I know it's going to depend on usage and other things, but do you guys think I should go ahead and buy the pivot tool or just what until I need it?Or will i ever need it, also any advice on strider knives in general would be appreciated greatly.
 
I don't know anything about the steel. It seems pretty bad ass tho... For the pivot, it depends on if it has locktite. If not, you can stick your fingernail in the groove on the front and use an allen key to turn it. If it has locktite you'll need something to hold it(unless you have thick bear claws for finger nails). You can either buy one or make one yourself with scrap metal or an old wrench or whatever you have lying around.
 
the tool is just a t-10 size torx head with the little circle things, I'm thinking I can make something work with all my torx drivers lying around, Also it says it has loctite on the pivot so I should be good, I'm gonna beat the knife like a red headed step child, they say they are built for it so we shall see, especially with this steel, I'll start another thread when I get it in hand and make sure I document what all i put the knife through. Now all i haft to do is buy an SMF and a CRK and my life will be perfect, until I get an itch for a hinderer.
 
I have 6 Zwear Sngs. They are pretty amazing.

The steel is VERY tough, and holds an edge well. I'd say the edge retention is just a bit better than S30V so far, but it's very early to be speculating like that. My mind could change, but the alloying elements would seem to support that assumption.

It really is just an analog for 3v, with some differences. More carbon and a touch less Vanadium in Zwear.
 
crimsontideshooter, I watched your video on youtube of you stabbing the can with your tanto smf and when you said my z-wear went through the can like butter, thats when i clicked buy it now, I was on the fence about what steel to get but knew I wanted a strider.
 
I actually have my first Strider on the way too coincidentally, wanna trade? :D I have a coyote brown Lego SnG with stonewashed blade/Ti, but I think I really want one of the Z-Wear models because I love the black oxide and 3/4 grind. There's a thread on USN about the Z-Wear models and apparently they're holding up quite well.
 
Allen R. said:
the tool is just a t-10 size torx head with the little circle things, I'm thinking I can make something work with all my torx drivers lying around, Also it says it has loctite on the pivot so I should be good, I'm gonna beat the knife like a red headed step child, they say they are built for it so we shall see, especially with this steel, I'll start another thread when I get it in hand and make sure I document what all i put the knife through. Now all i haft to do is buy an SMF and a CRK and my life will be perfect, until I get an itch for a hinderer.
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Cool, have fun with it! You don't necessarily have to have the torx driver connected to the spanner tool. Something just has to grab the lip on the female piece so the whole pivot won't spin when you're loosening the male bolt. There's a bunch of youtube videos on it that might explain it a little more clearly.
 
the green forum loves the z-wear, For a hard use knife strider may of found the perfect steel for their blades, people are thrashing on them and can't damage them, I like it:D
 
I bought my first Strider SMF at ECCKS and then I bought Hinderer's Strider Pivot Tool from Hinderer and I am very glad I bought because my strider was very smooth however it had a little side to side blade play until I used my strider tool and a torx on each side to tighten it and now it's perfect so I was very happy I had the tool that fit my strider.
 
Allen R. said:
Who makes cpm-154cm never heard of such a steel :D
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LOL me neither, and what do you mean by flick.....? And its also Z-WEAR, not Z-Ware. Back to the OP- thats funny yours is a Z-Wear because my first Strider I got a couple weeks ago is a Z-Wear CC SnG. I havent had much experience with the steel yet, but im hoping its as awesome as its sounding. I ordered a bike chain wrench and dremeled it down to fit the pivot so I didnt have to pay $35 bucks or whatever. It works just as good, although you dont technically need it because they come Loc-Tited. And the pivot isnt a torx, its an allen head: 6 points but not star-shaped.
 
Isn't it actually a powder steel Vascowear/cruwear ? 3V was developed from Vascowear/cruwear so I guess calling it German 3V is close. I have a 3V SMF and would like to try the Z wear. It should be a great steel. PD#1 is a similar steel.

Joe
 
1st1903 said:
LOL me neither, and what do you mean by flick.....? And its also Z-WEAR, not Z-Ware. Back to the OP- thats funny yours is a Z-Wear because my first Strider I got a couple weeks ago is a Z-Wear CC SnG. I havent had much experience with the steel yet, but im hoping its as awesome as its sounding. I ordered a bike chain wrench and dremeled it down to fit the pivot so I didnt have to pay $35 bucks or whatever. It works just as good, although you dont technically need it because they come Loc-Tited. And the pivot isnt a torx, its an allen head: 6 points but not star-shaped.
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Maybe he means coated vs non coated blade? How smooth they are
 
The Mastiff said:
Isn't it actually a powder steel Vascowear/cruwear ? 3V was developed from Vascowear/cruwear so I guess calling it German 3V is close. I have a 3V SMF and would like to try the Z wear. It should be a great steel. PD#1 is a similar steel.

Joe
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I think that's exactly what it is. I saw a post by Cliff Stamp and believe that's what he implied. I like the way they heat treated CPM154, I'm hoping I like this steel as well or better.
 
I thought Rosta Frei was the best steel in the world to bad strider doesn't use that , Ja Mon. Safe what is a safe? I have one for guns , but knives in a safe ? Blasphemy! I say
 
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I love the z wear that steel is a beast, Been thrashing on it for last half hour lol...
 
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