Folder questions...

RussB

RussB

Joined
Jul 6, 2000
Messages
1,017
Hi all,

I've got a couple questions about the AR. First off, is it's blade easy to deploy quickly? Can you flick it out by jerking it upwards or flipping
the thumb studs? Or does it just grind open slowly? The reason I ask is because in the pictures I've seen the pivot bolt doesn't seem to be
adjustable for looseness. Maybe I'm wrong. I'm just used to smooth, adjustable knives like my Axis 710 that open like greased
lightening. When I bought a spyderco police I was disappointed about how stiff it was. Pretty much a traditional locking back with a
thumb stud. Unadjustable and a pain to open one handed.
Also, is this knife truly huge? I don't mind big folders with in reason but some people around seem to make it out as a gigantic monster.
How does it compare in size to say, a benchmade 710? or any other moderately large folder?

Thanks
 
As far as the Folder being easy to open, it's not "buttery smooth". Not sure if you know, but "flicking" a knife open isn't that good on it. I'm sure it won't hurt the Strider folder much, but I've seen people take my knives and wrist snap, or flick it open, only to see it go flying out of their hand. If I need my knife quickly, I like to open it in a controlled manner, but that is JMHO. I have no problem opening mine, but some people that have looked at it thought it was very hard to open. Maybe I have stronger than normal thumbs :). Is the Strider Huge? Yes, it is a big knife. Makes the BM 710 look small in comparison. Really the only way you can get an idea of the shere size and strength of it is to see one in person. There is no other folder out there currently like it. HTH

BH
 
When I had a GB it was very easy to deploy with a flick. This is the way I got used to opening all my folders (it takes a bit of practice with any knife). Flicking open a Strider is like activating a mechanical somethingoranother; it just goes sshCLICK! (ok, that doesn't make much sense, but trust me). The weight of the blade carries that puppy open unlike any other folder. IMO, it is way easier and smoother than trying to use your thumb- epescially if you got stubby fingers like me! My brother now owns my GB (yes I'm a fool- I gave it to him for his birthday) and is always going off about how great the "flick" is.

It's true that flicking can be damaging to some knives, but I wouldn't worry about it with a Strider.

Flick it! ;)
 
It's big and fast! It's the largest folder I own (I doubt you will find one that is bigger) and it is the fastest folder second only to my Emerson Commander.

S.
 
This is my take on the Strider Folders and their smoothness. I have a 1st generation GB and it is not smooth at all. The only way I could make it feel smoother was to loosen the pivot, which inturn, screwed up the lock up and the blade had play in the open position. That's not good, so I lived with the it not being smooth. Also, on the first generation; it was a BITCH to unlock. Sometimes I had to resort to using a rubber mallet to unlock it. No Kidding. But hey, you gotta be tough. Later, I aquired a second generation numbered AR with hollow grind and it still wasn't smooth on opening, but the lock up was great and the fit and finish was great. The lock was also easier to unlock. Easier meaning that when you wanted to close the knife, you didn't have to break your thumb or result to power tools. My current daily carry is a new generation flat gring AR and it IS the finest tactical folder I have ever owned. I was fortunate to get it from Duane at a show. It opens very smoothly. I mean VERY smoothly. I actually surprized me. Mick or Duane....what's up with that! The lock up is solid. The flat grind is awesome. (although IMHO, the hollow ground AR's "look" better...grind-wise) The knife is a big. It is not Bagwell Bowie big, rather it is thick with thick 3/16th stock and a thick handle. and a thick liner. You can chop trees with it and it is sharp enough to fine whittle the pencils I use to mark x-rays in the clinic. Get one and you won't be disappointed.
 
Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm definitely
tempted to buy one of these babys now!
 
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