I’m planning on making my biggest knife purchase ever.

[Lapedog]

How do people carry a strider in their pocket? Looks uncomfortable.

Yeah the thing about the SNG and the SMF are that huge butt of the knife that sticks up over the lip of the pocket.

 

[Kreyzhorse]

I've owned several of both. The Hinderer is simply a much more refined knife and feels like it is worth the money you just spent. Strider knives are pretty rough by contrast.

 

[Pointy81]

Sounds like you want a strider more. I'd say get that first and if you don't care for it, it would be easy to trade or sell for a Hinderer.

I've had both and prefer Hinderer.

I have never actually handled a Strider. I have read reviews, visited Mick Striders website, etc. I have handled the Hinderer and really liked it. I do like the looks of the Strider better but I don’t want to risk ordering a 400$ lemon and getting stuck with it. Striders customer service is another concern of mine as well.

 

[HappyDaddy]

I like my purchases to not compromise my integrity, so...no Strider, ever.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

I have never actually handled a Strider. I have read reviews, visited Mick Striders website, etc. I have handled the Hinderer and really liked it. I do like the looks of the Strider better but I don’t want to risk ordering a 400$ lemon and getting stuck with it. Striders customer service is another concern of mine as well.

I don't think you will have a problem with either concern. At this time and likely into the future the demand to supply ratio is better for the Strider than the Hinderer. Hinderer has put a lot of supply out there. Customer service-it will get done. They are terrible communicators, but they do have a good warranty and will take care of your problems. Honestly most problems people have are easy self fixes or will go away on their own with break in.
That said-Hinderer makes a great knife, and their customer service is excellent(though I am not familiar with those handling it today).

 

[Silly Rabbit]

Have had both, still have a Hinderer with another on the way..

 

[Yohanlegend]

Hinderer XM18, I own two, they're simply amazing. The XM is one of my favorite knife designs of all time, it is hard to beat. I will say it's best to get them used for highest value to money spent. They show up pretty frequently on the exchange.

 

[flatblackcapo]

I have never actually handled a Strider. I have read reviews, visited Mick Striders website, etc. I have handled the Hinderer and really liked it. I do like the looks of the Strider better but I don’t want to risk ordering a 400$ lemon and getting stuck with it. Striders customer service is another concern of mine as well.

I would advise handling one first. I thought the design looked cool and found out the hard way that I hated the ergonomics.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

I should point out that if you are going Strider you have another consideration to resolve-which configuration. You can easily dislike one configuration, but love another. Beside blade steels and grinds the main choice is handle style. Concealed Carry(CC), Lego, or Double Gunner(DGG). Lego has grown on me, but I originally did not like it at all. I liked the DGG, but it sure is rough on clothing. Love the CC lockside, but the scale is a bit too smooth IMO .
If just picking the better run company, I would pick Hinderer. However at least for me the knives are not interchangeable and I prefer the SnG.
Though I still think the Sebenza is the best choice-specifically micarta inlay.
Buy what appeals to you. It is the only way to find out and get it out of your system , one way or another.
Good luck on your decision and future knife.