I want a Framelock! -- Strider vs. XM-18 vs. Sebenza???

C

Chadilac

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Jan 10, 2006
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I am wanting to eventually get a high-end framelock. I wanted to get all the Strider, Hinderer, and CRK fans together for feedback. My current favorite EDC is my Benchmade 735 Ares. So who has what and what are your thoughts? I welcome your pics, too!
 
I have a Hinderer XM-18, and I have had a bunch of Sebbies. I absolutely LOVE the XM-18, this is one tough knife. It will do what ever you need it to do, and beg for more.The Sebbies are fantastic knives. I have had Strider's too. They were all great knives. To me, the XM-18 is the king!!!
 
I've been carrying the passaround XM-18 for a week now and it is a solid, well made knife with good lockup and smooth action. Nice design with an interesting and useful grind.

But I digress, buy a Sebenza.
 
all good choices. ive owned the strider sng, good knife. havent handled the hinderer, but have heard nothing but good things.

the sebenza is simple, elegant, understated, and very tough. it is my first choice in a folder.
 
If you can find one, get the XM-18. If you don't like it, it will fly off the for sale shelf faster than anything else right now.
 
Sebenza is the benchmark all frame locks are measured by. Functional. Not tactical. Consistent quality. Only knife you need.
But do you love it best? I have 'em all. Rotate. Love the Strider snap. Light. Strong. Flat Grind easy to sharpen. Wide blade. Tactical, Camo (usually).
Hinderer, why not?
 
Eeeek! I've handled them all. The Hinderer is head and shoulders above the rest.

It's a true custom with the custom feel and, probably, warranty to boot.

I'm a HUGE Chris Reeve fan and I don't care for Striders, but I still have to say, if you can afford the Hinderer, there's no question about it.

Besides, he invented that little whatchamacallit disk that stops you from stretching the lock bar out too far when you unlock it. Strider liked it so much, they licensed it to use themselves.

Second, I'd say the Chris Reeve. Never any quality-control issues. Super-simple bomb-proof design, super warranty. A lifetime knife.

.
 
I've never handled the other knives except the sebenza. It is the best knife I have ever handled and is all I could ever ask for. It really is great. Extremely useful with its no nonsense construction, feel, and look. VERY easy to disassemble and clean. The wrench to disassemble it is even included!
 
The large classic Sebenza is my favorite knife that I own with the tightest tolerances I've ever seen but, I also have a XM-18 and it gets more carry time due to the 3" blade (stupid workplace rules:thumbdn: :jerkit: :barf: ) Also, I think that the XM-18 is more versitale due to the spanto tip and great handle and solid design.
 
Aw, c'mon. the real difference is what you'd use them for - what's your EDC tasklist?

For office carry and light utility, the Sebenza has been praised ad infinitum. It's a great carry piece. The Striders, especially the SnG, are for a hard use market, definitely duty oriented, and have the aesthetics to match. The Hinderer is well praised and equal in both respects, apparently.

What it really boils down to is which has the features YOU need to accomplish YOUR primary cutting tasks.

Do you need four actual inches of edge? Will your cutting suffer because you picked the sabre/wedge grind over flat ground? Will the finger choils be useful or annoying? Do you wear gloves when cutting, or always bare handed, and do you need extreme grippiness? What tip profile serves you better? Do you plan to carry clipped or in a pocket sheath?

There are significant differences in the features of these knives. They do not fall into the same descriptive category other than "expensive." A high wedge ground spanto functions differently than a flat ground drop point, the grips offer a wide difference in ergo's under different conditions, and the model variations in each maker's line add more options - and confusion.

What we need to know is what your tasks are - just like roofing a house, it helps to match the fastener to the application, and the tool to the fastener. You can't hammer screws into dark bronze 20 gauge. Fortunately, knives are a lot more multipurpose and forgiving in this regard.

So, whatcha gonna cut?
 
Sorry I have been away--knife would be EDC and camping--mostly "office commando" stuff. My BMs could handle it, but I want to get something nicer eventually...

I am not an LEO or firefighter.
 
Then get something REALLY nice....a black DDR Gunhammer MGT, with carbon fiber inlay and tritium inserts.
 
I've had Sebenzas and Striders off and on for quite a few years and I have settled on the Strider SNG as the ultimate EDC knife. The framelock with Hinderer device is solid, the blade is S30V, and the scales are titanium/G10. I never worry that the thing will close on me unexpectedly and I have never had a problem cutting any material I've come upon. I'd go with the Strider.
 
Chadilac said:
Sorry I have been away--knife would be EDC and camping--mostly "office commando" stuff. My BMs could handle it, but I want to get something nicer eventually...

I am not an LEO or firefighter.
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buying these sight unseen is difficult because they are all very different in feel, size, shape, etc. the striders are larger in all ways and harder to pocket. i found my sng to be fair in comfort. has sharper edges on the scales and i had a couple "hot spots".

the sebenza is far thinner and, for me, far more comfortable in hand. no hot spots. also very easy to conceal and unoticable bulge. it is thinner than most wallets.

if possible, find a shop where you can handle at least a couple different striders and crk's. the hinderers are far more difficult to come by, and more than likely you will have to buy without seeing it in person.
 
I would call it a pretty much dead even draw. You choose 3 excellent choices.

XM18: 3.5 " blade
Large Seby : 3.5" blade
SnG : 3.5 " blade

Though Each feels totally different than the other. So it will come down to feel for what is best suited to your hand.

I prefer the Strider PT over the small Sebby. And I prefer the AR over the SnG , but the AR isnt a framelock ( though the liners are thick ! ).
If I had to give up my AR and choose one of the 3 , I would take the SNG with an XM18 with the flipper a very close 2nd , Sebby coming in 3rd only because I don't prefer an all Ti handled knife like I used to.
 
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