Info on Strider Folders

Steel-Junky

Steel-Junky

Banned
Joined
Jan 15, 2009
Messages
768
So... I'm lookin to buy a Strider folder here soon. To me these seem to be among the most rugged folders you can buy. Since they're so expensive I'm pretty much only gonna be able to get one. So I wanted to ask some questions about them to try and narrow down what I want. I'm looking for a drop point or spear point first of all. I want the beefiest largest folder they make in this configuration... including blade thickness. Which strider folder is the largest with the thickest blade in a spear or drop point... which lock seems to be the most secure... the liner on the AR or the Frame lock on the SMF? I've only seen a SNG in pictures... but it looks like one side of the handle is solid G-10 and no titanium... has this ever posed a strength problem only having titanium on one side... or is that other side also titanium and just colored to look like G-10... I'm all confused... can someone tell me about the larger Strider Folders and which is the most robust?
 
Last edited:
If you want the biggest it's the AR, I would think toughest is a tossup between the AR and SMF since the cut out on the lock bar leaves almost the same thickness of titanium on both models. The SMF carries MUCH smaller though. Good luck, they are addicting.
 
I would just recommend the SMF. It carries well and IMO it iwould be tougher than the AR. The AR is an absolute tank! The only reason I say this is because of the liner lock of the AR vs the frame lock of the SMF. When it somes to strength, the g-10 is fine. I have seen picture of an SMF or SNG that was beat on with a mallet and the g-10 stood up just fine.

You will find most people prefer the SNG because it makes for an better EDC for some because of size. I am used to carrying big knives, so the SMF was for me! As mentioned before, I would go with the SMF instead of the AR or SNG. I am sure you wont be disappointed!

IMG00110.jpg
 
I don't have the AR, but I have had a GB since early Fall, so I can semi-speak in reference. Getting use to my GB was a bit of an adjustment over my previous EDC, an Emerson HD-7 or CQC-12. Now I have a hard time adjusting to smaller knives. So far my GB has performed great, granted I don't use a knife as hard as some. Plastic packing straps, cardboard, and those blasted wire twisty-ties on toys have all been easily taken care of. Come summer when I start working in the yard I will put it to more of a test.

The SMF is definitely an easier knife to carry in your pocket, I just went with the GB because I prefer how it felt in my hand and I like how it looks better. Most times I will go with a framelock over a liner-lock, but on the GB/ARs the liners are stout enough I feel confident in them. My GB backed up by my Vic Farmer or Swiss-Tool will cover all my needs that I can forsee.
 
Halfneck said:
I don't have the AR, but I have had a GB since early Fall, so I can semi-speak in reference. Getting use to my GB was a bit of an adjustment over my previous EDC, an Emerson HD-7 or CQC-12. Now I have a hard time adjusting to smaller knives. So far my GB has performed great, granted I don't use a knife as hard as some. Plastic packing straps, cardboard, and those blasted wire twisty-ties on toys have all been easily taken care of. Come summer when I start working in the yard I will put it to more of a test.

The SMF is definitely an easier knife to carry in your pocket, I just went with the GB because I prefer how it felt in my hand and I like how it looks better. Most times I will go with a framelock over a liner-lock, but on the GB/ARs the liners are stout enough I feel confident in them. My GB backed up by my Vic Farmer or Swiss-Tool will cover all my needs that I can forsee.
Click to expand...

The AR and GB are called liner locks because of the way they're put together... but c'mon... thos liners are so thick... isn't it really a frame lock too? What's the scale thickness on something like a Benchmade frame lock or even Sebenza... surely the AR and GB are close in thickness. Most other liner locks look like sheet metal.
 
But keep in mind many people like a frame lock because of the grip...helps keep the lock engaged.
T
 
clearytja said:
But keep in mind many people like a frame lock because of the grip...helps keep the lock engaged.
T
Click to expand...

Sure... I'm just sayin that as far as liner locks go... the AR is pretty robust. Any lock can fail but I gotta imagine that the liner and frame locks offered by Strider have to have a low failure rate.

Speaking of... anyone know the failure rate of their locks?
 
mongomondo said:
Have you considered the ZT300's?
Click to expand...

Not really... I'm sure they're a fine product but they always seemed to be a copy of the Strider to me... so why not go with the "Real Deal" as it where... not to suggest the ZT's aren't quality.
 
Steel-Junky said:
they always seemed to be a copy of the Strider to me... so why not go with the "Real Deal" as it where...
Click to expand...
Because they are just like striders but at $200 cheaper. You pretty much get a Strider when you buy the 300 series, but when you can get them online for about $240, they are a heck of a deal to pass up considering a SMF is $475 before shipping. You get a knife that is still as tough as the strider. BUT if you want the Strider, get it. I was in your shoes when I got mine. I had a ZT200, then sold it to move up. I looked at the ZT301, and the thought to myself... Why dont I just move up to the real deal???

I wound up with the SMF....:p
 
Go for the SMF. It is a big beefy folder and I think the framelock is tough to beat. Good luck with your first Strider purchase. It's difficult to stop at just one.:D
 
I have an AR and absolutely love it. I haven't carried it in a while, but would not hesitate to do so. It is a big, thick knife no doubt. The liners are ~.105" thick with G-10 slabs a little thicker. Blade mics out at around 3/16ths". The only thing I do not like is the clip placement, but I converted another clip to fit and the clip is a foldover clip that puts the entire knife into my pocket with nothing showing on the outside but a short little clip that could be a pen clip, or flashlight clip!
 
the biggest are the AR or GB but they are imho more at home on a belt sheath vs in the pocket, they are imho just too big and thick for edc use, and i have tried with both of them, really the blade isnt a whole lot bigger vs the Sng or SmF.

yes the SnG and SmF are G10 on 1 side and ti on the other and no there are very few if any problems with that that i am aware of.

i have had a couple different AR's and GB's, and also several SnG's and SmF's and for edc i prefer the SnG, its not much smaller than the SmF but its enough to make a difference in ease of carry imho, for an edc pocket knife the SnG is pretty darned good.

imho the frame locks are gonna be a little tougher than the liner locks but the strider liner locks are darned good and i have rarely (if ever) heard of lock problems with striders, i wouldnt sweat that at all.

you should also look at the hinderer XD series they are a real custom (vs a semi custom) and offer a lot better F&F vs the striders at about $100 higher price than the SnG/SmF's, ~$400 vs ~ $500 or $550, they are imho worth the extra money and though i dont have one right now i will have one soon. as far as looks go they are very similar to the SnG's.

FWIW the 1st strider folder i ever had was a GB and while it was a great knife i was disappointed by the fact that it was just too big to be a practical EDC pocket knife, just too big, too bulky, too thick, and i am not a small guy (ie 6'3/200) and unless ya wear only cargo pants they are just not a very good edc pocket knife, and the blade itself isnt really much bigger than the SnG, to me its not worth the hassle for IIRC less than .5" blade length,
 
Last edited:
Go for the ZT. If you look around here on the forums, you can get them for under $200 shipped.

So-lo has a ton of striders and 2 hinderer XM-18's and a ZT 0300 digicamo, and says that it performs on par with those knives that cost twice as much.

Go for the ZT 030X.
 
Steel-Junky said:
Not really... I'm sure they're a fine product but they always seemed to be a copy of the Strider to me... so why not go with the "Real Deal" as it where... not to suggest the ZT's aren't quality.
Click to expand...

That's because the ZT was designed by a collaboration of Strider and Ken Onion. You are going to be hard pressed to find anything that warrants an additional $200 that a Strider would cost, but that's up to you. They are both excellent knives, I just prefer the design of the ZT.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top