Is the Strider HT worth spending $325 on?

[1kimo4u]

you have 20 years camping experience but you don't know that a tanto blade sucks at dressing game?

 

[3Guardsmen]

Why do you have a problem with me liking what I like?

Just because I dont plan on carrying it around every day like you do yours, doesnt make this a un-useful knife.

How is the HT "not a knife that works"? Thats kind of a stupid comment.

I dont see this knife NOT being able to do anything that a kabar or any other similar blade can do.

Is this a multitool? No. Is this good for skinning an animal? apparently not. But I can promise you I can do just about everything else I would need with this knife.

This isnt my first time for anything. I've been camping for the last 20 years. I think I know a thing or two and have the required skills in order to survive.

I just think you have a vendetta against tanto blades.

Just because I've never skinned an animal doesnt make me stupid, just ignorant. And theres quite a difference. Go look it up if youre unsure.

Is the HT a chunck of steel rated for heavy puncture? Yep, and thats what I want.

Does it have a sharp blade to cut or shave through other things? Yep. I guess I'm good. (remember, I'm not buying this knife to cut through cardboard.)

thanks for the help guys.

The OP/criteria:

I am in need of an indestructable knife for hunting/camping/SHTF/survival.

But:

I'm not interested in the HT for sawing branches. I'll have a small hatchet or saw.

And:

A Strider will never be a good hunting camping knife, sure they are tough as nails and overbuilt, they'll take out an animal or a person if need be.

Thats what really draws me to it and this is really the main focus of this knife.

BUT...it's a horrible utility knife, they are far too thick to skin or cut large items. Try cutting cardboard with even an SnG it's completely ridiculous how hard it is, because the blade is so thick.

Yeah this isnt the thought of use I had for the HT.

If what you want is a "combat knife," why don't you just come out and say it, instead of playing games?

 

[Thomason]

I am about to pull the trigger on the Strider HT...

I really like everything about the HT...

I really like the look of the HT the best...

Sounds to me from the above quotes and the tone of your other post in this thread that you really want the Strider HT. If you have the dough and the Strider is what you want, then get it. Simple as that.

 

[agoutihead]

you have 20 years camping experience but you don't know that a tanto blade sucks at dressing game?

Since when does camping mean dressing game?

I've already stated I've never been a hunter. But will need to be one here very soon since were looking at cival unrest and SHTF very soon.

 

[3Guardsmen]

Simple as that.

It's never "simple" when a person doesn't disclose for what purpose he truly wants a knife.

 

[3Guardsmen]

Ah......I see!

But will need to be one here very soon since were looking at cival unrest and SHTF very soon.

 

[agoutihead]

Ah......I see!

Lets be honest.

Us good guys gotta make sure we are taking care of our families.

With GM filing BK on friday, where is this country going to be in the next 6 months to a year?

Soup kitchens and very high crime rates.

And then what?

What is going to turn everything around?

So many things seem to be coming true... and if you say they're not, you're only blinded by the light.

We are in the eye of the storm right now people. Buckle down and tuck'em in. We've got a long, hard road out of hell. And we havent even gotten there yet.

 

[moonwilson]

You can use a Strider HT for skinning game, and almost anything else a knife can be used for. However, the same can be said for pretty much any other sharpened piece of metal. Or even knapped obsidian or flint. People got by with less-than-ideal knife designs for hundreds or thousands of years just fine. There is nothing wrong with a Strider HT per-se, but it is less than ideal for real-world cutting applications. The edge geometry is quite thick, so it's not very good at slicing. The tanto point means that it is strong, but also tapers rapidly, so isn't very good at piercing. The cord-wrapped handle is blocky and rough, with plenty of hot-spots, which means it won't be comfortable under extended use. The steel is very good, but it is hard, which means it will hold a good edge, but will be difficult to sharpen in the field.

But you could get by with it just fine, and if you like it, by all means buy it! It will be a cool thing to have, and by using it yourself, you will discover what you really need in a field knife. It might be perfect for the way you use a knife. If you find that you don't like it, you can always sell it, and get back a good chunk of your money. Striders hold their value pretty well.

If you are looking for a knife that is super tough, and will do everything you've said you want your knife to do and do it well, and also looks cool- I recommend either the Bark River Bravo-1 or the RAT Cutlery RC-4. You could probably get both for less than $325.

 

[Maikutis]

My uncle is a trapper for the government in Idaho. He spends many days "camping" with his rifle, several dogs, a buck 110, and something around a 4" fixed blade that my grandfather gave him (a bushcraft-like knife, don't even know if it has a brand name on it). He tracks coyote and the occasional wolf that pester the sheep ranches and often comes across both bear and cat. I can safely say that he is living what you would call hunting/camping/SHTF/survival 1 or 2 weeks a month, year-round.

I'm not trying to compare you here, you're obviously not him. What I am trying to do is give you a picture, what several people here have also tried to do. You're saying one thing, but you want another. If you like the damn knife, get it. If you want a hunting/camping/SHTF/survival type knife, get something else. A blade that thick with a tanto and para-cord handle is a bad choice for hunting, camping and survival. However, if you're more likely to be stabbing people through armor than dressing a deer, or more likely showing your buddies a big cool knife, get the Strider. It's a damn sweet knife, be proud of it and don't look back.

 

[3Guardsmen]

Lets be honest.

Us good guys gotta make sure we are taking care of our families.

With GM filing BK on friday, where is this country going to be in the next 6 months to a year?

Soup kitchens and very high crime rates.

And then what?

What is going to turn everything around?

So many things seem to be coming true... and if you say they're not, you're only blinded by the light.

We are in the eye of the storm right now people. Buckle down and tuck'em in. We've got a long, hard road out of hell. And we havent even gotten there yet.

I don't necessarily disagree with you, I'm just saying that, if you want a knife for zombie slayin,' you should just come out and say so!

 

[Thomason]

Ah yes, now I also see, 3Guardsmen.

A soon to come cival unrest and SHTF knife eh? If that is what you need then go with the Case peanut, agoutihead .

 

[agoutihead]

So would it be better if I got the spear point then?

Would it really make the HT more versatile vs the tanto?

 

[agoutihead]

I don't necessarily disagree with you, I'm just saying that, if you want a knife for zombie slayin,' you should just come out and say so!

haha, well I always forget to say "zombies" I dont want a bunch of people thinking I'm a crazy killer looking for combat.

But I do want a combat knife for zombies.

 

[3Guardsmen]

So would it be better if I got the spear point then?

Would it really make the HT more versatile vs the tanto?

I think so (SP being superior to the tanto). You can do a heck of a lot more "survival oriented" tasks with the SP! Chances are waaay better that you'll be using your knife for utility type tasks than having to pierce armor.

 

[moonwilson]

So would it be better if I got the spear point then?

Would it really make the HT more versatile vs the tanto?

Yes. Yes it would. It would be a fine knife. There are plenty of "better" options that are out there for the money, but if that is what calls to you, then you will probably be very happy with it. There are lots of guys out there who love their Striders. As a SHTF/ utility blade, it would be fine.

But I do want a combat knife for zombies.

Most of the guys here do too. Me included. That's what my Busse NMFBM is for. And soon- my Killa Zilla! :thumbup:

 

[Maikutis]

I take back everything I said. I had the pleasure of reading the posts that were written while I was writing mine and all of a sudden, everything changed.

3Guardsman is right, the Strider will slay Zombies. Lot's of 'em. I also recommend a flame-thrower. Zombies hate that sh*t.

Don't get the spear-point. Zombies don't even care about that. They only fear tantos. I don't even think spear-point knives can cut a Zombie. Maybe someone can confirm this, I'm unsure of the facts.

 

[3Guardsmen]

I don't even think spear-point knives can cut a Zombie. Maybe someone can confirm this, I'm unsure of the facts.

I heard that the zombie that attacked Gecko45, who wasn't at the time wearing the special shoes that allow one to climb walls, was nicked quite badly when Gecko45 slashed it with his spear-point Strider HT.

 

[Maikutis]

Well, I'll run some tests tonight. I've got a few Zombies chained in the basement for just this purpose.

 

[1kimo4u]

best to forge a blade in mt doom, mordor. even elves can't forge like that! email mick strider and ask if he can do that for you.

 

[agoutihead]

I think so (SP being superior to the tanto). You can do a heck of a lot more "survival oriented" tasks with the SP! Chances are waaay better that you'll be using your knife for utility type tasks than having to pierce armor.

Ok. I will get the SP Strider HT then.

Lets be honest, the SP would penetrate just about anything the tanto would, wouldnt it?

Someone mentioned on this page that tantos arent even good for piercing?