Large Sebenza 21 vs Stryder SNG

Hawk45 said:
I think they are different knives for different purposes.
I think both offer high quality.
CRK = classy, do everything short of using as a prybar, knife.
Strider = overbuilt "tactical" look/feel knife that you can use as a prybar.
Figure out your true EDC needs and pick the one that meet those needs.

Striders just don't do it for me. They do feel good in the hand, but not in the pocket, they take up too much room. I also see no need for such an overbuilt knife, especially in a folder. I used to be into big tactical looking folders, we all go though that phase at least once, if not more. And if that is your bag, maybe a Strider is for you. To each their own.

I like high quality user that masks it's toughness in elegance. Hence I prefer the CRK knives.

Best of luck.
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That is verbatim, how I feel about it as well. Well written Hawk.

I'll also agree with another previous poster, they really are two totally different knives that are only compared because of price. The XM series is more comparable to Striders than CRK are, but even they aren't that similar. To be honest, I think thats the beauty in it, as CRK, Strider, and Hinderer are all different enough so that someone can find exactly what they want when shopping the big three.

And when making the same decision, I went with a Sebenza 25.
 
All striders I have had are amazing. Fit and finish and action are sebenza quality for sure. Except where the striders shine are toughness. Tons of different steel choices and arguably strider has one of the best heat treats in the business. You won't be disappointed with a SnG. I personally prefer SMFs.
 
MOhunter92 said:
All striders I have had are amazing. Fit and finish and action are sebenza quality for sure. Except where the striders shine are toughness. Tons of different steel choices and arguably strider has one of the best heat treats in the business. You won't be disappointed with a SnG. I personally prefer SMFs.
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+1 This.
 
I'm not a fan of using folders to chop, pry, baton, dig, and do the other sorts of chores yard work and camping normally entail. So while I realize this wasn't listed as an option, I'd recommend a good utility fixed blade over a large folder. An ESEE 6 or Swamp Rat RatManDu would fill the bill nicely. And you'd save a ton of money going with a fixed blade as well. :)
 
Has it been more than 27 1/2 hours since the last thread on this exact question??? :rolleyes:
 
I've owned both and used both and sharpened both. The Striders I've had were OK, didn't develop rocklock but I didn't baton them or subject them to harder use than food cutting, rope cutting, cardboard, shaving wood slivers...general EDC use. The heat treat on Striders is good - they worked with Paul Bos on the recipe and IIRC, the RC hardness is one or two points above CRKs (if that matters to you). Also, these days you can find SnGs and SMFs in a variety of super steels like PD-1, 3V, S110V etc. The thing that didn't sit well with me with Striders was the grip - the SnG doesn't fit my hand (and I dislike the large choil as well as it eats into actual cutting edge real estate). The SMF fits better but is too big for EDC. The large sebenza fits my hand and i love the hollow grinds and ease of maintenance, not to mention the consistent QC and good customer service (relatively better than Striders, especially since CRK offers a 'spa' treatment). The latter/last is especially important as I am overseas, and shipping to and fro is costly and full of risks, which are typically pushed down to me - this may be different if I were stateside.

So if you are looking for exotic steels like 3V, PD1, S110V and if you can find a good specimen (no bladeplay, no lock-rock etc), you can try the SnG, if it fits your hand. If you go this route, make sure the person checks the QC thoroughly, otherwise you may be in for the long haul in rectifying defects etc - they do seem to be rather busy guys. The one STrider that fits my hand like a dream is actually the SJ75s (Mini Hueys) - those rock my world, if you can find a good specimen - I rather regret trading that away.

If the above QC variables are too much and you are happy with S30/S35VN, then you stand a higher chance of being less disappointed if you were to get a large 21. If you are going the route of a large 21, I would suggest you try the ones with the micarta inlays - they do help make the flat scales even more comfortable. I personally dislike half-and-halfs (ie. one slab of ti and another slab of other material as handles), so the CRK gets my vote. The half and half design does keep weight down, so it's not without merits.

Hope that helps.
 
I think it comes down to: Sebenza for fine slicing, Strider for heavier stuff, and they both handle the middle ground well.
 
I think the sebenza is a substantially stronger knife - both scales are titanium. Also, although the strider has a larger pivot, there is almost zero metal supporting it on the bottom side of the lock scale.
 
TrojanSteel said:
I think the sebenza is a substantially stronger knife - both scales are titanium.
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Neither the SnG or Sebenza are going to break at the scale-both Ti and G10 are very strong. Neither pivot will break either (So those are a couple things the OP doesn't need to concern himself with other than preference).

If the OP has the opportunity he should try to handle them both-then he can make a better decision as to what he likes best
 
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TrojanSteel said:
I think the sebenza is a substantially stronger knife - both scales are titanium. Also, although the strider has a larger pivot, there is almost zero metal supporting it on the bottom side of the lock scale.
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Nope. There is more to consider than just the scales. Like said, scale & pivot failure is going to be really rare. This is truly a case of the many times mentioned "get both". I've had both for years and each has its advantages. There are things I will do with the SnG that I will not do with the Sebenza. Most of it has to do with the blade. I prefer the SnGs with a FFG because I can get them razor sharp and they will slice well. They will not however slice like a razor sharp Sebenza. It's really not an apples to apples comparison, but the prices are close so we see it all the time.
 
Very hard choice. The Large sebenza and my SMF are my two favorite knives. They are both excellent, but in different ways. I carry my SMF every day at work, but once I'm home I carry a 25 or large 21...
 
TrojanSteel said:
I think the sebenza is a substantially stronger knife - both scales are titanium. Also, although the strider has a larger pivot, there is almost zero metal supporting it on the bottom side of the lock scale.
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FYI: G10 has much higher tensile strength than 6AL4V. I can bend a sheet of 6AL4V with 2mm thickness by hand but not with G10.
 
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