Large Sebenza OR Strider SMF...

Stelth said:
If I do go with the Strider I think it would be through Plaza Cutlery and ask if they can make sure it is in good shape. I bought my Strider DBGG through plaza and they were very helpful over the phone and assured me it would be perfect. I know there is a big difference between a fixed blade and folder, yet I think they'd be honest about any condition issue.
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Yes i'd trust them
 
Personally, I think the SNG would be a better comparison to the large Sebenza. The SMF is a very large knife and it takes up a lot of pocket space. I have all three, and the SMF is used the least, the Sebenza is my favorite overall, and the SNG tends to find my pocket when I'm heading into the woods.
 
I own a Buck/Strider 882 and I think that is the same size of a SNG. I want a larger knife.
 
The difference between the cutting performance of the SmF and the Sebenza is going to be dramatic. The SmF will he almost twice as thick behind the edge. It's something to consider when choosing between the two.
 
I've had both. I see no reason to ever own another Strider.

Do you want a thick blade that doesn't slice very well? Do you want a huge pocket presence with the cutting edge length of a Mnandi?

There is nothing that the SMF will do that the Sebenza won't, except maybe pry.


That said, both are fairly popular and hold resale value. Pick your poison.
 
My SNG in PD1 with 3/4 grind will out cut my large 21 all day. They are both great knives. You need to figure out which one suits your needs the most.
 
I realize they are both very different knives. All things being equal, if I knew the f&f on the SMF would be as good as it is on my PT I would buy one.
 
I've owned 5 striders, including a DDC. All but one of them developed some kind of quirk (lock rock, blade play, easily loosened pivot, etc.) within 6 months of using them. I love the designs and think the tri-material construction is genius. However I can't justify the price when almost all of mine has issues. Good news is that strider's warranty is top notch. I just don't want to spend $50 every 6 months to fix them.
 
Here is a side by side pic of both of them.

EDAUsj.jpg



As others have said, the difference only is what you think it is. I personally like my Strider SMF far more. But I just happen to like a beefier more manly looking blade. Some guys USE their Sebenza's. Mine is more of a case queen. My Strider on the other hand does get used. It to seems need scars to make it look cooler. And do I enjoy using it.

I do like to flick my knives. The Sebenza has more of a clinical/pneumatic feel when flicking and has an unsatisfying "tink" when it snaps open. The SMF however has a very nice kur-thunk kind of flick to it. It is just a much beefier blade and it is oh so satisfying.

Others have said the Sebenza slices better. But it doesn't. Both of these knives will easily slice through telephone book paper. That very long thin flat grind on the SMF makes it very adept at slicing. Even apples. And the large choil on the SMF lets you really choke up on it for fine tune cutting also.

Which is more reliable? The Sebenza. No doubt about it. What kind of motorcycle would I buy a Honda vs. a Ducati?? Ducati hands down. But more people buy Honda's. It's the exact same dynamic here.


My only recommendation here to you, is to buy one of each. Play with and hold them for a few days (do not scratch them) and then send the loser back to the dealer. PlazaCutlery.com and Knifeart.com both offer both brands. Maybe you could just be upfront with them and say what your intentions are.

But for me, when you look at my avatar picture, the Strider SMF is on top for a reason.
 
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I have Sebenzas and an SnG. I like them both very much. I like the ergonomics on both, and have not had problems with any of them. If I had to choose one, it would be the Sebenza. The Sebenza takes up considerably less pocket space, and seems to be a better slicer.
 
Clinto. said:
Here is a side by side pic of both of them.

EDAUsj.jpg



As others have said, the difference only is what you think it is. I personally like my Strider SMF far more. But I just happen to like a beefier more manly looking blade. Some guys USE their Sebenza's. Mine is more of a case queen. My Strider on the other hand does get used. It to seems need scars to make it look cooler. And do I enjoy using it.

I do like to flick my knives. The Sebenza has more of a clinical/pneumatic feel when flicking and has an unsatisfying "tink" when it snaps open. The SMF however has a very nice kur-thunk kind of flick to it. It is just a much beefier blade and it is oh so satisfying.

Others have said the Sebenza slices better. But it doesn't. Both of these knives will easily slice through telephone book paper. That very long thin flat grind on the SMF makes it very adept at slicing. Even apples. And the large choil on the SMF lets you really choke up on it for fine tune cutting also.

Which is more reliable? The Sebenza. No doubt about it. What kind of motorcycle would I buy a Honda vs. a Ducati?? Ducati hands down. But more people buy Honda's. It's the exact same dynamic here.


My only recommendation here to you, is to buy one of each. Play with and hold them for a few days (do not scratch them) and then send the loser back to the dealer. PlazaCutlery.com and Knifeart.com both offer both brands. Maybe you could just be upfront with them and say what your intentions are.

But for me, when you look at my avatar picture, the Strider SMF is on top for a reason.
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I had the same experience with cutting ability. My 3/4 grind SNG out cuts my seb in almost every way. I like your analogy. Makes perfect sense.
 
Gizler00 said:
I had the same experience with cutting ability. My 3/4 grind SNG out cuts my seb in almost every way. I like your analogy. Makes perfect sense.
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by out cut what do you mean? Just by virtue of the two grinds the sebenza should be a much better slicer, Strider 3/4 grind is no joke and even the most hardcore Strider fans acknowledge it isn't great for slicing. The FFG however which Clinto posted is a great slicer. For what it's worth I'm not biased as I have several of each brand, many more Striders actually.
 
Hauling said:
by out cut what do you mean? Just by virtue of the two grinds the sebenza should be a much better slicer, Strider 3/4 grind is no joke and even the most hardcore Strider fans acknowledge it isn't great for slicing. The FFG however which Clinto posted is a great slicer. For what it's worth I'm not biased as I have several of each brand, many more Striders actually.
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I have owned FFG versions of striders and currently have the 3/4 grind SNG. Every single one of them cut better than the seb. Food prep, small wood working tasks, daily cutting tasks. My 3/4 grind even slices cardboard better than my seb.

I am in NO WAY trying to say the seb is not a good cutter in fact it's pretty good. Just not better than the strider. Just like neither of them cut as well as my cruwear military.

I was simply referring to the two mentioned. Seb vs strider.

In fact I have a large seb in my pocket as I am typing this. I love both knifes and own both because they fill different roles for me. I take the seb when I know there will not be a need for any heavy cutting or prying. If it's going to get nasty and I still want to be able to prep my lunch and open mail in between, the SNG is in my pocket.

Not sure if that helps clarify what I was trying to say.

I think the OP needs to try out both and see what fits in to his daily needs better. You really cannot go wrong with either of them.

One big bonus for me on the Seb is that all I need is a 5/64 hex wrench to break it down. When I was at my in laws house a month ago, I needed to fix my pocket clip from getting caught on something. I just rustled through my father in laws tools and there it was. No need to carry a specialty tool with you. You can find hex wrenches just about anywhere.

Any how. I'm done rambling.
 
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I prefer the ergonomics of the Strider, and I really like the integral backspacer. The proprietary heat treat of the Strider is noticeably better than other makers' versions of the same steel, and an S30V or CPM154 Strider will have superior edge retention to an S35VN Sebenza.

I like the Sebenza for the little 'icing on the cake' materials, like the ceramic detent ball (that won't wear out) and carburized titanium lock bar (that won't wear out). I also like that the Sebenza can be disassembled for maintenance without requiring any effort to reassemble with perfect centering and lockup.

After owning, carrying and using both, I prefer the Sebenza but it is a very very close call and extremely subjective. Like others said, you really need to try both, if you buy only one or the other you will never know if you have the best knife for you. If you watch the Exchange here, you should be able to pick up both knives for much less than they cost new, use them for a while, then sell whichever you don't want for the price you paid.
 
I have closely inspected well over 30 Striders over the years and not one of them was razor sharp, but all felt rock solid. On the other hand, every Sebenza I have ever played with came razor sharp and was obviously meant to be an incredible cutter. Also, the felt quality was much higher in the Sebie to me. If I had to go with only one, it would be the Sebenza.
 
Take note of the cutting edge in that pic. I like the Strider design, but it always kills me to see the reduction in cutting edge because of that design
 
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