Looking for opinions on Benchmade nitrous Stryker

C

chipdouglas

Joined
Nov 26, 2009
Messages
415
Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a Benchmade nitrous Stryker, but before I pull the trigger, I'd like to head of those of you who have one and whether or not you'd recommend someone to get it or not ?

I mean, do you have any gripe with the knife ? Or anything that I should know about that could either clinch my decision or would cause me to give it some serious second thoughts ?

Thanks
 
I had two of them and sold both. They are nice knives, but I think there are better options out there for your money. In both knives, the D2 steel seemed a bit toothy for my taste...still very sharp, but a bit toothy. I have other D2 knives that are remarkably, hair-poppingly, razor sharp, so it's inexcusable IMO for a knife (2 knives actually) in this price range to come from the factory like that. If you don't mind touching up the edges yourself, this may not be a problem.

As nice as the stryker assisted opening is, it's pretty forceful, which causes blade play quickly. Also, neither knife was centered upon closing. Again, for something in this price range, that's inexcusable IMO.

Bottom line is I wouldn't mind owning one of these, but they are a bit overpriced for what you get. You can do better for your money.
 
The 913 is a good blade in its own right, but not for me, thats just because I dont prefer the AO, have you looked and the 9100 Auto Series its a tanto auto blade they can be found from time to time for sale... Also the 910 and 905 stykers are a classic in there own right I would try and pick one of those up they are a manuel opened linear lock blade... Really all that matters is if you want the blade then buy it, dont worry about what other people have to say about the blade, what matters is that you get what you want.. BTW I have a 710 D2 and its my main EDC, I love the blade and steel its a little harder to sharpen than 154CM, or 440c but holds a good edge, its a good tool steel IMO..
 
I had the full size nitrous stryker... one of my favorite BM's. Very highly recommended. As mentioned earlier, the pivot action loosened up with all of the flicking I did but a little bit of teflon tape solves that issue. Just be sure you have the correct torx bit (or BM tool kit) on hand.

I have since sold all of my assisted openers. I prefer a good ole manual frame lock or the Axis.
 
My buddy has one & it's a nice knife but for an assisted opening knife I like the ZT line better !
 
einsteinjon said:
I had two of them and sold both. They are nice knives, but I think there are better options out there for your money. In both knives, the D2 steel seemed a bit toothy for my taste...still very sharp, but a bit toothy. I have other D2 knives that are remarkably, hair-poppingly, razor sharp, so it's inexcusable IMO for a knife (2 knives actually) in this price range to come from the factory like that. If you don't mind touching up the edges yourself, this may not be a problem.

As nice as the stryker assisted opening is, it's pretty forceful, which causes blade play quickly. Also, neither knife was centered upon closing. Again, for something in this price range, that's inexcusable IMO.

Bottom line is I wouldn't mind owning one of these, but they are a bit overpriced for what you get. You can do better for your money.
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You know, I have a Benchmade Mac Henry and Williams, and quite frankly, I know what you mean by toothy D2.

You just confirmed I won't be getting that knife. What would you suggest so far as assisted opening goes ? I have plenty of Spydercos, a few Emerson knives, but wanted to add a few assisted opening. I do have a SOG Flash II which is assisted opening, but I trash that knive quite a bit as I do not like the overall knife. I won't buy SOG knives anymore.

There's Kershaw, but I'd like a more tactical looking type of knive for assisted opening.
 
SHADOW84 said:
The 913 is a good blade in its own right, but not for me, thats just because I dont prefer the AO, have you looked and the 9100 Auto Series its a tanto auto blade they can be found from time to time for sale... Also the 910 and 905 stykers are a classic in there own right I would try and pick one of those up they are a manuel opened linear lock blade... Really all that matters is if you want the blade then buy it, dont worry about what other people have to say about the blade, what matters is that you get what you want.. BTW I have a 710 D2 and its my main EDC, I love the blade and steel its a little harder to sharpen than 154CM, or 440c but holds a good edge, its a good tool steel IMO..
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I'd like to get an auto knife, but I'm in Canada, and they'd get confiscated at the border.
 
chipdouglas said:
By ZT, are you still referring to Benchmade or Zero Tolerance knives ?
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He means Zero Tolerance. I don't know of any Benchmade line with ZT in the model number. For the price, I'd definitely look into a ZT 0350 versus the Stryker. I EDC an 0350. For about the same price as the Stryker you get s30v versus d2 steel.
 
harkamus said:
He means Zero Tolerance. I don't know of any Benchmade line with ZT in the model number. For the price, I'd definitely look into a ZT 0350 versus the Stryker. I EDC an 0350. For about the same price as the Stryker you get s30v versus d2 steel.
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Ok thanks. Do you know how ZT ''assisted opening'' mechanism rate overall ?

I've just found out ZT and Kershaw seem to come from the same place.
 
chipdouglas said:
Ok thanks. Do you know how ZT ''assisted opening'' mechanism rate overall ?

I've just found out ZT and Kershaw seem to come from the same place.
Click to expand...

ZT is the 'tactical' line of Kershaw knives. The 030x, 0350, and 0200 were all designed in part by Ken Onion, IIRC. Additionally, the 030x line was a collaboration between Strider and ZT. The x designates different color options for the g10 scale. 030x are titanium framelocks. The 0350 is a liner lock with a locking liner thicker than some framelocks. The 0200 uses 154cm and is also a liner lock, but is not assisted.

The mechanism is a torsion bar, one which I haven't read or heard about breaking often (although mine did break, but I'm having a replacement sent out to me). It opens up with a satisfying click, and is pretty fast for a blade of that thickness. When opened, the torsion bar is under little if any pressure. When closed, the torsion bar does get compressed a little, which helps keep the blade closed.

For a user knife that still has awesome cutting ability, you can't go wrong with ZT. Plus flippers are neat and safe imo. You can close the knife single handedly without ever cutting yourself since the flipper tang would hit your finger before the blade can close.

EDIT: Knifeworks carries a special version of the 0350 that comes in satin plain edge. That version is exclusive to knifeworks. It doesn't cost more than the black DLC coated version, but you can't find it anywhere else. The same is true for the 0200; KW has a satin plain version of that one as well.
 
harkamus said:
ZT is the 'tactical' line of Kershaw knives. The 030x, 0350, and 0200 were all designed in part by Ken Onion, IIRC. Additionally, the 030x line was a collaboration between Strider and ZT. The x designates different color options for the g10 scale. 030x are titanium framelocks. The 0350 is a liner lock with a locking liner thicker than some framelocks. The 0200 uses 154cm and is also a liner lock, but is not assisted.

The mechanism is a torsion bar, one which I haven't read or heard about breaking often (although mine did break, but I'm having a replacement sent out to me). It opens up with a satisfying click, and is pretty fast for a blade of that thickness. When opened, the torsion bar is under little if any pressure. When closed, the torsion bar does get compressed a little, which helps keep the blade closed.

For a user knife that still has awesome cutting ability, you can't go wrong with ZT. Plus flippers are neat and safe imo. You can close the knife single handedly without ever cutting yourself since the flipper tang would hit your finger before the blade can close.

EDIT: Knifeworks carries a special version of the 0350 that comes in satin plain edge. That version is exclusive to knifeworks. It doesn't cost more than the black DLC coated version, but you can't find it anywhere else. The same is true for the 0200; KW has a satin plain version of that one as well.
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Good info. Let me add that the 0400 was designed by Tim Galyean, and the 0500 MUDD was designed by the Hawks. It features their Hawk lock, a really neat flipper system and rock solid on lock up.

As for sprint runs, the 0300 series was done for TAD Gear in a satin finish.

There are also several fixed blades available, and some new models both fixed and folding coming out this year.

Kershaw, ZT and Shun are all owned by KAI. All of the ZT line is made in the USA. The AO system is a simple torsion bar, and Kershaw states their AO system is tested to 10,000 cycles. They are considered by many the best AO systems in the industry. The AO system was designed by Ken Onion.

These are extremely tough knives, with a lifetime warranty. You break it, they replace it, no questions asked.
 
IIRC 0400 was designed by Ken Onion.

I like Strykers, but manual models appeal to me more then their AO counterparts.
 
SPXTrader said:
Good info. Let me add that the 0400 was designed by Tim Galyean, and the 0500 MUDD was designed by the Hawks. It features their Hawk lock, a really neat flipper system and rock solid on lock up.

As for sprint runs, the 0300 series was done for TAD Gear in a satin finish.

There are also several fixed blades available, and some new models both fixed and folding coming out this year.

Kershaw, ZT and Shun are all owned by KAI. All of the ZT line is made in the USA. The AO system is a simple torsion bar, and Kershaw states their AO system is tested to 10,000 cycles. They are considered by many the best AO systems in the industry. The AO system was designed by Ken Onion.

These are extremely tough knives, with a lifetime warranty. You break it, they replace it, no questions asked.
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I wasn't aware ZT knives came with such an excellent warranty. I think I'll get one of those. 10 000 cycles--that's a lot of flicking LOL. I'm pretty sure I'll never get there.

Where do you stand so far as Kershaw knives is concerned ? That is, overall quality of blades, blade steel etc. ?
 
chipdouglas said:
I wasn't aware ZT knives came with such an excellent warranty. I think I'll get one of those. 10 000 cycles--that's a lot of flicking LOL. I'm pretty sure I'll never get there.

Where do you stand so far as Kershaw knives is concerned ? That is, overall quality of blades, blade steel etc. ?
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Overall they are top quality knives, in features, materials, construction and fit and finish. My personal opinion is they provide the most knife for the money and the best warranty in the industry. A lot of bang for your buck.
 
Meh, this thread needs pictures so here is my ZT 0350 with custom scales made by Phillip Dobson of these very forums.

zt03501.jpg
 
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