Looking into a Strider SnG, wouldn't mind a few tips.

M

Masterbunny5

Joined
Aug 5, 2010
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Hey guys, i'm new to the community here. Bought my first knife about a month or two ago, being a Spyderco Delica 4. I am really interested in knives, and was looking into a benchmade for my second purchase. I thought i had it narrowed down to the 940, but on feeling it in person at my local store, i wasnt pleased. I did get to look at the mini grip though, but it was too similar in size to my delica. So, after surfing the web for more ideas, i came across the Sebenza, which led me to the discovery of the SnG. From what i've seen so far, i think i would LOVE the SnG. And for $400 (if not a little lower ;) ) i wouldnt mind giving it a shot. But after searching the web, it was hard to find anything lower than 500.

So I come here asking first off, the subtle differences in the SnG line, such as the concealed carry (may be the only one aside from the standard, just making sure). I have no idea what is different from the original and the CC. Also, where could i find an SnG for a better price if such a place exists.

Any help and/or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Masterbunny5
 
welcome to the forums

the standard SNG can be found for 400 new at many places. the concealed carry, gunner grips, 3/4 grind, stonewashed blade, etc are the ones youre seeing for 500.

you can also pick up like new and used SNGs for under 400 on this and other forums in the for sale sections.

i like, but dont love my SNG. its a very solid, strong knife.
 
well, first I should ask, what put you off of the 940. that might help in determining if you'd like the SNG. also what makes you feel like you'd love it?

the problem is that you're looking at either SMFs or DGG and CC SNGs. the SMF is slightly larger than the SNG, I believe close to 4", if not that. the CC has a contoured handle and contrary to what some may say, it does have a pocket clip. only the PT CC has no pocket clip. the DGG SNG has the gunner grip texturing on the titanium and G10. this isn't to be confused with DDC SNG, which is short for Duane Dwyer Custom.

it might also be worth looking into the Umnumzaan, since it has the CRK quality and is a very very durable. also you may want to consider the Rick Hinderer XM-18. contrary to popular belief, it's not THAT hard to find them for $400. check dealer sites often, and it'll pop up. i'd say if you find it for $500 or under, jump on it--you can always turn around and sell it (and you won't lose money) if you're not happy anyway. tim galyean's pro-series knives are also a great choice for that price range, and are absolutely comparable to CRK, Hinderer, and Strider if you don't mind flippers.

for slightly less than the knives I mentioned above, check out Zero Tolerance knives. Rick Hinderer has a new collaboration with them called the ZT 0550. it's definitely a hard-use knife, and you can't go wrong with the Spyderco Military also, but that's quite a bit different from anything else I mentioned.
 
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If i recall correctly, the CC version of the sng has thinner scales, both titanium and the g10 and both are rounded off for ease of carry.


You might try the BST to see if you can find one used at a better price.
 
misterjuiceman said:
well, first I should ask, what put you off of the 940. that might help in determining if you'd like the SNG. also what makes you feel like you'd love it?

the problem is that you're looking at either SMFs or DGG and CC SNGs. the SMF is slightly larger than the SNG, I believe close to 4", if not that. the CC has a contoured handle and contrary to what some may say, it does have a pocket clip. only the PT CC has no pocket clip. the DGG SNG has the gunner grip texturing on the titanium and G10. this isn't to be confused with DDC SNG, which is short for Duane Dwyer Custom.

it might also be worth looking into the Umnumzaan, since it has the CRK quality and is a very very durable. also you may want to consider the Rick Hinderer XM-18. contrary to popular belief, it's not THAT hard to find them for $400. check dealer sites often, and it'll pop up. i'd say if you find it for $500 or under, jump on it--you can always turn around and sell it (and you won't lose money) if you're not happy anyway. tim galyean's pro-series knives are also a great choice for that price range, and are absolutely comparable to CRK, Hinderer, and Strider if you don't mind flippers.

for slightly less than the knives I mentioned above, check out Zero Tolerance knives. Rick Hinderer has a new collaboration with them called the ZT 0550. it's definitely a hard-use knife, and you can't go wrong with the Spyderco Military also, but that's quite a bit different from anything else I mentioned.
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Mrjuiceman: Thanks for the reply man. I'm not sure if it was just my dealer or what (and this is my first time ever handling a Benchmade, period), but the 940 just seemed kind of weak in my hands. The axislock seemed sticky (not smooth to disengage), and it didnt seem to flow well in my hands. It almost seemed cheapish, although the price wasnt. Just my 2 cents on my first experience, and didnt make me feel good about dropping ~170 on it.

As for why i think i'd love the SnG: I am a college student, so while attending classes and such, in that type of atmosphere, i'd be carrying my delica, and then when i go out to other outings (whatever the case) i'd plan to switch to something more rugged (and slightly larger) IE the SnG. Just seeing the video reviews and such, it seems to flow really well in the hands, has good ergonomics, and is very very "tank" like.

As for the Umnumzaan, i havent even started to look into it so i'll have to do that here soon. And for the other ideas you threw my way, it's just too much for me to reply back in this post :P

In regards to the SnG, I'm not sure if you've handled them or have had much exp with them, but what are your opinions on the standard, DGG, and CC models? I think i'd be fine with the standard, the DGG seems to be just a different scaling (so not too sure about that), and the CC i'm still at a loss for on what i gain for ~25 bucks for that one.

Thanks again for your help,
Masterbunny5
 
I never handled a 940. I had a 960, and it was very smooth, but it seemed very light. they're very similar knives, both made of aluminum. I can see why you thought it seemed weak.

you lose material on both, but on the CC it's slightly thinner and contoured, so I guess they're charging you for the CNC work. I like the look of the DGG the best, but probably I'd go with the standard or the CC. DGG has been said to be very rough on pockets. also I could never justify spending that much on a production Strider. I really haven't had too much experience with Strider though. I just know for that price (that of a CC or DGG) I'd rather have a Hinderer XM-18 or a Galyean Pro-series.

you mention you would carry a delica because of school. have you thought of just getting a Strider PT? they're 300 but keep in mind the CC version has no pocket clip. there's also 3" XM-18s and 3" Galyean pro-series knives (the Junk Yard Dog and Lahar).

Rick Hinderer's knives are very sought after custom knife maker. The production XM-18 has the blades CNC cut, so he's able to produce more of them. Tim Galyean is also a hot maker. his customs are generally sold for 4000-6000 dollars. so I'm not just naming these random unheard of makers. Hinderer's XM-18 is absolutely in the same league as the SNG and Sebenza. I think once he's able to meet the market demands, it'll be just as available (this could be years and years away though). For some reason the pro-series knives are no where near as hard to find, but they're incredible knives.
 
$400 is a lot of money for a college student to drop on a knife but its your green.... ;)

Personally I find the Striders dont offer a lot of blade for your buck. There's blade there but a lot of it is taken up by a very large choil. If you found the axis lock tricky to disengage, the Striders are even harder in my experience.

I would definitely shop around for a used Sebenza or 'Numzaan. They can be had for around $350 if you look hard enough.
 
Eh without a Strider VS CRK debate, I'll say this. Both are about the same price especially if you're looking on the exchange.

Get the SMF though, the cutting edge on the SNG is like 3 inches. You'll want more cutting edge with that kind of size. An SMF CC would be awesome to pick up if I were in the market for another SMF.
 
Buffalohump said:
$400 is a lot of money for a college student to drop on a knife but its your green.... ;)

Personally I find the Striders dont offer a lot of blade for your buck. There's blade there but a lot of it is taken up by a very large choil. If you found the axis lock tricky to disengage, the Striders are even harder in my experience.

I would definitely shop around for a used Sebenza or 'Numzaan. They can be had for around $350 if you look hard enough.
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that's why I suggested dealer-hunting for an XM-18. that way if he's not satisfied he can always turn around sell it without losing any money.

any of the knives we've talked about in this thread you'll be able to sell and get most of your money back if you're not happy.

I also agree about the axis locks being tricky. the axis lock is one of the easiest locks to engage. maybe you just had a bad one though.

I'd say you'd want a very smooth closing framelock, so I'd say the Umnumzaan or XM-18 are the best in that regard. smoothness can take a very long time to attain with Strider, if ever.
 
Good luck finding an XM-18 from a dealer! They sell out in minutes. You'd have to forego sleep and monitor 10 screens 24/7 to have a fair shot.... :p
 
Buffalohump said:
Good luck finding an XM-18 from a dealer! They sell out in minutes. You'd have to forego sleep and monitor 10 screens 24/7 to have a fair shot.... :p
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there's a few that still have lists, but who knows when the heck they'll get them. you'll have to contact them all, though. you can camp out on Rick's forum here, they come up often enough now. if you put your mind to it, you can get one, I think.
 
Have you considered a Benchmade 950 rift? It has a nice shape to it (very similar to that of the XM18) and really is a knife I would consider more in the "SNG" type class. The 940 IMO is more of a gentleman's knife but that is just me. On another note you are in a price bracket where you can really get some great knives from Al Mar to almost a Yuna customs ($460 that will get you some really od but awesome designs) o to Zero Tolerance, you can pick out the alphabet.

The best advice I can give is: dont make a hasty decision and keep looking till you feel that ding in your gut and you see the knife you know will give you the greatest joy.

On SNG: You get plenty of options, dual gunners grip (very grippy with holses in g10 and titanium) conceald carry (smooth g10) the standard lego build, different grinds (nightmare, 3/4, fully flat).
 
I love the 950 Rift too, but it doesn't have the warranty or burly strength of the Strider family. SNG for the win buddy. Welcome aboard.

Personally, I got an SNG and I love it, but I find my SMF (on of two now) has virtually replaced it. It just has a better feel in my hands, and is just generally burlier. My girlfriend, whose hands are a bit smaller, found the SNG fits her grip better. She's also an owner of a small Sebenza.

Don't let people discourage you on the price. Keep your eyes open, and keep 'em in the BF Exchange. I got one of my SMFs for 300, and the other for 350. So the deals are out there, just be patient, and keep your fingers at the ready to slam in those key words: "I'll take it!" You'll have one in no time. Once you do, there's no going back. :D
 
I am planning on getting an SNG CC, but only after I see one. I had the chance to get one last year, but due to finances, was unable to. I have owned several PT's, an SNG and an SMF. I am going to get those models again, but in CC editions. The SNG was my favorite folder, but for anything beyong regular EDC use, the edge was too thick. Hopefully, that will be different with the CC. I don't know for sure, because I haven't been able to handle one yet.
 
Here are some pics of the most mentioned blades above (which I just happen to have) -- SMF, XM-18 and Sebenza -- for size comparison. I also have had a BM 940 before. Its a great knife, but much less substantial in the hand than any of these; the Delica even less so.
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Just MHO but Strider knives are way overbuilt compared to say a Benchmade. They are two totally different animals. Beware the SNG is a gateway Strider. Everyone get's one and then they get an SMF. SMF is the way to go!
 
I think Strider Sng have to thick blade for EDC they are made for heavier work and if some heavy work are on my agenda I use a fixed blade. Also the pocket clip is....eh well it´s not working for me...I was a fool spending $ 500 dollar on a Strider, In retrospect a Sebenza would be the better choice for me.
 
If you get an SnG then you'll want to try an SMF later. In my opinion the CC or DGG SnG's are better for EDC, but I still like the SMF better. The ergonomics of the SnG are great, it has a good heat treat, the pocket clip hangs on to your pocket really well. To me, an SnG blade doesn't look as imposing as the blade on the Umnumzaan, which is also a great knife. The drop point full flat grind is a useful shape and easy to sharpen. I recently bought a Rift and it's a good, sharp knife. But I would rather have the SnG.
 
Mr. Rabbit--- I've been to folder insanityland and back and a SnG is clipped to my pocket. I prefer the Standard FFG Tanto SnG. There is nothing like an SnG.
Good luck.
 
lotus1972 said:
Beware the SNG is a gateway Strider. Everyone get's one and then they get an SMF. SMF is the way to go!
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Truer words were never spoken. First PT, then SNG, then SMF. Before I sold/traded them, I was getting ready to get an AR and GB. I also had the fixed blade version of the SMF, should've kept that. The SMF is a perfect size, but not comfortable for pants pocket carry.
 
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