Mick Strider has some explaining to do.

[Spark]

Do you respect people who stand up and say their piece, then stick around to take responsibility for it?

Do you respect people who stand up and call someone else out on lies, no matter how popular they are?

 

[DocArnie]

In my opinion, it's the only way to show their displeasure with this situation.

The funny thing is, that they'd be the first stone-throwers to call for boycotts if it was any other person but Mick Strider. I doubt that many of them took the time to even read the accusations. Someone said something about the great Mick and now I'll show him!

Honor.... my ass! :jerkit:

 

[SkunkWerX]

Hi Y'all,

It keeps being repeated that this scandal is old news. I am a member here and I didn't know anything about it until this week. I must not be deep enough in the Knife World to be on the distribution list.

I am willing to bet that most of the thousands of Strider owners STILL don't know about it and many never will.

Steve

Sorry, jumping in late in this fast moving thread.
Agree with SteveTexas, I don't track knifemakers and scandals, and had never heard about this.

At the core of this issue I see a business ethics problem. We've read about the Enrons of the world. The only way to stop this type of thing is to hold the scoundrels responsible.

Based strictly on heresay, I am to understand Strider Knives got LE and/or Military contracts? (If this is not the case perhaps it's simply another deception?) If this is indeed the case, what of the "honest" businesses that did NOT get the contract? Government contracts are typically lucrative and they are funded by our tax dollars. If government contracts were given to Strider Knives, even partly based on the "false persona" or "fraudulent credentials" presented by Mick Strider , that is a big problem.

I am fascinated by this story, and had never heard of it until reading this thread. I had not formed an opinion of Strider as a business or person before today, only knew of their knives and "their own" claims that they were made by former SPEC OPS for SPEC OPS.

While the information presented in this thread is quite provacative, and even considering my cynical nature, I can't see that statements have been made without support. In fact, there seems to be compelling evidence of multiple "issues" that are continuing up through 2-6-07.

Q: Is it OK to do business with someone who has used deception to further their business/product, even if you weren't one of those directly deceived?

I choose to do business with ethical and honest businessman, until such time they prove otherwise. If I owned Strider knives I would not necessarily sell them , but, after this revelation I would be hard pressed to ever do business with them again.

We vote with our wallet, not just for politicians, but for businesses as well.

I appreciate this thread, it was a huge eye opener.

 

[NousDefions]

Do you respect people who stand up and call someone else out on lies, no matter how popular they are?

Do you respect people who act incredibly sanctimonious, and pretend to be acting with only regard for the greater good?

It's obvious from your e-mails that were posted on the Mad Dog forums that you aren't considered by everyone to be a bastion of trustworthiness, either.

All I know about the issue is what I've read here, and all I've learned is that I am very glad I don't work in the knife industry.

ND

 

[Spark]

If you are saying that anything I've posted is untrue, by all means post a rebuttal. If you are going to question my motives, by all means, be specific. If you are going to call my integrity into question, by all means please tell me what you think of the person who this is about.

 

[Thomas Linton]

i'll raise with:



but i see it as fair to use that quote for the whole of the thread.

the supposition is unbounded and spark knows that mick left to not return and has only been baiting a hook for a fish that has swam away, luckly for spark, he has managed to hook all of us to at least visit, read, or post foolishly.

But after Mr. Strider left never to return, he returned for more posts than many who have appeared in this thread to express their support for him. Do an advanced search for his membership name: Mick Strider.

 

[Bohica2u]

Handgunner > Jan-Feb, 2005 > Article



Evolving edges: Strider knives get better and badder!
American Handgunner, Jan-Feb, 2005 by Pat Covert


Somewhere out there in the war zones of the world there are a bunch of heroes sleeping a little bit better knowing they've got a Strider knife strapped to their sides. These are the warriors who depend on edged steel for tough-ass field chores and hard-ass combat. These are the people for whom Strider makes knives.

It may come as a surprise to some, but Strider Knives is now 12 years old. Surprising because about three-quarters of those years were spent under the radar. During those years founders Mick Strider and Duane Dwyer, special ops veterans and super-patriots alike, quietly went about achieving their goal of building hard-use knives for military personnel who rely on a knife to cut all types of cord, including those of the vocal variety.

You can't keep a good thing secret forever, though, and we outed Strider in these pages several years ago in the pages of American Handgunner. Much to Mick and Duane's chagrin, we exposed their clandestine operation and touted their knives as being some of the meanest, toughest, and baddest fixed-blade knives on the market. They just thought they could hang around their special forces buddies, make a few knives, and tell war stories--but the jig was up.

Advertisement

Today Strider is a household name among serious users, thanks to accolades from the tactical and military communities and a collaborative relationship with Buck Knives that has spread the word among mainstream consumers. Rather than sit on their success, Strider Knives has steadily improved their product and expanded their wares to include folders, which are now the hottest sellers in the company's line. In addition to Buck, Strider has formed mutually beneficial alliances with other tactical industry insiders (Eagle Industries, Oakley, Surefire and Camelbak to name a few) to strengthen their viability in the marketplace.

Two years ago Strider spun off a second company--International Training and Operations Group, LLC--to provide expert training and instruction to pro-American tactical groups. The company offers POST authorized courses as well as specialized instruction tailored to their client's needs.

Bigger and Badder

If Strider had a theme song it would be, to paraphrase an old standard, "Mama don't allow no Wussie knives 'round here!" The company's built its reputation on meaty knives of quarter-inch thick blade steel and no-nonsense (synthetic and cord-wrapped) handles packaged in sound design patterns. They have never deviated from these hallmarks, but they have improved upon them.

A couple of years ago the company introduced "Strider Striping," a camouflage blade coating geared for the sole purpose of allowing the user to blend in with his or her surroundings. Strider's coatings are MILSPEC and applied at a government approved facility located near their home-base of San Marcos, California. They were also the first to apply a camo coating to Titanium, which can be found on their newest generation of folders. If imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery, Strider can relish in the fact several other companies have copied their technique.

Despite their cutting edge leanings, Strider's latest fixed-blade design is a tribute to perhaps the most celebrated tactical knife of all times, the Sykes/Fair-bairn dagger. Strider has produced two "evolved" versions of this time-honored dagger design: The first, originally known as the V42 stiletto, made for the legendary Devil's Brigade, the parent unit of today's U.S. Army Special Forces; and another which was simply known as the Marine Raider Stiletto or Raider Dagger for the U.S. Marine Raiders, man-for-man the most decorated unit in American military. While these knives are primarily meant for presentations and fund-raising activities for their respective units, they're built to Strider's typical overkill standards for pure bullet-proof performance.

Strider has also paid homage to another legendary knife, the Bowie, but unlike the above-mentioned daggers these bear no resemblance to their progenitor. The Strider MACVSOG Bowie, developed for members and former members of the same special forces outfit, does have a somewhat traditional clip point blade, but the guard and handle are radically different from anything history has offered up in the renowned Bowie name. These, too, are meant for assisting the unit in fund-raising and are Strider's way of giving back to the military and special ops community.

Formidable Folders

Four years ago Strider entered the tactical folder market, as might be expected, in a "big" way. Big in the sense their folders were built like brick outhouses, just like their fixed blades. Never ones to scrimp on blade steel or handle materials, the Strider boys dealt out both spear point (AR model) and tanto (GB model) designs (also typical of their fixed blade offerings) with brutish, checkered G-10 pistol grip handles over Titanium liners. These folders clock in at 8.5" fully opened and feel like a handful of rock-solid-fixed-blade in the hand. These first folders sold like hotcakes to the Strider faithful, spurring the company to embark on an all-new design


This is some funny shit. WOW. The Strider homers are something else.

 

[atlasfields]

1) Mick has been back since then to post here. If I was him I'd stay out of this thread also. It can't benefit him to post here at this point.

2) Because you would get banned or piled on if you persued that line of questioning anywhere but here for the most part. And if you say the "wrong" thing here you can be banned from those same places too. (Not referring to the Badlands as, like I said, as long as you're respectful they will allow you to have your own opinion.)

oil

1) Micks Last Activity: 10-17-2005 11:53 AM

2) If the concern is getting banned for asking, are you really losing something?

If the question/ s are asked in a respectful manner, as noted above, then why hasn't anyone done so? And by done so, in a place where Mick would be most likely to respond.

If you want to know the answer, ask the question.

 

[Thomas Linton]

Direct quote from the above mentioned link...

"Once you have completed RIP, you will finally be a Ranger and you will receive an assignment to either the 75th Ranger Regiment Headquarters or one of the three Ranger Battalions."

So can we all agree (Spark), that Mick was infact a Ranger? If you say no, can you explain how you arrive at such a conclusion?

It is not important that a private site (".com") says he was entitled to call himself a "Ranger." It is significant that the G says he was a Ranger.

None of which disposes of the claims of combat and special ops service or the offer of service in Somalia in lieu of incarceration.

 

[NousDefions]

If you are saying that anything I've posted is untrue, by all means post a rebuttal. If you are going to question my motives, by all means, be specific. If you are going to call my integrity into question, by all means please tell me what you think of the person who this is about.

I know nothing of your integrity, only what has been written here. I've read page after page of accounts of dirty dealings and mistrust, not just involving Mr. Strider, but also yourself, Kevin McClung, and other names of which I am not familiar. The whole thing smacks of a grudge, and doesn't allow for much respect to be engendered by EITHER side.

If you are also asking what I think of Mr. Strider, I can only say that they few times I have met him have been extremely positive, and nothing about his actions caused me to even remotely question his character. Until reading this thread I had no idea that his knives were sold based on any combat experience of his, although the Strider booth always seems surrounded by Special Operations men who trust and like Mr. Strider implicitly.

That says far more about the man to me than internet posts of his made in 2002. But I could be unique in that way.

 

[Gollnick]

If Strider had a theme song it would be, to paraphrase an old standard, "Mama don't allow no Wussie knives 'round here!" The company's built its reputation on meaty knives of quarter-inch thick blade steel and no-nonsense (synthetic and cord-wrapped) handles packaged in sound design patterns. They have never deviated from these hallmarks, but they have improved upon them.

Let me say again lest anyone just joining who may not want to read fifteen pages of posts misunderstand: NOBODY HEREIN* HAS IMPUGNED STRIDER KNIVES.

Just about everyone I know agrees that Strider knives are very well-designed and very well-made. I've never heard anyone in a position to judge say that Strider knives are not entirely combat- and specOps-worthy.

The knives are NOT at issue here.




* Obviously, I don't know what anyone might have said elsewhere. But, in this thread, nobody -- including Spark -- has, thusfar, impugned the knives.

 

[Spark]

Honestly, I have no issue with Mick saying he was a Ranger. He was in the 2/75, for however short a period as it may be. What I can't seem to get nailed down is what dates he actually served.

My issues are claims of Special Operations backgrounds, combat service, being sentenced to Somalia, and using firerarms after being convicted of a felony.

 

[Bohica2u]

Here's another one:

www.cutleryshoppe.com

Buck's rugged Tactical knives are engineered for trained professionals in military; law enforcement; fire, search and rescue, first response, and survival, as well as other demanding situations where "failure is not an option." Each Buck Tactical knife (also referred to as survival knife) is designed for rapid deployment and is manufactured with materials that are virtually indestructible. Because tactical knives have special requirements, Buck Knives has collaborated with Strider Knives. Owners Mick Strider and Duane Dwyer are quite experienced in military special operations. Their unique backgrounds contribute the appropriate perspective for designing these tough knives.
Full-size, tactical field knife for those who are "Proud to Serve." Sheath included.

 

[Thomas Linton]

I'm sorry, you're suggesting here that you are a lawyer involved with Federal Criminal practice,yet you made 2 completely inaccurate statements- when the sentencing guidelines went into effect and that there are no appeals from a guilty plea. Both Boats and I corrected you, I provided the citations to the relevant rules, and now you are saying what is available under the FOIA but you don't know how to obtain the clerk's files (they are not called case files). OK, you might want to dump the internet lawyer act.

Here is a little tutorial. It depends on the court, the local rules and procedures, etc... as to how you can obtain the clerk's files. If one has a subscription to Lexis or Westlaw there are some trial court files available but that is rare since these are mostly unreported cases. Some jurisdictions will have scanned images of the paperwork but that is spotty and depends on the funding and manpower of the clerk's office. There are some other online services like PACER that provide files for a fee. Most places you can go to the clerk's office and search their computer or check out the file, but you have to make copies there and they charge an arm and a leg. Even a simple file will be an inch thick and it is highly doubtful if any clerk's office will make a copy for you and send you it, they all tend to be overworked and understaffed. So you need to contact the clerk's office and find out what their policies are.

Terminology may vary from place to place by custom and practice. In the Northern District of Ohio, they are called "case files." If they are also called "clerk's files, I have missed that fact. Certainly, the files are in the care and custody of the Clerk of Court. Everyting else you say sounds familiar. The interest of Court functionaries in assisting you in gaining access/copies certainly varies -- sometimes, seemingly, from moment to moment -- certainly from person to person.

 

[Boats]

Trying to put the questions to Mick directly has proven really productive.

http://www.badlandsforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=82670&postcount=21

mick

the fact you went to prison suprised me, it is great that you have rebuilt your life and are doing something productive. it is unavoidable that some people's opinion of you and the veracity of your word will be colored by that part of your history. many of the "good guys" in the knife world think you are a good guy and that means something too.

however, i think a key issue is being ignored here, and if you cut through all the crap on bladeforums it is plain and simple

has Mick Strider lied or exaggerated about his history?

no rational person would expect you to advertise the fact you went to prison. people like mcclung might delight in that fact but that guy has way to many of his own issues to criticize others. ditto for lynn thompson.

so i am asking you:

did you ever tell anyone you were in combat? and were you telling the truth?

is your military history as related by your own postings, press articles and links on your own website factually correct or not?



why am i asking this or do i care? good people look to be getting hurt.

there was an episode on bf.com where jbravo, who i think most would agree is a really good guy, defended mick and lost $500 doing so. (the issue was about mick ever having claimed to be in combat)

i think that sucks

Only meaningful reply to date from Mick:

http://www.badlandsforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=82676&postcount=24

i had never spoken publicly regarding my military history up till i was attacked on the internet. Since that time, ive spoken publicly a little, and privately a little.

In the beginning of SKI, when asked by my best friend and business partner Duane, what i did in the Army; i told him i was a Ranger. When people asked Duane, he said the same. Mick served in the Ranger Regiment.

With the group i hang around with, and the discussions we have, it is evident to all that i know what the hell im talking about WHEN i speak, which is not often.

im sure that i have indicated through discussion on certain topics that i have been in a fight or three...but have never associated a time or unit that it may have been with. Unfortunately, my life has not been very overt, ive done a lot of shit, and talking about my history will ALWAYS get me in more trouble than its worth. My friends and family don’t know what I have done.

So, with that in mind, would you say that there could always be a chance that fifteen thousand dollars and agreeing to call myself a dipshit on paper, is a lot less expensive than the alternative of going to prison for either talking, or keeping my mouth shut again?

Its all funny to me….if you ever met me in person you would understand more….i don’t tell ANYONE anything! Im a closed mouthed introvert.

Back to work

m

More typical reaction:

http://www.badlandsforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=83535&postcount=42

I think Mick answered your question alot more politely than most people would..

Your profile shows ZERO military involvement.

Exactly who are you to question the service of others?

I don't say this alot, but you need to know your lane and stay in it.

If theres any issue regarding the validity of one's military or combat service, let those individuals who have stood in those shoes ask the questions. Does it really matter anyways?

Let it drop.

 

[Bohica2u]

Wow, another....

/www.rstacticalgear.com/pd_bu881.cfm

BUCK MINI STRIDER
Tactical tough! That’s the Strider, the result of a collaboration of Buck Knives with Strider Knives. Made to be reliable in even the harshest environments, Strider is made with advanced materials, all of this makes Strider the ultimate tactical knife.



Features a 3 in. tanto style ATS-34 steel blade, and a G10 reinforced handle with titanium liners.

Field Tested
When faced with the request for a high-tech tactical folder, Buck's product development group used the formula that produced such winners as the Tiburon, Big Sky, and Intrepid: work with established experts in the field. A country-wide search ended with Mick Strider and Duane Dwyer, hot young designers known for creating $350+ custom knives. Oddly enough, they had been using Buck Knives own Paul Bos to heat treat their knives for the past ten years and were headquartered only 30 miles away!

Mick and Duane were ideally suited to design Buck Knives first tactical folder - the are both former members of the elite United States Special Operation Command (USSOCOM). We ended up going through countless knives and found that "...the only knife you have tends to break at the most inconvenient time." That's why Mick and Duane insist on only the best raw materials, such as ATS-34 steel, and a specific standard for blade geometry.

Buck was impressed with Strider Knives rigorous field testing techniques including a week-long trip last year to the Grand Canyon just to test a new design. Buck Knives is excited and proud to work with the Strider team. Buck and Strider - a winning combination

 

[DaveH]

Might be considered an improvement, no longer telling lies, but not telling the truth (or answering the question) either.

heh, I'm not staying in my lane.

 

[Spark]

Bohica2u, that is ad copy that was produced by Buck Knives. Whether they based those statements on something Mick Strider told them, I cannot say. But, they are the ones that wrote it.

 

[wolfmann601]

I'm sorry, you're suggesting here that you are a lawyer involved with Federal Criminal practice,yet you made 2 completely inaccurate statements- when the sentencing guidelines went into effect and that there are no appeals from a guilty plea. Both Boats and I corrected you, I provided the citations to the relevant rules, and now you are saying what is available under the FOIA but you don't know how to obtain the clerk's files (they are not called case files). OK, you might want to dump the internet lawyer act.

Here is a little tutorial. It depends on the court, the local rules and procedures, etc... as to how you can obtain the clerk's files. If one has a subscription to Lexis or Westlaw there are some trial court files available but that is rare since these are mostly unreported cases. Some jurisdictions will have scanned images of the paperwork but that is spotty and depends on the funding and manpower of the clerk's office. There are some other online services like PACER that provide files for a fee. Most places you can go to the clerk's office and search their computer or check out the file, but you have to make copies there and they charge an arm and a leg. Even a simple file will be an inch thick and it is highly doubtful if any clerk's office will make a copy for you and send you it, they all tend to be overworked and understaffed. So you need to contact the clerk's office and find out what their policies are.

DO NOT ever insult me again by calling me a phucking Lawyer, that's a low blow!!!! One quick tidbit; the criminal Investigation file is not subject to the FOIA. Motions for discovery are file and only granted the prosecution and defense and not the public. Tough to get it all even in a Civil Trial. If the Criminal case is televised one may be able to obtain lots of the file via TV but not the actual paperwork. Call me a lawyer, how dare you!!!!! I have a 2X4 for you

Nah,I am just one of the white hat boys that watch folks charged with Federal Offenses where the original charge is No-prossed, a new Charge substituted and a negoiated plea agreed upon and accepted by the Court. there would be no incentive to plead if there was no room to negoiate. In Mick's case, he is one of the few 'carjackers" to be handled outside the State Courts even if there is an allegation of Interstawe transportation of Stoolen property. maybe he was an Merc Operator for one of the private Contractors and did what he did as an agent of them.. Highly unlikely bust so arfe California carjacking cases transferred to the US District Court.

And with this post I must now stop. This whole event has become an en ormous pissing contest. I have seen the evidence posted here as relayed by others via word of mouth, claims the DD214 was a fraud because of the way Honarble was [if it were written that way I would agree , I mean Honorable!!!] and a slew of other facts. taken on face value without any defense case presented and the Jury would return a verdict in 20 minutes after taking a 15 minute smoking break. Furthermore, several are now working to get the unredacted paperwork to post here that will once and for all Identify the Liar. With what I have heard so far it's a no brainer with the ball back in the Strider Court. Silence now just corroborates guilt so it is truly important for the "defendant" to present his eveidence and quickly. Then we can all return to the good aspects of the knife world!!!!
I spent a lot of time in the Courts and watched Sentencing guidlines in the earlly to mid 90's dismissed by the Court on a routine basis.

Even Defense Lawyers in the Federal System know how to get around the "guidlines". States like mine at the State levekl have truth in sentencing Laws that are routinely and creatively not followed in order to get a plea. There was a test Pilot program of no negoiated pleas allowed and the Court became so backlogged that they discontinued the Pilot after three Months because instead of the standard 10% going to trial it was now at more than 90%.

So tell me I am wrong, tell me I cited inaccurate info. then ask any Prosecutor or Cop [State or Fed] who brings pukes to justice how many times they go down on the original charge and do time as the guidlines stipulate.

Nah, I have been there and one that and the Courts what they are because the system is what it is, flawed................

rant on, lets seek the Death penalty on Strider, his alleged posing must have caused the death of many both in war and in suicide because Mick stole their glory.:jerkit: I know exactly how it feels to get blown up in a firefight and then hear others who have never been there purport to have seen and been involved in worse just for the glory............

And once again to my E-mail buddies I have no desire to nsupport of defend Mick Strider. I am not a supporter just as he is not an Ira supporter. I remember being accused of something on another Forum that resulted in my Banishment that quite a few knew to be bullshit. I don't remember Mick coming to my aid, support or at minimum demandiong to see the evidence.

My position is that the prosecution needs to rest because the Jury returned it's verdict a while ago and went home to start on their second bottle of single malt scotch.....

And one more; Guilty folks cannot appeal their conviction based on innocence or guilt. the Federal acknowledgement of rights form and waiver and the process one undertakes to plead guilty, which includes admitting they have pled guilty because they are guilty cannot appeal their guilt or innocence. They can only appeal errors in law.

Read the US Supremes rulings on this and as a NON-Lawyer I cannot cite the sites. But you Lawyers are; I am sure can find it and tell me I am wrong. Then as a Favor I will give you the US District Court I spend [t] lots of time in and was part and parcel to a whole slew of cases disposed of outside the guidlines. Then you can go after the Fed judges right after you crucify Mick some more. The Judicial Conduct Committee exists for this reason and others.

Man am I done here. I plan to be at Blade this year and look forward to those who want and plan to phuck Mick walk over to his table and advise him of such. Then go to the next table and advise Ernie and Mary Emerson never to lie for Mick again!!!

For the record I am not a dentist so just confront them in an adult fashion, without aggression and say what's on your mind face to face in an adult fashion. You might be shocked to find their rebuttal very civilized...............maybe not

 

[Gollnick]

www.cutleryshoppe.com

Owners Mick Strider and Duane Dwyer are quite experienced in military special operations. Their unique backgrounds contribute the appropriate perspective for designing these tough knives.

I know several people who have extensive experience with special operations and who have never been in the miltary and never in combat at all. They are engineers working in the military/industrial complex who design special equipment for specOps soldiers. They work with and interact with the soldiers frequently and, I would say, are quite expert on special operations despite having never been on the ground themselves. You don't need to be a soldier yourself to have valuable expertise in that area.

www.rstacticalgear.com/pd_bu881.cfm

Mick and Duane were ideally suited to design Buck Knives first tactical folder - the are both former members of the elite United States Special Operation Command (USSOCOM).

Keep in mind that one must separate what other say about Mike from what Mike says about Mike. Mike can't be held responsible for what others say about him.