Mission or Strider

PartialSerrations

PartialSerrations

Joined
Nov 22, 2001
Messages
1,106
Hello fellow members! I'm in the market for a real expensive folder. My idea of a good knife is one it cuts, be easy to sharpen, and maintain an edge and just be tough. Not that I intend on abusing it but there are times when you may need to use it in a way a knife shouldn't be used. The 2 manufacturers that come to mind are Mission and Strider. Which one is best? I will carry this knife daily and use it for general utility. Self defense would be my second option. I hear the claims of whose the best. In your opinion, which one is best? If there is a tougher folder out there, let me know. Al Mar does make some I might add.


IF WAR IS HELL, TAKE A BETTER PITCHFORK THAN THE DEVIL
 
Well, Strider definitely fits your description to a "T". :D

I didn't know that Mission even made folders, and I'm not familiar with any of their knives at all, so I can't comment.

I can tell you that Strider makes some of the finest blades around, bar none, and they have the customer service and support to back it up.

Basically, if you EVER break or damage your blade, it will be repaired or replaced free of charge and NO questions asked. Every Strider also comes with complimentary lifetime sharpening/refinishing and any other maintenance that your blade might need.

Pretty cool! :cool:
 
"Real Expensive" is certainly relative around these parts, even a Sebenza or Strider is pretty cheap compared to the customs discussed on this forum.

The Strider folders have an excellent reputation as sturdy, bulletproof folders. They are, however, really big. If that's ok, go for it. Handle one first though. IMO, if you really need a Strider folder, buy a Fallkniven or SRK fixed blade instead and spend the cash you save on a custom sheath, and a BM or Spyderco folder.

I have no experience with Mission knives.

There are many, many other folders out there that may fulfill your needs better than either you mentioned - Spyderco (Military), Al Mar (S2K), Emerson (Commander/CQC), Microtech (LCC), Gerber (Spectre) and Benchmade (AFCK/710), to name just a few, all make extremely competent folders.

There is also the Buck/Strider to consider, a super tough but less expensive, and somewhat more utilitarian knife, than a GB or AR.

If your ultimate criteria is toughness, the Striders are probably your best choice, but for general utility and SD, there may be more portable options.
 
No offense, but there's no way at all that you can even mention Emerson, Spyderco, or many other brands in the same sentence as Strider.

If the guy is thinking along the lines of a Strider (a big, beefy, bullet-proof folder) then he's going to be *quite* disappointed with an Emerson.

Of course I am not knocking those other blades. All the manuf. you mentioned make great knives, but they are nowhere near Striders.

Oh, you may also look at the Extrema Ratio folders. They are pretty beefy-looking too. Check out the new Extrema forum here.

Also, I'd venture to say that even a Fallkniven or Cold Steel, while VERY fine knives, are again in a whole different league than Strider. Also consider the legalities of fixed blade carry. In CA we cannot carry a FB concealed in any way, but can carry any size folder. Imagine the looks you'd get in a city with a medium to large FB on your belt.

Not to mention that the cops would probably find some way to bust you or confiscate your knife. :rolleyes:

Regarding the Buck-Strider, from what I've read they are awesome knives indeed; stronger and bigger by far than your average BM or Spyderco, but still not close to the original.

It all depends on what you want.
 
Not to knock your criteria, brother, but if what you really want is a "real expensive folder" there's a lot of great knives to spend your money on. If what you really want is the best folder you can get for what you want to use it for, hold onto some of that money! :) You don't necessarily have to spend a lot to get a lot.

Durability does cost. All Striders are not so big and beefy, though. Check out the SnG. It is compact and concealable, practically indestructible, and should hold an edge as well as any knife on the market.

Forget Mission. I love Mission knive, but they are titanium, which is specialized. Their folders are entirely made of titanium, and will not cut like steel. Of course, if all you're into is prying or stabbing, they might do. :p If someone told you titanium doesn't show up in a metal detector, don't believe it.

Before you make up your mind, check out a variety of prices and capabilities from the Sebenza to the Al Mar Sere 2000 to the Camillus CUDA Maxx. If you are going to spend so much, consider also picking up a small, sharp Spyderco for ordinary unobtrusive use.
 
You can't go wrong with a Strider SnG.

Another good option would be a nice Sebenza.

Or you could go for a custom. So many choices...

-- Rob
 
*smacks head*

Yeah, I forgot about the SnG. It is smaller than the AR/GB and for some people, better suited to EDC.

Don't get me wrong; I EDC my Tactical GB and LOVE it, but it is large and not everyone wants to carry such a large blade all the time.

I do though! :D

Also: While I can understand the concept of carrying a huge blade and also carrying a smaller, more sheep-friendly blade, I think its a bit ridiculous.

Obviously, only you know your situation and what is appropriate, but I say if you are going to spend the money on a beautiful and tough knife, USE IT and TO HELL with the sheep!

Part of the reason why I love big blades is because of their intimidation factor.

That's just me. :D
 
Just call me ridiculous :D My small, unobtrusive carry is an Umfaan or Mnandi, sometimes a BM Big Spender or a Spydie SS Cricket. When all I need to cut is a thread or a plastic package, I feel a blade size more in line with its target is easier to use.
 
Originally posted by Esav Benyamin
When all I need to cut is a thread or a plastic package, I feel a blade size more in line with its target is easier to use.
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Yes, but is it as FUN as using a huge blade, and does it scare the sheeple as well? :D :D

:p
 
For big beefy extreme folders, I would be debating between a Strider AR/GB or Extrema Ratio Fulcrum II D/T.

These are large beefy knives that will serve in the role that you described.

If you want to go smaller, there are a lot of choices I would consider. Among them are:

Strider SnG - S30V
Chris Reeve's Sebenza - S30V
Ryan Wilson & Ralph Darrel's CQB - 440C
 
there's no way at all that you can even mention Emerson, Spyderco, or many other brands in the same sentence as Strider.
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I guess that depends on what you want the knife to do. For certain tasks, the EKI and Spyderco knives might be the better choice. If I'm prying up manhole covers, the GB would be the ticket. Not so useful for say, slicing a tomato.

I'm not knocking Strider - to each his own and they are arguably the most bombproof production folder out there. But to state that Strider folders are unequivocally superior to other knives in every aspect is a stretch.

Striders are just ATS34, with superior heat treatment. A Sebbie or S30V Military will typically cut better, longer, even if they aren't as "tough".

And in terms of cutting performance, a VG10 Fallkniven or SR101 Swamp Rat will certainly hang with any Strider.
 
I didn't say that they are superior in every aspect. I said that they are far tougher and larger than any of the blades you mentioned. And what I meant when I said that you can't compare Strider to Emerson and BM is that you are comparing apples and oranges.

It's like comparing Ferraris and pickup trucks; two totally different things.

The AR's and GB's fold, just like some Emersons and BM's. And that is where the similarities end.

Furthermore, most Striders are now S30V. But to say "just xyz metal with superior heat treatment" is sorta dumb. No offense.

The heat treat is what makes a blade. You could have the best steel in the world, but with crappy heat treatment, the thing isn't worth a buck.

Lastly, I view Striders as far more than a mere cutting tool. They are prybars, hammers, etc. Obviously no knife is designed to be abused, nor do I ever abuse my Strider. But I know that if I ever had to, it would gladly take it and stick around for more. I'm thinking SHTF-type scenarios. Though I guess a multi-tool would be a nice thing to have, you can't always carry all that stuff...
 
"tough as a 45 year-old bar-whore!" Glockman99

First of all, the babes I chased during my biker days are probably all at least 45. Initially, I took an 'attitude' about this, then I realized you're probably right. Still, it just galls me.

As for this thread, while I have both the Strider AR and the SnG, I choose the SnG if I have to do a lot of sitting or driving. The AR handle 'rests' on my right thigh when seated. It doesn't quite dig in, but after an hour or so, it gets old. Still, if I'm in crappy blue jeans, hiking, stalking the great American mall-ninja or truck camping, the AR is the right knife.

Now, I did go to Camp Meeting this weekend; that's a large backwoods Girl Scout Camp my church bought for tent meetings. I carried the SnG, as most of the time we were sitting and schmoozing, and I took a fixed blade "just in case." As it turned out, I was WAY over-packed. A three-inch Microtech Mini-Socom would have been more than enough knife.
 
But to say "just xyz metal with superior heat treatment" is sorta dumb
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I was not aware Strider switched to S30V. So apparently ATS34 wasn't good enough? ;)

Yes, heat treatment is critical - but given EQUIVALENT treatment, S30V or VG10 should outperform - or at least equal - the performance of ATS34. You can't condition/treat/cryo ATS34 into something it isn't.

And that is where the similarities end.
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Intended or not, your implication is that "big and beefy" is superior to "not big and beefy". Depending on intended use, that could be true, or not.

Enjoy your GB.
 
Originally posted by xsrdx
I was not aware Strider switched to S30V. So apparently ATS34 wasn't good enough? ;)
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Strider is constantly innovating their products. Hence my very firm belief that they are the best. They rely heavily on customer feedback and stay as up to date as possible on new materials, production processes, etc. If they believe S30V or XYZ to be better than what they are currently using, then yes, they will switch to the better material.

IMO, they are more up-to-date and faster to respond to customer input than any other knifemaker I know of. Again, their warranty says it all. And usually, regardless of how busy they may be, turnaround time for repairs is under two weeks, often far less.

Enjoy your GB.
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Oh I do, and I will! :D

:)
 
Originally posted by Ichabod Poser
"tough as a 45 year-old bar-whore!" Glockman99

First of all, the babes I chased during my biker days are probably all at least 45. Initially, I took an 'attitude' about this, then I realized you're probably right. Still, it just galls me.
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I've put in 8+ years as a Deputy Sheriff, and a couple as a bar-bouncer, so I do know just how tough those 45 year-old bar-whores can be.:D.
 
Glockman99,

No question about it. Never a whore, but a lady; as I've said, I once dated a blonde bike chick named Collette, and it still scares me. Imagine Rae Hollitt in black leather. In fact, when I hear the song "Her Favorite Color is Chrome," I get all misty. Anyhoo, Collette took my brand new Harley Low-Rider, tossed me on the back and took me for a spin. "Took me for a spin" also describes that evening's festivities, hence my fear.

(BTW, if you know Collette who rode with the C.C. Riders circa 1971, have her answer this thread.)

Truth be told, I never turned my back on a biker babe when the cut glass ashtrays started flying. I could handle a drunken townie, but a biker babe with blood in her eye is just frikken dangerous.
 
I own an SNG and I have a Tactical GB pre-ordered. Although my SNG has a stout blade it will shave the hair off my arm and slice fruit. A VG-10 Spyderco may slice better but the SNG will still do the job with very nice results.

I was fishing yesterday using one of my favorite lures, "Rapala Skitter Pop", and while I was reeling it in the lure got stuck in a tree and was hanging over the water. The heavy thick blade was ideal for chopping a few of the limbs off of the small tree with one swing and I got my lure back.
 
Just an FYI, but Mission does offer their folders in A2 tool steel for the blade, not just in titanium as stated above.
 
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