My new Strider SNG......Interesting.

[Lycosa]

seedubs1- Sorry about that. Man.
I had 5 SnG's and no problems. Even with the old lock-face.
I'm down to one and this one is a keeper.
rolf

 

[EricV]

Should of got the CC model, much nicer feel/look.

This^ The CC is vastly better. I had a lego for all of 12 hours before passing it on to someone else, but my CC just fits. Mine also has tighter than average fit for a Strider though, so there is that luck factor. I have my first CRK on the way though, so I might end up like Ankerson, but for now I've not found a better user than my SnG CC. Definitely use the damn thing before judging it too hard though.

 

[Charr]

You know, when I got my Strider I thought very much the same thing at first, but when I used the knife, I just started to not care anymore. The CPM154 they use has a very nice heat treat on it and perfroms very well (I much prefer it to S30V anyday), and the SNG I had was used, but was perfectly centered, had a flawless action, and was a dream to use and own.

Now, would I compare that knife to my Sebenza? Simply put, no. I think that Strider makes a nice knife, but they certainly do not make something that will compete with the Sebenza in terms of fit, finish, and tolerances.

Now, does that mean I disliked my Strider? Hell no! I loved carrying that thing. It was a great knife that was a blast to use, had great ergos, and held an edge very well, while still being very easy to sharpen and maintain. I ended up selling it to fund a grail knife, and I have sworn to buy another when the right one makes it's appearance.

Would I say that Strider might charge a little more than is necessary for their knives? That is a tough thing to decide one way or another honestly. I would not say that the money you pay is not going more to the name of the knife than it is in a CRK, but I certainly can't say that I know every aspect of Strider's manufacturing process, and could make any claims as to what their actual profit is on each knife.
I would not disagree that they tend to not warrant the money that you spend as much as CRK or Hinderer products do (now that Hinderers are available for $550 new from dealers), but I also find that I liked actually using my SNG more than I have the XM-18 that I owned, and I would be much less worried about damaging it than I would my Sebenza.
On the flip side though, I still own the Sebenza, and I don't own the XM-18 or the SNG anymore (though I probably will own both again), which might speak volumes about it at the end of the day.

 

[Ankerson]

This^ The CC is vastly better. I had a lego for all of 12 hours before passing it on to someone else, but my CC just fits. Mine also has tighter than average fit for a Strider though, so there is that luck factor. I have my first CRK on the way though, so I might end up like Ankerson, but for now I've not found a better user than my SnG CC. Definitely use the damn thing before judging it too hard though.

Well.

For me I knew I had a 25 coming and I really liked the SmF CC SW that I used to have and I did miss it.

I posted not all that long ago that I would make the choice about getting another Strider after I got the 25.

For me the 25 is the knife, that's not to say that it will be the one for everyone, but I personally like it better as it fits me better and what I use my knives for.

The interesting thing really is that now and when I had my Umnumzaan the CRK's found their way into my pocket more than anything else.

 

[Czechmate]

Congrats on your SNG; they're a great little knife. :thumbup:

Pics of my last two SNG's to entice those wanting to try one out that haven't already

 

[KnifeSherpa]

This seems like a 1911 to Glock comparison. Personally, I see my small CRK sabenza as more of a letter opener and the strider as the workhorse. Maybe it is because it is the small one, but to me they are in a totally different class. I really don't see what the fuss is with Sabenzas or how they could be driven hard. If you are putting around an office then the Sabenza wins. Actually out using though...my money is on strider.

They scream to be used like no other knife.

 

[KnifeSherpa]

So I got my new Strider SNG delivered today and overall, I like the knife. But, I know this will piss some off, but there is no way in hell that this is a $400 knife. I would say more like $150 and that is being generous. Take my ZT 0550 Gen 3. Made in the US and has similar fit, but a nicer overall finish. Strider must make a huge profit margin on these. I mean, they can't even include a box....just a baggy in bubble wrap. Now my CRK 25 is easily a $400 knife and imho, at the build and pricepoint between the two, the SNG being $400.....The CRK 25 should cost $800-$900.

Now for what I like. None of the complaints I have read about SNG's or Striders in general appear on my knife. Blade is centered, lock, while a tiny sticky is still easy to use and actually feels like my Spyderco Techno when I first got that. And the Techno broke in like butter. Lockup is early, even though I prefer a later one. Stonewash is really nice and the ergonomics are fantastic.

Now, I plan to keep the SNG, because it screams to be used. In fact....to test it out, I put it in my gun safe and when I shut the door....It started screaming like a little girl who just found out Justin Beiber died. It did not want to be there.

Anyhow as Ankerson said....(Not an exact quote), "No pictures, then you don't own it".

So here it is next to my CRK

BTW, is that a Kevin John Strider?

You probably got a fake!

 

[bodog]

BTW, is that a Kevin John Strider?

You probably got a fake!

It's funny you say that. Looking at all the pictures made me stop and think the same thing. How do we know all of these aren't fakes? There are several knives I'll never buy on the secondary market. CRK, Strider, and Spyderco military, pm2, and southard. I'm surprised any of these have a secondary market at all anymore given all of the fakes.

 

[Screwdriver]

I think some are missing my point. I really like the knife and it will be solidly in my knife rotation, and plan to carry it daily for a few weeks. I have been carrying my CRK 25 before this and between the two will be "the" rotation. There is really nothing about the SNG that I do not like. After paying $440 for the CRK and $400 for the SNG, I think anyone that has or has them can understand my value comments.

 

[Screwdriver]

BTW, is that a Kevin John Strider?

You probably got a fake!

Bought new from KnifeArt.......Authorized Strider dealer.

 

[BellaBlades]

If you are putting around an office then the Sabenza wins.

I do agree totally with your assessment of the Strider. But that is most ignorant comment I have heard in a while. Many of the guys into CRK are blue collar. The lock up and geometry on the CRK is more reliable and perfected than the Strider, that is a good reason why it will keep up. And cut better too. Then again the SNG cuts well for a thicker blade and has a tip I would trust to do almost anything.

I do agree the SNG is certainly nick named the Work horse by me and is more capable in taking a beating.
It is just as much my favorite as a Large sebbie. But this is not a thread saying one is better than another. It is to provide proof that the Strider is worth its value and it certainly is.
But I dont put a title on what type of people carry certain knives. We dont profile around here.

 

[KnifeSherpa]

Wait are were talking blue collar union or real blue collar? Sorry i am from WI. I am just saying i am more willing to work a strider hard than a sabenza. I think it can take more.

 

[Ankerson]

I think some are missing my point. I really like the knife and it will be solidly in my knife rotation, and plan to carry it daily for a few weeks. I have been carrying my CRK 25 before this and between the two will be "the" rotation. There is really nothing about the SNG that I do not like. After paying $440 for the CRK and $400 for the SNG, I think anyone that has or has them can understand my value comments.

Yeah, the CRK's will be somewhat more refined comparing them directly, but both are high quality knives from what I have seen.

 

[kniferbro]

Wait are were talking blue collar union or real blue collar? Sorry i am from WI. I am just saying i am more willing to work a strider hard than a sabenza. I think it can take more.

I think the point in contention is that the seb is only good for "putting around an office". The strider can definitely take more abuse.

 

[Screwdriver]

I think the point in contention is that the seb is only good for "putting around an office". The strider can definitely take more abuse.

I don't agree.....From looking at both, I am sure the 25 could hold up as well as the Strider....but are most owners of Sebenzas willing to use them that hard?

But why do you feel that the Strider is so much stronger then the Sebenza?

 

[Nrock]

It's funny how fast threads like this turn into a Strider vs CRK debate. I've never really thought they had much in common, other then price, myself. The Striders seem to be geared more towards hard use then Sebenzas. That being said if all you used a Sebenza for was opening mail or cutting fruit, then you just wasted $400+ IMO.

 

[BellaBlades]

It's funny how fast threads like this turn into a Strider vs CRK debate. I've never really thought they had much in common, other then price, myself. The Striders seem to be geared more towards hard use then Sebenzas. That being said if all you used a Sebenza for was opening mail or cutting fruit, then you just wasted $400+ IMO.

They are both so popular and great designs. They are put up on a pedestal and compared. I guess it is inevitable as proven here. And sometimes that will be a let down for certain folks if it is not out of this world for them.

ScrewDriver. Thickness is primarily what makes the blade "tougher". I dont care how thick a lock or handle is, that has nothing to do with toughness or reliability. And a wider blade profile like a leaf blade. That said. The body pins on the sebenza go into the other frame side and then screw together. Where as the strider, just has screws going into the backspacer. Therefore in that respect the sebbie has a tougher build. When it comes down to it. None of this really matters IMO. They both cut. I have used my strider to pry things, even my car door in a pinch one time. I would never do that with my sebbie. But I also use my sebbie for food prep when my SNG would mostly crush veggies instead of cut them well.
If I could afford to own both I would, but I sold my SNG and ended up with what works best for me owning just one knife.
I love them both and that is where I will leave it.
The only difference how I use them differently would be I treat the tip of my sebbie with a bit more respect. That is it.

That reminds me how much I love the Manix 2. Very similar to me in design to the strider, but under 100$ around here.

 

[RetiredGuns]

"My buddy has Striders and I wouldn't own one" is about the most useless statement. Like mentioned, you have to put a Strider to task and see what you think. I personally found that my Sebenzas dulled far too quickly in my daily tasks. Yes, I could touch them up nightly, but I never have the need with my SnG in CPM154 FFG variant. As far as value goes, completely subjective. Folks were paying near $1k for an XM18 not too long ago and now they are sitting idle at less than $500. The market tells all. If you dumped me off in the woods with nothing but my clothes and a choice between an SnG & a Sebenza, I'm going to take the SnG. That's worth something in my book.

 

[timberweasel]

This seems like a 1911 to Glock comparison. Personally, I see my small CRK sabenza as more of a letter opener and the strider as the workhorse. Maybe it is because it is the small one, but to me they are in a totally different class. I really don't see what the fuss is with Sabenzas or how they could be driven hard. If you are putting around an office then the Sabenza wins. Actually out using though...my money is on strider.

They scream to be used like no other knife.

May we see a photo of your two knives side-by-side?

 

[KnifeSherpa]

Here you are weasel.