- Joined
- Jun 6, 2009
- Messages
- 90
Hey guys...
I know the vibe here about Strider from some members, but all that aside, this is about the knife, not what one person did or didn't say, etc.. I've recently sold off a bunch of knives that were or were meant to be some sort of every day carry. Mostly Benchmades, but a few other "higher end" production or semi-custom knives.
So, last week, my new Strider SNG CC came in that I traded a new 710 and some cash for. A little while ago I bought another SMF CC to replace the one I had lost. I had thought the SMF was too large for me before, but for whatever reason ordered another. Well, I decided this time it was too large for my every day carry.
I had been carrying my Emerson CQC-8 or the RAT Cutlery Izula but still missed the Strider. Here in Corpus, we don't have any stores that carry Strider so I usually have to go by the specs online and the SNG sounded too small at first, but now I think it is ideal.
But now that I have it, it was the best knife decision I've made. I got the CC model like the SMF, but this one has the treated titanium and the tiger-striped blade. I have to say, I wasn't sure about a striped blade, I usually don't even like black, but it's actually very nice. Maybe since it's not a "paint" coating (for lack of a better word) I can tolerate it more. The larger SMF just seemed too plain with all of the bead blasting.
Now, even though it's smaller than my CQC-8 and thinner, the blade is actually thicker and the knife just feels more solid. Lock up is perfect, centering is right on and the blade is razor sharp. Fit and finish is great for a Strider and no machine marks anywhere, unlike my SMF, although this is probably due to the blade "coating".
The blade thickness is just right for me. Not as thick as the SMF, but still thicker than most. Yet, it's not too thick and it's still a great slicer. For me, it's the perfect size. The only complaint I have is the butt of the handle is just a little too square. I can deal with it fine, I just wish it was slightly more rounded. Other than that, I'm very satisfied and the knife rides better in my pocket than any of my Emersons have.
Before I bought this, I had considered the Sebenza again since I wear a suit at times and it may be a little more appropriate when in that attire... I often see people refer to this as a "gentleman's knife", but I don't really see it that way as much as others do. If I want to carry a gentleman's knife, I'll carry a William Henry. I found a beautiful B12 that may soon be mine. The Sebenza, in my opinion, is an in between knife, not a gentleman's knife, nor a full on hard use knife (by styling). I think if anything, it may lean a little to the hard use knife, maybe... Now, I'm considering the Sebenza or the Strider PT as an additional every day knife.
As it stands, the SNG, CQC-8 and Izula are my rotated every day carry knives. The CQC-8 and SNG are the one's I'll carry when wearing jeans or similar.. The Sebenza or PT would be for in between a suit and jean - or a mixture of the two. The William Henry for when I need to dress up or on a photo shoot (I'm a photographer).
So now, I have my eye on a couple from the Strider custom line too. I'd eventually like to have a new G10 scale made for this one... maybe something like the Emersons, but with the rounded edges of the ones on there now.
New SNG CC
SMF CC
CQC-8 and SNG CC
Everyday carry knives (rotated, but mostly the SNG)
Everyday carry items - The light only goes at night
For whatever reason, I was attracted to tiger-striping this time when I usually don't like it. It seems like it will wear evenly and not chip like black coatings, but I'm not sure.
For all of you Strider owners out there, how does the tiger striping and the heat-treated Titanium hold up? How does it wear? On the rare instance I buy a black coated blade (CQC-8), I hate to use it because the chipping of the black coating is just unattractive.
Kind of like a nice 1911. Bluing wears beautifully, but some of these coatings chip and wear less attractively. My SIS is wearing fine, but that could go either way. Corpus is too salty and hot for a bead-blasted SS 1911 as an everyday carry. My CDP Pro would show rust pretty easily.
So, does the heat treat and tiger striping wear easily or wear off, soften, chip (which I doubt) turn all black or all light gray, etc.??
Thanks for reading and thanks for any input! P.S. Sorry for the not-so-great pics, I was in a hurry when I originally posted these. I also sold the SMF before deciding to post, and I didn't get any side by side pics.
Jonathan
I know the vibe here about Strider from some members, but all that aside, this is about the knife, not what one person did or didn't say, etc.. I've recently sold off a bunch of knives that were or were meant to be some sort of every day carry. Mostly Benchmades, but a few other "higher end" production or semi-custom knives.
So, last week, my new Strider SNG CC came in that I traded a new 710 and some cash for. A little while ago I bought another SMF CC to replace the one I had lost. I had thought the SMF was too large for me before, but for whatever reason ordered another. Well, I decided this time it was too large for my every day carry.
I had been carrying my Emerson CQC-8 or the RAT Cutlery Izula but still missed the Strider. Here in Corpus, we don't have any stores that carry Strider so I usually have to go by the specs online and the SNG sounded too small at first, but now I think it is ideal.
But now that I have it, it was the best knife decision I've made. I got the CC model like the SMF, but this one has the treated titanium and the tiger-striped blade. I have to say, I wasn't sure about a striped blade, I usually don't even like black, but it's actually very nice. Maybe since it's not a "paint" coating (for lack of a better word) I can tolerate it more. The larger SMF just seemed too plain with all of the bead blasting.
Now, even though it's smaller than my CQC-8 and thinner, the blade is actually thicker and the knife just feels more solid. Lock up is perfect, centering is right on and the blade is razor sharp. Fit and finish is great for a Strider and no machine marks anywhere, unlike my SMF, although this is probably due to the blade "coating".
The blade thickness is just right for me. Not as thick as the SMF, but still thicker than most. Yet, it's not too thick and it's still a great slicer. For me, it's the perfect size. The only complaint I have is the butt of the handle is just a little too square. I can deal with it fine, I just wish it was slightly more rounded. Other than that, I'm very satisfied and the knife rides better in my pocket than any of my Emersons have.
Before I bought this, I had considered the Sebenza again since I wear a suit at times and it may be a little more appropriate when in that attire... I often see people refer to this as a "gentleman's knife", but I don't really see it that way as much as others do. If I want to carry a gentleman's knife, I'll carry a William Henry. I found a beautiful B12 that may soon be mine. The Sebenza, in my opinion, is an in between knife, not a gentleman's knife, nor a full on hard use knife (by styling). I think if anything, it may lean a little to the hard use knife, maybe... Now, I'm considering the Sebenza or the Strider PT as an additional every day knife.
As it stands, the SNG, CQC-8 and Izula are my rotated every day carry knives. The CQC-8 and SNG are the one's I'll carry when wearing jeans or similar.. The Sebenza or PT would be for in between a suit and jean - or a mixture of the two. The William Henry for when I need to dress up or on a photo shoot (I'm a photographer).
So now, I have my eye on a couple from the Strider custom line too. I'd eventually like to have a new G10 scale made for this one... maybe something like the Emersons, but with the rounded edges of the ones on there now.
New SNG CC
SMF CC
CQC-8 and SNG CC
Everyday carry knives (rotated, but mostly the SNG)
Everyday carry items - The light only goes at night
For whatever reason, I was attracted to tiger-striping this time when I usually don't like it. It seems like it will wear evenly and not chip like black coatings, but I'm not sure.
For all of you Strider owners out there, how does the tiger striping and the heat-treated Titanium hold up? How does it wear? On the rare instance I buy a black coated blade (CQC-8), I hate to use it because the chipping of the black coating is just unattractive.
Kind of like a nice 1911. Bluing wears beautifully, but some of these coatings chip and wear less attractively. My SIS is wearing fine, but that could go either way. Corpus is too salty and hot for a bead-blasted SS 1911 as an everyday carry. My CDP Pro would show rust pretty easily.
So, does the heat treat and tiger striping wear easily or wear off, soften, chip (which I doubt) turn all black or all light gray, etc.??
Thanks for reading and thanks for any input! P.S. Sorry for the not-so-great pics, I was in a hurry when I originally posted these. I also sold the SMF before deciding to post, and I didn't get any side by side pics.
Jonathan
