Prices are weird - folders

M

Mr. Clean

Joined
Apr 26, 2007
Messages
2,114
I recently bought a Strider from True North Knives. Holy crap, talk about a candy store.
I've got my Sebenza, ordered the Strider, and am still on a waiting list for a Hinderer.
The weird thing is that the Hinderer, if you follow internet folklore, may be the 'best' one out of the bunch, or at least very well in a three way tie for first. The demand is high, the supply is low. And, it's the cheapest knife out of the bunch. Similar things between some of the Dozier offerings and the Caswell EDC. The Caswell seems to be a very fine, tough built folder with their new-tech clip and a damascus blade, yet the Dozier is far more expensive.
I guess in the end, it sure seems like I paid a premium for the CRK and Strider name, and maybe a bit for their warranty. But, the prices are still weird when a more 'custom' customer seems to be cheaper than a production custom.
 
Just so you know, the XM18's are actually mid-tech knives now, because the blades are being ground outside of Rick's shop. It doesn't change the quality at all. I have a Gen 3 and LOVE it. The grind on the spanto is a bit less precise, but still beautiful and functional.

I also wonder about the prices of the Striders and the Sebenzas, especially since the Zero Tolerance knives are supposedly every bit as stout as the Striders, and moreso than the Sebbies, and much cheaper. They also use the Hinderer locking bar framelock, just like the Strider.

The real issue in the comparison, though, is availability. You'll pay more for the Sebbie and Strider, but they are also much easier to find. IF (and that's a big, fat if) you can find an XM for retail, you'll get a great knife at a good price, but more than likely you'll have to get it off the secondary market, and then you'll be looking at upward of 600$ for a midtech, and that's more than your typical Sebbie or Strider.

The Dozier is another story. They're pretty knives, but in my opinion overpriced. Also, I believe they are more custom than the XM, Sebbie and Strider.

The Casesll looks like a great knife with an intuitive and original clip...however the Graham Bros. are doing something very similar with their folding Razel...which I think is also an interesting design.

Honestly, when it comes to hard-use tactical folders, the Kershaw/Strider collabo Zero Tolerance line REALLY looks like one of the best deals out there. There's an awesome one on USN for about 200$, and it looks barely used.
 
Mr. Clean---Yer going folder-nutty! :eek:
What until you buy a Warren Thomas Folder---then things get real nutty.
 
I'mGatMan! said:
Just so you know, the XM18's are actually mid-tech knives now, because the blades are being ground outside of Rick's shop. It doesn't change the quality at all. I have a Gen 3 and LOVE it. The grind on the spanto is a bit less precise, but still beautiful and functional.

I also wonder about the prices of the Striders and the Sebenzas, especially since the Zero Tolerance knives are supposedly every bit as stout as the Striders, and moreso than the Sebbies, and much cheaper. They also use the Hinderer locking bar framelock, just like the Strider.

The real issue in the comparison, though, is availability. You'll pay more for the Sebbie and Strider, but they are also much easier to find. IF (and that's a big, fat if) you can find an XM for retail, you'll get a great knife at a good price, but more than likely you'll have to get it off the secondary market, and then you'll be looking at upward of 600$ for a midtech, and that's more than your typical Sebbie or Strider.

The Dozier is another story. They're pretty knives, but in my opinion overpriced. Also, I believe they are more custom than the XM, Sebbie and Strider.

The Casesll looks like a great knife with an intuitive and original clip...however the Graham Bros. are doing something very similar with their folding Razel...which I think is also an interesting design.

Honestly, when it comes to hard-use tactical folders, the Kershaw/Strider collabo Zero Tolerance line REALLY looks like one of the best deals out there. There's an awesome one on USN for about 200$, and it looks barely used.
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The ZT is a great knife at a great price point, I just picked one up last week. :D It is very stout and tough and it would take everything I threw at it. The downside is that there are noticeable differences in the final fit and finish between the ZT and the Sebenza. My Sebbie feels like fixed blade when open, the ZT maybe not so much. Plus the ZT is HUGE. I'll compare my Strider to the ZT when the Strider arrives although it's been done I think in hte knife review and testing forum. That all being said though, yes the ZT/Strider is a great knife that's tough to beat for the cost. I got mine for 185 used/shipped.

The Hinderer is what I'm waiting in line for. The 385 price point is tough to beat. 600 on the secondary market? No thanks, to me it's just not worth it.

The Dozier ones threw a wrench in the mix because they don't appear to have better F&F than some of the other knives listed on TNK. And D2 blades which usually mean some sort of cost savings...

There is something a bit special about the Sebbie. Maybe it's the ridiculous price I paid but it is by far the smothest folder I have and has the least amount of blade play.
Lycosa said:
Mr. Clean---Yer going folder-nutty! :eek:
What until you buy a Warren Thomas Folder---then things get real nutty.
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Ya I am...What can I say, I love the folder!!!!

WT fits the bill too and is pretty much what I'm talkin' about. Crazy design, crazy blends of materials, something that I would call truly 'custom' and a great looking knife...For 25 bucks more than the Strider I bought...
 
I mentioned that I just got my XM (at retail, no less) and I have to say this thing is closer to perfect than any folder I've ever held. It's rock-solid, thick as a beast, and there's absolutely NO blade play. When I got it from BlueLine in opened smooth like butter. I'm sold on Rick Hinderer's work.

I was offered a minty Dozier for a Nuke Badger a while back, and while it was a beautiful knife, this guy wanted 700$ in trade value for his Dozier. That was DEFINITELY a no-go for me. I can't see spending 700$ on ANY liner lock. Maybe if I was more a collector. That's just my .02
 
Yes! Pics!

Also 700 trade for the Dozier doesn't seem too bad...Just about retail though depending on the model.

I'm excited by the Hinderer, but I think it will be a long time till it's actually in the hand.
 
I have a ZT301 and a couple of Strider SNG's. The ZTs are close but I give the edge to Strider if not for the fact that the 301 is so damned big.

Im on the Hinderer list as well.
 
I haven't owned any Strider folders since 2004, but i did pick up a ZT0200 in the last week of 2008. I did a short post on the Kershaw forum with thoughts. In summary I can't believe the quality of knife you can get for <$200 with the ZT0200.

Great feel in the hand, rock solid lock up with thicker than usual Ti liners. the blade is also I think 0.14" or 0.15" so nicely above 1/8".

the Striders I owned back in the day were early AR's, both great enjoyed them a lot but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't totally satisfied with the ZT0200 until I find "the one" for my next purchase whatever brand that may be down the road.

Only one I have on order is the PT, I was looking for a 3" folder for business carry loose in pocket and happened to stumble on a dealer sponsored group buy that was basically "whatever finish and config you want...you can get now". Supposed to have it in February or March.

Now for spending money on folders I swear as soon as I get a fatty blade I can butcher I'm sending it over to the maker who is turning INFI into folders :)
 
The xm's priced at 385 are considered production versions. The hand ground versions are all far pricier, $1000 range. His mid techs are 500-600 iirc.
 
.

How much do you think this one cost????? :confused:











:eek:
 
Thanks Ducci, now you have me looking at Mayo's. That's the last thing I need.

Mike, congrats on the Strider. Which one did you get? I have a bull pivot spanner inbound btw if you ever need it for your new addition.

Good thing for me I'm a lefty. Besides CRK and Strider I'm not sure of any mid-high end folders out there for southpaws. That fact alone has probably saved me tons of cash.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
The xm's priced at 385 are considered production versions. The hand ground versions are all far pricier, $1000 range. His mid techs are 500-600 iirc.
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Well, there are no hand ground versions as far as I know so you're paying secondary market markup for a different blade in the same handle. Same with the mid tech knives. I would hesitate to call anything that takes a year to get production!
randucci said:
.

How much do you think this one cost????? :confused:


:eek:
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2 bucks! I'll give ya 10!
ponte said:
Thanks Ducci, now you have me looking at Mayo's. That's the last thing I need.

Mike, congrats on the Strider. Which one did you get? I have a bull pivot spanner inbound btw if you ever need it for your new addition.

Good thing for me I'm a lefty. Besides CRK and Strider I'm not sure of any mid-high end folders out there for southpaws. That fact alone has probably saved me tons of cash.
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Thanks man! Let me check it out. Mine will arrive at the shop Wednesday afternoon. I got the SnG GEN 6 CC DC in Ranger green...And you thought Busse had great acronyms.
And good thing you are...You should browse around here: http://www.truenorthknives.com/tnk_1mainframe.htm and be thankful you're not normal like the rest of us :D
 
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