Project1 -VS- Strider one piece

B

Bob Litt

Joined
Feb 7, 1999
Messages
94
CRK's Project series have a reputation as a no non-sense preformer. Strider has gained quite a following of late with their one piece design. I haven't not been following bladeforum for quite some time and would like to know how Strider compares with CKR's as a general purpose one piece field knife?

Thanks in advance for any comments
 
Both have their fans, I doubt you will find any one that owns similary sized blades from each maker, that has actually used them hard in the field to give you an unbiased impression. Reports from the field indicate each holds up well. Good luck in your quest. Cliff stamp did some testing of each though they may not be similar in size. Might check out his web site. He is not a fan of anything and therefore more objective than some rabid supporter of one brand. I know what i went with and its name did not start with a S, but then I am not a "warrior".
 
Both have similar grips, not ergonomic, however the high grip security because the texture is abrasive. Both were among the very few grips that I could do heavy work with when my grip was heavily compromised (very slippery). The biggest (and pretty much only) problem I had with the Strider grip was that I found myself reluctant to use the knife at times because my hand was dirty and I didn't want to contaminate the grip, unlike the Project's handle which can easily be scrubbed clean.

The Project (and all of Reeves knives), have edges that are ground towards an optimal cutting performance, and tips that are very thin for high penetration. However this does of course trade off edge durability and tip strength. The blade will handle wood, rope etc. and such just fine, however bone might cause a problem (depends on method, bone density etc.). In general Striders blades have thicker edges and *far* more obtuse points. This does trade off cutting ability for strength and overall durability.

The Project also has some other advantages for cutting work such as a fully rounded spine, and a grip that is dual in nature in that it features a smooth section for a comfortable choked up grip, and a handle that is long enough for a backed-off full grip for chopping. As well the serrations are very aggressive on ropes, without being tto fragile, and sharpen right along with the main body of the blade.

In regards to the steel. A2 will rust easily if it is not looked after, and ATS-34 will hold up better if you don't bother to oil it. However neither would be something I would want to use in really corrosive enviroments without protecting the blade. The coating on the Project is one of the better ones I have seen. It lasted much longer than the powder coats I have used and doesn't tend to flake off, just wear down gradually.

The sheath that comes with the Project is a decent leather job, however the Cordura one for the Striders is pretty much the best I have seen in terms of durability and overall functionality.

In short, I would tend to pick the Project for a woodmans blade for reasons stated in the above. The Striders would tend to favor a lot of heavy prying and hacking, sort of "urban survial" blades. I loaned out the WB (and PAB) to lots of people I would not loan a Project.

-Cliff
 
The coating Reeve uses is Kalgard -- you can get that at auto parts stores and renew it yourself since there are no handle slabs to be removed before baking.
 
Hey Mick, That's not a slam. I would honestly categorize all the men that see actual combat in our armed forces as warriors. Those of the elite units even more so. I am not "one of them". Therefore do not need a knife especially for that type of work. I like Reeves product better for what I do. You got a problem with that? I gotta rainbow sticker for your car, and you are not my brother and never will be.
 
Mike, You stated this:

I know what i went with and its name did not start with a S, but then I am not a "warrior".
Click to expand...

You implied that Strider knives are for warriors, and there are blades that are better choices for the less tactical folks around here. All Mick did when he posted was to say that in fact, Striders have many uses, not just for prying open tanks to get at terrorists. For example, take the MH:

mh.jpg


THis is a bowie styled blade that ought to be great for fire prep, clearing a camp site, sharpening stakes for tents, cutting steaks for dinner, and so on. It is made of a good sized piece of a proven stainless steel, heat treated by the best in the biz.

I know of someone who has a Strider MT and plans on using it for camping chores more than anything else:



Mantrack_grp.jpg



Looks like a multi-purpose blade to me.

Which brings up another interesting point. Some Striders are what you'd call fighters, like the double edged blades or the Model GS. But, most soldiers carry combat blades, which combine fighting and utility purposes in oen blade. If you've ever used a Ka-bar in the woods, most Striders would be right at home for the same chores. In fact, I bet a Strider would fair better than a Ka-bar. Mick and Duane are former soldiers, and they'll be the first to ttell you that a knife gets used more for opening MREs and ammo crates and camp chores than it does for killing. Most Strider blades reflect that.
If you want a bush blade, don't get the DB. But others would be great for the bush.

**Edited to fix spelling and some dumb crap I wrote.

***Edited for the second time to fix the spelling mistake in my edit note! SHEESH!
 
Ive been rather inactive here for a while now because of this.. its not only irritating but shameful that everyone jumps knee deep in someone's ass because they made a different choice...

I think before we bash anyone for thier personal choice of a tool to fit PERSONAL need... it should be noted that there was never a derogatory statement made towards Strider knives..
If you have ever been to a Strider Web site, or seen a Strider ad in any publication you know that Strider knives are clearly marketed towards iindividules that would use the knife in a "mission oriented" task or in a "combat" setting (be it a national action or a local SWAT/CERT cation).
I have yet to see any ad deplicting a father and son in the great outdoors cleaning a deer or slicing up a can of SPAM with any Strider knife. Then there is "High Speed Tools for Harcore Individiduals".... Sure you can do any of the above with a Strider.. but then you can do the same with a Mad Dog, Busse, Lamey, Cold Steel, SOG, the list goes on and on..

Sadly, if choosing a competitor over a Strider makes one a FAG then I fall into that catagory, as well as anyone else that obviously selects another tool for their puropses... so that makes this forum a group of fags and sheep... those who choose freely and those who follow the trend! I know that will piss alot of ppl off..but this is not the first (nor the last i suspect) that a clear "US or THEM" mentality has been voiced.. god forbid someone have a prefrence here!
 
I DO own a Strider, (a MFS) and I love it! infact it has become an EDC/FB for me ..... its not the knives i denounce its the blatant seperatisim amoung fine individules over such trivial issues!
 
I own Strider MH with G10 handles and several CRKs. For one, I think MH is a tough field blade. I don't really like paracord handles and that was a reason I got G10. On several occasions I've used MH and CRK PJ II for prolonged periods. And Strider's G10 handle is a lot more comfortable then the checkered steel on PJ II. I guess PJ II handle provides more secure grip, but for whatever I did it wasn't an issue anyway. MH edge holding was definitely better, and I didnt' experience any edge damage on it. Though I didn't cut/chop anything really tough.

<A HREF="http://zvis.com/knives/knimgtmpl.shtml?http://zvis.com/images/knives/fix/skc/stridermh1.jpg"><IMG SRC="http://zvis.com/images/knives/fix/skc/stridermh1i.jpg"></A>
 
Man its easy to get people worked up on these forums...
My post was meant as a light hearted joke..
I don't care who buys what, or for what reason. I think all knives have their place. Be it a $2 piece of crap or a $10,000 collectors piece. You will NEVER hear me state that ours are the only quality knives. Something that goes un-noticed is the friendship amongst knife makers. Chris is a good friend. He has helped our company a great deal.

Mike990, My joke was pointed to the fact that you didn't buy a Strider knife because you are not a "warrior". It was a slam. Maybe not blatantly. But it was meant as humor at Striders (my) expense. Just as my rainbow sticker comment was not blatant. Not every person who has a rainbow sticker is a fag. You are correct that you are not my brother, nor will you ever be.

A quick note on what it means to be a warrior.
A Warrior is not someone who has been to war. That is a combatant.
A Warrior is someone who loves something more than themselves. (Be it your children or what have you). And places their safety above that of his/her own. Someone who helps those in need. Whether or not it may cause personal injury or death. A Warrior is not a hero, just someone who does what it takes. And in doing so becomes a hero.

Chill on the flames you guys. This is all supposed to be fun.

Mick



RLTW
 
Hasn't this thread appeared under other names before? Someone asks for an honest comparison and the shyte starts flying. There is always someone who takes it entirely out of context. Strider makes some awsome knives, Reeve makes some awsome knives.
Sometimes this is just too much....

Paul
 
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