Questions re numbered Striders...

[L.O. Little]

It's Christmas Eve. I'm thinking about the Model 2 SnG I have on pre-order from Matt D. It's very likely going to be numbered. I know this is going to frustrate somebody, but, as usual, I have questions.

1. Are all numbered Striders handmade?

2. If numbered Striders are indeed handmade, how are they different from non-handmade/un-numbered Striders, i.e., how is a non-handmade/un-numbered Strider made?

 

[Matt D Tactical]

Hey Lynn
Your SnG will be numbered.
As far as I know they are made the same. (I THINK)
Thanks Matt D

 

[The Tourist]

Matt D,

I can tell you what I told Lynn.

My dad was an engineer with Master Lock. This was in the days before CAD. When a design was approved for manufacture, they took a limited number of pieces (some with cut-out 'windows' to view the inner workings) and had the brass from both the engineering department and the assembly department build locks from this limited amount of parts. This was to uncover minor fitting issues before the assembly line was put into action going full tilt. Each lock might be assembled and disassembled a number of times. These parts were numbered so that individual parts can be monitored.

My guess, and this is only a GUESS, is that Mick might try the same thing. Maybe knives 17, 18 and 22 are perfect and released. Maybe knives 7,8 and 12 are so far out of line that they are scrapped or used for distruction tests. Maybe ALL of the knives that are rejected are disassembled, hand fit and THEN released. Either way, the guys learn how the knives are properly put together.

With CAD, this is not as critical. I heard that the Dodge Interpid engine bay was completely CAD, and made its way to assembly without a test mule being tried.

It would be fun and enlightening if Mick told us the inside scoop. I saw an early video from Les de Asis on how the first Pacific butterfly knives were made. Very entertaining video.