Sebenza or Strider SnG?

Q

Quy4n8

Joined
Nov 27, 2002
Messages
659
I have read a number of threads regarding CRK knives, such as the recent one comparing Sebenza and William Henry. What about Sebenza versus a Strider SnG? I know, apples and oranges, but many of you that regard the Sebenza highly also often say it is a knife which can be used hard. Please compare them in regards to fit, finish, overall quality, etc. I still don’t have a Strider or Sebenza, and I generally don’t like liner/frame locks, but with all the positive comments here, I may have to get one or the other soon. Also, do the Striders have Ti. plates on both sides or just one with the other being G10? Thanks all.

Richard
 
The SNG is Ti on one side and G10 on the other.

Both the Sebenza and the SNG have very strong frame locks, and both are tough knives, but I'd say the SNG is the tougher of the two. I'd be worried about damaging the hollow ground blade on the Sebenza a lot more than the SNG.
 
I have only handled one Strider, the SNG passaround. Reviews start on page 4.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=262891&page=4&pp=20

I was not impressed at all. Here's my text from that passaround.

--------

OK, I have a couple of minutes to write this up.

First let me say that I was very much looking forward to receiving this knife. When I first opened the package today I thought Hmmm... not bad.

The good - I like the blade shape, and all the tiger stripe stuff is pretty cool.

But then I started noticing things that seem kinda serious. I'm very surprised no one has mentioned it.

The first and most serious is that when the knife is opened in a regular fashion, then pressure applied against the spine of the blade against the lock, will cause the lock to slip about 1/16 of an inch towards the unlock position. It gives me the impression that someone a little stronger than I could cause the lock to fail in this manner.

I wiped off the grease from the lock face and blade and that helped, also if you use your thumb to push the lock over firmly then that pretty much takes care of it. I don't think it's reasonable to have to push the lock over yourself though.

The blade stops extend out from the scale sides which make it tend to catch in the pocket. If they are really blade stops they should be shaved to be flush with the scales. Also if you examine the scale edges you can see that the lock side blade stop is the only one that rests against the scale. It looks like the contact patch is a triangle approximately 1mm by 3mm.

The G10 side stop doesn't hit, and I can slide two sheets of paper between the stop and the G10. The G10 face is pristine, no dents, no wear, etc.

Also there is a small amount of side to side play when normally opened, possibly due to the blade stops, or maybe it needs the pivot tightened. I tried to tighten it but I need two hex keys, one for each side which I don't have.

I don't like the oval blade hole, companies should pay Spyderco and be done with it. The oval is inferior.

The handle of the butt end does not fit my hand and "pokes" into a small spot in the palm under the thumb. If you look at a spyderco Salsa for instance, the butt end is smoothly curved the whole way. So it matters less how it fits your hand and it's still comfortable.

I'd be curious to know the weight difference between a g10 side and an Ti side. I would imagine the weight difference is very small. I don't see the point of the g10 side. If it's for traction, I think putting rides on the backspacer and adding finger cutouts to the handle would help.

I'm really really surprised, I thought I'd like this knife, and even if the lock/blade play was fixed, I wouldn't buy one.

To my eyes this knife seems poorly thought out or designed, and in this particular knife, has some aspects that makes me think it shouldn't have gotten out of the shop. If I payed $400 for it, it would be returned immediately.

I'm not trying to be a troll, anyone who looks at this knife after me should be able to see the same things I did.
 
I own both and while the Sebenza is a fine knife its hollow grind is more subject to damage.

The Strider SNG is the toughest folder made. Period. If your a perfectionist or overly critical you may want to look elsewhere. Strider knives are handmade, and, with anything handmade, there may be slight flaws.

If its sitting inside a glass case go with the Reeve, if its jumping out of an airplane go with the Strider.
 
I have owned both. If you're looking for fit and finish, go the way of the Sebenza. But if you want a tough ass knife which you can pry with, stab through 50 gallon drums and abuse - go the way of the Strider. If you break it, they will replace it. No restrictions against wrist flicking or anything. The pivot pin of the SNG is also bigger (presumably tougher) than that of the Sebbie. Blade stock of the SNG is thicker, but sebbie's will slice better.

When I had both, I used the SNG more often. Why? Cos it begs to be used and abused - I don't know, it's a psychological thing.

I have since sold my SNG but kept the Sebbie - it was cheaper and easier to maintain. And I know I won't abuse my knife to such an extent that I would regret not keeping the SNG.

Both good, but both priced differently, have different finishes, and come with different philosophies.
 
the sebbie is a caddie and the SnG is a freaking hummer(mil version) with armor panneling and a 40 mm launcher on top. i had a small classic sebbie for about a year and damn if it wasnt a really great knife. i loved the way it just cut, cut, and then cut some more. its light fits in your pocket perfect and doesnt scare sheeple. on the other hand ive only messed with a handful of SnG's, i actually EDC its big brother the SMF. spyken is about spot on with his post. stab things, break things, cut things you would even think about using the blade for, no prob.

its really a matter of what you like. asking people around here is just going to start a flame war. three types of people, CR people, Strider freaks, and those people who like elvis and the beatels. im the third type. SEBENZA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and SMF forever! really though ask yourself what are you going to do with your knife? both have a bigtime cool factor, both are made rock solid, and both have a huge following. be your own person and get the one that says "you need this knife, quit fooling around and buy me!"
 
I own a Sebbie and handled an AR. Strider makes tanks... gotta get one, one of these days...
Sebs are well made and can handle any job reasonably expected of a knife. They cut like crazy. The lockup is always perfect. They fit nicely in the hand.
Strider can handle a lot of jobs no sane person would expect of a knife. If that's what you need, get the SNG!
 
I have both and I love them both. I don't have hard use in mind for my cutting chores. But it's nice to know I have the SnG on me in the event this need comes about.
 
I have both and love both. I can't state enough that if it's fit, finish and precision you want, then CRK is your man. The Striders are big, tough and good hard working knives. I can find praise and criticism in both brands. Both companies stand behind their products. Both companies really appreciate their customers. Both companies constantly strive to improve their products. You can't go wrong with either obviously. The Striders seem to sell quicker and tend to hold a little bit more of their vaue on the secondary market. This I believe is due to lack of availabilty.
 
I jump out of C-130's all the time with my sebbie and use it everyday at work...no issues

I am sure the same can be said of the striders, just knew that I couldnt go wrong with the sebbie so why chance it
 
I have both as well. Like others said, the fit and finish of the Sebenza is flawless, but the Strider so bada-s. It's massive and practically indestructable. I imagine I could stab that thing through the hood of a car and it would be perfectally fine. It's not the prettiest knife ever, but it's still appealing in a rugged kind of way.

It's a toss up for me about which will find its way into my pocket for the day...I say you can't go wrong with either.
 
I had both but I sold the sebenza - I miss it alot.
They are both world class folders.
I do like the Sng better and heres why - I like the ergonomics of the strider SnG alot more. It has an awsome grip (forward AND reverse) and really feels "just right" in my hand.
I like the very grippy g10 on one side and ti on the other. And I LOVE the choil beneath the blade, because it offers both function and safety.
If you can - buy both and then sell the one you like less. These knives both hold a great resale value so you probably wont loose any money for the research. You really need to do a hands on with these two knives to truley understand what everyone is going to tell you.
You cant go wrong either way - it comes down to personality.
 
I don't like G-10 so I haven't felt the need for a SnG. Good guys making both knives, both take pride in their work and will take care of your investment in the long run. Dispite what anyone might say, the Sebenza is no Safe Queen!
 
I collect and admire knives for there craftsmanship and precision. Therefore, I would have to recommend a Sebenza. Strider Knives have a reputation for making tough knives not to be babied. Thats the case and its not uncommon for a brand new SNG to have slight flaws in the finish or even tiny dings. I am a fit and finish man, so I don't like that on a $400+ folder

I don't like the oval blade hole, companies should pay Spyderco and be done with it. The oval is inferior.
Click to expand...

LOL, While I may not agree with patenting a hole, Spyderco did it and your right DaveH, its far superior to any of the imitation methods and folks should just fork over the dough to use the most effective method.
 
for anyknife over 300 i demand perfection..and the sebenza is king of perfection..i use mine hard all the time and its never let me down..flawless...just plain flawless...go with the sebenza...you cant go wrong.
 
I think a Sebenza is more than capable of handling 99.9% of what 99.9% of us encounter in our daily lives. Get one, you won’t be sorry. ;)
 
oh come on...its sebenza hands down for me....for that kind of money i demand perfection...a sebenza can do anything a strider can..... I dont know if anyone ever noticed but sebenzas are flawless...i mean 100 percent flawless...everthing lines up...everything is perefect like a high end knife should be.
 
no knife is flawless , that knife doesnt exist yet , but we will all keeping looking for it won't we :cool: :D

I like both , have had both , a few times actually , replaced em both with a Strider AR , but thats a different thread ;)
 
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