Sebenza/Strider/Hinderer vs Spyderco Para 2

S

SliCed

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I have seen many youtube videos of hard-use tests between these knives. I own a Para 2 and have used a Strider SnG (one that was rock solid). Out of the many hours using and researching, to me, I see no point, regarding practical use to spend $350-$650 on a folding knife. I have seen many times, all of these, including a Hinderer have the lock bar cave inward or fail in some way. I do understand that a lot of these tests are not the way the folding knife was intended to be used. Although, if you spend that kind of money, in my opinion, it should be able to take much more abuse or do something extra worth the $. I haven't seen them do much more than a Para 2. For harder use we have tools such as fixed blades, hatchets, axes, etc. You can spend $100 on a fixed blade and have something much more durable than a $600+ Hinderer. *Don't get me wrong, I'd love to own all of these knives in the future*, but I am speaking from a practical standpoint. The Hinderer XM-18, Sebenza 21, or the Strider SnG are awesome knives, with the exception of some earlier Strider models. I do realize there are better materials and the designs are more custom, but I'm curious what your guys thoughts are. I also do realize that every Para 2 isn't perfect, and I've had one with some minor blade play.

For practical use, can you guys justify buying one of these high-end knives over the Para 2? Or do some of you guys see where I'm coming from and could agree with me through your experiences? (You also can throw in other brand names as well & not just use Para 2/Strider/Sebenza)

I'm not attacking anybody or anyone's knife choices here either. Some people have their egos invested into the brand of their choice a bit too much, and will defend it to the death. *One reason I thought of is that the company gives a lifetime warranty on their knife. That may be worth it. What do you guys think?
 
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Why'd you spend $100+ on the Para2 when a $15 Hikonokami (for instance) will do anything the Para2 does, and many things better thanks to the blade? For practical use, how can you justify the PM2?

The point is it's all relative. Fact is you don't need to spend $350+ if your goal is practically. Neither do you have to spend $100, though ;)
 
For practical use, no way. Your first few sentences alone sum it up well enough. Warranty...well it seems like companies such as Spyderco and ZT are less picky about what falls under warranty than say CRK. No idea about Hinderer and Strider. The people who own higher priced knives will say many things to justify the price point, but in terms of performance, one starts seeing diminishing returns at the $100 range.

Funny thing is, I carry an ESEE BRK Avispa and an Ontario Rat 2 or a Delica 4 almost every day, despite having more expensive knives. Why? Because they cut the best of any one-handed locking knives I've ever owned. The extra sharpening is well worth that.
 
I'm guessing you want, but can't afford these knives (strider, sebenza,hinderer) and are looking for encouragement on the most expensive folder you can afford (para 2). Anyways if people were willing to pay 400 bucks for a para 2, that is what they would get sold for, people are not though. The price on these knives whether worth it or not to you, is what the people are willing to throw down on them. Also what kreole said:thumbup:
 
I've had a few knives in such as benchmades spydercos etc. Which I always thought where nice enough. But didn't play with them that often. Just had them for when needed. But since buying a sebenza 25 4 months ago I can't leave it alone. I thought the novelty would where off but it hasn't. It is probably my favourite possession. I love the thing, a cheaper knife will probably be 95% effective but it's on a different league of desirability.,
 
kreole said:
Why'd you spend $100+ on the Para2 when a $15 Hikonokami (for instance) will do anything the Para2 does, and many things better thanks to the blade? For practical use, how can you justify the PM2?

The point is it's all relative. Fact is you don't need to spend $350+ if your goal is practically. Neither do you have to spend $100, though ;)
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Not true. There is a huge gap in the lower price ranges. The $100 range(above and below) is about where you start to see knives that need a great deal less maintenance. However, I feel like VG-10 and 154cm do the same job as S30V/S35VN/etc for slightly less. The aforementioned Avispa and Rat 2 both weight in at around $30 however, so in some ways your statement makes plenty c of sense(for those who can and do sharpen their knives often). The Higo is just not a good example for comparison. Completely different, old school animal.
 
I do agree with that Kreole. I mostly use a Kershaw Clash that was $20-$25 for light-medium work, and am impressed with their knives compared to other budget brands. I've probably opened and closed the thing 4,000 times and the lockup was about 40% and now is 70%. I love it, it's a great knife. I was a die hard Spyderco type of ego fanboy type, but the 4/4 Tenacious knives I ran into have been already 60-80% lockup brand new. People say that it doesn't matter, but to me it does. It matters because of the life of the lock, especially when you're paying $45 for a knife. The few Persistences I have ran into have been 30-50% lockup and much sharper than the Tenacious knives that I've come across. I guess, I should have been more clear, I was mostly talking about the classic higher end discussion. I'm glad you brought that up though, there are a lot of good folders for under $25.
 
Easy , take both the PM2 and Sebenza and bury them somewhere , see which one is dug up and used after a 100 years :) (ok mute point as none of us will be here to witness it , but my bet is on the Sebenza).

Or , if you can find an original Okapi , buy that ....
 
Good to hear that Nwjgoode. I almost sold off most of my cheaper knives and threw the extra cash in to buy the Sebenza 21. I thought that would be the only knife I would need, and it would last me forever. Overall, I'm glad I didn't, but still would really like one. The Sebenza wouldn't have been enough for me, because of my love (and need) for fixed blades. I almost haven't heard any bad things about it, and the fit and finish is 2nd to none. It's such a simple, yet awesome design. If I had no plans for hard use of knives in the future, that would be my next buy, but I think I'd pick up a more beefy one before I'd buy one of those. That would definitely be my 2nd choice for a folder though.
 
I find the Sebenza 21 to be a better overall knife than the Para 2 in just about every way except(drum roll....)SLICING.This is my personal opinion and experience with these two very good knives.The other knives I have not owned.Both knives are really good knives and work well for practical everyday use and are solid choices.How much disposable income you want to spend on a knife is a factor....
 
I wouldn't look at it as is _______ brand worth the money. Or how can one justify X amount of dollars for a blade.
I think people buy what they desire; weather they buy 5 up front or save for a year to get one.

Sebenza = Immaculate; the yard stick of knifes.
Strider = Hard use; use and abuse em.
Hinderer = Holy grail due to secondary market price. Supply and demand drive the price up.

All are good in their own regards; buy what fits your needs.


In my option buy what your not afraid to use. Assuming non-collector; only safe queen should be a duplicate knife.
 
Sliced in high school I drove an 89 reg cab long bed Ford Ranger with a manual drive and a 3.9L V6. It had no A/C, but I loved it.
I wanted an extended cab Silverado with a 3" 4" drop and huge 17" Boyds.

I got a job, saved some cash and bought a 97 Silverado in Light Autumnwood. I did a slight drop, tinted the windows and got 18" Boyds.
Next I wanted a Chevy Tahoe.

I got a better Job, saved some cash and bought an 03" Suburban. This time I added baby car seats.
Then I wanted a luxury car.

I got an even better job, saved a lot more cash and bought a BMW 545. I tuned it a bit, but wasn't fast enough.
Finally I wanted a fast sports car.

Same job, more overtime and I bought a red C6 Corvette. I added a throttle body spacer, cold air intake, cat back system, and a little computer work.
She is fast.

Get my point? I could have still been driving my 89 Ford Ranger and if I maintained it it would still be just transportation, but I grew and so did my desires.

I could still just use my old Spyderco Police, but its about wanting more. This is a forum of makers, collectors and all around knife lovers.

collectionB.jpg
 
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RemyKaze said:
Not true. There is a huge gap in the lower price ranges. The $100 range(above and below) is about where you start to see knives that need a great deal less maintenance. However, I feel like VG-10 and 154cm do the same job as S30V/S35VN/etc for slightly less.
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I agree. Once you hit around $100 you get the quality of blade steel and handle materials that make for a working knife that will last you a good long time, and is pretty low maintenance. Prices go up when you want harder more wear resistant steels, exotic or lighter handle materials, smaller production runs, or hand made knives.

I love knives... We all do or we wouldn't be here. I choose to spend the money on my Striders, CRK's, and Hinderer's, because the materials and knife designs appeal to me. I can afford to and I enjoy using those knives. Simple as that.
 
As I've in another thread similar to this one. Getting a sebenza or hinderer or something similar is just an evolution of the hobby. At least that's how I see it. I'm into guns and cars as well. My 500$ glocks will do nothing better than my 1200$ sis sauers. My 20 ,year old s10 serves the same purpose as my 2014 ram. Honestly I still: carry my endura 4 more, shoot my glocks more often and continue to drive my s10 more.
The: sigs, crk's and new trucks are still fun to have.
Why did you spend so much on the para2? It's not going to out perform an endura4 in any edc task. The endura is an outstanding folder at its modest ole price tag of 60$.
Finally, have you ever handled a crk? The damn thing feels like hydraulics are inside of it as you open it. It is smoothe unlike any other production folder that's available including some mid techs and customs.
I've worked in manufacturing my whole life and been at my current company 10 years. Given what we produce, we make good better and best. The consumer gets what they pay for.
Crk just makes best period, and that's why they have the price they do. With crk you absolutely get what you pay for.
 
It's just a matter of how high you want to go...lots of way to get there.
Not everyone wants to get to the same level. No sweat. Enough "quality" is a matter of personal taste.
I enjoy a $100 PM2; I also like CRK's and Striders and customs.
 
It all comes down to what different people like and their budget.

The refinement in the higher end knives is there if one wants wants to pay for it.

In the end people should buy what they like if their budget allows it...

That is the key though, if they can really afford it as in they won't miss that $500 once they spend it because if they will then they have already lost and will have buyers remorse before they even get it and will never really enjoy the knife...
 
CRK Sebenza can justify his price IMO.
24 year old design and still going strong, no need for fancy advertisement techniques, they just sell themselfs...

As for the 15$ knife comparison, good luck with a lifetime warranty.
If you buy from a decent brand with a good warranty, you end up with a 60$ knife that will last you a lifetime.

Example Spyderco :

"If we determine there is a defect in the manufacture/materials/workmanship, Spyderco will repair, or replace that product with the same model or one of equal value at its own expense."
 
What practical purpose is there for me to spend $120 on a PM2 vs $80 on a S30v Blur? Same blade steel, both made in the USA, similar size, comparable performance.

I can't see any practical reason why someone should spend the extra $40 on the PM2.

It's all relative.
 
Scurvy092 said:
What practical purpose is there for me to spend $120 on a PM2 vs $80 on a S30v Blur? Same blade steel, both made in the USA, similar size, comparable performance.

I can't see any practical reason why someone should spend the extra $40 on the PM2.

It's all relative.
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Unique lock, blade shape and of course the full flat grind. Not really. That's usually what I dish out money for; interesting or strong locks, and/or more practical, better slicing blades. I'll be grabbing the Tatanka at some point personally. However, I carry an Avispa every single day while leaving my more expensive knives at the house. It has yet to get dull enough in a full day of cutting for me to justify buying any more expensive, less efficient knives.

Performance wise, there is no reason to pay more for designs that function as expensive bricks. In terms of collecting, bragging rights, or OCD issues over components and workings of a knife(we all have em), then sure.
 
Don't you think the knives are different?
Take the PM2 for example; as the name indicates, it was designed to be used in or around military environment.
It has a large handle and opening hole, so you can use it with gloves.
While that is fine, I use my folding-knives mostly without gloves.
The Striders and Hinderers use a lockbar-stabilizer.
From what i read that makes sense, when you are under stress while folding the knife (i.e. Firefighter, first responder, etc.).
The PM2 and the Sebenza do not have this feature and the users seem to like it the way they are.
There are choices out there and I'm glad to have the opportunity to choose.
That said, I use a lot of different knives every day and enjoy them all.
Hope this helps.
red mag
 
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