Should I buy the Strider SMF, SnG or Large Sebenza?

willywills

willywills

The Lone Wanderer
Joined
Oct 18, 2012
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178
Hey guys I need your help Im looking to buy either a Strider SMF, SnG,or a Large Sebenza I have heard great things about Strider however I have also heard bad things about their Quality Control and Blade Play issues and I have heard really great coments on the Large Sebenza. I have my self own a Small Sebenza 21 which I edc everyday and I also have a small collection of like 25 knives including Benchmade, Spyderco, ZT, Esee, CRK and more however Im looking to get into the higher end knives and I love my small sebenza but Im having trouble choosing between the three, Im leaning Strider SMF but I don't want to pay $475 or higher and wait to get the knife and all the sudden it has really bad blade play problems.

Thanks
John
 
I had an sng. perfect lockup, no issues. where quality control is concerned, the lock face of the frame lock would actually get stuck quite often. so maybe it was too good at locking up. endend up snaping the blade prying some wood. ridicule me if you will, but i payed alot of money for that knife and thought it was capable of that task
 
I've had all three and sold off all three. I EDC a small Sebenza.

I know how it is once you get the idea of a Strider in your head though. Maybe add the mini sj75 to your wishlist.
 
I have two SnG's now. I've had a total of 6 Strider's over the last few years. The newer SnG's I have don't have any play. I've had one come sharp, the other's needed a little help. I carry a CC SnG everyday now. It has a few imperfections, but they don't bother me. I have a DGG SnG that is pretty much perfect. The CPM154 is easy to sharpen and holds a fine edge. Between the SMF and SnG, I prefer the SnG.
 
kings@stoalf.edu said:
I had an sng. perfect lockup, no issues. where quality control is concerned, the lock face of the frame lock would actually get stuck quite often. so maybe it was too good at locking up. endend up snaping the blade prying some wood. ridicule me if you will, but i payed alot of money for that knife and thought it was capable of that task
Click to expand...

Did you send it in and get it fixed?
 
I got a SMF as a gift a couple months ago. Blade was centered and there was no play. I just really didn't like the way it felt in hand, the handle was to boxy/chunky for my taste. I did liked the idea of a knife that is built like a tank, and I had read that if you break it strider will replace it no questions asked. However; I just didn't like the knife. I exchanged it for a large sebenza with a tanto grind, and in my opinion it's in a whole differnt league. The fit and finish is much better, and having both slabs made of titanium makes its feel bomb proof. I am much happier with the sebenza, but you mileage may vary.
 
I had these 3 same knives in mind when i was considering pulling the trigger on my first high end knife. I ended up deciding on the SNG DGG for a few reasons. For me the SMF was too big. The SNG in my opinion is the perfect sized knife, the butt of the knife actually sticks out a bit and is very visible when holding the knife. The SMF being a inch or so longer makes the butt stick out too much - in my opinion (I have skinny medium sized hands). The Sebenza is a nice looking knife too, and probably has better fit and finish than the SNG but the overall look of the knife is completely different than the Striders. Striders are badass looking, especially the DGG's whereas the Sebenza and CRK's in general have a more conservative professional look in my opinion, something i found too boring for my taste. But, to each his own - good luck deciding.
 
I've owned all 3 and I'd go with an SnG CC with a Stonewashed Blade. Id Also go with a CRK Umnumzaan.. An amazing knife.
 
I have two SnG's and two small sebenzas and I love them all for different reasons. I have to say though that you might consider the the Umnumzaan if you haven't as yet. THe small sebenzas are great where I am because I boarder a state that has a 3" limit. If I want to carry a hard use knock around I go for the SnG. However I have to say the Umnumzaan is my favorite. It feels right, carry's great and looks bad ass. I have the old pivot version. This may not have been any help because I don't think I have a favorite knife per say. I bought all my knives because I liked them for one reason or another. I have avoided the SMF strictly because its so damn big. I might say you cant go wrong with the Strider PT either if you can find one. Good luck with your choosing!
 
I've owned two SNGs. One was perfect and the other had some minor lock issues. Both oooozed of hard use capability but didn't really fit into my EDC use. If you want hard use knife with amazing quality then the Umnumzaan is a good choice. If you want more of a slicing EDC type general purpose knife then a Sebenza is the way to go.
 
Sebenza. I wasn't impressed by Strider fit and finish - but I don't think that was one of it's major design goals. Once you've had CRK its hard to settle for less.
 
CRK Sebenza. just my honest opinion, it is a better executed knife. Besides, as you love you small one, you're pretty much guaranteed to love the large one. I also started off with the small, but really fell in love woth tue large once
i bought the first one.
 
This.

DSC_0110-1.jpg
 
If you like the tactical look of a blade, get either the CRK Umnumzaan or buy a Strider. If a Strider, most likely get the Sng as is a good useable size. The SMF is a big knife; okay if you're military or LEO or have very large hands. If a tactical-appearing blade is not important, get a CRK Sebenza and join the rest of the world. I prefer the large; some folks like the small. Find out BEFORE you buy.
 
Thanks for all the replies guys it is helping a lot I also live in an area where there is a 3" limit where I go to college however when I go home on breaks there is no length rule. eventually I will get all three however that will take months for me to save up between work and school but the idea of a Strider in my hand built like a tank feels great but I just hope it's lock up is good enough because I wouldn't want to have to send it out right when I get it. The large sebenza will most likely be my favorite knife when I get it, the only reason I choose the small one is because of my want to edc something really nice. But anyway I appreciate the ideas from everybody I will be probably go with the Strider and give it a try but depending on my first experience with strider will determine if I stick with Chris Reeve for the next few times.

Thanks,
John
 
For me it depends on your tastes and tasks. If you're going to beat the snot out of stuff, I go with a Strider. The size would be up to you and just get the handle type that fits you. My favorite Strider for EDC carry is the SnG dual gunner grip. However, I wouldn't carry that to work because the texture of the grip is AGGRESSIVE and will tear up slacks over time. The lock face is going to stick when you first get it. USE it and break it in. It will stop. If you break it. Put it in a box with $15 and they will fix it. NO questions asked.

If you do more delicate/reasonable tasks I'd get a CRK. I carry a small sebenza to work now...I have carried an SMF...LOL. However, the small sebenza is much more sheeple friendly, disappears in my pocket (I carry clip less in my back slack pocket), and can do ANY office task I need to do.
 
I have a small Sebbie and I'm thinking of trying an SJ-75, which, as you probably know, is the refined 3" blade strider (with Strider problems solved). Maybe that's the one for you.
 
Out of 8 Striders I have owned, all have been perfect in every way. Get a SNG and never look back. I owned one Large Sebenza and its action was stiff and its thumbstuds were useless when your hands are wet. How a Sebenza could be considered "hard use" when the designer will not warranty it if you flip open the knife is baffling and disturbing to say the least. You can punch through a car door with a Strider and if somthing happens, it will gladly be taken care of for free by Strider. I am a big fan of the Strider Concealed Carry option. Even the big SMF CC is light enough for EDC but the SNG CC is the outstanding EDC.

The Digi cam finish is by far the hardest Camo finish on a knife. It's amazing.
SNGCCnet.jpg


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