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SNG vs. XM-18 opinions wanted
- Thread starter vicbastige
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You can't call blade geometry performance a "preference." Hold the blades up and compare, and if that doesn't help cut something.
Actual edge geometry is easily changeable with a XC DMT stone. Considering the community here it's easily believeable that the can and will be finished to the users liking. If you got a SnG with a bad edge, either (a) sharpen it or (b) send it back.
If by brick you mean extraordinarily comfortable brick, I'm okay with that.
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Normally, I would say you are correct. Normally, I would say that you can't call blade geometry performance a preference, but when you are talking about Strider knives, it is. Like I've said before, I've had to reprofile the edge on four of the six different Striders that I've owned. You're telling me this should be a normal thing? I receive a $400 knife and I have to either send it back or reprofile the edge because they can't get it right the first time at the factory? You want to talk about BS...
Out of the box, both of the XM-18's that I've received with a factory edge were sharper and would outperform the edge any of the Strider's that I've received with the factory edge still intact. Also, I would like to say that the grind itself is of personal preference. While some may like the flat ground or 3/4 hollow grind that the SnG or SMF is offered in, others may prefer the spanto grind. Just because you don't like the spanto grind for your personal use doesn't mean everyone falls in the line of your thinking. Maybe one prefers the spanto grind for what they are going to use the knife for.
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Normally, I would say you are correct. Normally, I would say that you can't call blade geometry performance a preference, but when you are talking about Strider knives, it is. Like I've said before, I've had to reprofile the edge on four of the six different Striders that I've owned. You're telling me this should be a normal thing? I receive a $400 knife and I have to either send it back or reprofile the edge because they can't get it right at the factory? You want to talk about BS...
Also, I would like to say that the grind itself is of personal preference. While some may like the flat ground or 3/4 hollow grind that the SnG or SMF is offered in, others may prefer the spanto grind. Just because you don't like the spanto grind for your personal use doesn't mean everyone falls in the line of your thinking. Maybe one prefers the spanto grind for what I'm going to use the knife for.
Some people feel their $80k didn't come with the right tires, so they spend a couple bucks to change them. Factory's fault?
You may prefer one blade grind over the other, but you can't say that the spanto slices better then a FFG. At least the spanto I handled. I heard he now makes a couple different grinds, I haven't handled them all. The passaround killed any desire for an XM-18 in me.
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I think Strider QC isn't in the same league as most makers selling 400.00 knives...I had an AR it was cool but I stopped carrying and ultimately traded it for a Crawford Triumph Custom. Heard nothing but great things about Hinderer's stuff though...
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Some people feel their $80k didn't come with the right tires, so they spend a couple bucks to change them. Factory's fault?
You may prefer one blade grind over the other, but you can't say that the spanto slices better then a FFG. At least the spanto I handled. I heard he now makes a couple different grinds, I haven't handled them all. The passaround killed any desire for an XM-18 in me.
Here we go with another knife and car comparison.
I'd just like to say that I'm talking about a $400 knife and not an $80,000 car, but I'll play along. So basically what you are saying is that Strider putting a garbage edge on their production knives is the same as BMW not having the tire of your preference? How is this even a comparison? I would say the comparison would be better stated like this: Strider putting a garbage edge on their production knives would be the same as BMW delivering your brand new car with the exact tires you want, but there's huge holes in the tires. The shoddy lockup with bladeplay can be compared to your new BMW's brakes not working properly and the tires wobbling all over the place. That grindy, not so smooth opening and closing of the new Strider can be compared to your brand new BMW's gears grinding terribly even though you're shifting as you should be. Oh, and that blade that's not quite centered? That's the crappy alignment on your brand new Beemer.
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Here we go with another knife and car comparison.
So basically what you are saying is that Strider putting a garbage edge on their production knives is the same as BMW not having the tire of your preference? How is this even a comparison? I would say the comparison would be better stated like this: Strider putting a garbage edge on their production knives would be the same as BMW delivering your brand new car with the exact tires you want, but there's huge holes in the tires. The shoddy lockup with bladeplay can be compared to your new BMW's brakes not working properly and the tires wobbling all over the place. That grindy, not so smooth opening and closing of the new Strider can be compared to your brand new BMW's gears grinding terribly even though you're shifting as you should be. Oh, and that blade that's not quite centered? That's the crappy alignment on your brand new Beemer.
See, here's the issue. I've had zero of those issues with my Striders. No lockup issues. No rough opening. Everything tight and centered. A bit obtuse blade grind, sure, but nothing past that.
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While I just bought my first Strider, and it has none of the problems folks in this thread say are common, I'd looked/inspected/admired a couple hundred brand new Striders. And they sure looked fine to me.
BTW, my SnG came (used) still shaving sharp on most parts of the edge, save where it had obviously seen some use.
Even so, I reprofiled it and sharpened and honed it til it pops arm hairs. Suckers wicked, scary sharp now.
And the knife is smooooooth... with a positive detent that isn't too strong.
On a scale of 0-100, I'd give it 100.
Folderguy
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Great vids cziv :thumbup:
Thanks for doing it.
Each work deserves the best knife for doing it Slicers for slicing, cutters for cutting, etc. ..so..Spidies for slicing, Striders for fixing them and admiring all after, Hinderers for relying on them 100% and for passing them around to Strider folk 
Thanks for doing it.
Each work deserves the best knife for doing it
Slicers for slicing, cutters for cutting, etc. ..so..Spidies for slicing, Striders for fixing them and admiring all after, Hinderers for relying on them 100% and for passing them around to Strider folk 
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Great vids cziv :thumbup:
Thanks for doing it.
Each work deserves the best knife for doing it
Those videos are compliments of members: Ankerson and Solo if you double click and supersize them you can follow the breadcrumbs through YouTube (click the link under the Title of the video) and watch their excellent video channels!
You're a lucky man. Now I know who gets all the good ones.
Hey, mine's awesome too! SnG... hair popping sharp! Smoooooth opening, great lockup, perfectly centered blade...
I bought it used, and it's fine. Broken in? Perhaps. I really don't know. It is plenty smooth.
That edge was put on by moi in about two minutes with a Work Sharp.
I really don't understand why so many complain about factory edges on knives that aren't hair popping sharp. It's soooo easy to make the edge incredibly sharp...
tundratrader
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Like most have said get the XM-18. The SNG is a tank. That is about all I can say for it. You never know if you will get a good one. Biggest SNG problems is the pivot is way to tight because the tolerances are terrible. You are supposed to open and close it 10000 times before it gets smooth. By that time the blade detent is worn flat and the damn things just fall open. At that point you can send it back to the factory to get put back to gorilla tight and likely something else will get f'ed up. I tried several times to get decent customer service from Strider. The service is terrible. A 100% no questions asked warranty isnt worth a damn if the product is garbage and the customer service is garbage.
Sorry that was a rant. You will pay the same for either. Some get lucky others dont. You dont have to think twice about an XM-18 being perfect everytime.
Sorry that was a rant. You will pay the same for either. Some get lucky others dont. You dont have to think twice about an XM-18 being perfect everytime.
Only think is I like the Striders' appearance. And the XM-18 is very different.
tundratrader
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I love the Striders appearance and ergos. I love the choil being a part of the grip. I just could not get over the fact that most never get smooth. I refuse to pay 400 for a knife that opens like one of the two dollar knives at the hardware store checkout. I opened a dozen at a knife shop one day. The only one that opened smoothly and locked up properly was a Duane Dwyer custom. I think it is ridiculous that you have to pay 800 for a knife to work. I really tried to like them. I would buy an SNG use it and try to break it in and finally gave up. I got a Sebenza because I knew it would be perfect. I later scored an XM-18 and have not looked back.
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:thumbup: Probably you are not enough hard core or high speed to appreciate Striders. Don't worry, I have the same problem.