Strider Blade Finish durability (Digi vs Stonewash vs Tiger)

demtek9 · Feb 18, 2009

I've been considering a Strider SnG with the Digi camo finish and wondered if anyone could tell me how that holds up to light/medium use. I work in an office, but love tac knives.

I know that the tiger stripe finish wears like any bead blast. Would I be happier with the stone washed finish? I know that takes a lot to show wear on stone washed finishes from how I use normally use knives.

Pics and/or comments of Strider owners who use thier Digi cam models would do me wonders.

Thanks,
Jeff

Ozy · Feb 18, 2009

I only own a Stonewashed SNG, Black G10, Stonewashed Titanium Lockside.

Its still very Tacticool, but ageless as far as wear goes.

senoBDEC · Feb 19, 2009

depends on the roughness of the media - example - the "polished stonewash" look, where a high-grit finish is applied (without successive stages), would show scratches, but not as readily as a polished or satin finish. One of my Sebenzas is like that.
From what I've seen of the Strider finishes, a stonewash would not show most hairline scratches, though IMO, any of them works fine.

Having never owned one, but from the scuttlebutt on the forums - make sure you or a trusted seller hand-pick one - several comments on F&F.

Course, a polished finish takes some good handwork to accomplish, while beadblasts and stonewashes require specialized machinery.

crossada · Feb 19, 2009

i have never had much luck with strider stripe finishes. this knife is unused but it has some serious wear from going in and out of the sheath. i wish strider would just switch to a coated blade instead.

demtek9 · Feb 19, 2009

Thanks for the pic. I'm not a fan of the blasted finishes either. Anyone out there actually have an Digi Cam finish and use it?

Josh K · Feb 19, 2009

I know that the original "tiger" striping came from bead blasting the blade after the heat treat. Both ATS-43 and BG-42 have a black oxide "skin" to them and bead blasting left a tiger stripe design that became standard. The S30V blades are coated before the heat treat I believe.

Personally, I'd love to see a good stone wash finish on them, instead of the coated stuff.

avidknifeusersf · Feb 20, 2009

Why do you want the digicam? It is cool looking for whatever thats worth. I got it because at the time they didn't offer the stone wash. It holds up on par with the coated emersons. Mine has only a few light scratches and wear marks, which is too many considering how gently ive used it. Maybe it came with them? I didnt check it out that closely. After a couple coated knives... I generally prefer a tumble finish these days...

I dont know what the steel looks like under.

demtek9 · Feb 20, 2009

Cool factor is about all I really see in the Digi cam finish. I just didn't want to get one and be like "this looks like crap" after cutting a few small cardboard containers. I guess the stone wash is possibly the best finish for acually using a 400 plus dollar blade.