Strider "knives"? - no way!

M

marty123

Joined
Oct 31, 2000
Messages
903
I saw two Strider knives at the CKG show on Saturday. I've read about Strider knives on Bladeforums, and I've seen pictures on the Internet, but this is the first time I've seen the knives in person.

"What the hell is this?" says I, as I hold a Model BT(?) in my hand. And then a model DB(?). You call these knives? They really are sharpened prybars. Thick 1/4" stock and thick, shallow, primary grinds do not a knife make. And those "handles"? - cord wrapped and darn uncomfortable. I know, I know: "In the heat of battle, ergonomics don't count, etc....". "Comfort is for sissies and losers, etc....". Bullhsit.
Still, I'm amazed at the prices Strider charges, and gets, for those things (so-called knives). Good luck to Strider if they can do it, but who would have thought that there were so many people out there willing to buy these rather silly, over-priced, so-called "knives"?. It seems to me, Mr. Know-it-all and also Mr. Smartypants, that except for some rather narrow range of use, Strider fixed blades are just for looking at, not using. If Strider knives were a lot lower priced they might be okay to buy for their very limited range of use, but at the prices the knives are at now - forget it. No way.
Strider folders, expensive as they are, look like they might be a fair buy, but Strider fixed blades - no.

Note: I am now leaving on an extended tour of Mars.
 
Actually, since the Striders and their crew left for Mars or somewhere like that about a month or so ago, I don't know who's left to flame :D

Awwwww ... :p
 
If you want a Strider, buy a Strider.

If Randalls/Busses/Etc are more to your liking, buy from them.

Don't complain if different companies designs aren't all the same.

Variety is the spice of life.

-- Rob
 
Marty123,


I think that your evaluation is half right, but quite misinformed and quite flamey. Allow me to explain.

The 2 models you picked up are made for very specific reasons- they are tools for military folks, who use their knives roughly and in the case of these 2 knives, could use them for self defense. I read of one military guy who used his knife to spin the barrels on his chopper-mounted minigun when the gun jammed. Try that with a kabar! So these tools are designed for these military jobs where hard use is the norm, and perform well at that. Other Strider knives are designed to have a more "general" type of grind that has improved cutting performance- I have the flat ground MTs in mind.

What people forget is that knives are designed with specific performance criteria in mind. Thick, shallow grinds do a knife make if the knife is for a grunt who cuts, chops, hacks, spins their minigun barrel, pries open a door to get at some documents, etc. But thick and shallow grinds do not a knife make if youa re after a precision surgical instrument! I am not angry that I cannot chop with my SAK. Nor am I angry that I cannot pick out a sliver with the point of my Buck/Strider folder as easily as I can with the point on my stockman's clip point blade. These knives were designed for certain chores, and they perform well at those chores. Anything else that they can do well is icing on the cake. Also note that these same considerations go for the handle. The Strider cord wrap handle is designed to provide maximum grip in high stress situations. That it doesn't feel comfy when you slice paper or shave some wood to help start a fire is of concern, but it does not fall within the strict design parameters of the knife.

Also marty, notice that you judged the entire Strider line on those 2 combat blades and the folders. Strider Knives make a whole range of blades, some of which might be more amenable to your needs. Perhaps you aren't aware that you can order any cord wrapped model with g-10 handles? Maybe a G-10 MFS is a better cutting tool for you than a cord wrapped BT which is designed for more than just cutting.

To note that knife x doesn't do something is one thing, but to claim it ought to do what you want it to do is quite another. Many knives are designed to do specific chores, and complaining that you can't do other chores with a specialized knife is't all that cool.
 
I found the cordwrap very comfortable. The key element is retention. The cordwrap will keep the knife in your hand even if it is slathered in motor oil. I don't like the fact that the only way to clean the cordwrap is by boiling it. The cordwrap was based on the wrapped handles of the japanese samurai swords.

I don't like every strider in the line but I do like the AR, SnG, MKI, MKIA, TK, SLCC, MFS and D-9. All with G10 textured handle slabs.

I am sure there is one there right for you. As others have said before me, I don't think you should judge the entire line based on the two you picked up. Infact, there might be only one or two that they make that catches your fancy. There are guys out there that collect nothing but Striders, but the same can be said about Randall, Busse, Maddog, Spyderco, Benchmade, MOD, Microtech, etc.

The best part about Striders is that they were designed to be used and not to be kept in a box looking pretty. The tigerstripe finish is great for camoflauging all the scratches and scuffs that the blade gets from use.
 
Offering an opinion is one thing; stirring up a sh*tstorm is another.

If these knives are not someone's thing, it's nothing to rant about. There are a multitude of knife styles, materials, intended markets, etc. etc. etc.
 
Why dont' you can this number and ask for Mick or Duane and tell them what you think? (760) 471-8275
 
Yes, they're specialized knives, for people who really don't want their knives to ever break. Yes, it might not be the most efficient tool for the job if you're filleting a fish.

Is "so-called-knife'dness" an emergent property that only comes about when you have thick stock, thick grind, and a handle that's uncomfortable to you?

If not, then your judgment that the folders are a fair buy doesn't really make that much sense, since they're equivalent except for the handles. That is, unless you've neglected to mention your own individual taste for folders (ease of carry, convenience, legal aspects, etc.). Then your case against the fixed blades hasn't been fully articulated, and my point would be that others should take this into consideration before completely agreeing with your view that the fixed blades are a bad deal because of their bad thick stock and thick grind.

If yes, then your claim is that this particular combination (though thick stock, thick grinds and paracord are not inherently bad things), come together to make a so-called-knife that you don't really like. I buy that, it's your opinion, but it's just tough to see how that kind of opinion should be taken to mean that thick stock and thick grinds are bad things.

To complicate things, the fixed blades can come with G10 handles, though that costs $30 more. I'm gonna stop analyzing the effects of the added cost on the emergent property situation before my mind explodes.

Strider fans (if any of them besides me still come around) also take into consideration the no bullshxt warranty: you break it, they replace it. There's also the unlimited reblasting, rewrapping, and resharpening service.
 
They really are sharpened prybars. Thick 1/4" stock and thick, shallow, primary grinds do not a knife make.
Click to expand...
I think that is part of the reason behind their scout series.

It is hard to have an honest discussion when there is so much hero worship surounding the makers, i am not passing judgment i just believe that there are certain taboo subjects on the forums.
 
They do offer to make every knife in the thickness YOU want from what I gather... so get that prybar knife you kinda like ina thinner fillet style thickness and youl llove it... BUT if im wrong on the thickness thing then just ingore the whole post lol. I however am the type of guy who always put extreme force on tools I use. Its nice to know a company out there makes a prybar with a edge :)
 
I think that Striders are very specialized, and a lot of people just buy them because they are somewhat of an art form, and have a "coolness" factor because they are so different from other knives in their simplicity.

I personally am not a big fan of paracord Striders, and feel they are a bit overpriced too. But as long as there is an army of loyal fans who feel that that tool meets their needs, Striders will continue to sell. Different people have different needs, comfort, ergonomics, etc. is just higher on my list.

If I could just choose one knife for survival or to put my life on, would it be a Strider? No.

BUT, If I could just choose one knife to clear a Mini-Gun jam or rappell off of, it would definately be a Strider!! :D
 
This thread has brought to light a number of things that I've thought over the years. First, a few knives in the Strider line aren't super useful for cutting, but are the cream of the crop for some heavy duty usage. Second, if you don't like a knife, tell the manufacturer either directly or by buying another product. If they truly have a "useless" product, they won't have it for long. As it's often said, "Money talks and BS walks." And it doesn't seem that Strider is walking.

I don't own a Strider and most likely never will, but I have no doubts about them being among the best knives in their respective categories.
 
Everyone so far sez a strider isnt a great cutter and so on........ Being I am not a military man I dont have any real life stories about stabbing a foe with a knife. But I do cut steak up for dinner etc... You can pretty much punch a wodden spoon handle through a piece of steak, let alone a semi sharp knife A.K.A- Prybar with edge.
You prolly say But Aniketos!! WTF does wooden spoons and steak have to do with this topic!? Well Take that little experience and some simple logic and youll take that NON sharpened tanto point strider and punch if the hell through the guys uniform his flesh THROUGH that protective shell we call a ribcage and into a lung.... Heh never knew dull weapons could do such things!
 
Why do they charge what they do? Because they can get it! If a maker can get $5000 for a knife that is worth $20, more power to them. In my opinion, when you break knives down to basics, most all knives are way over priced! But most people don't by knives for the basics, at least not those on the forums.

If you like it and the price doesn't get you down, buy it. If you don't like or you don't like the price, don't buy it.
 
Yeah all those guys sporting around Strider knives in Afgan. and Iraq are idiots.. If you dont like them dont buy them.. Dont get behind the keyboard and start trashing peoples work, cause they are out of your price range..:rolleyes:
 
Thanks for sharing your thoughts here as openly as you did, and to the others for being as candid as they've been as well...

The bottom line here is: If you don't like what you see, then don't buy it...plain and simple.

As to Strider Knives, specifically their use and function...they are what they are, and they do what they do...and very well IIRC.

As to 'hero worship', that's just so much bunk. Mick and the Strider guys are very down to earth folks, with an agenda...that agenda being to provide the best possible working tool to those that need it most..those people that are defending your right to post your comments in places like this.

I'd only ask that you keep that last thought in mind as you drift off into a peaceful sleep tonight, with you favorite comfy pillow keeping you company...

Mel
 
DAMN!!! I agree with Sheldon!!;) Quick someone take a picture...LOL...:p

Bashing guys that have as much time in this industry as Strider is a non starter.. Feels like a guy wanting to stir up a bee's nest.
You should have made your thoughts known to Mick Strider! BUT then again that goes against the Chairborne commando cread!! Which goes like this... I will TALK ENDLESS **** as long as I am on my MAC safely at home, where nothing can happen but mother bringing me cookies..:barf:


Edited to remove childish comments
 
Geez, the guy doesn't like Striders, and that's his opinion, which he is allowed to voice, as far as I know. Takes some guts, Marty, knowing the toes you'd be stepping on.
If you don't agree with him, show it by buying the product, rather than trashing his opinion.
Trace, just because he does not like them does not mean they are out of his price range, and even if they are, who cares? That does not make his opinion any less important. I am surprised a knifemaker would say something so condescending to a knife buyer. I cannot afford an Ed Fowler knife right now, does that make my opinion meaningless, since I believe Dozier's work cuts as well or better? Come on, man.
It would seem that Strider knives are more expensive due to demand, and not so much due to value. Face it, they are famous among knife guys, and therefore cost more. A no name maker could easily make the same knife for less money but you have to pay for the name. Nothing wrong with that, but you have to admit it has more to do with supply and demand than with workmanship. And please remember I have nothing against Strider knives, or their quality. I have owned one, and liked it for what it was, a big thick knife.
Steve Ryan told me once, when I asked him about buying one of his knives, "supply and demand has priced my knives so high, people cannot afford them."
Regards
 
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