It's worth sending it in. On the sharpening I'm sure it's done on an abrasive belt, mostly by hand I've seen the bevel angles vary quite a bit from knife to knife and side to side on the same knife. Best to measure the angle on your own knife. I sharpen mine to about 20dps if that helps.
Warranty Copied from their website...
Your Strider product is guaranteed against defects in the material and workmanship and has a lifetime warranty. This warranty does not cover normal wear, damage caused by neglect or lack of necessary end user maintenance, disassembly or end user modification of the edged tool.
Warranty repair:
Strider Knives warranty covers any unaltered Strider Knives, Inc. product for life. To obtain warranty service, send the tool with a written description of what is wrong, all contact info and $25 to cover return shipping and handling to:
Strider Knives, Inc.
565 Country Club Drive,
Escondido, CA 92029.
Questions, write to:
striderguys@striderknives.com
ALL REPAIRS MUST HAVE 25.00 USD INCLUDED IN THE BOX OR WE CAN NOT FIX YOUR KNIFE YOU CAN SEND MONEY ORDER OR CHECK OR BANK CHECK. THIS INCLUDES FOREIGN REPAIRS WE CAN NOT ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS FOR WARRANTY WORK.
It is recommended that you send it securely packaged and insured. Strider Knives is not responsible for items lost or stolen in transit for warranty service. Strider Knives uses a variety of blade steels and design configurations during manufacture. We will attempt to repair and or replace to original spec. However, Strider Knives does reserve the right to substitute with equal or better quality material if the original is no longer in production. This will only be done after consult with the end user has been made aware of that fact as well as the options available to them.
End user care and maintenance:
It is the responsibility of the end user to care for and maintain their gear. The harsher the operating environment requires more preventative maintenance.
Rust:
Under normal conditions all that will be needed is a periodic wipe down with a lubricating cloth. In more extreme environs a light coat of quality oil is advised. If it should develop surface rust, use a super fine (000) steel wool and oil and lightly remove the rust.
Blade action and Lock bar:
Comparatively, the blade action may be tighter and stiffer than a non-Strider. Firstly, we use a tighter detent than others. This is by design for a blade that is carried tip up in the pocket to assist in keeping the blade closed. Next, for the actual action, with use the phosphor bronze washers will polish themselves and it will become smoother. As for the lock bar, initially it may be more difficult to disengage. With use it will also settle and become smoother.
Disassembly and end user modification:
Strider products are not a set of LEGOTM building blocks. Any malfunction due to end user modification, "pimping your blade", or disassembly will not be covered under warranty repair.
