Strider Knives. Why So Much?

[hardheart]

I bought a knife.
I think some people bought a story.

I think they all bought a knife and a story, since the knife alone would run about $200.

 

[stabman]

I think they all bought a knife and a story, since the knife alone would run about $200.

More like $250-$300ish.
Look at ZT and other comparable frame-lock knives.

I've always said that Strider knives are about $150 overpriced.

I have to say thought that Strider feels closer to being worth the money than the Emerson Super Karambit I bought before.
No way in hell was that thing worth even close to $300.

 

[singularity35]

I think they all bought a knife and a story...

Quoted for posterity.

 

[RubiconSS]

Well, I read until my eyes and stomach hurt. Too much back and forth, lots of accusations not sure about facts - didn't see much in the way of rebuttal.
I have a wall in my office where some symbols of my history hang. Do the symbols define anything? No. They are associated with experiences and achievements that contribute to who somebody is (in this case, Me).
I imagine IF somebody called them fakes or counterfeits I would take that pretty personal, I sure wouldn't keep quiet about it.
I dunno these Men nor do I know anything about them. I was developing an interest in their knives - I admit there is enough smoke around the camp that my interest has waned. Too bad but no big deal.
I will find other knives and I imagine these guys will find other customers. Maybe those customers will be like me - I never knew anything about this. Now that I do - it matters.
For those who know and it doesn't matter - don't know what to tell you.
Is what it is.

 

[stabman]

For those who know and it doesn't matter - don't know what to tell you.
Is what it is.

It's fine that you care.
It's fine that I don't.
That's what freedom's all about.

 

[RubiconSS]

It's fine that you care.
It's fine that I don't.
That's what freedom's all about.

Absolutely.

 

[GLDNDomer]

Well, I read until my eyes and stomach hurt. Too much back and forth, lots of accusations not sure about facts - didn't see much in the way of rebuttal.
I have a wall in my office where some symbols of my history hang. Do the symbols define anything? No. They are associated with experiences and achievements that contribute to who somebody is (in this case, Me).
I imagine IF somebody called them fakes or counterfeits I would take that pretty personal, I sure wouldn't keep quiet about it.
I dunno these Men nor do I know anything about them. I was developing an interest in their knives - I admit there is enough smoke around the camp that my interest has waned. Too bad but no big deal.
I will find other knives and I imagine these guys will find other customers. Maybe those customers will be like me - I never knew anything about this. Now that I do - it matters.
For those who know and it doesn't matter - don't know what to tell you.
Is what it is.

Wow, great post. I completely agree with this. I even got interested in these knives, and then found the big link written by the Pirate Parrot moderator guy about the Strider guy's past. I'm mainly put off by the super-high prices when I'm already content with my $50 Buck Vantage Pro.

I think it's silly arguing with people's tastes in knives. If someone wants to buy one of these knives, a smart person will do research about the company, and the history of Strider is easily found on this forum (use google -- "site:bladeforums.com"). Once attaining that knowledge, a smart person can make his own dang decision on what he wants to spend his hard-earned money on. If the person does not research the company before purchasing, then I say a fool and his money are soon parted.

Now, to stick to the actual thread topic... Strider knives cost so much because it fills a certain niche in the knife market, a "mil-spec" super-expensive tactical knife. The knife is a piece of sharpened s30v steel, G10 and titanium (I think, I haven't owned one, only researched them) handle material, with a frame lock and a pocket clip. I was interested in them mainly because of the handle shape and the tiger stripes, which probably accounts for a lot of the Strider knife owners.

Another reason they are so expensive is the same reason Surefire flashlights are so expensive. They have military government contracts, which is already plenty of money. They know that they can also market that, even when the materials used to make the products account for a LOT less than what they actually charge. Strider and Surefire also have the "no-questions-asked" warranty policy, but come on, how many people actually break a flashlight or knife. Seriously. We're back to the fool and his money are soon parted thing again if you break knives and flashlights on a regular basis.

Oh, and Stephen, you hooked a big'un with this thread. Haha, mine have never gotten over 2 pages. I'm jealous.

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

Freedom is an ironic term to use considering the subject. Freedom allows you to not care, but not why. Apathy...ahh, who cares.

 

[Finarfin]

Finarfin your link doesn't work but put 'em up Striderco - it's all true.

://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...plaining-to-do.
Here's some more background info on "ahh" Mr Strider...

Try this...

 

[snowreaper1]

The only other knife company that I know of that offers a no question "you break it we fix it" warranty is Esee knives and they make fixed blades. Having that warranty pretty much assures you that you have a knife that you can beat the crap out of for as long as you own it.

 

[Noctis3880]

More like $250-$300ish.
Look at ZT and other comparable frame-lock knives.

I've always said that Strider knives are about $150 overpriced.

I have to say thought that Strider feels closer to being worth the money than the Emerson Super Karambit I bought before.
No way in hell was that thing worth even close to $300.

It's funny you mention that, I was thinking the same thing. Heat treat on the Emersons seem a little iffy when you consider that 154CM at Rc 57-59 is more prone to chipping than rolling. Yes, Strider knives definitely seem to have the heat treat going for it, that part is unquestionable. That alone would make the Strider a better choice than an Emerson, though it's a real pity that Emerson holds the patent for the wave feature.

As for Mick Strider blatantly lying about his past, that does make me quirk an eyebrow. Though considering Emerson's apparent arrogance about his own products and his blatant claim that no other knives from any other maker were in use in various military operations doesn't put him on any higher a pedestal to me.

But at the end of the day, I suppose I have to be selfish and say that I just want a damn good knife and push past those details. Since I didn't even have a clue that Mick had claimed to be military in the first place, I suppose it doesn't offend me as much that he did lie through his teeth.

Still not buying a Strider unless I have a LOT more disposable income though. I find I use my thin slicers a hell of a lot more than my "hard use" knives, so my choice to pass on a Strider is more of a pragmatic one.

 

[cziv]

Try this...

Try what? No link at all now,

I don't buy his knives because of blade play issues. They're not worth the money to me. I think his collaborations with Zero Tolerance are wonderfully made though. He's getting inlaid Sebenza money for less quality.

Mick Strider's demons are his own. He's fessed up and it's all over from what I'm up to speed on. He paid his debts to society via the process of law. What good is it for us to keep making him twist over the coals by continuing to bring this sh*t up over and over. Let him get on with his life - we'd expect or hope for the same right? Just my $.02

 

[RubiconSS]

I am blessed/cursed with Brothers-in-laws that ALL have criminal records (Can't pick your relatives) nothing against women or children or small animals but convictions and some felonies.
I'm no hypocrit, I go to family reunions and picnics and drink a beer with them. They made mistakes and paid for those mistakes. End of story.
As for anybody who made a mistake - fessed up - and paid. Same thing. End.
I admit, I confess - it is the Military issue. Being a Military/Army guy from a long line of Military (several who died)
This piece is what hits me dead center in the chest. I said, I looked but didn't see the acknowlegement/apology as it relates to that. Maybe I missed it.
If it is what it appears to be and these guys lied in order to profit from the "mysterious military mystique" then yeah, I'm done with more than talking about it and no - He/They should never be off-limits from this being raised.
I'll repeat so I'm not misquoted or misunderstood.
Did they lie about their Military Service? Yes or No
If it was Yes, did they acknowlege and apologize?
It's that simple for me.

Sorry if this part sounds blunt but, anybody who is not current or prior service - personally don't care what your opinion is about the Military Service portion of the equation. As for stealing a car, never did it but, we all have done stupid $h!t when we were young.

 

[bm11]

Interesting thread. Way off track now, the original topic being the knives. I personally think they fair well when compared to other knifes in the same price range- Sebenza's and Hinderer XM's even. I own a SMF, a Sebenza, and an XM-18, and I like them all. The XM is a little more refined feeling than my SMF, but due to supply and demand I paid twice as much for it as my SMF, and my SMF has a better warranty. I don't know where the "blade play issues" comments came from, my sample size is small in that my SMF is the only Strider folder I have handled, and it has zero blade play. I believe the Marine Corps was looking for a folder as strong as a fixed blade, and chose the SMF, which if I'm not mistaken, is the only folding knife ever issued within the USMC.

All that said, I know Mickey's reputation is stained, but the product is solid and made in the US. Interested to see what you'd dig up if you ran a background check on the owner of the company of every Chinese product in your house.

 

[cziv]

Interesting thread. Way off track now, the original topic being the knives. I personally think they fair well when compared to other knifes in the same price range- Sebenza's and Hinderer XM's even. I own a SMF, a Sebenza, and an XM-18, and I like them all. The XM is a little more refined feeling than my SMF, but due to supply and demand I paid twice as much for it as my SMF, and my SMF has a better warranty. I don't know where the "blade play issues" comments came from, my sample size is small in that my SMF is the only Strider folder I have handled, and it has zero blade play. I believe the Marine Corps was looking for a folder as strong as a fixed blade, and chose the SMF, which if I'm not mistaken, is the only folding knife ever issued within the USMC.

All that said, I know Mickey's reputation is stained, but the product is solid and made in the US. Interested to see what you'd dig up if you ran a background check on the owner of the company of every Chinese product in your house.

[video=youtube;_WS49j0irsA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WS49j0irsA[/video]

 

[bobusx]

Interesting thread. Way off track now, the original topic being the knives. I personally think they fair well when compared to other knifes in the same price range- Sebenza's and Hinderer XM's even. I own a SMF, a Sebenza, and an XM-18, and I like them all. The XM is a little more refined feeling than my SMF, but due to supply and demand I paid twice as much for it as my SMF, and my SMF has a better warranty. I don't know where the "blade play issues" comments came from, my sample size is small in that my SMF is the only Strider folder I have handled, and it has zero blade play. I believe the Marine Corps was looking for a folder as strong as a fixed blade, and chose the SMF, which if I'm not mistaken, is the only folding knife ever issued within the USMC.

All that said, I know Mickey's reputation is stained, but the product is solid and made in the US. Interested to see what you'd dig up if you ran a background check on the owner of the company of every Chinese product in your house.

Has it been confirmed that the Marine Corp purchases and issues Strider's to Marines? Or is it just one of the many knives with an NSN that a supply clerk can order for a unit?

 

[Nternal]

Wait, am I buying a knife, or marrying the guy???

Best post in the thread, It's amazing how so many posters on BF turn everything into a personal direction. We are talking about a sharpened piece of steel..why make everything into a soap opera? I must say that I never quite seen such a sensitive bunch when it comes to the personal aspects of knife makers and companies. I understand someone being turned off by something because of a lie that might hit home on a personal level but sometimes I think some take it too far.

 

[bm11]

Has it been confirmed that the Marine Corp purchases and issues Strider's to Marines? Or is it just one of the many knives with an NSN that a supply clerk can order for a unit?

Supposedly issued to Detachment 1, but I cannot confirm that with anything other than Wikipedia's article on the Strider SMF.

 

[bomber258]

Well I was really looking into to buying a strider but they are too much money for me and I cant find any good deals on them on ebay. First I was gonna get the SNG but too much money then SMF too much money then PT but its kinda of too small for me I like big folding knifes for EDC and such like 0300 and 0350. Why are Striders so much money or are they just overpriced becuase it looks like my 0300 is the same thing at the SNG but different blade designs!!!
Is it the steel or something or construction of handle or knife or something!? Can someone please explain to me why these knives are so much haha thanks!

I own 2 and I have NO idea why they are priced so high.

I own a folder that was butter knife sharp when it was made,sad but it was sharpened WELL and I still dont carry it.

Also have a necker that was badly designed and dont often carry that either.

 

[Gator97]

Wait, am I buying a knife, or marrying the guy???

No, but why should I reward lies and dishonesty used to promote the said knife, which btw has absolutely nothing to do with "dues" Strider paid, it was for another offense. By the same token, what is so special about Strider that one should be ok to overlook false claims and misinformation anyway.

Any time Strider is mentioned on the forums someone brings up Mickey Ray's questionable past. It seems some people are incapable of separating feelings of the maker and feelings of the knife.

I suspect you are mixing up felon past and false claims later on(which was used to promote his products).

...

It seems that most forget that not one person on this earth is exempt from past mistakes and regrets...

One thing I don't remember from Mick on BF, ever was expressing regret for anything he did or said. I do remember lots of name calling and insults from him to unhappy customers though.