Strider Knives.

[USAFSP]

I have to say that i agree with Mick. You do waht you gotta. Knife fights arent sheeple freindly. Ive been stabbed in the shoulder stomach and forearms with various things and i cant tell you that if one of those was to the neck id have been screwed. Knife fights are brutal, and bloody. Mick is completley right when he says that you have to shut off the processor. Id rather be called a jerk and train right and live, than to be sheeple freindly and train in feel good karate at the local YMCA and die.

What are you in Jail? WTF are you getting stabbed like that from doing? Sounds more like a lifestyle change is in order than a knife to fight with. Not cracking on you, but just bringing up the obvious.

 

[edamhcneb]

Sorry to jump in on this thread, but I have a serious question for some of you Strider owners.

I just got my 1st strider knife in a trade about a week ago and while admiring it I noticed a split in one of the washers (check out the photo).

My question: Is this something that is normal or was I traded a defective knife?

 

[razorsdescent]

What are you in Jail? WTF are you getting stabbed like that from doing? Sounds more like a lifestyle change is in order than a knife to fight with. Not cracking on you, but just bringing up the obvious.

Its quite alright. I was in a lock up facility when i was young ( read juvie). When i was in there i got shanked with mechanical pencils and screwdrivers. I also have been stabbed in the right shoulder with a cheap stilleto. But i have straightened out my life:thumbup: and am joining the army.

 

[OilMan]

Sorry to jump in on this thread, but I have a serious question for some of you Strider owners.

I just got my 1st strider knife in a trade about a week ago and while admiring it I noticed a split in one of the washers (check out the photo).

My question: Is this something that is normal or was I traded a defective knife?

Send an email to striderguys@striderknives.com and ask them if the washer is supposed to have the break in it. I don't think mine do but it's been a while since I took one apart. They might even be willing to send you a new washer but if not you could send it in and they will make it right and sharpen it if needed. For $15.

ps. I don't think it would matter performancewise but I'm not an engineer either.

 

[db]

WOW, they would replace a broken washer and resharpen, all for only $15? That does sound like some of the best customer service ever.

 

[Hair]

There is a lot of Strider hate on this forum, and it is just silly.

I have a Sebenza, a Manix, and an SMF. The bext knife of the three is the SMF. The best user is the SMF. The best performer is the SMF. The strongest and beefiest is the SMF. It *DOES* do things the Manix cannot do. it does do things better. For one, it can cut through plastic and metal strap without edge damage. The Manix cannot. The SMF has a stronger tip and blade. The SMF has a better design for being used (i.e., it is more ergonomic [subjective] and locks into the hand better, and is better at shedding debris).

The Sebenza has the best fit and finish. The SMF has better fit and finish than the Manix.

All three are fantastic and none of them deserve to be down. The Manix is the best bargain. get if you you cannot afford the two others.

The Sebenza has the highest quality. Get it if you like fit and finish and perfection.

The SMF is the best user. get it if you want a great functional design, and lots of strength.

The Manix "out cut" the Sebenza and SMF in that Brittish Blades test because it has better out of the box sharpness. I have used all 3 extensively, and had to sharpen all three. The Manix is a great cutter, but so are the Sebenza and SMF. The SMF is better for hard cutting, such as through hard plastic and soft metal straps. The Sebenza is best for shallow slicing. The Manix is best for deep slicing.

The Manix is not magic and there are reasons is costs less than the other two.

When it all comes down to it, which of the three is the best is purely subjective. Some want what the SMF has, or the Sebenza has, and some want what the Manix has. Some consider the Manix too much of a bargain to pass up and the other two to be overpriced. Some consider the Sebenza and SMF to be the bargains and the Manix to be an inferior bargain.

Since all three are good, why waste a moment bad mouthing any of them, even for the price? There are too many crap knives out there to say Strider is overpriced.

I know I'd rather have an SMF for 475 than 5 copies of every Spyderco model ever made for 100 bucks. I want the better knife, not to brag about bang for the buck (which I consider meaningless when talking about something any of us can easily afford).

Also, a Strider is far more useful to me than any gun. So the whole "anything that costs 475 should shoot bullets" thing is silly. I would pay more for a knife than a gun because a knife is far more useful. If I am going to spend 475 on something, it better be a practical tool I will use every single day and that will withstand that use, not a gun.

What is being discussed is the fact that there are knives that are far less expensive than a Strider that cut much better in knife reviews listed on reputable knife forums.

No, it had better out of the box sharpness. All 3 of the knives has pros and cons when it comes to cutting.

Maybe these other knives are not as good a screwdriver, crowbar, or hammer as the Strider folder but they are great knives for a lower price, IMHO.

Yes, the Manix is great and cheaper, but is bang for the buck the only thing that matters? if you can afford better, do you never buy it?

What I'm trying to figure out is why anyone would pay that much when they can get as good or better a knife for a much lower price. That's not being cheap, that's being good with you spending habits. You never addressed that issue. Please explain why the Strider knife commands such a premium?

Why pay for a Strider? Because you want one. IMO, it is the best production folder. Period. And it is a bargain in and of itself. I like knives, so i own a Manix, Sebenza, and an SMF, and many more. The SMF has given me the most for the money.

Also, Strider is a small company that makes handmade knives. Spyderco can make less of a profit per knife and stay afloat. Also, like it or not, high end companies like Strider, CRK, and WH use a legal form of price fixing to make sure their knives are sold at MSRP. So if Spyderco sold only at MSRP, the price gap would not be so large,. You just get very good deals on Spydies.

A Corrola will get you to the store as well as a BMW, so why buy a BMW? because you want better than a Corolla, even if "better" refers to subjective things that you, specifically, may not care about. But other people do. If you are happy with a Manix, that's fine. But I am not. I need a Manix, SMF, Sbeneza, and many, many others. I am a knife knut.

But if you are looking for real reasons an SMF is better than a Manix, well, it fits my hand better (feels better and is more secure), and performs many hard-use tasks better. I have done this first hand. i must cut plastic and metal strap at work. They are soft enough that a knife can cut them, but after some use, many knives show edge damage. The SMF has put up with the "abuse" much better than the Manix did. You could reprofile the Manix to have the same obtuse edge as the SMF, but then the Manix would lose the superior cutting ability that some tout (without considering the downside). But if the manix can have an obtuse edge at 130 bucks, why buy an SMF? I think the heat treat at Strider is more consistant than the batches done by Spyderco, as chipping is less often. Also, with the thicker stock, the blade is just stronger than the Manix's, period.

If Spyderco made a hand-made knife that was exactly the same as the SMF, and just as strong, for cheaper, *THEN* you could question buying an SMF. But they haven't. The Manix is close, but not the same. IMO, not as good. The price jump is larger than the performance jump, but I can afford an SMF, so why not buy one?

 

[Hair]

Sorry to post again after that rant, but I want to say that I just got a John W Smith framelock for 475 (same price as an SMF).

For the price, the JWS is a much nicer piece of work. Perfert fit and finish. The satin finish on the blade is beautiful, and the fit is flawless all around.

My SMF is not nearly as good in these reguards. But, I have been using my JWS at work today and I am much moe worried about it than I am my SMF.

Customs may get you better quality for the same price, but I don't think anything other than the XM-18 will give you as much of a tank as the SMF is.

There are a lot of great knives out there. why limit yourself just to the "best bargains"?

Why not just buy what you like?

 

[beefangusbeef]

but other than on the forums I have never encountered another troop who carries them

Yesterday we were comparing pocket knives and to my amazement out popped 4 emersons, 3 spyderco, 1 benchmade, and 1 strider. Maybe the guys around me like to spend money on knives and such instead of evos and WRX's..... Yeah it's still a rarity most guys would rather drop 300 or 400 on an ipod or a camera than a knife or weapons sight.

 

[3Guardsmen]

There is a lot of Strider hate on this forum, and it is just silly.

"Silly" or not, opinions are opinions. Come on, do you really expect a knifemaker who came onto these forums and told someone to "lick his ---" not to generate some ill feelings? Mick, IMHO, has gotten away with more bashing of members here than anyone else I've seen (and I've been reading these forums for many, many years).

I have a Sebenza, a Manix, and an SMF. The bext knife of the three is the SMF. The best user is the SMF. The best performer is the SMF. The strongest and beefiest is the SMF. It *DOES* do things the Manix cannot do. it does do things better. For one, it can cut through plastic and metal strap without edge damage. The Manix cannot. The SMF has a stronger tip and blade. The SMF has a better design for being used (i.e., it is more ergonomic [subjective] and locks into the hand better, and is better at shedding debris).

How are you going to qualify that? To use your word, that's just "silly". I have cut through plastic & metal strap with my Manix without edge damage plenty of times. Do you have pictures of the damage sustained to your Manix? Have you taken this up with Spyderco, here on the forums? If so, please link the thread, as I would like to see it.

The Sebenza has the best fit and finish. The SMF has better fit and finish than the Manix.

Really? Why is it that here, on these very forums (as well as other forums related to knives), I have failed to find any large number of complaints about the Manix's "fit & finish" issues?

All three are fantastic and none of them deserve to be down. The Manix is the best bargain. get if you you cannot afford the two others.

How can you state that the Manix is "fantastic" when you just posted that it cannot cut through plastic strap without edge damage. If a knife as tough as the Manix, promoted for the sort of work it is, can't cut through strap without sustaining edge damage, I certainly wouldn't call it "fantastic"

The Sebenza has the highest quality. Get it if you like fit and finish and perfection.

The SMF is the best user. get it if you want a great functional design, and lots of strength.

The Manix "out cut" the Sebenza and SMF in that Brittish Blades test because it has better out of the box sharpness. I have used all 3 extensively, and had to sharpen all three. The Manix is a great cutter, but so are the Sebenza and SMF. The SMF is better for hard cutting, such as through hard plastic and soft metal straps. The Sebenza is best for shallow slicing. The Manix is best for deep slicing.

Why do you think that is? I mean, why would a supposedly inferior knife, like you have just implied that the Manix is, have "better out of the box sharpness"?

The Manix is not magic and there are reasons is costs less than the other two.

Such as? Go ahead and tell me the "reasons", please.

When it all comes down to it, which of the three is the best is purely subjective. Some want what the SMF has, or the Sebenza has, and some want what the Manix has. Some consider the Manix too much of a bargain to pass up and the other two to be overpriced. Some consider the Sebenza and SMF to be the bargains and the Manix to be an inferior bargain.

I find that to be true, but that certainly isn't the implication you've been making.

Since all three are good, why waste a moment bad mouthing any of them, even for the price? There are too many crap knives out there to say Strider is overpriced.

Because this is a discussion forum, and Strider knives are being discussed. Believe me, There are enough GREAT, lower-priced knives out there to say that even the Manix is "overpriced".

I know I'd rather have an SMF for 475 than 5 copies of every Spyderco model ever made for 100 bucks. I want the better knife, not to brag about bang for the buck (which I consider meaningless when talking about something any of us can easily afford).

Another issue that is strictly a matter of personal choice. I'm sure there are people here who would rather have a Manix than 5 copies of every SAK ever made for 20 bucks, too.

Also, a Strider is far more useful to me than any gun. So the whole "anything that costs 475 should shoot bullets" thing is silly. I would pay more for a knife than a gun because a knife is far more useful. If I am going to spend 475 on something, it better be a practical tool I will use every single day and that will withstand that use, not a gun.

Again with the use of the term "silly". To somebody who is a hardcore gun-nut, it definitely isn't silly.

Best wishes,
3G

 

[kel_aa]

The strongest and beefiest is the SMF. It *DOES* do things the Manix cannot do. it does do things better. For one, it can cut through plastic and metal strap without edge damage. The Manix cannot.

Why, is there something mythical about the S30V Strider uses or the heat-treat? Was it blessed by Tibetan monks or quenched with in dragon bile?

 

[Hair]

I'm about to get to work (I'm at work right now), but I'll answer you guys when I get home. And believe me, I will have answers

 

[3Guardsmen]

I'm about to get to work (I'm at work right now), but I'll answer you guys when I get home. And believe me, I will have answers

Cool. I like discussions like this, where we can debate in a civil and informative way. Have a good time at work.

Best wishes,
3G

 

[3Guardsmen]

Why, is there something mythical about the S30V Strider uses or the heat-treat? Was it blessed by Tibetan monks or quenched with in dragon bile?

Well, I do happen to believe that Strider, coupled with the genius of Paul Bos (modern day master of the heat-treat), have developed one of the best heat-treats around for S30V. Paul Bos' work with steel should not be underestimated, as he is widely regarded as the best.

Best wishes,
3G

 

[robertmegar]

I thought Paul Bos stopped doing the HT for Strider!!!!

 

[Midget]

I just got my 1st strider knife in a trade about a week ago and while admiring it I noticed a split in one of the washers (check out the photo).

your bronze washer is fine. all of mine are like that.

 

[Midget]

I thought Paul Bos stopped doing the HT for Strider!!!!

some striders are bos treated, some aren't. it's not that he's stopped doing their ht, i think it's just that he doesn't do all of it, like it used to be.

regardless, all knives are heated using the same methods used by him, so i shouldn't expect any difference in quality/performance.

 

[gud4u]

Paul Bos no longer does heat treating for Strider. I believe Bos made the move with Buck when they moved North.

I have both SMF and Manix. As delivered, the Manix had superior fit and finish - outstanding for a production knife. The lockup on the SMF was loose and blade not centered.

I sent the SMF to Santa Clara for service, and got it back with a short note from Mick Strider, listing the repairs he did himself (larger stop-pin to fix the lockup problem). I'm pleased with Strider service - but the SMF should not have needed to be returned.

The SMF is perfect now, and has since been 'adopted' by my son.

 

[Midget]

Come on, do you really expect a knifemaker who came onto these forums and told someone to "lick his ---" not to generate some ill feelings? Mick, IMHO, has gotten away with more bashing of members here than anyone else I've seen (and I've been reading these forums for many, many years).

if it makes you feel any better, 3guardsmen, some of the "lick my sack" aggression was directed at me, because i was the one who started that thread. and i'm not upset about it at all-- between now and then i've actually purchased 4 more strider knives. i didn't mean to start the thread that would create such a shitstorm, but there's enough haters on the net that if you mention the name 'strider' in any capacity, someone is guaranteed to come out and start talking crap. that's not fair, and that has to put a lot of pressure on someone who's doing his job and takes pride in his work.

anyhow, i've never heard about any name changing or robbery, and if someone's making that up, it's not very nice.

in an earlier thread, cliff mentioned that you have to give credit to mick strider in the sense that he's willing to say what he thinks to your face, not behind your back. and i agree with that, haha, his level of honesty is almost a virtue, in a kind of backwards, paradoxical sort of way.

you guys need to stop taking things so heavily. this is just the internet, these are just knives we're talking about. some good knives, i might add. i don't know anything about knife fights or combat or anything, and i don't think it really matters.

 

[Halfneck]

BTW, have I mentioned I like my SnG?

Cripes, I should of realized what this post would spawn.

 

[Hair]

Why, is there something mythical about the S30V Strider uses or the heat-treat? Was it blessed by Tibetan monks or quenched with in dragon bile?

No, it is because of the more obtuse edge bevel (which can be changed on the Manix) and the fact that a "one-off" or small batch heat treat will be more consistant than a large batch. There is nothing magic about either knife. The Strider has a thicker blade and at least a more consistant if not flatly better heat treat.

"Silly" or not, opinions are opinions. Come on, do you really expect a knifemaker who came onto these forums and told someone to "lick his ---" not to generate some ill feelings? Mick, IMHO, has gotten away with more bashing of members here than anyone else I've seen (and I've been reading these forums for many, many years).

Opinions are fine. And it is my opinion that badmouthing Strider knives is silly.

How are you going to qualify that? To use your word, that's just "silly". I have cut through plastic & metal strap with my Manix without edge damage plenty of times. Do you have pictures of the damage sustained to your Manix? Have you taken this up with Spyderco, here on the forums? If so, please link the thread, as I would like to see it.

I am not conducting a scientific experiment. I have cut plastic and metal strap with both knives extensivly. The Strider performs the task better and with less edge "damage". I don't need to prove this to you as I am not trying to win a court case. I know what I say is true as I have observed it. You may decide to not believe me, but I am offering reasons why many people prefer a Strider and whether you agree or not, I think one should not turn a deaf ear.

Really? Why is it that here, on these very forums (as well as other forums related to knives), I have failed to find any large number of complaints about the Manix's "fit & finish" issues?

Striders get complaints because they cost 300+ dollars. Spyderco has similar if not inferior fit and finish as Strider. But at a lower price point, people are not expecting much and many Spyderco buyers (who have never experienced a higher-end knife) cannot tell the difference between good and bad fit and finish anyways.

How can you state that the Manix is "fantastic" when you just posted that it cannot cut through plastic strap without edge damage. If a knife as tough as the Manix, promoted for the sort of work it is, can't cut through strap without sustaining edge damage, I certainly wouldn't call it "fantastic"

I have cut the plastic pallet strap at work with almost all of my knives and almost all of them sustain some sort of edge damage. A knife does not cease to be fantastic just because the edge rolls or chips when cutting through hard plastic strap day in and day out. The SMF goes above and beyond. I think you do not understand what I mean by "plastic strap". It is very thick, and very hard. Every one of my knives requires VERY aggressive sawing to get through the strap, and it takes a bit of time as well.

Why do you think that is? I mean, why would a supposedly inferior knife, like you have just implied that the Manix is, have "better out of the box sharpness"?

Out of the box sharpness is only one measure of a knife... and it is a pretty much meaningless one.

Such as? Go ahead and tell me the "reasons", please.

I already did. The SMF is handmade and only a semi-production knife. Strider is a small company. Strider uses "price fixing" to maintain their brand, which keeps their street prices at MSRP. Spyderco is a large company with a full production line and batch heat treats. Spydercos are not hand made, and Spyderco is not a small company. Spydercos sell for far below MSRP.

I find that to be true, but that certainly isn't the implication you've been making.

Actually, yes it is. I have been stating my opinions. Stating my opinions does not mean I fail to see how subjective knives are and that which is better or worse is not a matter of fact in any way. Do you want me to add "in my opinion" at the end of every remotely subjective statement?

Because this is a discussion forum, and Strider knives are being discussed.

Yes, it is a discussion forum. My point is: why badmouth great knives? Envy? Ignorance? Nothing better to discuss? Why not talk about the knives you like and why you like them instead of putting down some of the best knives in the world just because they aren't what you are looking for or want to afford?

Believe me, There are enough GREAT, lower-priced knives out there to say that even the Manix is "overpriced".

It is all reletive. To most people, anything over 5 bucks is overpriced. My point is that my SMF has given me more for the money than pretty much any of my other knives. For me, it is a much better bargain than the Manix, which is ***comparitively*** a rip-off.

Another issue that is strictly a matter of personal choice. I'm sure there are people here who would rather have a Manix than 5 copies of every SAK ever made for 20 bucks, too.

Of course it is personal choice. Hence the generous use of the words *I* and *me*.

Again with the use of the term "silly". To somebody who is a hardcore gun-nut, it definitely isn't silly.

To each his own. I am merely point out that a knife is, for almost everyone in the world, far more useful. So statements such as "anything that costs 400 bucks better shoot bullets. That is gun money, not knife money" are silly and ignorant. If you want a gun, buy one. But it is foolish to think that 400 bucks for a knife is too much just because a gun (which is less useful) can be had for the same amount. To each his own has to work both ways. A gun nut can't claim my purchase is stupid and then say "well, I'm a gun nut" when I say it was stupid of him to call my purchase stupid. Notice that I am not saying buying a gun instead of a knife is stupid. I am saying that calling a 400 dollar knife stupid because a gun can be had for the same price is what is stupid.

I don't know if I kept it civil or not, and you may want to take back your wishes of me having a good time at work, but I am a knife knut who tries to own a little bit of everything- I dig Spyderco a lot- But my SMF is my favorite knife and I feel it is the best overall production/semi-production knife out there. I take offense when people use things like out of the box sharpness or Mick's comments to try and make Striders seem overpriced. It is not because I am insecure in my purchase. It is because I am vry passionate about knives and I do not like seeing a very, very good knife/brand being bashed by people that are supposed to love knives. You may not think Mick is a gentlemen, but I am damn sure that my purchase of a Strider was a very smart decision. It was worked out better for me than any Spyderco purchase. And I feel the SMF offers more for the money than any Spyderco- which means a lot because it costs a lot more money and I think Spyderco makes fantastic knives for the money to begin with.

For me, Strider really is that good. You don't have to agree, but I do not like seeing a company I respect being put down due to what I think is mostly envy- or rather, people who do not want to pay for a Strider trying to make themselves feel secure about their decision by bashing the brand. I strongly dislike Cold Steel, but outside of a little poke of humor now and then, you don';t see me bashing them, do you?

I suppose I do not like seeing negitivity in the knife world unless it is aimed at crooks. I like seeing positivity- KNIVES ARE GREAT! I am not always as positive as I'd like, but I think good knives do not deserve to be bashed no matter how expensive they are. Maybe I am over-sensetive- but maybe Strider knives get FAR FAR FAR too much negitive attention- far more than they deserve based on how great the knives really are. Shouldn't negitive attention be focused elsewhere?