Strider Knives.

[3Guardsmen]

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

LOL Why would I want to "take back" my well wishes? You have not offended me, and even if you had, I wouldn't take back wishing you a good time at work. IMHO, you have been plenty "civil", and believe me, I know how tough it is to hold emotions back when something you have a great passion for is being discussed negatively.

I have owned Strider knives, and have found them to be quite decent. I'm pretty much playing the part of the devil's advocate here, but I happen to love my Spydercos.

I take offense when people use things like out of the box sharpness or Mick's comments to try and make Striders seem overpriced.

Those are three distinctly different issues, and not a "1+1=2" type of scenario. I never stated that "Mick's comments" + Strider's "out of the box sharpness" = "overpriced", and I challenge you to point out where I did.

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.

I never said you were.

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.

No argument here, except, I happen to feel the opposite way. I think Spyderco offers "more for the money".

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?

See, you are now doing what you have just accused others of doing. You are speculating and painting with a broad brush.

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?

You are still stating your opinion as if it is fact. That is the only issue I have with your posts. It was your "bashing" of the Spyderco Manix, to defend Strider, that made me decide to post in this thread. You seem to assume that since you experienced "edge damage" (your words) while cutting strap with your Manix, that all Manix's behave that way (which they don't, in my experience), and as such, were an inferior product to the Strider SMF. What you have failed to do is convince me that it is true. You stating that you are upset at a good knife being bashed is really a case of the pot calling the kettle black, as you seem perfectly willing to bash a good knife to accomplish your goal.

As far as what you stated about wanting to see only "positivity" in the discussion of knives, good luck. I'd like to see a my Toyota turn into a Porshe, but for some reason, I just don't think it is going to happen.

Best wishes (even if you decide to reply in an uncivil manner ),
3G

 

[Hair]

I think that's statement is impossible to prove one way or the other, especially when you see things like this:

Spyderco's fit and finish is not perfect. Some of their knives have play. I did not say Strider's fit and finish was perfect. There is nothing to prove.

Those are three distinctly different issues, and not a "1+1=2" type of scenario. I never stated that "Mick's comments" + Strider's "out of the box sharpness" = "overpriced", and I challenge you to point out where I did.

I was not refering to you.

See, you are now doing what you have just accused others of doing. You are speculating and painting with a broad brush.

No, I am not. I do not bash companies to make myself feel better. That is what I am acusing others of doing, and it is something I do not do.

You are still stating your opinion as if it is fact.

No I am not. I have never, EVER, stated my opinion as a fact. EVER. NEVER EVER. I am not a moron. I state opinions and when I do so, I understand that they are not facts. It is not required to add "in my opinion" every time an opinion is stated. "Beef tastes good" is an opinion. Saying so is stating an opinion, not stating it as a fact.

That is the only issue I have with your posts. It was your "bashing" of the Spyderco Manix, to defend Strider, that made me decide to post in this thread.

I have never bashed the Manix. It is one of the best knives in the world. But that does not mean I can not state facts. The Manix (as well as about every other knife I own) does not have as robust as an edge as the SMF. The SMF final bevel is more obtuse. All things equal, a more obtuse edge will hold up better. All things equal, a one-off heat treat will be more consistant than a batch. How is that bashing the Manix? What is the problem? These are not opinions.

You seem to assume that since you experienced "edge damage" (your words) while cutting strap with your Manix, that all Manix's behave that way (which they don't, in my experience), and as such, were an inferior product to the Strider SMF.

I never said all Manixs behave the same. But like said above, all things equal... So I think my results are not atypical.

What you have failed to do is convince me that it is true.

If you do not believe me, then don't. Maybe I don't even own a single knife and am making everything up. I am not trying to convince you of anything.

You stating that you are upset at a good knife being bashed is really a case of the pot calling the kettle black, as you seem perfectly willing to bash a good knife to accomplish your goal.

Again, I did not bash the Manix. I stated facts about it. Is saying the Manix costs less than the SMF bashing the SMF? This is not a case of the pot calling the kettle black, it is a case of you confusing facts with insults. It is not my fault my Manix does not have as robust of a blade as my Strider. It is not my fault that Spyderco is a large-scale production company that has taken a different design philosophy than Strider.

As far as what you stated about wanting to see only "positivity" in the discussion of knives, good luck. I'd like to see a my Toyota turn into a Porshe, but for some reason, I just don't think it is going to happen.

But is that a reason to bash Porsche?

There is a different between bashing Porsche because you can't (or don't want to) afford one and saying that a Porsche is faster than a Corolla.

If someone bashes Porsche and someone else says "I own a Porsche and a Corolla and my Porsche is faster" is that calling the kettle black?

For you to say that I am bashing the Manix (one of my favorite knives) or Spyderco (one of my favorite companies) is very wrong. The philosophies of Spyderco are very much in line with my own. Shapes to fit the hand well and perform well, not look good. Blades designed to cut well and do real tasks, not impress your friends. Materials that perform well, not make you look like a stock broker. And at a resonable price.

But that doesn't mean I cannot appreciate more expensive knives and their advantages. And yes, they do have advantages. Those advantages are all I am talking about. My love for Spyderco also doesn't mean they are perfect.

Keep in mind this thread (and forum) is full of Strider bashing. I am defending Strider, not bashing Spyderco. If someone was bashing Spyderco and saying Strider is better in every way, I would defend Spyderco. Sadly, there is so much blind Spyderco fanboyism here that simply stating one of obvious and factual Spyderco's flaws seems to meet with great opposition. I can admit Strider's flaws as well (and I have), but I rarely have to explain to someone why some people prefer knives other than Striders.

 

[kel_aa]

The Manix (as well as about every other knife I own) does not have as robust as an edge as the SMF. The SMF final bevel is more obtuse. All things equal, a more obtuse edge will hold up better.

That is as about a weak an argument as one can make. It's like saying car X is not a good car because from the dealership it comes in all-weather tires instead of the snow-tires you desire.

Out of the lifetime of a Manix, it can be sharpened thousands of times! If you need it more obtuse, sharpen it more obtuse.

 

[mamba-man]

Again, I did not bash the Manix. I stated facts about it.

I call BS! You said that the Manix "is comparitively (sic) a rip-off" vis-a-vis the Strider.

I paid $105 each for my Manixes (easily obtainable on net and ebay). You paid $400 (4x as much) for your Strider (fixed price from manufacturer, no discounts on MSRP possible). So you're saying that that makes the Manix a rip-off? It's not worth 25% of the price of a Strider?

What are you smoking, son?

 

[robertmegar]

I own a Strider knife but this kind of flaming is why I don't post on these knids of threads. Oops I think I just did........ :foot:

 

[Hair]

That is as about a week an argument as you can make. It's like saying car X is not a good car because it from the dealership it comes in all-weather tires instead of the snow-tires you desire.

Out of the lifetime of a Manix, it can be sharpened thousands of times! If you need it more obtuse, sharpen it more obtuse.

No, it isn't a weak arguement. It isn't an arguement at all. It is a fact. I have already stated that the Manix edge can be reprofiled. I also stated other reasons the SMF is stronger. Please read my posts before you reply so you do not make such silly replies.

I call BS! You said that the Manix "is comparitively (sic) a rip-off" vis-a-vis the Strider.

I paid $105 each for my Manixes (easily obtainable on net and ebay). You paid $400 (4x as much) for your Strider (fixed price from manufacturer, no discounts on MSRP possible). So you're saying that that makes the Manix a rip-off? It's not worth 25% of the price of a Strider?

What are you smoking, son?

I must ask you to also read before you reply. I said that I have gotten more out of my Strider for the money than I have got out of my Manix for the money. On the contrary to what many people are saying, this means that for me, the Manix is "comparitivly" a rip off. In my original post, notice how I said ***COMPARITIVELY***. Note the emphasis as to state that it is not a rip-off but that it is just more of a rip-off than the SMF which I have gotten more out of for the money. See the difference? No, of course not. You see what you want to see to further your fanboy arguements.

Also notice that I have said the Manix is a great bargain several times.

Is the SMF 4 times better than the Manix? That is totally subjective and I am not saying it is or is not. I said I have gotten more out of my SMF. Far more than 4 times as much. I own both and love both but I like my SMF more. I feel it is an overall better knife. So when I go to grab a knife for the day, I pick the SMF over the Manix almost every time. Far more than 4 times as often. It has given me more for my money. For me, it is a far better bargain and a better ratio of use and performance to price despite the higher price. I never said you could not disagree. I find it funny that I must be smoking something to disagree with you.

So once more: Read before you post so you don't make such silly replies.

 

[kel_aa]

No, it isn't a weak arguement. It isn't an arguement at all. It is a fact. I have already stated that the Manix edge can be reprofiled. I also stated other reasons the SMF is stronger. Please read my posts before you reply so you do not make such silly replies.

It doesn't need to be reprofiled. Just give it a microbevel. What you bring up is irrevelant to the characteristic of each knife. If you are chipping it all the way to the primary grind, then it's a problem. The fact that you don't want to take 30 seconds to sharpen your knife to fit your needs is not something you should willingly admit.

 

[knifepuppet]

WOW，exciting....

Sometimes people tell that CRK, STK are overpriced. But I much more like WHK in the field of folders.

There are two things I know: marginal cost of quality is always higher and higher, and high-end production knives emphasize quality and culture.

Price is nothing but a signal leading people's choices.

Sometimes regression method also means nothing. It's not reliable to conclude high quality through high price. There are two right ways: test way and your own way.

 

[Hair]

It doesn't need to be reprofiled. Just give it a microbevel.

The point remains the same- but you don't know what the point is, do you? Also, a micro bevel on a more acute edge is not the same as a fully more obtuse edge. They do not have the same strength.

What you bring up is irrevelant to the characteristic of each knife. If you are chipping it all the way to the primary grind, then it's a problem. The fact that you don't want to take 30 seconds to sharpen your knife to fit your needs is not something you should willingly bring up.

You are funny.

I guess you missed the whole discussion on out of the box sharpness. You can make the Manix edge more robust, but this takes away the superior cutting that it has over the SMF, which keeps being touted. And in the end, the SMF still has a stronger blade. No the thicker blade does not mean the edge is stronger, but it means that if both knives have the same edge that the Manix will cut better and the Manix will be stronger. THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN SAID. What do you not understand?

I never said you cannot reprofile the Manix, nor that you cannot put a micro bevel on it. In fact, I specifically said you could.

I never said that my Manix not being able to deal with tough cutting as well as my SMF meant it was worse, or that it could not deal with the same chores with a different edge profile.

Read carefully:

I WAS ANSWERING THE ARGUEMENT THAT THE MANIX CUTS BETTER THAN THE SMF AS SHOWN IN THE BRITTISH BLADES REVIEW. I WAS EXPLAINING THE ADVANTAGE OF THE MORE OBTUSE EDGE OF THE SMF AND SAYING THAT YOU TRADE SOME CUTTING FOR SOME STRENGTH. I DID NOT SAY THAT YOU HAD TO KEEP THE FACTORY EDGE. I SPECIFICALLY SAID IT COULD BE CHANGED. I WAS GIVING THE PROS AND CONS FOR EACH TYPE AND SAYING THAT THE INFERIOR CUTTING OF THE MORE OBTUSE EDGE IS NOT WITHOUT ITS ADVANTAGES.

Comprende?

Sorry if I come off like a jerk, but the inability of some people to actually read through the thread before posting, thus preventing their ignorant comments from being public, is just amazing. I don't like repeating myself just to answer the knee-jerk comments and out of context quotes of some fanboy.

 

[3Guardsmen]

Sadly, there is so much blind Spyderco fanboyism

I don't like repeating myself just to answer the knee-jerk comments and out of context quotes of some fanboy.

You see what you want to see to further your fanboy arguements.

This is not a case of the pot calling the kettle black

ROTFLMAO


Best wishes,
3G

 

[3Guardsmen]

Cliff,
Your "reason for editing" this post: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3802549&postcount=34 has to be one of the funniest things I've ever seen on these forums. I wonder just how many people here "get" the humor behind it. Good job!

Hair,
I am a knifenut, too. I hardly ever find a knife I don't like (Fury, Frost, Taylor, and some others excluded). I happen to believe that there is a tool for every job. As I stated previously, I have owned Striders, and I have found them to be very decent knives. I think we will have agree to disagree on the subject of which is a better bargain; the Manix or the SMF.

You have found the perfect knife for you, and I have done the same. Enjoy your SMF, it is a great knife.

Best wishes,
3G

 

[Hair]

I know I am coming off like a Strider fanboy, but again, I am just defending them as I feel they deserve to be defended. If Spyderco was being bashed, I would defend Spyderco. And in that case, a Strider collector might call me a Spyderco fanboy that doesn't "get" Strider. I am not a fanboy and have no brand loyalties. I buy what I want based on the knife itself, not the brand. I have even said on this forum that it is not only a mistake to judge a knife by the brand, but also by the model as knives can vary example to example even within the exact same model. I try to judge every knife on the specific example before me. I cannot judge your Manix, or your Strider. I can only relate my experience and do not believe my results will be the same for everyone. This is not backtrack- it has been my stance (relating to other hobbies, such as cars) long before I ever came here.

Spyderco has got about as much of my money as Strider has. I only own one Strider, yet I own several Spydercos. My car has two stickers on the rear window- a Strider sticker and a Spyderco sticker.

There is no reason for me to defend Spyderco since they are not being "attacked" (strong word). I am giving the pros of Strider versus Spyderco because people have already been giving the pros of Spyderco versus Strider in what I feel is a fairly one-sided and inexperienced way.

I know how I am coming off, but I am not trying to make friends or look mature. If I can make someone take another look at Strider for their own benefit (the knife knut, not the Strider brand) , I'll be happy. I don't have any vested interest in the brand, but I think they should not be overlooked just because of the **** a lot of people sling at them. I am trying to answer the "why Strider?" questions so that someone with an honest interest in the answer may be the better for it. They may not decide to buy one, and I don't care if they do or don't, but I want to give the other side so that more people give the brand an honest look instead of just believing the anti-hype (I think Strider's hype is mostly earned and sadly caused a backlash).

The SMF is my favorite work knife, but it isn't perfect (and I rarely carry it outside of work). I prefer to carry my Sebenza outside of work (and at work sometimes as well), and my new John W. Smith framelock is going to be carried a lot as well (at and outside work). My next two knives are going to be a Mnandi (outside of work) and a Tom Mayo TNT (in and outside work). If I found a perfect knife, I would be less driven to buy new knives. I like buying new knives and expanding my collection, so maybe a perfect knife would be the worst knife of all. My SMF does not have the fit and finish of my Sebenza or JWS. I wish it did. But the design is very well-thought-out as a user, and extremely functional. Moreso than any other knife I have experienced. I find myself selecting it to take with me to work more than any other knife I own, and actually all of them combined. I consider that a great value considering that the rest of my collection put together costs far more than my SMF yet gets used (collectively) less. As someone that mainly just uses knives at work, the SMF is like having a fleet of knives.

Note: I do not *carry* my SMF more than all of my other knives combined, but since I mainly *use* knives at work and rarely need to use them outside of work, the knives I take with me to work most of the time (my SMF) actually gets *used* more than all of my others combined. So being my number 1 pick for work *use* makes it well worth the price, IMO. I have already said the Manix is a great bargain, but what is a better bargain? A $475 knife I use several times every day, or a $120 knife that is great but gets left in the drawer because I also own something I like more?

Which knife is a better bargain will always be a matter of opinion. I stated my opinion without adding "hey now, this is just my opinion, your mileage may very, to each his own, different strokes for different folks, and to all a good night" to the end of the sentence, but I am well aware that which knife is a better value (or better period) is a matter of personal taste, wants, and needs.

If having a preference makes me a fanboy, then aren't we all?

 

[3Guardsmen]

If having a preference makes me a fanboy, then aren't we all?

Yes! That is why I was "ROTFLMAO", because I realized what a "fanboy" I was beginning to sound like, too.

To sum up my personal view of the matter:
Strider makes great knives. Spyderco makes great knives. Different tools for different jobs, but some of the jobs can be done by both. And I wish Spyderco would make a brown, G10-handled knife, too.

Best wishes,
3G

 

[kel_aa]

Indeed the point was lost many days ago.

A microbevel is not the same strength as a full bevel, but practically, it will take damage the same, as long as the damage does not exceed the microbevel. And no, a microbevel does not lower the cutting efficiency down to that of a full bevel.

Notice I never said anything about any aspect of Strider knives. Did I sound like a Spyderco fanboy? I have my share of beef with Spyderco. You brought up something that a knife cannot do, and we both know that it is trivial to make it to be able to perform that task.

 

[db]

:
Hair says…
All things equal, a one-off heat treat will be more consistant than a batch. How is that
I don’t think I can agree if all things are equal. Does Strider do one-off heat treatment? Even if they do is it really better than a batch treatment done by Bos or more on topic Spyderco?

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Even if they do is it really better than a batch treatment done by Bos or more on topic Spyderco?

Many custom makers have argued in the past extensively that the heat treatment done by Bos is superior directly. This was (and still is) a common way to promote knives. I have yet to see any actual data which confirms it and in fact Bos's methods have actually been heavily critized by some with stated materials backgrounds. Specifically his use of high temper tempering on ATS-34. This however is a subject of much debate and little agreement. You can find makers who swear by both sides of the arguement. Engath vs Mayer for example.

What is ironic about Strider is that they were one of the manufacturers/makers who took the line that Bos's heat treatement was superior inherently because of Bos. As Bos says exactly what he does if you ask him, anyone with the right equipment should be able to replicate the results, it is science after all and not magic. However once Strider no longer used him, they now say that it doesn't matter as long as you run the same cycles.

There is little data to support Buck over Spyderco or Bos over Clark for heat treating consistency. If you ask around for various makers you can get feedback on HRC testing on production knives but generally such information is rarely made public because there are legal issues with information which can be used to financially effect someone in direct competition with you. For the same reason, while lots of makers test other blades they rarely talk about it in public.

-Cliff

 

[Horned Toad]

Interesting thread as always when Striders come up.


I was kind of surprised to find out that so many folks have gotten banned from the green forum though.

 

[Hair]

I am not saying that Bos heat treats are better. I am saying that doing heat treats in batches will be less consistant.

I don't want to get sucked deeper into this discussion, so I will just end with this:

Strider is great. Spyderco is great. They each have their own pros and cons. I like both and own both. Some will only buy one or the other. The vast majority of the would would not buy either and don't even know they exist. As knife knuts, we are on the same team here.

 

[Halfneck]

Still liking my SnG.

De-animated a box today.

Best part was my new Hamilton Khaki Navy watch was inside.

 

[GarageBoy]

I love when flames occur over simple personal preference. I like American cheese, do I flame someone who likes swiss?) In the end, we're just a buncha knife knuts