Strider Opinions

Status
Not open for further replies.
RetiredGuns said:
Which is it, it or them? What shop had multiple Striders to "flip"? Again, price doesn't make a knife good or bad.

You must still be tired...
Click to expand...

Eesh, what is this, an interrogation?

It wasn't a shop, it was a booth at a Gun & Knife show. The guy also had a bunch of MTs, CRKs, a Hinderer, and some other high end stuff. I open all of my stud knives with a flick on the stud, and while the action was acceptable (nothing amazing) the lockup being so sticky made me put them down.

As for the price not mattering, would you pay $30 for a Kershaw Cryo? Probably, because for that price the knife is awesome. For $10 it would be spectacular. For $100 it would be mostly a complete ripoff. The knives I handled would be decent for $200, awesome for $150, and are poop for however much they were (I don't care to remember, but I know it was way over $200).
 
dkb45 said:
Eesh, what is this, an interrogation?
Click to expand...

"Sit back down. We'll be asking the questions here..." [sets waterboarding supplies on table]

J/k.

In all seriousness, from what I gather, opinions about Strider knives are some of the most polarized amongst knife users/collectors/makers. You either love 'em or hate 'em.

For those that hate Striders, they seem to dislike the man behind them and the insurmountably poor choices he made, which I can completely understand.

For those that love Striders, they seem to like the tactical style and over built construction.

I know there are also people that find them far too expensive but I find that the value of a knife is not determined by any inherent property of the knife, nor by the amount of labor required to produce the knife, but instead value is determined by the importance an individual places on a knife for the achievement of their desired ends. That is to say, my desired ends may be to simply carry a knife that some would choose to describe as "tacticool" or it could be to have a tool with which not only to cut things but also to pry, use as a hammer, pull nails, etc.

I think in the end, this thread is bound to pit people against one another as Strider knives have garnered as much enmity as affinity here on BladeForums.
 
dkb45 said:
Eesh, what is this, an interrogation?

It wasn't a shop, it was a booth at a Gun & Knife show. The guy also had a bunch of MTs, CRKs, a Hinderer, and some other high end stuff. I open all of my stud knives with a flick on the stud, and while the action was acceptable (nothing amazing) the lockup being so sticky made me put them down.

As for the price not mattering, would you pay $30 for a Kershaw Cryo? Probably, because for that price the knife is awesome. For $10 it would be spectacular. For $100 it would be mostly a complete ripoff. The knives I handled would be decent for $200, awesome for $150, and are poop for however much they were (I don't care to remember, but I know it was way over $200).
Click to expand...

You're taking this pretty well actually as I was admit-tingly pushing a bit. I can understand what you are (trying) to say about price, but like mentioned above it isn't always cut and dry. It is hard to say that a knife is overpriced when they are rarely in stock and fetch near 100% prices in the secondary market. Many successful, expensive knives seem overpriced to many, but you just can't argue their success. If a small Sebenza were suddenly priced at $155 they would sell like hotcakes but the allure would soon start fading. There are a lot of hobbies like that.
 
I like the look of Strider knives, but when I can have [in my opinion] better, or at least similar offerings for less money, as well as not buying knives from a someone with the reputation of being a notorious liar...

Also, to people complaining about 'sticky locks'... I was under the impression that was what most makers aimed for, especially with framelocks? The harder to disengage the lock, the better. At least, up to a point. :p
 
I'll never buy anything from Burger.

jimmyd1982 said:
They built their reputation on making military knives. They were exposed for being frauds. Best damage control they can do is not mention their lies and try to get good publicity by supporting the military.
Click to expand...
This.

Besides, the knives look horrible IMO.
 
I've owned a few Striders, two SnGs and a PT. I really like their design, particularly the SnG. Handle shape is comfortable, and I like the blade shape and lightweight materials. Where they fail for me is that each of them either came with bladeplay or developed bladeplay. That is one of my peeves in a knife, and for $400 there shouldn't be anything to gripe about in a knife. If Spyderco and Benchmade can make near flawless knives with no bladeplay, perfectly centered blades, and impeccable finish for $100 - $150, there's no reason why a $400 should need to be sent back to the shop. To be fair, I've had issues with Sebenzas too. The issues with CRK were lock-bars that would get stuck and would have to go back for repair. Very frustrating from such an expensive knife. I've experienced the sticking lock-bar with custom made framelocks as well with some less than stellar customer support.

I want to like and own another SnG, but I don't have faith in their product. I suspect that they will eventually develop some slop in the lockup and develop bladeplay. I've heard some hot and cold reviews in regard to their customer service, which is also a big peeve for me.

I don't get into the politics of the knife community. I'm a vet and although Mick lied about his service, I think he's paid for his choices and I don't believe in holding grudges or kicking someone for the rest of their life. What baffles me is that a lot of hardcore Strider fans have held other makers to high standards for similar or lesser offenses yet are hypocritical when overlooking Mick's past choices. If you live by a standard that's fine, but hold everyone to the same standard. Don't make excuses or give one a pass while executing others. The same can be said for folks who love Cold Steel but hate on Strider. If someone is lacking in integrity or character hold them to the same standard. Unless of course these things aren't important when making knife choices.
 
This is pretty much how I stand. I don't like his lying but he is not the first sociopath I've come across and I've learned not to waste the energy hating on these people forever.

coolhand68 said:
I don't get into the politics of the knife community. I'm a vet and although Mick lied about his service, I think he's paid for his choices and I don't believe in holding grudges or kicking someone for the rest of their life. What baffles me is that a lot of hardcore Strider fans have held other makers to high standards for similar or lesser offenses yet are hypocritical when overlooking Mick's past choices. If you live by a standard that's fine, but hold everyone to the same standard. Don't make excuses or give one a pass while executing others. The same can be said for folks who love Cold Steel but hate on Strider. If someone is lacking in integrity or character hold them to the same standard. Unless of course these things aren't important when making knife choices.
Click to expand...
 
coolhand68 said:
Unless of course these things aren't important when making knife choices.
Click to expand...

For me, I judge the knife when buying a knife.
Unless a maker/designer has personally pissed me off. If they have done that, they can shove all their knives and steel/G-10 filings somewhere very painful. :)
 
when you use a folder; and i mean (really) use it for more than a flipping toy, it will lose centering and its "NIB" lock up...are you really going to send it in every time to remedy this?

i have a SMF that i use a lot; it is off center and has a bit of rock lock that would drive the OCD types here to madness...my answer to that is; unless i deem the lockup to be a potential FAIL (and i don't see any indication from usage that it ever will), i will keep using it. sending a knife in for centering is a waste of time and money.
 
Not buying a product because a guy has a record, is the reason why criminals (most of whom have PAID THEIR DEBT TO SOCIETY) can't run a successful business and can't get hired. This is why they have no where to go but back to an unhonest living to get buy (it's hard enough to get a job in this economy). I gotta feel for the underdog on this one, the more success he gets the more people want him begging with a can on the street or steeling again. IMHO. He did sign up to serve this country as far as I have heard, that sais a lot more than most people who sit back and judge others. I know he has lied about his service but it is all out there now.
 
stabman said:
For me, I judge the knife when buying a knife.
Unless a maker/designer has personally pissed me off. If they have done that, they can shove all their knives and steel/G-10 filings somewhere very painful. :)
Click to expand...

I'm with stabman on this.
And this thread has me curious. I have never handled one, but I think I'm going to get one.
Cheers
 
If we're going down the scruples road consider this - there is a good chance that some of the clothing we wear come from a sweat shop that forces little kids to work in horrid conditions, some of the gems that we wear likely came from mines where kids are enslaved, beat and killed leveling mountains for the stones, the cocoa and coffee trade is notorious for slave labor and the list goes on & on. This isn't a secret but many choose to ignore because we like our "stuff". As far as I know, Strider hasn't caused anyone undue misery and really only hurt himself. Like mentioned, he's paid at least the price of scorn. I am a 20+ year retired Marine and I don't like posers one bit, but I know how to forgive.
 
coolhand68 said:
If you live by a standard that's fine, but hold everyone to the same standard. Don't make excuses or give one a pass while executing others. The same can be said for folks who love Cold Steel but hate on Strider. If someone is lacking in integrity or character hold them to the same standard. Unless of course these things aren't important when making knife choices.
Click to expand...

I must have missed something somewhere along the way. What has LT done to compare with stolen valor and car-jacking? Sorry, but dressing a large body up in tight shorts and cutting up pigs and meat filled boots doesn't in any way compare.
 
RetiredGuns said:
I am a 20+ year retired Marine and I don't like posers one bit, but I know how to forgive.
Click to expand...

When I see evidence of repentance, apology and/or a request for forgiveness I'm right there with you. I've seen none of these. As for "just hurting himself", ask the folks he carjacked at gunpoint how they felt.
 
I refuse to buy anything Strider because Mick lied about his military record. As a vet myself, I take great offense in that.
 
I have owned only one Strider folder, a SNG and it was a great knife. I bought it low and traded it away unfortunately. Now I have also owned about 11 Strider fixed blades and currently have 5 now. I packed a Strider VB and an EBL-S during 2 one year tours in Iraq as an Army Infantry Platoon Sergeant. They were and are outstanding tools and weapons. I think Mick Strider is a rude, obnoxious, brutal kind of guy, and exactly the kind of guy I wanted to make a knife I might have to kill someone with. He has treated me very faily in the dealings I have had with him and the shop. Im not a Strider fan boy but did use his knives where it counts and they held up to anything I needed them for.
 
GronK said:
When I see evidence of repentance, apology and/or a request for forgiveness I'm right there with you. I've seen none of these. As for "just hurting himself", ask the folks he carjacked at gunpoint how they felt.
Click to expand...

:thumbup:
 
GronK said:
I must have missed something somewhere along the way. What has LT done to compare with stolen valor and car-jacking? Sorry, but dressing a large body up in tight shorts and cutting up pigs and meat filled boots doesn't in any way compare.
Click to expand...

He is notorious for stealing knife designs. Not a hanging offense but not very ethical either. I'm not here to measure anyone's crimes or shortcomings, and I simply offered up Cold Steel as an example of a knife brand that gets a lot of criticism. Close whatever knife maker or brand that makes you happy. All I'm saying is that for those who chose a knife for its makers ethics or morality, there should be some discretion. If we knew the background of every makers life we might be surprised at what we find. Like I said earlier, I don't get too wrapped up in knife community politics, I just want a good knife at is functional, comfortable to handle, sharp, and well made.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top