Wow - I'm amazed at how passionate people become over an inanimate object. I have been collecting / buying / using knives for over 35 years. I never spent over $175 for a knife until recently, when bitten by the CR Sebenza / Strider bug. I am a researcher by nature, and would think by the number of members belonging to this and other forums that most other avid knife users / collectors are too. There is no shortage of information on the web about Strider knives (along with a forum moderated by the Strider guys). I had no idea that Strider even existed until a few years ago when I joined a few of these forums. Before then it was whatever the local knife / gun shop or sporting goods store had on the shelf.
That being said, when the bug bit, I spent literally weeks researching both knives, watching reviews on U-tube and talking to my local knife shop owner. I even went so far as to buy the Buck / Strider Tarani collaborative (I found one locally) to carry for a few weeks to see if I liked the ergonomics and the size.
I finally broke down and bought a new SnG, as I was unsuccessful at trading several production knives for one. I'm not a police officer, Emt or Military. I'm an engineer, and spend most days in a white collar environment. When I buy something I want it to be tough and work without problems, be it a car, tractor, gun or knife. I really could care less about the packaging and instructions that come with it (BTW - mine came in a clear plastic bag inside a small tactical zipper case).
Come on - how many of you have read the instructions that come with knives or multi-tools? Usually it is sparse information written in three or more languages. I NEVER learn anything new from these.
My Dad taught me how to use and care for a knife, as I have done with my kids. He also taught me to buy the best I could afford, as you get what you pay for. Could I have been happy with my Buck Strider?? Yes. Could I have been happy with the CR Sebenza?? Certainly. I wanted something tough that would take abuse and work every time I took it out of my pocket. My Strider SnG begs to be used hard - and every time I open it I have to try some new experiment with it. I just didn't think I would be that way with the more elegant CR sebenza. I'm still in the "newlywed" mode with it, as it is only a few weeks old, but I am impressed and very happy with the acquisition. It's a keeper I hope to hand down one day.
What I would like to see more than personal opinions is actual testing of knives - side-by-side test results of Strider vs. Sebenza; Strider vs. ZT 300, Strider vs. Spyderco Military; Strider vs. Benchmade. My purchase opinions would be more easily swayed when I knew the hard facts about the capabilities rather than the perceived ones. Maybe they exist and I just haven't found them yet.
I will say one more thing - as many years as I have been using knives (hunting, fishing, yard work, home improvements, general purpose) I have never broken one or had to send one back for servicing (and it's not because I baby them, thats for sure).
Unrelated note - I appreciate the forums and the knowledgable people that contribute to them. It has saved me a lot of money over the last few years, as there are some really good people providing some really good input and advice.
