Strider SNG being overpriced

J

Jonsa

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I had a brand new Hinderer xm-18 3.5 spanto and every great thing said about this knife was true, no complaints besides it was to heavy and bulky for my preference as an edc that can handle anything I come accross indoor/outdoor tactical folding knife. So I sold the knife and now I am back on the search for a 3" xm-18 which are hard to come by and I no it's going to be a while until I find one for a reasonable price. Right off the bat I knew the Hinderer was well worth the money, I got it for resale so it was the same price as a new strider sng (actually $13 less). I want a knife that will hold me over until I find my 3" xm-18 and the Strider sng seems to be the only comparable hard use folder, and I like that its lighter and less bulky. But I feel spoiled now that I handled the xm-18, that for the same price the Strider is really gonna disapoint me. I'm trying to find a reason to get this knife but from what I am hearing is that quick lock rot (not going to flick the knife constantly), side to side blade play, and blade not being centered (which is not a big deal to me) on a brand new sng is common, The xm-18 has a flawless record besides blade detent. Unless others can convince me the Strider's are worth the money I would like some suggestions on alternative comparable knives to the hinderer and strider that you feel are worth the value. I hear the Hogues are good but am just not to sure how reliable they are down the road, I would go with the zero tolerance 0551 but it is the same weight and bulk as the 3.5" xm=18.
 
I bought an SnG and have handled many others, and I've always felt they were overpriced for what you get. Blade play and poor fit and finish were evident in the one I owned, personally. I traded it the week I got it.

If fit and finish and impressive construction matter a lot to you, I might suggest looking into a CRK Umnumzaan, instead:
http://www.chrisreeve.com/umnumzaan.htm
 
J85909266 said:
I bought an SnG and have handled many others, and I've always felt they were overpriced for what you get. Blade play and poor fit and finish were evident in the one I owned, personally. I traded it the week I got it.

If fit and finish and impressive construction matter a lot to you, I might suggest looking into a CRK Umnumzaan, instead:
http://www.chrisreeve.com/umnumzaan.htm
Click to expand...

:thumbup: +1 on the umnumzaan. I had an sng, it was pretty cool but not my cup of tea. Didnt like the large choil.
 
I have an SnG and an XM-18. If anybody has blade play and cannot tighten a little pivot then you don't deserve to own it (is that difficult to tighten a pivot? really!)
The blade is not perfectly centered in mine but the lock is as strong as my XM18. SOLID. Yes it is lighter and has great ergos IMO. Its a user not a looker (although I think its badass). Both of my Striders lock like a bank vault
Go and try it
BTW: I have a Sebenza and CRK is in another category of knives (non tactikool) so the Umnunzaan will not be a close match. I handled it and choose the Sebi
 
BBW said:
I have an SnG and an XM-18. If anybody has blade play and cannot tighten a little pivot then you don't deserve to own it (is that difficult to tighten a pivot? really!)
The blade is not perfectly centered in mine but the lock is as strong as my XM18. SOLID. Yes it is lighter and has great ergos IMO. Its a user not a looker (although I think its badass). Both of my Striders lock like a bank vault
Go and try it
Click to expand...


ooo really,strider locktites there knives,it is bout impossible to break,some use heat..
 
THE PUNISHER said:
ooo really,strider locktites there knives,it is bout impossible to break,some use heat..
Click to expand...
I must have gotten 2 lemons then because both of mine didn't come with any.... Strider piece of crap, I'm going to request my money back :rolleyes:
 
i have sng and smf and love them. my smf after 2 years of edc i finally had to tighten pivot. my sng on the other hand i bought used and had to send to strider for them to fix it had solid side to side but had up and down play. but since fix i been carrying for about 6 months no problems. also have sebenza and love it been carrying for a year. had a xm24 and loved it but little big for edc for me so i sold it to get xm-18, should have mine in 3 weeks. i carry my striders at work and beat them up almost daily. i carry sebenza after work and on weekends along with smf on weekends. the xm-18 i think is gunna be my fav. all around knife until i get my yuna. but after all that, if you have not had a sebenza i would try it.
 
I have owned an Umnumzaan and an SMF. I have tested and reviewed an XM-18 and a Strider AR. I own two large Sebenzas and an SNG at present. They are all overpriced by most people's rational standards.

Of all those, the only off-center blade I've seen was on the XM-18. It was a great knife, but it is ironic that it had one of the problems you have singled out on the SNG. I've read about the QC issues with Striders, but mine have been perfect. No complaints. The Chris Reeve knives were all great, too.

What about a ZT like the 551? That might fit the bill for you: Hinderer design, well made, tough. Not as exotic as the other knives mentioned here, though.

Ultimately, it sounds like a custom might be the ticket for you...
 
I'd go with an Umnumzaan. IMO, it really doesn't get amy better than that. Had an SMF...awesome feel in the hand,looks etc, but it suffered from side to side blade play(yes i tightened the pivot, but it tightened the action), and a not centered blade which bugged the hell out of me.
 
BBW said:
If anybody has blade play and cannot tighten a little pivot then you don't deserve to own it (is that difficult to tighten a pivot? really!)
Click to expand...
it is not difficult to tighten a pivot. is it difficult to understand that blade play is not always caused by a loose pivot screw?
 
I have an SNG, a Hogue EX-01 3.5" and a Hinderer XM-18. You couldn't ask for 3 knives that feel more different in the hand... All good though. If you'r used to
the fit and finish of the Hinderer the SNG is just gonna leave you wanting. The Hogue is a nice blade, excellent fit and finish and the blade can be locked open or
closed. The great thing is any of these that you buy on the secondary market will be easy to sell if you don't like them.

Best of luck!
 
I love my Xm and Sng.

The XM does have superior fit and finish, but I wouldn't pay the demanded after market price nor would I pay full price for a new SnG.

I buy striders on the secondary market.
 
cziv said:
Agreed I've found that it's usually wear on the face of the lock bar.
Click to expand...
or not enough tension on the lock bar.
I know and with 15$ and 2 weeks later the spa gets it again vault bank like. That is off course after years of use. After all, it is a tool.
But don't worry, the Strider boys will fix it no matter what... unlike other....
 
It usually cost me like $12 to ship it to them insured with delivery confirmation plus the $15 for them to send it back though it's their fault. So it really costs $27 and a 4 week wait in my case.

Edit to add.
Also there is the stress that my $550 knife is lost in transit or stolen and have no clue when it will get back to me because they have zero communication skills. Also they ship UPS and they'll leave the $550 knife on your door step for others to take
 
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Interesting that it costs as much as a well-made knife like a CRK, which doesn't develop blade play even after years of use because it's designed properly and the titanium is hardened. OP, take a look at ZT's knives. They're more reliable, better made, have better ergos, and better customer service.
 
THE PUNISHER said:
ooo really,strider locktites there knives,it is bout impossible to break,some use heat..
Click to expand...

You make it sound like they put JB weld in their pivots. Far from "impossible".

BBW said:
I must have gotten 2 lemons then because both of mine didn't come with any.... Strider piece of crap, I'm going to request my money back :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I was able to adjust mine pretty easily as well. However, pivot adjustment doesn't always correct play or blade centering.
 
I have an SnG and love it. I have not owned an XM (yet) but have handled them. I can't really argue about the fit and finish but the Sng, as others have said, feels great in hand and for how beefy and strong it is, is light. I guess i got lucky with my SnG. Blade is pretty much dead center (off by 1 mm max), operation is smooth, and lockup is bank vault solid. The site I ordered from has a comments box during checkout so I asked them to check it for me before shipping. if you do decide to order one, I suggest doing that to avoid getting a "stereotypical" Strider.
 
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