Strider SnG CC DC

[Mr. Clean]

Just got my SnG CC in.
First off, and this is completely my OWN opinion.

You must own both before you make a judgment call on this...
Don't compare a Strider to a Sebenza.

They are just...Different...Knives.

The Strider is rougher and tougher to open and the lockbar engages 100%. WOW, way different than what I'm used to. But really, that's by design.

Ok, now that that's out of the way...

The fit and finish of the Strider is top notch and leads you to assume this is meant for business. I don't necessarily like the copious amount of 3-in-1 oil in the pivot but oh well. The G-10 is nicely sanded and shaped and has no fitting issues anywhere.
The blade comes sharp out of the box. I would compare it to my Sebenza and a Paramilitary in s30v. These three knives have been the sharpest I've received by far.
The digi camo coating on the blade is very well done and seems very stout.
The pocket clip is tight and could be classified as too tight but more often than not, this will be a good thing.
The lanyard hole may not be very functional. Depending on the size of the paracord used, the blade could potential cut into it. The blade eclipses about 1/2 of the hole.
Overall I'm pleased. I'm not sure it stands up to it's price point, but I like it enough not to return it.

 

[mongomondo]

I don't think 100% lock engagement is normal. My SnG is slightly under 50%, just like my sebenza.

 

[Mr. Clean]

I talked to Neil at TNK and he says it's normal. I just shot an email to Strider to verify.

 

[mongomondo]

I suppose as long as there is no blade play it's fine. Just letting you know how mine is.

 

[Mr. Clean]

It is solid, very solid. I do appreciate the feedback too. When I was talking to Neil at TNK I mentioned that none of my other framelocks do this. Neither my Sebenza nor my Zero Tolerance lock up that far.
There is zero blade play and after one night of playing the one gripe that come to mind is the amount of force needed to open the lock. Really it's not necessarily the force but the edges on the serrartions on the thumb scallop can lead to a little tenderness in the thumb. It has already smoothed out a bit too but it would be nice to open it up, polish the washers with some Fitz and drop some CRK flourinated grease or chain wax to smooth it out even more.
i'm still waiting for confirmation back from Strider but since I sent it last night, I don't expect anything unti lthis afternoon.

 

[Royalmist]

The only Strider I've had with 100% engagement was worn to hell by me and wouldn't lock solidly in place. The blade would slide up and down but the lock would never disengage. I guess I caused this because as the Ti wore I would bend the lock bar inwards to compensate for the wear.

 

[rackness]

100% lock up is not normal. I don't care who is sayng it is. 100% lockup does not allow for any lock wear which does and will happen with use. The more use, and the harder the use the more lock wear you will experience. All of my folding knives have lock wear no matter the lock type it happens when things rub together they wear. My knive still lockup solid because the lockbar has been able to travel along the blade tang.

I have a PT, SNG, SMF, and an AR and the lockup on all but the SNG is less than 50%. My SNG is my oldest and most used/abused Strider(about 5 yrs old) and the lock bar has travled from the useage but still only sits at about 75%.

As long as the lockup is solid the knife is safe to use. I would however keep an eye on it and if any play develops I would send it off for a spa treatment.

Enjoy your SNG it is a great knife and it will serve you well. It just may need some TLC along the way.

All the best,
Jason

 

[mongomondo]

It is solid, very solid. I do appreciate the feedback too. When I was talking to Neil at TNK I mentioned that none of my other framelocks do this. Neither my Sebenza nor my Zero Tolerance lock up that far.
There is zero blade play and after one night of playing the one gripe that come to mind is the amount of force needed to open the lock. Really it's not necessarily the force but the edges on the serrartions on the thumb scallop can lead to a little tenderness in the thumb. It has already smoothed out a bit too but it would be nice to open it up, polish the washers with some Fitz and drop some CRK flourinated grease or chain wax to smooth it out even more.
i'm still waiting for confirmation back from Strider but since I sent it last night, I don't expect anything unti lthis afternoon.

Mine disengages smoothly and causes no sore thumbs. I would send it in, Strider will take care of it. Though in my experience they take their sweet time, you might wait up to a month.

 

[akadave2]

The only thing I dont like about my Strider is that the scale screws are too long and it seems they didnt take any time to make them fit correctly. Dont get me wrong, they dont interfere with the knife at all, it just looks a bit slapdash to me.

 

[Mr. Clean]

The only Strider I've had with 100% engagement was worn to hell by me and wouldn't lock solidly in place. The blade would slide up and down but the lock would never disengage. I guess I caused this because as the Ti wore I would bend the lock bar inwards to compensate for the wear.

grrrrrrrrrr

100% lock up is not normal. I don't care who is sayng it is. 100% lockup does not allow for any lock wear which does and will happen with use. The more use, and the harder the use the more lock wear you will experience. All of my folding knives have lock wear no matter the lock type it happens when things rub together they wear. My knive still lockup solid because the lockbar has been able to travel along the blade tang.

I have a PT, SNG, SMF, and an AR and the lockup on all but the SNG is less than 50%. My SNG is my oldest and most used/abused Strider(about 5 yrs old) and the lock bar has travled from the useage but still only sits at about 75%.

As long as the lockup is solid the knife is safe to use. I would however keep an eye on it and if any play develops I would send it off for a spa treatment.

Enjoy your SNG it is a great knife and it will serve you well. It just may need some TLC along the way.

All the best,
Jason

grrrrrrrrrr

Mine disengages smoothly and causes no sore thumbs. I would send it in, Strider will take care of it. Though in my experience they take their sweet time, you might wait up to a month.

grrrrrrrrrr

The only thing I dont like about my Strider is that the scale screws are too long and it seems they didnt take any time to make them fit correctly. Dont get me wrong, they dont interfere with the knife at all, it just looks a bit slapdash to me.

Actually my scale screws are quite nice.

Here's why I'm pissed. Personally, the knife is not a 500 dollar knife - maybe it's just because mine has 'issues'. And for it to come to me as a more 'custom' Strider from a very personable dealer irritates me. THEN the final straw is Striders response to my email. The question they answered my lock up question with was:

Does the knife lock up tight with no blade play?

I'm not one to usually b*tch about QC issues at all but this one rubs me the wrong way for some reason.

 

[avidknifeusersf]

Here's why I'm pissed. Personally, the knife is not a 500 dollar knife - maybe it's just because mine has 'issues'. And for it to come to me as a more 'custom' Strider from a very personable dealer irritates me. THEN the final straw is Striders response to my email. The question they answered my lock up question with was:

Does the knife lock up tight with no blade play?

I'm not one to usually b*tch about QC issues at all but this one rubs me the wrong way for some reason.

I only own one strider, but thats been my complaint with them... We build our knives to function the way you'd know knives should operate if you had been High Speed Operators like us...

Ok so we werent high speed operators after all, but we still know more about building a knife than the customer...

That could very well be, but im spending my money on your products, so at least pretend to care...!

And I've heard a million times you dont want the knife to lock up all the way and 50-75% is ideal...

Maybe customers are spoiled to think looks and finish matter, and fit in this case... I will say I've used my SmF (man i cant ever remember... the big one!) a lot and never had a single problem... but i just like to believe theres a reason the lock should engage EITHER 50% OR 100% and that it really does matter, because one method must be superior...

 

[Mr. Clean]

I came across another issue last night on my way home. I've been opening it and closing it during my commute to get it to loosen up. Well, the pivot turns a little bit inside the titanium and g10 slabs. It turned to a point where the knife is VERY difficult to open one handed. The odd thing is that it appears that both sides of the pivot are turning so it's not like it's being tightened, just the whole mechanism is turning.
So, I'm putting that in the mail to Strider today and the Sebenza is in my pocket...
*edit - small update
I read the $15 return shipping piece in their FAQ and got riled up about that. Neil at TNK offered to cover the cost though. Thumps up to Neil.

Maybe customers are spoiled to think looks and finish matter, and fit in this case... I will say I've used my SmF (man i cant ever remember... the big one!) a lot and never had a single problem... but i just like to believe theres a reason the lock should engage EITHER 50% OR 100% and that it really does matter, because one method must be superior...

For 500 bucks the F&F better be spot on.