Strider SNG First Impressions (First Strider)

M

MatthewSB

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Feb 1, 2013
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FedEx delivered my new Strider today, and the fit and finish are great! It's a lego SNG with ranger green G10, flame pattern Ti and tiger striped flat ground S30V blade. It looks freaking awesome, and fits my hand like a glove (I wear XL gloves and this knife feels like it was made for me). There is zero blade play and the pivot is smooth. The lockup is on the early side but very secure, and there is zero lock stick. Blade is perfectly centered the edge is actually sharp, unlike the Strider fixed blades I've owned. My favorite thing about this knife is the deep "THUNK!" the lock makes when opening, it feels as secure as my Sebenza, but in a different way because the knife feels so light for its size.

The only issue that I can find, after looking very closely, is a scratch in the black phosphate coating on the Hinderer overtravel limiter, like a really tiny scratch that I can barely see. Also, the pivot and lockface were packed with grease, which I've now cleaned out using business cards. There is now a small amount of lock stick, but only enough to make me even more confident that it will not close on my fingers (which would be less likely to cause injury with the SNG than other knives, thanks to the choil).

I believe that this knife will be in my pocket for a long time :D

I posted this because it seemed like I read a lot more bad than good about these knives, and wanted to add to the information base. I know I'm missing pictures, I'll take some tonight and update the thread tomorrow. I'll also update this a week or two from now with some use pictures and my opinions then.
 
Sounds like a great knife! Was green Lego and tiger striped blade your first choice or did you pick it out of what was available?
 
Bludgeon said:
Sounds like a great knife! Was green Lego and tiger striped blade your first choice or did you pick it out of what was available?
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I would have preferred black G10 instead of green, but the green looks great.

I really dig the flamed Ti and tigerstriped blade. I have a tigerstriped fixed blade Strider and the more it gets scratched up and worn, the better it looks.
 
Congrats. Strider makes a knife with a ton of personality, nothing else like it out there, and it sounds like your first impressions lament that....

Enjoy it!
 
Good to hear. I read Every review and comments to before I bought mine 2 years ago and mine was also perfect and still is. Never had 1 issue. I love mine too. Enjoy it
 
Kelama. Been trying to pm you man. Hit me up when you get a chance
 
Use the strider , please use it. I've owned a lot of striders and they are made to use. The only lock I HAVENT had stick is my cerakoted SMF in pd#1 other than that I'll bet youll get to expierence the right of passage known as strider thumb. I've had a love hate relationship with strider knives(personal not with a product), but he makes a good knife that they stand behind 100%. Congrats and enjoy
 
Last night I got the rest of the grease out of the pivot and put a drop of oil in there and opened and closed it several times. Afterwards, the lock stick is gone. I'm not sure if a bit of oil got in there, or if it just wore in, but the lock is now as smooth as the pivot. Also, the finish wore off beneath the detent ball so the whole thing is very slick.

I also got a chance to slice up a pile of cardboard boxes. The SNG cuts alright, but the edge needs some work like any factory edge. The handle felt great, and offered great control, whether choking up on the choil or holding it further back. What I thought was a very sharp edge was actually a burr. I'm going to strop the s***out of it tonight and get the edge gleaming :D Also, on further inspection, the blade is not perfectly centered, it's a tiny bit off. I couldn't care less though, as the flat grind has the blade far from contacting either G10 or Ti.

I can't believe how compact the SNG is in my pocket. I was concerned about the blocky lego handle but the knife absolutely disappears.

I've always wanted a higher end knife that felt close to my Para 2, both in my hand and in my pocket, and I think I found it.

Here's a pic of the SnG, Surefire EB1T, Casio Pathfinder, and my ATS 2.6 'pack:

 
Are different color Strider scales available for owners to change up color or scale design? Want to know since all configuatioms are not always available.
 
Bludgeon said:
Are different color Strider scales available for owners to change up color or scale design? Want to know since all configuatioms are not always available.
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No, you would have to wait until what you want is available.
 
It's nice to see some good/positive reviews for these knives. I really like the look I the SNG/SMF striders. It's only a matter of time before I try one out. That's a nice looking one you have there.
 
Congrats on the Strider...looks great and I agree with the others, it's nice to hear good feedback. We are all quick to complain but less motivated to give praise. Nice choice on colors and configuration.
 
Allen R. said:
Use the strider , please use it. I've owned a lot of striders and they are made to use.
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Done :D

After several weeks of use, the SnG is really growing on me. I'm really impressed at how easily this knife carries and how well it cuts.

I've been using the SnG to cut down cardboard, cut zip ties and reinforced banding, and similar de-packaging at work every day and the finish really shows any wear. Anytime a staple or whatever brushes up against the blade it leaves a shiny scratch. Even just slicing cardboard seemed to really knock down the porous tigerstriping. The knife looks surprisingly worn after just two weeks, but the blade is noticeably smoother and it cuts way better. I never thought to expect the finish to require a break in, but it did. I also cleaned up the edge on my Wicked Edge. Between the finish breaking in and the fresh edge this SnG is a wonderful slicer.
 
I miss my SnG. Sold it nearly a year ago, and have regretted it ever since. Only knife I've owned with S30V that didn't chip or dull easily.
 
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