Strider SnG... May pull the Trigger. Thoughts?

DrOpPoInT1110

DrOpPoInT1110

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Jan 28, 2009
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Well, my birthday will be coming up next week and I'm thinking about buying myself a Strider SnG. I have a Sebenza already so I want to try out a Strider. I had the opportunity to handle an SMF a few months ago and while it was a pretty beat up example (the owner has been carrying it for years), I really liked the weight, feel and looks of it in person. I'm assuming the SnG wouldn't be very different other than being slightly smaller. However, I know there's some controversy over Strider and I have heard that some Strider's aren't all that great for what they cost. So, my question is: are Strider's really worth the money? How does it compare to the Sebenza as far as "satisfaction" (for what you pay)? . I know that's a pretty subjective question but I want to get a general sense from people who have had both. Also, any pics of the SnG next to a Paramilitary 2, Endura, Delica, Leek or other more common knife would be helpful since i've only handled an SMF. Thanks in advance.
EDIT 11/12/11: Just got my SnG in today. Awesome knife. Loving it so far.
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My only comment is that I am on my second Strider now and will be receiving my third in a day or two.

I'm not even going to get into the negative history part and I'm a Navy Veteran who was a Cracker Jack when I served. 4.0 here and proud of it.

But since my first SMF, I can't seem to shake the Striders. Each one that I have and have had are just outstanding knives. So much so I ask myself sometimes why some other MFG's can't mimic Striders smoothness of the opening action while locking up as securely as any knife I have ever owned. I have to add too, that of the two I have experience with now, the F&F was perfect. Centered blade, superb action and lockup that is second to none. I know some have had evolving lockup issues but from what I see and hear, if you send it in, they come back fixed. The one thing about them that I think one overcomes quickly after they have the opportunity to experience one, is that the function may be perfect on most Striders, they are not refined in the high end custom knife sense but they are put together like no other production knife I have owned yet.

The only negative element I have experienced with Striders so far is that I now find myself pursuing more. I find myself holding them and inspecting them and operating them and I can't help but shake my head and think WOW!

I'm a fan of Strider, the knives, but I wasn't before. But shame on me for being critical before I owned and used one. There are not many production knives and even some custom knives that can compete with the Strider when it comes to hard use capability. That being IMHO of course.
 
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Thanks for the reply ReeeK. And thank you for your service! That's a very convincing statement. I'm guessing the one's you have are newer generation models right? Supposedly, they don't have as many issues.Do you have all three models? Or just SMF's?
 
I bought a new lego SnG in 09 and sold it - it was a little too small for me.

I have two SmF's, and an old school AR with the liner lock.

They are tough knives, and I have not experienced the fit and finish issues that others have posted about. I don't doubt that they exist, but I guess I've been lucky so far.

As far as overpriced - they seem to do very well as a company - so someone is buying their products at their pricing strategy. Would I like to see their prices lower - of course! That would allow me to buy more of their knives.

I have sebenzas - and there really isn't any comparison. Totally different experience. Unless you are just a hardcore knife abuser, you will probably end up with both passing through your hands at some point.

As far as the companies politics and the history of one of the owners and what effect that has on your buying decision - thats for each individual to decide.
 
Yeah, I have an SMF and an SMF XL. I say go bigger. The SMF is a terrific size.
 
Thanks for the input guys. Its been a while since I held it but the SMF seemed a little big at the time. Maybe I'll have to reconsider it.
 
I say go for it but make sure you are buying it for the right reasons. Dont expect Sebenza level tolerances and F&F because Striders will come up short every single time. Expect to get one of the best if not best weight:strength ratio folders in the industry with a unique functional design. Also just a heads up but if you have bigger hands the SNG might be uncomfortable because the butt end of it might be a hot spot into your palm. I have small/medium sized hands and the SNG fits my hand like a glove.
 
I've got both, an SnG and SMF and like both but prefer the size of the SnG. They're both regular framed, flamed ti.

The SMF is bigger with no real advantage in blade size.

If you have big hands you might like the SMF better but IMO the SnG makes a better EDC.

As far as quality, f/f etc, they're both later production knives and excellent. I have three Striders and I'm happy with all of them.

SMF

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SnG

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I think the SNG is an awesome knife. The fit and finish is not up to the level of a Sebenza, which I also own, but it is more than adequate from a functional perspective. I don't begrudge the price I paid one bit. It's a rock solid, baddass tactical folder. A great design.

My only real beef with the SNG is the cutting efficiency. The grind is just much thicker than that of the Sebenza. I often get frustrated with the cutting efficiency.

For a much longer review of mine, you can refer here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/398956-Spyderco-Paramilitary-Strider-SNG-Comparison
 
All SMF's. One is a newer model and the other two are/were 2009 models ;)


DrOpPoInT1110 said:
Thanks for the reply ReeeK. And thank you for your service! That's a very convincing statement. I'm guessing the one's you have are newer generation models right? Supposedly, they don't have as many issues.Do you have all three models? Or just SMF's?
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After years of reading all the complaints, I finally bought an SnG a couple of years ago so I could find out first-hand. Guess what? I really like the knife. It's not better-than/worse-than, it's just different. It is what it is, and it was and still is just fine - I like it a lot. I liked it well enough that I've since bought another SnG, a PT and an SMF. They're all fine, and two are actually really superior in terms of quality. IMO, you buy the knife, not the internet hype.
 
I see no reason to reward dishonesty and lies, no matter what knife or maker.
 
The wife bought me an sng for my birthday this year and the knife is good in my book. It's got a really nice hollow grind that slices very well. The fit and finish on mine is very good.
 
Thanks for the replies. I have medium sized hands so I think the SnG would be a better fit. I plan on carrying mine so as long as it functions properly, it doesn't have to have Sebenza-like tolerances- I think I can live with that fact. Gator97, while I normally would agree with JNewell about buying the knife not the hype, i'm never closed out to other options. What would you recommend as a "tough edc" folder comparable to the SnG in around the same price point?
 
How about a Zero Tolerance 301 or 551? Half the price and just as tough or more.
 
Honestly, I'm not sure there is one that is regular production. Maybe a Lion Steel SR-1 Ti but those aren't small knives. Most other options could very well be custom or mid-tech and will not be much cheaper and possibly more, except the 030X series ZT. But those are heavier by far than an SNG and they're pretty big. If you can find a NIB 0551 they are damned nice but aren't in production anymore and the 0550/560/561 aren't available yet. The Elmax on the 0551 is a fine steel too and I would like to see more Elmax in the availability stream in general but today, it's few and far between. The Lion Spy is supposed to be Elmax and it's due out in a month or so.

DrOpPoInT1110 said:
Thanks for the replies. I have medium sized hands so I think the SnG would be a better fit. I plan on carrying mine so as long as it functions properly, it doesn't have to have Sebenza-like tolerances- I think I can live with that fact. Gator97, while I normally would agree with JNewell about buying the knife not the hype, i'm never closed out to other options. What would you recommend as a "tough edc" folder comparable to the SnG in around the same price point?
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I happen to have a few knives with me today at work so I took a quick picture so you can get an idea of how the SnG compares with some other popular knives size wise.

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I had a BG-42 Sebenza, never carried if after I got a DDC SnG CC. The SnG truly fits the bill for a perfect size edc, even though I now carry an RW-1 SMF regularly.
 
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