Strider SNG or Chris Reeve/ Wilson Combat Star-Tac

DrOpPoInT1110

DrOpPoInT1110

Joined
Jan 28, 2009
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Well, I've decided its about time to get my hands on a high end production folder. I have narrowed it down to either a Strider SNG or the Chris Reeve/ Wilson Combat collaboration Star-Tac (Umnumzaan). Both are about the same price so theres no big issue there. I have handled an SNG before and reallllyyy liked it but I have never handled anything from CRK. Then again, Chris Reeve has quite the great reputation (like it needs to be said;) ). I feel as though the Star-Tac would be the better "investment" since it is limited edition. There's really nothing else to fully convince me either way so far but thats where you guys come in... let me know what you think. Thanks in advance.
 
If you really liked the SnG then you really need to handle a CRK before making a choice.
 
I have an Umnumzaan AND a SnG.
Two totally different beasts.
My SnG is the latest generation, so the build quality is right up there. None of the issues people report from the past.:)
That said, the Umnumzaan still seems slightly higher quality, but not by a huge margin at all.
I prefer the Ergonomics of the SnG.
The Umnumzaan slices better.
The factory edge is certainly better on the Umnumzaan.
The Umnumzaan is "stabbier".
I hate the way the clip of the Umnumzaan digs into my hand during use, but that's my only gripe.
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Stabman, Thank you very much!!!! How have the o-rings on the 'Zaan studs been holding up? Also, which knife do you prefer overall? Thanks again.
 
DrOpPoInT1110 said:
Stabman, Thank you very much!!!! How have the o-rings on the 'Zaan studs been holding up? Also, which knife do you prefer overall? Thanks again.
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The O-rings have held up well, and function solely to dampen the "clack" noise of opening. The studs make full metal-on-metal contact when open.:) Also, one can always find new ones to replace them, but I think they'll hold up a long time.
For overall preference, it goes back and forth. The Umnumzaan is slightly more unobtrusive in most pockets, but the SnG fits pretty well too.
For quick deployment the SnG does better with the hole-stud combo than the somewhat slick studs on the Umnumzaan, but I generally don't need my pocket-knife in a split-second.
I guess it's pretty much a tie for me most of the time, but the SnG seems to be finding a bit more pocket-time lately:), so I give the slight (VERY slight) nod to the SnG.
At least right now...next month it might be back to the Umnumzaan!:D

I think you can't go wrong either way though.
 
Nod to the the Umnumzaan. A big nod. I have had both.

Finish is quite a bit better in the CRK, IMO. More comfortable to me. Quite a bit better cutting edge/blade ratio. SILKY smooth with that big ceramic ball.

You can get a CRK takedown kit for the Umnumzaan that comes with all the tools to take it down, and also the proper loctite for the pivot. It is of my understanding that Strider is now using a different pivot to prevent people from taking them apart at home. Apparently they want you to send it in for any sort of disassembly or cleaning.

The blade intersects the lanyard hole in the SnG when closed (if I recall correctly), so if you want a lanyard, do remember that.

The rubber O-rings on the Umnum are only there to smooth and quiet the open/close of the knife, and have nothing to do with lockup. If they do wear out, it would take all of 5 seconds and probably 5 cents to replace them.


Obviously, the best is to handle both and decide for yourself. I did, and the SnG is long gone.
 
I figured I wouldn't be disappointed with either one but as of now, I seem to be leaning towards the SnG. The only issue is I can't seem to find a configuration I like that is in stock or one from somewhere that will ship to NY. Is there a DC bladed version with the flamed ti but a CC front scale? Again, thanks for all the help and advice.
 
you want a cc g10 scale, but regular lock scale?

i have never seen that configuration.
 
Tripton said:
Nod to the the Umnumzaan. A big nod. I have had both.

Finish is quite a bit better in the CRK, IMO. More comfortable to me. Quite a bit better cutting edge/blade ratio. SILKY smooth with that big ceramic ball.

You can get a CRK takedown kit for the Umnumzaan that comes with all the tools to take it down, and also the proper loctite for the pivot. It is of my understanding that Strider is now using a different pivot to prevent people from taking them apart at home. Apparently they want you to send it in for any sort of disassembly or cleaning.

The blade intersects the lanyard hole in the SnG when closed (if I recall correctly), so if you want a lanyard, do remember that.

The rubber O-rings on the Umnum are only there to smooth and quiet the open/close of the knife, and have nothing to do with lockup. If they do wear out, it would take all of 5 seconds and probably 5 cents to replace them.


Obviously, the best is to handle both and decide for yourself. I did, and the SnG is long gone.
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Interesting insight. This is going to be a VERY difficult choice to make...
 
I currently have seven CRK folders and four Striders. Striders are better built and finished than most people here like to say, and the ergos are fabulous. CRK folders are also IMHO worth their price, given the quality of workmanship. It is almost impossible to say which =you= should buy. I would hazard a guess that you would not be unhappy with either. At some point, it just comes down to how your hand and brain work with a given knife.

SnGs are currently in very short supply, though.

Very few dealers will ship to you directly in NY - you're going to need a middleman/reshipper. That should not be too hard.
 
If you can handle both in person, that definitely would be best.
The pivot change has only been applied to the Strider PT thus far, as far as I know, but who knows what the future will bring.
If you can find a Strider with stone-washed blade, there is no "break-in" period. There was no "break-in" period with my digi-cam SnG either.:)
I think the silky smoothness of the Umnumzaan is more a function of the grease used than the ceramic ball. I'm running mine dry or with a tad of Tuf-Glide, and it ain't any smoother than the Strider. I run the Strider the same way...I don't like grease and how it grabs lint. Yuck.
 
Thanks for all the input guys...so far, the Strider is looking very good. Especially since they are somewhat hard to find currently. If anyone could send me alink to a good dealer with Striders, I would really appreciate it. I've looked at all the "usual" dealers so far with not much luck.
 
Just thought I would throw in my two cents even though you seem to be set on the SnG. I prefer the Umnumzaan, I currently own two Striders (SnG and PT) and both of them have developed bladeplay within a month or so of owning them.
 
Can you let us know what your intended use is for the knife?

Is it for real hard use or slicing?

Will it be your main edc? Are you urban or suburban? Is your State "knife friendly"?

I had both but sold them. They were both great knives but filled entirely different needs for me.

I got rid of the SnG because it was a little too small - and replaced it with an SmF. Remember - the double choil takes some of the cutting surface of the Striders away - some don't care for that - I happen to like it. You can really choke up on the SnG and SmF for some detail work.

I got rid of the Umnumzaan because I prefer the blade shape of the Sebenza over it, and the Sebenza is easier to take apart and clean.
 
I've had both and I would go with the Umnumzaan personally. It's just all around better IMO, Unless you plan on prying everything open with your knife (and why would you???)
 
NJerzy154 said:
Just thought I would throw in my two cents even though you seem to be set on the SnG. I prefer the Umnumzaan, I currently own two Striders (SnG and PT) and both of them have developed bladeplay within a month or so of owning them.
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Well if i'm spending $400+ on a knife, it better not develope any blade play! That's deffinately making me think twice. Has anyone else experienced blade play issues?
 
Toyz said:
Can you let us know what your intended use is for the knife?

Is it for real hard use or slicing?

Will it be your main edc? Are you urban or suburban? Is your State "knife friendly"?

I had both but sold them. They were both great knives but filled entirely different needs for me.

I got rid of the SnG because it was a little too small - and replaced it with an SmF. Remember - the double choil takes some of the cutting surface of the Striders away - some don't care for that - I happen to like it. You can really choke up on the SnG and SmF for some detail work.

I got rid of the Umnumzaan because I prefer the blade shape of the Sebenza over it, and the Sebenza is easier to take apart and clean.
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I live in suburban area but travel to urban areas very frequently...I live in NY- not very knife friendly at all in the city but where I live, I have never encountered any issues thankfully. I plan on using the knife as an EDC with mostly slicing tasks but the occasional "hard-use" application is always a possibility. I actually like the choil on the Striders but the fact that the Umnumzaan doesn't have one isn't a detraction from its appeal to me.
 
regarding the new pivot on the striders, it has only been on the pt series. it looks like a microtech (three prong) tool might work. the blades do intersect the lanyard holes, but a lanyard should only go through one, not both.

i don't care for the umnuum, but have only handled one on two occasions, and my dislike is purely aesthetic.


tell you what, shoot me an email. i have an sng on the exchange that hasn't been getting much interest. i would be happy to send it to you for a trial run.

no pressure to buy mine, just see if you like it.
 
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