Strider SNG or Large Sebenza?

K.O.D.

K.O.D.

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Can't decide. Have ~$350 to play with, been looking at striders and sebenzas on the exchange. No experience with either, no shops near me that carry either. I like them both. Have to pick one. Anything else I should look at in that price range?
 
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Are you looking for these as safe queens, EDC, or really versatile tools?

I own several large sebenzas along with an SNG and SMF. They are completely different animals as users. I don't carry my bg-42 Reg. Lg. Sebbie, but the Lg. CF is my EDC. SNG I feel is a better camp knife imho.

If I wanted to spend $350, I'd probably go ESEE 4, Delica or Endura ffg (or similar, e.g. BM 551), then a hq multi-tool.

Overall my sebbies get way more pocket time and are much easier to care for.

$.02
 
I just had the same dilemma and went with the Strider. In part b/c I like the grind better and when I dropped my zt801 on concrete and scraped up the titanium, I knew if I did it with the sebbie, I would be truly bummed! With the Strider, I feel like it will add character! I'll likely have a Chris Reeve at some point, my cousin has one and it just oozes quality.
 
My "collection" thus far:

Kershaw Blur
ZT0350TS
Lion Steel SR-1A
SOG Pentagon Elite
Cold Steel Recon 1
Spyderco Gayle Bradley
SOG Flash I Aluminum
SOG Trident Tanto Tini
BM 530
BM 162
Spyderco Schempp Rock
KA-BAR US Army 9/11 Commemorative
SOG Seal Pup TS
Bear and Son Damascus double edged fighter
SOG mini X-Ray Vision
CRKT M1612Z
ESEE IZULA

Lookin just to have but also throw in my edc rotation.
 
Both knives will serve you well for decades. Both have great warranties. They do however feel quite a bit different in hand of course and it's hard to know what a person might be more comfortable with. The good thing is that both are sure bets for sale or trade if you decide to part with them.
 
From what I understand is the Strider is more tactical in function and look where the Sebenza looks more like standard folder. I think the striders are built to be gripped and opened many different ways. The Strider has a thumb hole VS thumb stud on the Sebenza. The Sebenza has titanium scales on both sides the Striders have G-10 on one side and titanium on the other so I might be more grippy.

They have differnt finishes on the blade, bead blasted for the Strider. The blade shape is different. The blade stop on the strider is probably stronger than the Sabenza.

Overall I'd say the Strider might be more durable and strong but the Sabenza is maybe more refined. They're both great but very different.
 
I really want to like the sng/smf but their handle to cutting edge ratio bother me too much - which is why I would personally lean towards the large Sebenza.
 
I have both and like the Strider better. To me, it feels better in my hand and just looks cooler.

I have a Large Sebenza 21 w/ micarta inlay and an SNG cc
 
I've had quite a few of both models; they come and they go. They are both great, and Customer Service is also excellent with each company.
The guys above are correct...if you have some MALL-NINJA blood running amok in your veins, then buy the Strider.
If you're just a conservative kind of guy who just wants a fine blade, then get the Sebbie.
Each one will last you a lifetime and make you happy at the same time. Strider is offered in an astounding number of super blade-steels, whereas Chris Reeve will give you S35VN, just like Henry Ford. Older models were available primarily in S30v and several other earlier blade-steels. However, they all work.

OTOH, I have compromised on my position...I carry the CRK Umnumzaan. It has all of the perfection of CRK's tight machining tolerances and fitting, with the neat tactical blade appearance that you might expect from the Strider.

It's comforting to know that either one is the correct choice. Get one. If you don't like it, you can sell it with little, if any, loss and then go buy the other one off of the Exchange. I always buy mine ANIB from the Exchange, just to avoid the new prices, but YMMV.

My compromise between tactical and extremely tight machining tolerances..the CRK Unmumzaan...


Here is a Sebbie...wonderful folder.


more Sebbies for your viewing pleasure...along with my Umnumzaan at the top...


a nice, fancy Strider Sng...that I wish I still owned...digital, camo pattern...beautiful...


or maybe this SJ75, which still fills my large hand nicely, but a blade length of less than 3" ...
 
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Both are nice. I have more carry time with my sebenza but either will suit your needs just fine. Considering this is your first foray into higher end knives the sebenza may be a better choice.

That said I haven't carried either since getting my XM18. :D

 
I really dig 'em both. They are both fantastic jack of all trades EDC knives. The SnG is more tactile, as in sure-handed, and is an all around more "fun" knife. The Sebenza is over all more useful and certainly a finer built knife. Saying that one is more durable than the other is anyone's guess. Nobody has taken then in a real side by side stress/failure test. BUT I've seen a dozen pics of broken Strider folders and zero pics of broken CRK folders. Like Sonny said above. You'll love either one! But I will add: Which ever you buy you'll likely be selling most of the rest of your collection to fund the other and then some! HAVE FUN AMIGO!
 
Honestly, I think since you haven't handled either, that you should buy from a dealer, even if it costs a little more. Reason is, most or all of them have return policies. You could buy them both (assuming you can charge it), and return the one that you like least. That way you know for sure the knife you are buying fits your hand. They will both cut fine.

Just one opinion. Or go with the Umunmzaan, which is a great compromise.
 
The Sebenza is my favorite modern folder, and I would never own a Strider.

But that shouldn't mean anything to you. Don't go by what we think, and just get the one you like the best.

I'm not sure why some people think we would know which knife they would like:confused::p
 
The Sebenza/Insingo handle doesn't look as ergonomical as the SMF/SNG handle. The Seb/Insingo handle is in fact much more comfortable than the Strider handles. I had several PTs, an SNG reground by Mick Strider and an SMF. I sold and traded those off, but bought an SNG CC 3/4 grind, and a flat ground SNG CC this past summer. I sold/traded both of those within a month of receiving them. I chose to carry my large micarta Insingo instead :confused:. I might get some Striders again down the road, when finances are a little better, but those knives are not what I am after these days. If I could've found an SNG CC with an uncoated blade and flat ground, I might still have an SNG in my pocket. I have gotten away from the tactical designs, in favor of more traditional bushcraft and slipjoint patterns.

In my opinion, the Striders can be a little too thick in the grind. The Sebenzas aren't scalpels like some slipjoints I own, but the grinds are thinner than the Strider. However, if you're looking for a slicer, a Strider probably wouldn't be your first choice. Either one is a well made knife.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
If I could've found an SNG CC with an uncoated blade and flat ground, I might still have an SNG in my pocket. I have gotten away from the tactical designs, in favor of more traditional bushcraft and slipjoint patterns.
Click to expand...

That was an absolute must for me if I was ever going to try a Strider. I have the SnG CC with a stonewash, FFG, CPM154 blade. I re-profiled, got it crazy sharp on the paper wheels and it makes for a better slice than some might imagine. The uncoated, FFG CC make it quite a bit more "un-tactical" as well. A world apart from a crazy, barbed wire, nightmare grind!
 
Like everyone else has said, both are great folders. Buy whichever speaks to your soul more.... Which do you think about more? Which makes you slobber? :) buy that one. Another thing to keep in mind is strider's sweeeeeet warranty.
 
The only place that sells either is about an hour and a half away from me. I may have to make a little road trip this weekend... Thanks for y'all's advice. I really appreciate it. I'm leaning towards the Sebbie, but once I handle them both I'll make a decision.
 
For me Striders aren't as refined as Sebs in general, which is the reason why I have yet to complete my collection of the big three( i.e. SMF, 21, and XM)... :D
 
Striders aren't "refined." They were developed as a tool for rough use in the field, by soldiers, who often wear gloves because the environment and equipment are harsher than normal life. Hence the exaggerated grooves on the back of the handle and a more overbuilt tone to the knife.

Sebenzas are "refined," in a manner that would go along with everyday use of a fine knife for little personal chores. They have nice lines with a restrained aesthetic, and the kit that comes along with them in the way of a bag, box, and certificate of authenticity (birth certificate with born on date,) lends itself to satisfying inner satisfactions.

That does not by any means say that one can't do the job of the other, considering they are just modern folders. But they are marketed to two different groups, in different publications. They have different shapes and blade grinds, too, to enhance different cutting tasks. About the only similarity they have is the price, an S30V blade, and titanium scales.

You can cut Cuban cigars with a SnG, or dig a firing port out of an adobe wall with the Sebenza, but those chores aren't quite what the respective makers have oriented their product to do. What needs to be decided is what each knife offers to the buyer and how it fills his needs to get one. They are not the same knife, the looks aren't too subtly similar to see a difference. The decision the average SnG vs Sebenza knife buyer is really asking is which crowd do I want to impress by owning one, and what does it say about me?

We can't answer that. Make a choice, it's up to you and you alone. Either way you will get an outstanding knife, but what you derive from owning it is largely subjective to your criteria alone, and nobody can decide it for you in advance. You pays your money and takes a chance.
 
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