Strider SNG/SMF vs. AR/GB

I

ipm

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Feb 26, 2009
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I am wondering about some Strider knives, never having handled one.

I saw some pictures on SMF/SNG's and some AR/GB. Both look very nice.

The AR/GB's have titanium liners and G10 scales. The SMF/SNG's have G10 as part of the frame on one side and no liner on the G10 side.

I am not sure but it looks like the AR/GB are liner locks and the SMF/SNG are obviously frame locks.

Not having ANY Strider experience, never mind long term, to go on, I think this means that the AR/GB should be stiffer, and should remain that way long term vs. the SNG/SMF.

Is this the case?

I am almost 100% sure they are both identically excellent out of the box, brand new, but what happens after a few years of opening/closing and 'use'?

Do the SNG/SMF's develop any (even minor) play long term due to wear on the G10 side at the pivot?

Is the AR/GB line any stiffer, tighter, stronger, or somehow 'better' because of the liner design?
 
Personally I like the SMF's the best.

With a company like Strider I wouldn't worry about anything, if in the unlikely chance something does happen they will make it right.
 
I have never owned a AR or GB, but I can tell you all about my SnGs and custom SMF I have had over the years.

First off, I do like Striders folders... A LOT!!! The SnG and SMF are very light knives for what they offer to their users... But all of mine developed side to side play not matter how tight I cranked the pivot down (yes I have the proper tools do do so) they ALL had side to side play.

It's the G-10, wobbling out of round... So the pivot, even as beefy as it is will slide around on the G-10 side. You will hear different, people say, "my strider has no play." I would almost be willing to bet it's there and they are lying about it, or not wiggling the blade around enough. Point is, all the 5 or 6 SnGs I have ever owned had it, and a $1000 Mick Strider custom double gunner grip nightmare grind SMF had it.

It does not affect them enough to be unsafe, just kind of bad when it's in a high dollar production knife like the SnG or SMF.

I'm not a hater, in fact I LOVE my DGG RG DC SnG.... But it does have a little side to side play ;)
 
So-Lo said:
I have never owned a AR or GB, but I can tell you all about my SnGs and custom SMF I have had over the years.

First off, I do like Striders folders... A LOT!!! The SnG and SMF are very light knives for what they offer to their users... But all of mine developed side to side play not matter how tight I cranked the pivot down (yes I have the proper tools do do so) they ALL had side to side play.

It's the G-10, wobbling out of round... So the pivot, even as beefy as it is will slide around on the G-10 side. You will hear different, people say, "my strider has no play." I would almost be willing to bet it's there and they are lying about it, or not wiggling the blade around enough. Point is, all the 5 or 6 SnGs I have ever owned had it, and a $1000 Mick Strider custom double gunner grip nightmare grind SMF had it.

It does not affect them enough to be unsafe, just kind of bad when it's in a high dollar production knife like the SnG or SMF.

I'm not a hater, in fact I LOVE my DGG RG DC SnG.... But it does have a little side to side play ;)
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You know you can send them back and they will fix them for you. ;)
 
Ankerson said:
You know you can send them back and they will fix them for you. ;)
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They should not need fixed after normal use ;)

Also if I didn't get one without play in the Mick Strider custom I doubt they make them ;)
 
Gee, that's sort of disappointing news about striders having side-to-side play. I was under the impression they were built like tanks, and locked up solid on deployment. Has anyone else had this experience, as reported by So-Lo, with their strider? I was planning on adding one to my collection somewhere down the line...
 
I should add that the two Striders I had with steel on both sides did not have any play. Had the RC, and RCC :cool:
 
srmd22 said:
Gee, that's sort of disappointing news about striders having side-to-side play. I was under the impression they were built like tanks, and locked up solid on deployment. Has anyone else had this experience, as reported by So-Lo, with their strider? I was planning on adding one to my collection somewhere down the line...
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Get a used one, the SMF and SnGs are awesome knives... but there is a reason people say Striders are not for everybody. If you want a tough as nails, very easy to carry folder that can be repaired for ANY reason you break it for the cost of shipping... it can not be beat. IMHO they are not safe queens, and were never made to be, well the productions ones anyways. They are a no bull hard use knife, just don't expect Chris Reeve fit and finish.. No birthday card no box... You get a ziplock baggie with you knife in it, and the pivot, clip, and frame may even have a few scratches from factory ;)
 
srmd22 said:
Gee, that's sort of disappointing news about striders having side-to-side play. I was under the impression they were built like tanks, and locked up solid on deployment. Has anyone else had this experience, as reported by So-Lo, with their strider? I was planning on adding one to my collection somewhere down the line...
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All mine are still rock solid. :thumbup:
 
I've handled several and none of them seemed to have the side to side play that So-Lo is describing. However, I wasn't specifically checking for that play and I did not own any of them. You start to notice the little stuff about knives when you carry them over time that you might not notice when you handle them at stores.
 
Kaizen1 said:
I've handled several and none of them seemed to have the side to side play that So-Lo is describing. However, I wasn't specifically checking for that play and I did not own any of them. You start to notice the little stuff about knives when you carry them over time that you might not notice when you handle them at stores.
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It happens over time as the G-10 wobbles out of round from use :cool:


I'm not saying the OP should pass on a SMF or SnG, I'm just saying do not expect the fit and finish of a sebenza, umnumzaan or XM-18 :)
 
Never had a strider but ive always found they looked like great users. Ill probably never pick one up as I am not a fan of the bad blood and stuff with strider, but I still thin they would be a fun knife to own.
 
I wonder if a bushing or insert could be added on the G10 side to eliminate wear of the G10?
 
So-Lo said:
It happens over time as the G-10 wobbles out of round from use :cool:


I'm not saying the OP should pass on a SMF or SnG, I'm just saying do not expect the fit and finish of a sebenza, umnumzaan or XM-18 :)
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For $400 - $500 I am sure as hell going to expect the same fit and finish!! And i'd bet Strider would agree!! If you are un-happy with your blade, send it back!! They'll make it right!! Not only do they have the quality, but they have outstanding customer service.
 
fishface5 said:
I wonder if a bushing or insert could be added on the G10 side to eliminate wear of the G10?
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The G10 should not wear at all, the pivot is a bull bolt (IIRC) which is a large cylinder (which is the actual part the blade pivots on) with internal threads and a bolt that snugs up with it.
 
i have had a few of each, imho the AR/GB's are more at home in a belt sheath vs a pocket, while the SnG and to a little bit lesser degree the SmF are great pocket folders, the AR/GB are just too big, thick, bulky and heavy for pocket carry imho, sure ya can do it, i have, but its a PITA imho.

the cutting edge on all of them is pretty close to the same, closer than i had imagined it would be, so imho why put up with the extra bulk?

imho the locks on all are excellent ya wont have probs with the locks.

one of my favorite pocket knives for edc is a SnG, that said next time i will get a hinderer, very similar with better F&F, just a little higher priced, and harder to find, but i like them enough better to pay the difference,
 
I personally wouldn't consider the DB/AR for EDC, they are huge knives. Otherwise I only have experience with the SMFs. They are a stout knife and could probably survive a nuclear war, however, I find my Spyderco manix/military/police knives for edc as they're lighter, smaller and better cutters. The SNGs and SMFs are good knives otherwise.
 
I have an AR that I've had for three years. It still locks up solid without one iota of bladeplay. I fitted it with a deep carry clip and have edc'ed it off and on. It definately is a pocket full of knife!:D
 
I had a PT that had side to side play. Of the SnG's that I've handles they either had side to side play or they were tightened down so tight, that it took some extra effort to open them. I love their designs and ergo's, and plan on adding an SnG to my collection, but if at any point it develops excessive blade play for my taste I will flip it. I do not like blade play of any kind, and I don't care how good a warranty is, to me a $400 knife should leave the shop correct the first time.
 
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