Strider SNG/SMF vs. AR/GB

Out of all the Striders I have owned (2 SnG, 2 AR, 1 GB, 1 Pt) I find the liner lock striders to be of much better quality than the framelocks. The ARs and GBs have great F&F and great lock up. The framelocks are usually more rough with very poor fit where the G10 slab meets the Ti slab and rough edges everywhere you don't want them. The nod only goes to the framelocks if weight is the issue, otherwise, I feel like the AR and GB are the superior knives.
 
The thing I love about the Strider folders is they aren't complicated. There really isn't a need for an additional liner on the G-10 side, that G-10 is beastly. Do a full takedown on a SMF and you're coming away with a blade, a lock bar side, a g-10 side, and the pivot assembly, plus a couple of screws and the clip.
 
spiralarchitect said:
Out of all the Striders I have owned (2 SnG, 2 AR, 1 GB, 1 Pt) I find the liner lock striders to be of much better quality than the framelocks. The ARs and GBs have great F&F and great lock up. The framelocks are usually more rough with very poor fit where the G10 slab meets the Ti slab and rough edges everywhere you don't want them. The nod only goes to the framelocks if weight is the issue, otherwise, I feel like the AR and GB are the superior knives.
Click to expand...

I dunno I was looking at my 3 SmF's and all 3 have a perfect fit and no rough edges.
 
Be aware that the AR is big. As in goofy big, like clown shoes.

This is not to say it is not a great knife, because it is. And it is pocketable and EDC-able.

But to me, its almost a parody of a folder because its just so big.

Aug.jpg

Top to bottom: Delica 3, SNG, modded AR.
 
So-Lo said:
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 ;)
Click to expand...

I'd like to add that although SO-LO has posted many times in this thread, it's still only one persons' experience.;)
In my opinion if he really wanted the knives not to have blade play he should have shipped them to Strider and they would have handled that.

I own 3 Striders, an AR, SMF and SNG. The SNG ROCKS for EDC.
First I thougt SNG's were a little too small for me, simply because I'm used to carrying something larger, like a Rukus. I thought the SMF would be my favorite but the the SNG really has it's place.
Actually I've been carying both.

As to size preferences.. I love the size and feel of my strider folders.
I also love the feel of a full size 1911 and can't understand why anyone would like a gun with a compact grip, but many do. So it's all about what you like man.

Strider's waranty is solid. If your knife does ever develop some problem that someone here or there is claiming to have, be sure to mail it in, and have it fixed (for free) rather than be upset by it for a long time.
hope this helps,
-Steve
 
A Strider is a Strider. Find the Strider YOU like.
I like that BIG GB with Coyote Brown. :cool:
 
LeftytwoGuns said:
I'd like to add that although SO-LO has posted many times in this thread, it's still only one persons' experience.;)
In my opinion if he really wanted the knives not to have blade play he should have shipped them to Strider and they would have handled that.

I own 3 Striders, an AR, SMF and SNG. The SNG ROCKS for EDC.
First I thougt SNG's were a little too small for me, simply because I'm used to carrying something larger, like a Rukus. I thought the SMF would be my favorite but the the SNG really has it's place.
Actually I've been carying both.

As to size preferences.. I love the size and feel of my strider folders.
I also love the feel of a full size 1911 and can't understand why anyone would like a gun with a compact grip, but many do. So it's all about what you like man.

Strider's waranty is solid. If your knife does ever develop some problem that someone here or there is claiming to have, be sure to mail it in, and have it fixed (for free) rather than be upset by it for a long time.
hope this helps,
-Steve
Click to expand...

Your right, I have only owned 10 or so strider folders so maybe I just have bad luck :cool:

Can I ask you how much experience you have using strider folders? I'm thinking you just got your first Strider a month ago right? ;)

I have used them for years, and am just giving the OP some "real talk."

BTW I do like my SnG, but I'm not running out to get a Strider logo tattoo'ed on my forearm or anything :foot: ;)
 
Last edited:
It really sounds to me what So-Lo is saying is that the G-10 is not holding up if the knife is used day in and day out over a period of time. I think that Kershaw's ZT03XX series of knives took that into account and "fixed" it by putting a thin steel plate on the inside of the G-10 handle. I can see the G-10 wearing over a period of time, causing the play being described. I'll also say, In So-Lo's defense, that I have been reading his posts since joining this forum and have found him to be very knowledge and factual!:D:thumbup:
 
cutter17 said:
It really sounds to me what So-Lo is saying is that the G-10 is not holding up if the knife is used day in and day out over a period of time. I think that Kershaw's ZT03XX series of knives took that into account and "fixed" it by putting a thin steel plate on the inside of the G-10 handle. I can see the G-10 wearing over a period of time, causing the play being described. I'll also say, In So-Lo's defense, that I have been reading his posts since joining this forum and have found him to be very knowledge and factual!:D:thumbup:
Click to expand...

I think a lot comes across wrong when I type something and what I'm tryng to say. Person to person would be much better format, because online it could just look like I'm a "hater." I'm not, in fact there are many reasons I carry a SnG more than my XM-18.

It's lighter, cuts better, and has what I feel is a better steel for my uses. BTW, did I say how great the CC's and DGG's carry :D

I feel that my SnG is 100% safe, and lockup is not slippery or sticky... NothIng is "wrong" with it. That Side to Side can be found in a bunch of knives, it's just not a CRK no wiggle no matter what way you tug on the blade or how hard you pull the blade around. That's fine IMHO, CRK is winning manufacturer awards every year not Strider ;)

I do see me picking up another CC SMF one day, even knowing what I know. They are great knives, but they are not for everybody :)
 
So-Lo said:
Your right, I have only owned 10 or so strider folders so maybe I just have bad luck :cool:

Can I ask you how much experience you have using strider folders? I'm thinking you just got your first Strider a month ago right? ;)

I have used them for years, and am just giving the OP some "real talk."

BTW I do like my SnG, but I'm not running out to get a Strider logo tattoo'ed on my forearm or anything :foot: ;)
Click to expand...

Exactly the point I'm trying to make. :thumbup:

Some folks have an undying loyalty to a brand no matter what and seem to defend that brand at all costs. Even taking it personal when someone has something less than flattering to say about it.

While I really love Sebenza's, they are not without their occasional flaw. I had one that needed a small repair, it happens. Not often, but it does. But with some knives it seems there are way more incidents of that brand needing to go back to the shop for tweaking. I can't tell you how many threads I've read about Striders having blade play. While it may not be a big deal to some, others aren't so forgiving, especially when paying a premium. I appreciate that they stand behind their product and offer a solid warranty, and like I said in my earlier post, I plan on getting an SnG soon. However, from my previous experience and handling of them, I anticipate it may be a short lived honeymoon. No worries though, because they hold their value and there is no shortage of satisfied customers out there who will take it off my hands. :)
 
So-Lo said:
It's lighter, cuts better, and has what I feel is a better steel for my uses. BTW, did I say how great the CC's and DGG's carry :D
Click to expand...

+1 on that one, I can't even feel my SmF CC in my pocket and sometimes I forget it's there.
 
So-Lo said:
I think a lot comes across wrong when I type something and what I'm tryng to say.
Person to person would be much better format, because online it could just look like I'm a "hater." :)
Click to expand...

Perhaps person to person would be a much better format format for you.
I doubt you'd come off so defensive over someone suggesting that you just
send a knife literally falling apart at the hinges in for repair if it were not for the distance forced by internet communications.

As for knife collecting, I've been doing that since I was a small child. And if it's all right with you, I intend to tattoo a flintlock pistol on the other arm. I collect firearms as well, maybe just not as long as you.
So-Lo said:
Can I ask you how much experience you have using strider folders? I'm thinking you just got your first Strider a month ago right? ;)

I have used them for years, and am just giving the OP some "real talk."
;)
Click to expand...

Yes, you are right. But in a similar instance, I bought an M-14 only one year ago, but because I bought the best quality rifle as I see it,
I know that rifle will be with me for life and the same goes with the knives that I buy.

I did carry one for 4 years in the Military, by your standards, am I qualified to like that weapon?

This will be my last post on this topic, because I dislike people getting keyboard commando when no one has even done them any offence.
If you like, we could continue the discussion "person to person" as you suggested, I do make regular visits to "CrazyTown USA" ;);)
 
LeftytwoGuns said:
I did carry one for 4 years in the Military, by your standards, am I qualified to like that weapon?
Click to expand...

Absolutely! And thank you for your service, hope Strider gave you your discount you deserve! :)

I brought up your carry time with the SMF and SnG only because mine had zero play to start with, then over time with normal use the g-10 will wobble out of round abd create a small amount of play. Mind you it's not "bad" or even a sloppy feeling, but it is there. Still 100% safe IMHO.

As for face to face, I should be at blade again this year... I'd love to buy you a beer and chat ;)
 
spiralarchitect said:
Out of all the Striders I have owned (2 SnG, 2 AR, 1 GB, 1 Pt) I find the liner lock striders to be of much better quality than the framelocks. The ARs and GBs have great F&F and great lock up. The framelocks are usually more rough with very poor fit where the G10 slab meets the Ti slab and rough edges everywhere you don't want them. The nod only goes to the framelocks if weight is the issue, otherwise, I feel like the AR and GB are the superior knives.
Click to expand...

i've also had several of each and imho the SnG and SmF have as good or better F&F vs the GB/AR, i've always thought the GB/AR were a bit "rougher", but all in all theres very little difference in quality between them, the last SnG i had was as perfect as any SKI i have ever had FWIW and generally all SKI's have a boo boo or 2 on them, but that SnG was as good as anything and pretty near perfect as far as F&F goes.
 
I have no experience with the SnG or SMF, but I've had three ARs over the years and all of those were absolutely solid and are still going strong today!
I usually took them apart upon arrival and tweaked them, not because they needed adjustment, but because I'm very anal when it comes to pivot tightness and stuff like that!
Overall: extremely solid performers!!!
 
cutter17 said:
I think that Kershaw's ZT03XX series of knives took that into account and "fixed" it by putting a thin steel plate on the inside of the G-10 handle. I can see the G-10 wearing over a period of time, causing the play being described.
Click to expand...
That's what I'd have to say about the whole topic, also.
.....although I certainly wouldn't call the ZT03XX's liner "thin," by any means.


Strider + Onion = :thumbup:
 
ipm said:
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?
Click to expand...


They're all good. I own an AR I picked up from Josh K. It had the slightest bit of forward play when the blade locked. Josh and some other members instructed me to slam it open a few times until it went way. That it just needed to be broken in. Sure enough after about 20 slams... it was tighter than before, I guess the locking bar just need to break in and get seated. Since, I have abused the crap out of this thing with no appreciable loosening of the joints or lockup. The play is 100% gone. The AR is a liner lock... but that's where its similarity to any other liner lock ends. The liners are so thick it's basically a frame lock also... just with G10 scales on both sides. The other Strider frame locks from what I hear are just as bomb proof. You are not gonna break that G10 slab on the slab side. It doesn't need a liner on that side. Pretty much just choose what blade size you want and go... they're all tanks. And even though the blade is thick and beefy... my AR stays razor sharp and slices well. It is simply the best folder i've ever owned.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top