Strider vs A.G. Russell

A

arijer

Joined
Jul 13, 2009
Messages
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Got a couple of simple (i hope) questions, not looking for a slamming either company, just thoughts on why or recommendations....

So here is my issue. I have a CRK small sebbie, its the only folder i have that i cant sharpen for the life of me. I cant keep that S30V splitting sharp for long. I can on my ZT s30v blade get them and keep them sharp. I like having a titanium frame knife however. so i thought to try out a different brand then CRK,

So, AG Russell Acies looks great, but i am not sure on the ZDP at a HC of 64-65, is it a issue, my Spyderco Mule ZDP chipped pretty easily...

Strider looks great, but its also S30V, does it have a different HT then CRK, I hear that CRK keeps the HC a little lower, maybe thats why i cant keep it as sharp???? Also i noticed that only one side is titanium and other side is G10, does that affect how tough of a folder it is?

over all what are your thoughts as to go with either blade? It will be my EDC, open boxes, envelopes, cut rope, even have to spread butter on bread :eek: once in a while,... oh and i fish alot in salt water so it will go there with me...:thumbup::D

thanks for the input
 
marcinek said:
Acies vs. Strider is kinda apples and oranges, don't you think?
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Not one of the smaller Strider CC models. I don't remember the name but I saw one that my girlfriend thought was "cute" because it was so slim and small.

I personally won't buy a Strider because of what some like to call politics (and I call ethics). The ZDP mule had problems and was actually recalled and they stopped selling them to try and re-heat treat them which didn't work. Lots of them broke so I wouldn't judge ZDP by the Mule alone. I have several ZDP knives and have not had a chipping issue so far. The nice thing about the AG Acies is that it has a lifetime guarantee. If it ever chipped excessively where a few sharpenings didn't correct the issue then you can get your money back no questions asked.

Might want to check out the Spyderco Sage 2. It also has S30V and I have never heard of a problem with their heat treat. It is also a bargain at ~$150. I personally like a harder blade steel and think CRK doesn't harden their blades enough. I find a harder blade not only holds an edge longer, but also sharpens easier.

Edit: I also fish a lot in salt water and always take knives with me. If your not swimming in it, wipe it down after cutting something, and wash it when you get home you can carry any knife you want. I have even carried M4 tool steel without a problem. I wouldn't call it a horrible choice unless you neglect your knives. That being said a yellow serrated Salt 1 makes an awesome boat knife that you can neglect and it will still look brand new.
 
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Don't know that I will ever buy either, but AG Russell is someone I would feel good about giving that much money to. I have no personal experience with Strider but as the child of a horribly wounded Korean vet I would find it hard to patronize Strider if he did, in fact, misrepresent his military service.

Personally, I would get a Spyderco Sage 2 if I wanted to try a different Ti framelock---but if you're comfortable dropping that kind of cash then how about the Lion Steel SR-1?
 
Reprofiled the strider SnG is fantastic. Cuts quite well, but you HAVE to reprofile it. I have a feeling just due to design the Acies would slice better. The two knives are very different, so go with what appeals to you more.

As for the S30V I prefer strider's HT of it over CRK. Little bit harder.
 
elkins45 said:
Don't know that I will ever buy either, but AG Russell is someone I would feel good about giving that much money to. I have no personal experience with Strider but as the child of a horribly wounded Korean vet I would find it hard to patronize Strider if he did, in fact, misrepresent his military service.

Personally, I would get a Spyderco Sage 2 if I wanted to try a different Ti framelock---but if you're comfortable dropping that kind of cash then how about the Lion Steel SR-1?
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Lol
If u know where I can get one please let me know I am dying to get one
They look awesome

Spyderco sage 2 huh never crossed my mind good advice thanks

I love my salt 1 and Atlantic salt but neither are great all aroun blades and as tough as they are they still aren't as tough as titanium frame and a thicker blade IMHO. And while H1 is great it still does not hold a great edge long enough IMO. My spyderco s30v holds a ede much longer and so does my Enzo Birk s30v

Thanks for the input
 
Maybe before I jump in here head first--Your opinion is that-an opinion and mine is mine..

I personally won't buy a Strider because of what some like to call politics (and I call ethics).

Ethics?? Politics--??? Do tell...
 
Chris Reeve helped develop CPM S30V. I'm pretty sure he "does it right". To the OP, sorry you're having trouble keeping your CRK sharp. If you're looking for a good EDC Strider, check out the PT model. The G-10 slab does not make it any "weaker" for real-world use, IMO. It takes a lot to get a Strider to fail.
 
Keep the thread relevant fellas, this is knife discussion, not ethics and politics.

OP, Spyderco does a great heat treat on their S30V. Strider uses a Paul Bos developed heat treatment for S30V. I have no experience with either CRK or Strider S30V, but I assume Striders is better. But that is an assumption and opinion. Someone who has experience with both steels needs to weigh in on this discussion.
 
Have you searched for threads on how to properly sharpen a CRK Seb? The grind is different.
 
I love the shape of the Acies. I don't own one yet - but that can change depending on funds and determination to find one. I would say as a matter of personal preference, the Acies is a much better knife (politics and other nonsense aside) based on the knife itself.

Acies:
-ZDP-189 Steel (made by Hitachi in Japan)
-Thicker Ti handle slabs (All Ti)
-Single knife
-Gentlemens style knife
-Slightly more balanced than Strider (blade to handle ratio)

Strider:
-S30V Steel (made by Crucible in USA)
-Thinner Ti lock slab (other half is G10)
-Series with variants galore
-More tactical style (whatever that means)
-Slightly less balanced than Acies (blade to handle ratio)
 
Both are excellent knives. I own an SnG and I had an Acies for a while. I don't see either one being better or worse compared to the other for your stated purposes, except that neither will be a great choice for peanut butter. ;) The reason the Acies is no longer here, and the Strider is, is that >>> for me <<< the ergos of the Strider are fabulous and >>> for me <<< the ergos of the Acies didn't work very well - but I am left-handed/confusidextrous and insist that knives work for me in both hands. This is totally IME and YMMV. I would buy either with no hesitation.
 
arijer said:
Got a couple of simple (i hope) questions, not looking for a slamming either company, just thoughts on why or recommendations....

So here is my issue. I have a CRK small sebbie, its the only folder i have that i cant sharpen for the life of me. I cant keep that S30V splitting sharp for long. I can on my ZT s30v blade get them and keep them sharp. I like having a titanium frame knife however. so i thought to try out a different brand then CRK,

So, AG Russell Acies looks great, but i am not sure on the ZDP at a HC of 64-65, is it a issue, my Spyderco Mule ZDP chipped pretty easily...

Strider looks great, but its also S30V, does it have a different HT then CRK, I hear that CRK keeps the HC a little lower, maybe thats why i cant keep it as sharp???? Also i noticed that only one side is titanium and other side is G10, does that affect how tough of a folder it is?

over all what are your thoughts as to go with either blade? It will be my EDC, open boxes, envelopes, cut rope, even have to spread butter on bread :eek: once in a while,... oh and i fish alot in salt water so it will go there with me...:thumbup::D

thanks for the input
Click to expand...

I wouldn't give up on the Sebenza. Have you tried sending it in to CRK for a sharpening? Maybe with a note explaining your trouble. It may need to be reprofiled. Did you get it new or used? My Sebenza gets hairsplitting sharp and holds it well.
 
mmarkh said:
I wouldn't give up on the Sebenza. Have you tried sending it in to CRK for a sharpening? Maybe with a note explaining your trouble. It may need to be reprofiled. Did you get it new or used? My Sebenza gets hairsplitting sharp and holds it well.
Click to expand...

Well... I convexed it. and i have convexed a lot of knives, but this is the only one that gives me grief. Its not a typical Sebbie, its a Insigno Small Sebbie. I dont know if that makes a difference.


To solve my problem... Spyderco needs to come out with a Military tip up carry Titanium slabs with S35V steel... and then i will rest:D:thumbup:

Or i can just buy the new ESEE HEST folder with coated D2, i have 2 D2 blades that i take at times fishing. They actually dont do that bad... Of course nothing still holds up to salt water as H1....
 
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