I own both a Strider SnG, and a Buck Tarani SBT. I will not dignify the latter as a anything more than a Strider copy - the second one. Buck replaced the first for its liner lock, and it's little better - I cannot trust it to stay locked, either.
The 440mod, FRN Tarani with hollow ground blade is exactly what Buck should have never made. Buck's choice of everyday steel is average, at best, the FRN checkering was never necessary, the liner lock the thinnest I own. For the price, a Chinese copy would have offered better steel and lockup - and with the vague production sources going on right now (not everything is made in Idaho,) I question the country of origin.
The SnG, however, is everything the Tarani is not - thinner, lighter, superb lockup that has never failed, tough edge that keeps sharp cutting shrinkwrapped pallets of steel. The pocket clip/framelock cutout has never allowed the knife to work out of my jeans pocket like others have, even on some really threadbare denim. The flat ground blade, double choil, opening hole, bull pivot, and truly tough construction work together to provide the best working knife I have ever owned. The Tarani only amplifies the difference with its shortcomings.
You do pay for what you get - I have owned a Spyderco Military, BM CQC7, and quite a few others, and the SnG is an archetype, landmark piece for its construction, ergonomics, and style. Getting a Buck in ATS34 and G10 would be close - but it still wouldn't be the real thing. The warranty is second to none - the maker himself will work on it - not replace it with another from the next lot just as bad.
This one time, save your money, you will not be disappointed - worst case, you can sell it for nearly what it cost, and can knowledgeably say why it didn't work for you. That's a pretty cheap education in knives lesser brands can't match - I have them sitting in a box, used, valued at less that half what I paid, and the whole lot could have bought many Striders had they been available 20 years ago.
