STRIDER vs Emerson

mossyhorn said:
I'd go with the more affordable,utilitarian Emerson. Striders are tough knives but the Emerson is also a very tough knife. I've never had an Emerson fail on me. I once had a Strider AR that would not lock up.
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Affordable? Yes.
However, I feel ZT gives more bang for the buck in the form of better steel and fit and finish. I also have yet to chip my ZT knives, though I don't really use them that hard.

As for utility, I've never found the chisel ground blades to be that useful given that the grind is on the "wrong" side. It would do fine if I were cutting a person up with the knife in a reverse grip, but it doesn't do that well for general cutting in a forward grip, so I don't know about utility. I also believe Striders would have better slicing ability with their FFG or 3/4 hollow ground blades as opposed to the conventional V grind on most of Emerson's knives.
 
even when the strider website was "up", it was pretty useless, and was not really used to advertise their products. the only way to keep up with the different models and variations is on the forums or by watching the online dealers.

i appreciate the simplicity of the emerson business model, ie, every knife has the same materials, but changes are only to handle and blade shape. with the exception of customs and special releases, they will all be 154cm with black g10 scales.

but recently i have come to appreciate the greater variety offered by strider, particularly in the availability of "exotic" steels.
 
Strider is in another class. I like emersons but my pt is an amazing knife. Compares to my sebenza. My cqc 7 is not even close. Different conversation. But maybe I was just lucky to get a good one.
 
Ive carried my strider AR folder, and my MH since 2003 on every deployment, wouldnt go anywhere without them........both have performed well beyond my expectations, and worth the price and then some.
 
The true value of Striders is in the use, if you really use them you don't really have to worry about something happening to them if you push them.

And they look better after a lot of use, nothing like a well used Strider IMO.

Just use the heck out of them because they are ment to be used and not babied.
 
I'd choose ZT because it's more friendly to my wallet. Striders are next for their toughness (but a bit overpriced). Will never put Emerson in the same league as those 2.
 
Ankerson said:
The true value of Striders is in the use, if you really use them you don't really have to worry about something happening to them if you push them.

And they look better after a lot of use, nothing like a well used Strider IMO.

Just use the heck out of them because they are ment to be used and not babied.
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I don't know... Something about scuffed titanium bugs the hell out of me. I know it doesn't affect the structural integrity of the knife or function, but it still bugs me. It doesn't seem to matter whether it's a $200 ZT 0551 or a near $700 R.J. Martin Overkill, scuff marks just bug me. I much prefer stonewashed or coated titanium because of this.
 
Tsujigiri said:
I think both are kind of overpriced...
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I agree. I think Strider is way over-priced and Emerson is just overpriced . I do like the look of
Emerson folders, but I sort of wish now, that I hadn't bought six of them.
I'll never buy a Strider, as that knife brand, along with a few others,seems to be part of a holy grail bandwagon, and I won't have anything to do with them on principle. [ even if cost wasn't an issue]
 
I prefer the steel on the Strider's but the looks just leave me cold. I think they're fugly. To each his own. My CQC 8 is a little rough but I like it. Ergos are great for me and I like the wave feature. Both are overpriced IMO. If I'm going to beat on a knife it's going to be a fixed blade. Period. Nice to have choices isn't it?
 
If I was to get a fondling knife I would go with a Strider, they have awesome ascetics with their tiger striped blades, but if I was going for a EDC, or tactical second option service knife I would go with Emerson, its same quality and less price (I wouldn't feel as bad if i dinged up the blade), also the folding karambit for Emerson is an awesome knife.
 
I agree with STR, why buy either when you can buy a ZT? Just doesn't make sense. Anyways that is my thought. keepem sharp
 
longbow said:
I agree with STR, why buy either when you can buy a ZT? Just doesn't make sense. Anyways that is my thought. keepem sharp
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because people have different tastes. i dont like the blade profiles on the 200 or 300 series, or any recurve generally. i don't care for the clips.

i have a mudd and a 0551, both of which i like, but neither would replace my striders.

but i am looking forward to the 0750 and 0700.
 
I'd say Strider, I own an SNG and an Emerson CQC-7.

The Strider feels stronger, the detent didn't magically disappear and the lock actually broke in. The Emerson was rough, pivot loosened way to fast, lockbar moved to far over even without waving and the chisel grind. Both had sticky locks but strider smoothed out. Although I will say that my SNG has now developed vertical play, and it looks like the frame lock doesn't fully touch, just the tip.

I want to try another strider but I'm afraid the knife will develop play
 
Strider all dayyy longgg. Emmersons have no personality to me. Black handle, blade. Really doesnt look like it has style or thought. I know it does, just not to my eyes. Striders to me are so different. The handle is one way, yes, but thats because it just works, any hand, any grip. They have a style and can take a beating with a smile. Emmersons seem like a one use defensive knife while a strider feels like a day in day out I got your back knife. Steel is better and frame lock is better.
 
I don't really like the ninja/socom/black ops marketing of either.....both seem to hide behind issues by saying, our knives where used "here and here" by this "guy and that guy"....like Emerson being questioned about flow through design as allowing crap to build up as much as flow through by saying it works in Afghanistan.....or the hot spots created by strider, nullified since Mick says many of the people it was designed for wear gloves
 
tricker said:
I don't really like the ninja/socom/black ops marketing of either.....both seem to hide behind issues by saying, our knives where used "here and here" by this "guy and that guy"....like Emerson being questioned about flow through design as allowing crap to build up as much as flow through by saying it works in Afghanistan.....or the hot spots created by strider, nullified since Mick says many of the people it was designed for wear gloves
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You just have to use a Strider to really appreciate them for what they are, never noticed any hot spots on them.

My two favorite production folders are the Strider SmF CC and the Spyderco Military, I know it's a big price gap, but that's how things work out for me I guess.

I also like the Para 2, so that is 3rd.
 
I love both and think both make great knives. Would i pay the high prices for either of them???? I have and probably will again(well, I won't buy another Strider). That being said, i would get a new generation Cold Steel Recon 1 and save the money and feel good about the strength of the Tri-Ad lock.
 
STR said:
I have owned and liked both Strider and Emerson knives at times but my thoughts these days are why spend the money for either when you can buy a Zero Tolerance and beat both pretty much across the board?

STR
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This. STR knows whats up. My SnG was super awesome...but since then I've had a ZT 0301, and 0551. The ZT's were more knife for less money. Much less money.
 
STR said:
I have owned and liked both Strider and Emerson knives at times but my thoughts these days are why spend the money for either when you can buy a Zero Tolerance and beat both pretty much across the board?

STR
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Very good points, STR. The ZT knives are plenty good. I sometimes (only sometimes!) wonder which is stronger, my SnG or ZT 0300. I think the SnG probably is, but I'm not going to try to break them to find out.
 
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