STRIDER vs Emerson

STR said:
but seriously why is it necessary to like or even know the man behind the knives if the knives are great? Sometimes you're better off just not knowing a lot of the dirty laundry issues with folks.
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Personally, at this price point there needs to be something special about the maker or the knives. When the materials and mechanisms are standard fare in higher end production with nothing proprietary or patented, then I would only pay twice the money if I have a decent opinion of the person making it. Heck, even when there is something 'special' about a particular steel, lock, design, I still won't buy when I don't like where the money will end up. Since quality and performance is easy to come by, I spend at the higher price points for other reasons.
 
I've not read this whole thread (at least not recently), but I assume there's people who've said there's better knives in both price ranges. -I'll join that group. Bottom line, imho, for less you can get more elsewhere. -Put a Strider lock on an Emerson design, at a fair price, and I'll give it a look.
 
imo, there is no " vs." Emerson and Strider knives have stood the test of time. Either knife will serve one very well.
I love the Emerson ergos and the chisel edge.
I love the Strider ergos, the construction and the fantastic heat treat they use on all their different knife steels.
These three folders get my pocket time the most; SnG, HD7 and... my Para Military D2.
rolf
 
Both are fantastic knives made in the USA (if that is important to you). Either one will serve you well. Generally speaking, if you like liner-locks get an Emerson, if you like frame-locks then get a Strider. Or pick the one you like the looks of best. If price is a consideration go with the Emerson, you can almost get two for the price of the Strider. Again, either will do, I have owned several examples from each brand and have never had a problem with any of them.
 
Emerson, for the ergonomics alone.

I like overbuilt knives, but there's a point of diminishing returns when it comes to blade stock, edge geometry, grind, pivot size, etc. Strider is just a little too 'overbuilt' for my needs, then again, all I've owned was an SMF......
 
The only thing they have in common is that both are priced at almost exactly twice what they are worth.

BTW, it was the same way 4 years ago when this thread was current.
 
Not gunna down Emerson at all. I'll take my Strider SMF anyday, anywhere, any time...and out work a Zero Tolerance on any job. For the record, ZT makes copies of high quality knives using material that is not as good as the competition. Don't buy a ZT because it looks like a Hinderer, Emerson, Strider, or Sebenza. Buy a ZT cuz you don't want to dump the cash on the real thing.
Edit reason...forgot to add Emerson.
 
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zombieassassin said:
Not gunna down Emerson at all. I'll take my Strider SMF anyday, anywhere, any time...and out work a Zero Tolerance on any job. For the record, ZT makes copies of high quality knives using material that is not as good as the competition. Don't buy a ZT because it looks like a Hinderer, Strider, or Sebenza. Buy a ZT cuz you don't want to dump the cash on the real thing.
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I'm no ZT fan but I suspect folks buy the collaborations because they don't like crappy QC and "up yours" attitudes from owners and fans.
 
^

I may be a bit slow on the uptake, but I am guessing that what you are saying you don't like Emerson or Strider.
 
Why do peope keep necroing apples to oranges threads....damn.

zombieassassin said:
Not gunna down Emerson at all. I'll take my Strider SMF anyday, anywhere, any time...and out work a Zero Tolerance on any job. For the record, ZT makes copies of high quality knives using material that is not as good as the competition. Don't buy a ZT because it looks like a Hinderer, Emerson, Strider, or Sebenza. Buy a ZT cuz you don't want to dump the cash on the real thing.
Edit reason...forgot to add Emerson.
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If you're going to talk this kind of smack, i sure as hell hope you have your sources ready. You sir are confusing opinion for fact. If you cannot prove it, best not to post it.
Edit: You forgot to add facts and sources.

I'll be waiting.
 
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I read these threads and they always seem like a "beat on strider" kinda deal. Such hate for certain brands in the knife community. I bought my first strider earlier this year just to say I had one as a lover of sharpened steel. I fell in love with the brand and never looked back. I feel the hate towards the knives and brand are unwarranted. Am I missing something?
 
Some time ago there was a local knife shop that carried Strider pt and smf models. The guy who ran the place was cool and when I asked him to show me ALL his Strider knives he put
them all on the counter for me to examine, about 8 or 9 in all. Each one had a different lock-up and degree of smoothness; they just came across as crude, garage built stuff. I wasn't
comparing them against Emersons but I was definitely bothered by the inconsistent quality. I've had Emerson design knives since BM 900 days and have always felt I knew what I was getting..
 
I purchased a new SNG and I sent it back after 15 minutes in hand.
- Fit & Finish: G10 and Titanium jimping did not line up
- Lock Stick: Sorry, I am not doodling with a sharpie or pencil on $400+ knife to reduce lock stick. CRK, ZT, Hinderer, Spyderco, LionSteel, etc. all manage to get this this key detail right.
- Concerns over durability: I don't like how the blade stops rest on two different types of material (Titanium & G10). G10 is durable, however it is no where near as solid/wear-resistant as Titanium.

If Strider used a titanium lined "show-side" scale (to reinforce the the handle) and resolved the lock-stick issues, it would be an AMAZING knife.

Emerson gets my vote.
 
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