striders ... ugly ?????

B

Bart student

Joined
Nov 17, 1999
Messages
676
Hello folks,

first-off, I would like to appologise to anyone who would take offense to this post.. I have no evil in mind nor bad words.

OK. I've seen several striders pass by lately, and they seem to be quit popular. They also seem like you could depends on them for several life-times, and I respect the evolution (like switching to bg-42, then S30V) they are going through. I think the founders of strider make really hard use products, hardcore tools like they say.

But. Everytime I see a strider picture I think something like.. damn that's an ugly knife. That can't be ergonomic ( referring to the straight handled knives with those straight guards ).. or something similar. You could say I think Striders are ugly.

Yes, I've handled a strider SEAL 2000, a BT (the similar tanto) and the buck strider 800. None of then felt comfy, none of them looked good IMHO. They have that kinda sharpened-prybar feel for me. I prefer knives who have blades made for their purposes.. a chopping blade will be 1/4 thick, but a multi-purpose knife? or a folder???
OK if I pry staples out of books all day, but then I take a screwdriver or a leatherman. The tips on all three were fat, and to my standars really dull. They are supposed to feel overbuilt, but this is different. Busses for example are overbuilt.. those felt way-overbuild.. not like a knife anymore.

OK so keep your opinion for yourself. Fine, but they seem to be only growing in popularity.

So I was wondering.. is it me? Is it a European thing? or am I not the only one who thinks they are ugly?

Greetz and take care, Bart.

P.S. let me emphasise that this is the result of a post-exam-brainstorm , I REALLY mean no harm.. just trying to figure out what to think of my feelings towards striders. So, if you feel offended in any way, my sincere appologies.
 
It's two things, actually. One, you haven't owned one to get to know it and rely on it, and two, it's your European perspective.

Americans like big things; like Harley's, V-8's, bowie knives and tractor pulls. I think this attitude dates way back. Except for the Indians, North America was pretty much a wilderness, where most of Europe was settled. Heck, there are Roman walls in England.

We needed axes, 58 calibre rifles, heavy clothing and sturdy Barb horses just to get through the day. That tradition has continued. I see heavy duelie axle trucks running empty all of the time. The owners buy them for 'just in case.'

When you first handle your Strider, the first impression is "boy, this sucker is big!" But then, you carry it, and it becomes easy to manage and you don't have to worry about breaking it or scratching it. The next thing you know is that you're saving for a SECOND Strider.

The Strider profile is unique, it doesn't look like anybody else's stuff. With greeat customer service and a fine product, I'm glad to be one of their clients.
 
As the saying goes, and the other being "beauty is in the hands of the beholder"
Also it is like a lot of other things in that after awhile they grow on you. It took me about a year, and getting a Strider AR folder, and carrying it I really started growing on me. My wife is a small woman, and an LEO(law enforcement officer) for the City, and even with her small hands she carries a AR, and says it fits perfect in her hand. Looks are deceiving as they look big but once in your hand it is like the knife just falls into place.
It also took a bit to get used to the tiger stripes, but my wife liked them on the get go.
My last comment on this it is like when you first start drinking beer, you have to acquire a taste for it, and then you understand why so many people drink it. Once you own a Strider knife, and acquire the feel of it, you then know why so many like, and own them.

Just my .02 cents rounded off to a buck.

Larry
 
There's an old saying, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder," and another old saying, "one man's poison is another man's pleasure."

Yes, Striders are big and chunky and tend to have dull, dark finishes. But, some people like that.

It's also true that Strider seems to follow more of a "form follows function" approach to design. When form follows function, form suffers -- but function is allowed to excel.
 
Chuck you were posting at the same time I was, and we both almost said the same thing other than you got the wording more right than I.
Also you may have said a little better.
Did not mean to step on you, and your thoughts.

Larry
 
Its just you;) I have a Strider GB and a HT, and I think they look great! Both are very comfortable in the hand, and of course you feel confident that they are very strong. I have never been the kind of guy who likes a lot of glam in a product. The only fancy thing that I would want to get is a Les Bear Thunder Ranch 1911 with the ingraving. Though I would also want one without the ingraving.

I don't think Striders are ugly, just mean looking:D (in a good way). Though I also would not call them cute.

Reagan
 
Larry,

Great minds think alike. Your's just thinks faster than mine.
 
I'll have to say I agree with ya bart student. And I also would say it has nothing to do with any axes to grind etc. I have never even held a Strider in my hand. There are some of the models that I do like the overall style and some that I don't. As has been stated so eloquently above-"beauty is in the eye of the beholder". I just have different tastes I guess.

FWIW I also consider the following to be ugly also:

Spyderco Gunting
Spyderco Shabaria
Sypderco Chinook
Farid Folders
Benchmade River knife

and many others. But I totally respect those who don't share my opinions on them either. It is a very subjective and personal thing.

My idea of a beautiful knife? Something alon the lines of the Benchmade AFCK, Spyderco Police, any of my Greco's :D

I'm just thankful there are so many choices so we can all be happy!

Mongrel
 
I find some of the Striders to be ugly and some I like the looks of very much. I don't like the Americanized tanto so it follows that I don't like the striders that have tanto tips. I also don't like the Tiger Striping so the knives that have this feature do not appeal too me. On the other hand, I really like the look of the BG, GS, MT, AR, and EB S/LS.
 
Striders don't really appeal to my sense of the aesthetic; they weren't designed to. They are hard use knives, overbuilt for people who want a knife that will not fail, ever, even if they use it for a non-knifelike task in a pinch--hence the sharpened prybar look.

Do I think they are ugly? Well, sort of, kind of like a Hummer is ugly. But that same Hummer looks pretty good when the road os really rough. Striders look better the bigger the job they are faced with.

They'll never be as pretty as a jerry Fisk Bowie, or Ed Fowler piece, at least to me, but they are from all reports some sure enough fine knives.
 
My pal Duane’s father had the situation down perfectly….
“There is an ass for every seat”


Gollnick, your avatar looks like my good friend Dan Duchaine.
Miss ya pal.

Hope all is well

m
 
Ugly?? I dunno, maybe in a Bulldog-like "tough and tear your ass up" kinda way. I dig their smell also. The only thing better than the aroma of a Strider is the smell of 3-4 of 'em!
Stay Safe,
Clyde
 
I, too, think they are ugly. They may be very tough, but so is a crowbar. I don't think they are attractive or comfortable, and the cord wrapped handle leaves much to be desired. I grew out of the Tanto phase long ago (when I realized thay are pretty poor for utility, and I have guns for fighting). I think they mostly appeal to those who like vary modern militaristic styling, a la "Universal Soldier". The Becker/ Camillus Combat 7 and 9 are both built to last, comfortable to hold and much cheaper than anyhting from Strider.

For my money, Randall makes incredible hard use knives, unless visual appeal disqualifies them from this category. I am a firm believer taht aesthetics do not come before utility, but the two can and should go hand in hand.

I'm not dissing Striders as tools. I'm sure they work just fine They may be very good knives, just like SAABs may be very good cars, but I am still never going to buy one.
 
"an ass for every seat" is a good way of putting it, or maybe there is a strider for every ass?

I like some more than others, but all have a certain level of apeal to me. But for example i like the MT and GS about a billion times more than the Looks of the BT.

Talk about ugly the BK&T C/U-7 is sooo ugly, that doesnt mean that it isnt a great knife and an exceptional value and i wouldnt buy one if i had the need.

To be honest i dont think there are too many Production fixed blades that look great, the Camillus OVB bowie certainly does, and there are a few others.
 
I think that Randall produces some of the ugliest knives of all time. Whoever polishes them does so with such aggression that there are dished out low spots and every surface has been rounded off by the buffing wheel. Just an easy way to hide all the defects. At a show one time I got so exited to hold my first Randall, and then I got to really see how ugly the fit and finish was. Not to mention the ounce of silver solder it took to hold on the guard, and the uneven grind lines. Any one of my mass produced el cheapo knives has a better look to it. Talk about ugly.

That's my opinion.
 
I always thought the saying went, "beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.":D

Anyway, I do find many Strider knives ugly. But not in a bad way. I think AK-47's are ugly. I think Bulldogs are ugly. But I really like the ugly looks of both of these. Does that make any sense?
 
K thanks folks for the replies.. keep 'm coming I'd say.

Let's sum what I have read so far :

1. It is besides the point to evaluate striders on esthetics, they were not made to look pretty, they were made for hard use.

2. My feelings towards striders might be difficult, but then I never had to bet my life on a knife, maybe if I were in that situation I might reconsider.

3. Some people think they are pretty , some don't. Heck I think SAAB cars look like riding anvils upsidedown, yet I know people who love them. If we'd all like the same stuff the world would be a boring place :D

Personally I do believe that beauty and function can go hand in hand, but making that happen is only for the really great knifemakers (Loveless, Moran, D.Fogg .... ). Some try hard (randalls), but they never have the flair and soul of a custom.

But that's the subject for a new thread in total.

greetz and take care, Bart.

P.S. I tried to be as polite as possible, I appreciate the polite answers. I am not trying to harm strider, or anyone elses feelings.
So I would like to thanks the polite answers on this somewhat difficlut subject.
 
While I belive that striders are good for the tasks they are designed for, I'd never buy one because of the appearance. The folders (esp. strider designed Buck) are some of the most ugly ones around. Some fixed Striders do have appealing blade shape but guard and handle are way too ugly to my taste.

While ago I saw one beautiful (damascus) Strider. If Strider is capable of making goodlooking knives why do he/they normally make ugly ones???

For same amount of money I can find equally performing knife (even custom) with appealing looks.
 
No Offense intended to anyone here but, I think Glocks are ugly as hell when compared to a nice custom 1911,(European styling vs. American styling) But I carry two of them (primary and backup) onduty evry day. Why? Because they have always worked when I needed them. For this same reason, I intend on buying two Striders.

Again sorry if I offended anyone, that was not my intent.

Jason
 
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