striders

There is really no question that Striders are good knives made with quality materials and backed by a exemplary warrantee.

The original question was "are Striders worth the price" and this question is very different than whether or not something is a good knife in general.

To be a good product something has to only be able to efficiently accomplish the task that it was intended for. To justify a particular price point a product has to be able to perform the same task demonstrably better than other similarly designed products, some of which may cost less.

For example, there is easy to say that a Lexus is a good car. It is much more demanding to demonstrate that a Lexus is worth the price difference compared to the Toyota that it is based upon.

To me, in order to be "worth the price" Striders (or any other expensive tool) would have to be demonstrably superior to less expensive competiting products.

Some people see knives as something more then tools, and purchase them based upon emotional attachments, or because the knife talks to them. That's fine, whatever works for you.

Others (myself included) see knives as simple tools, and approach them from a technical standpoint instead. This viewpoint requires the presence of evidence to justify increased prices. Why anybody would be upset by this is beyond me.

Melvin, that's an interesting suggestion. Generally, do the makers allow potnetially destructive testing, or do they set limits on how the products can be tested?
 
I for one would love to see this age old debate put to rest.
How bout Cliff Stamp testing a Strider, Busse, and Mad Dog head to head. Would anyone be willing to donate their personal blades to him for the showdown? Cliff, would you be so kind as to take up this challenge?
Obviously, we'd have to choose similar knives from each maker.
Lenny
 
OK, im gonna be the brave soul who comes out and tells it like it is, or at least how i see it, and i have given this very issue much thought, Strider's popularity is based in large part on: designs that just look "cool", "wicked" and "hardcore" and thus appeal to us on an aesthetic and emotional level and 2) the overbuilt quality of their knives that so many of us appreciate. A powerful combination.

Look at it this way, a Mike Obenauf folder is a marvel of superb engineering and craftsmanship, the fit and finish, the materials, the attention to detail, the workmanship, all remarkable, fast forward to a Strider SLCC "Nightmare", which sells for the SAME PRICE as the Obie, the SLCC is, well, a sharpened piece of steel that frankly couldnt have taken more than a few minutes to make. So, what are you paying for in the Strider? The design, and what exactly does the "Nightmare" blade do? It looks cool. :) With Strider, you pay dearly for these cool designs, and apparently being "hardcore" is expensive, but the fans do it willingly, at least I do. :)
 
The problem with the original question is that the answer that every person gives will be different. What something is worth to someone differs in every case.
 
Originally posted by mlawson
are the buck striders covered by the same warrenty as the rest of striders are?
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Buck manufacturers these knives. They have the Buck warranty. It is not quite the same as the Strider warranty.

Originally posted by mlawson
are the striders worth the price? the lifetime warranty sounds great but ive never seen one in person before.
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If you need a bullish field tool - there are a number of companies that produce knives for that market. Besides Strider Knives, there is Busse Combat (+ Swamp Rat Knives), Chris Reeve Knives. Fehrman Knives also produces a similar line. I am sure I will miss some.

I don't have a real use for any of these products nor will I likley have to engage in the endeavors for which they are designed. However, when I play "armchair commando" :p my opinion would be that the Busse line is not really designed as a fighting knife, whereas the CRK and Strider lines are - better balance and good for thrusting. If you are looking for these properties - I would look there.

If you can look beyond the marketing style and attitude of each company - I suspect that you will find something to meet what you are willing to spend and need.

I am not familiar with Fehrman Knives, but I do know that any of the other three companies pretty much have a no-questions asked policy. CRK advertises a more conservative policy, but in practice, they really deliver fine customer service without too many questions.
 
mschwoeb is right. the question wasn't a good one. oppinions verry on everything. I guess what i was wanting to know was if they do what they are intended to do and do it well? Is it going to be something i can depend on?
 
Originally posted by RL
...I don't think it's accurate to equate Strider's reputation to "advertising copy"...their knives were used by military/LEOs long before they were sold to the public...they were not "issue" knives, rather they were purchased by those in a position to buy their own gear (in other words, it wasn't a case of the government buying mediocre products simply because the price was good).
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RL - do you know anything about US Government procurement policies and techniques? If you did, I think you might reflect on your statement and have a good laugh. Nothing personal, I just think you have overstepped reality in your deductive reasoning.

Procurement in the US Government system is very complex and rarely is it specifically related to logic, need or quality.
 
Originally posted by mlawson
are the striders worth the price?
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Good god, YES!

Fishbulb, you seem like the type of person who would call Rolls Royces and Ferraris "just overpriced cars."

:rolleyes:

mlawson: If you want one of the most durable, hardcore, bad-ass blades that will never fail you, and is backed up by a no-questions-asked, no-BS lifetime guarantee (as well as complimentary lifetime sharpening/refurbising) then you will be thrilled with Striders.

And I very much beg to differ about Striders "just looking cool." While the NM grind may be just that, AFAIK, all of the Strider blade shapes are designed with a specific use and purpose in mind.

Sure they happen to look cool, but there is a reason why the blades are shaped the way they are.

P.S.: Be forewarned: Striders will make pretty much all the other knives you currently own look small and weak in comparison. :D
 
Beyond the knife, strider's owners have some personality problems. Their forum was closed for good reason. You may not want to buy their knives because you may not like the attitude of the owners. Poor attitudes can result in two things. First, poor customer service when you need it, particularly when you disagree with the company. Second, poor business planning, thus if the company goes out of business, your lifetime warranty is worthless.
 
Originally posted by brownshoe
Second, poor business planning, thus if the company goes out of business, your lifetime warranty is worthless.
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Now THERE'S a leap of logic if I've ever seen one.

You've never met anyone that you just didn't like or didn't get along with? How does that automatically translate into poor business acumen?

Most sucessful people have enemies and people who dislike them.
 
Originally posted by brownshoe
Beyond the knife, strider's owners have some personality problems. Their forum was closed for good reason. You may not want to buy their knives because you may not like the attitude of the owners. Poor attitudes can result in two things. First, poor customer service when you need it, particularly when you disagree with the company. Second, poor business planning, thus if the company goes out of business, your lifetime warranty is worthless.
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Lol, you dont know what you are talking about. Personality problems? Come on!:footinmou
 
Everytime I read a post by BS, he is always bashing this knife or that knife company.
 
There is a lot of engineering and good design work and field testing done with Strider knives. They may look like just big 'ol sharpened prybars with "cool" tactical tanto grinds in order to sell. But I would invite anyone who is curious about the design and manufacture behind Strider Knives to search the Strider forum here and also e-mail Mick or Duane with questions. As a hobby maker, I usually ask other makers all kinds of questions to help me improve. Same goes for Mick and Duane! I have asked them how they sharpen their blades and why, how they picked the angles for the tips on their tanto blades (it wasn't random, by the way), why they use certain materials, cord wrap vs. g-10, etc. There is all kinds of interesting info out there. On another forum, Mick posts in a Knife Maker's section all the time, giving out lots of great info. If anyone has questions, shoot Mick or Duane an e-mail.
 
Not to redirect this thread into a knife contest, but for the price get a Busse. Busse is so far ahead of the game it's not even funny. Jerry stopped using ATS-34 a DECADE ago. Striders are still being made with this steel. As far as giving Cliff Stamp a Strider, a Busse and a Mad Dog, he's already done this. It's no secret that Cliff Stamp thinks the toughest knives out are Busses. So are are Striders worth the dough? I don't think so.:)
 
Jerry stopped using ATS-34 a DECADE ago. Striders are still being made with this steel.
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Funny, all of my Striders except one says S30V on the blade. The other one says BG-42. I guess someone should tell Chris Reeves and many, many other knife makers that they are way behind the power curve also.
 
Re: "Marketing"

I don't believe Strider really has much in the way of that. As someone already pointed out, when they first started, it was only word of mouth.

AFAIK, its still pretty much that way, with exceptions for blade shows and stuff, but any maker/manufacturer worth anything is going to be at the major shows, I'd imagine.

So there's really no "marketing hype" to speak of with Striders.
 
Originally posted by Architect
RL - do you know anything about US Government procurement policies and techniques? If you did, I think you might reflect on your statement and have a good laugh. Nothing personal, I just think you have overstepped reality in your deductive reasoning.

Procurement in the US Government system is very complex and rarely is it specifically related to logic, need or quality.
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I'm glad you found my post so amusing. I don't understand what you are trying to say though. My point was that military units are often not allowed to choose their own gear (they must carry "issued" equipment)...among those who ARE allowed to buy their own equipment (usually the "Spec ops" type), many have chosen Strider.

My second point was that "issue" equipment is often chosen for price and availability rather than what is "the best". For example Mad Dog won a contract with the military but he was not able to deliver the quantity required so the contract was pulled and rewarded to SOG (I believe) instead...this was NOT done because SOG makes better knives than Mad Dog.

If this is so laughable, please enlighten us by bringing us back into reality.

RL
 
I'am usually in the position of having to using some of my own gear (knives, camelbacks, gloves, etc) due to my command (and previous commands) either: 1. Not willing to buy commercial (off the shelf) for some, or all of the personnel, or 2. What they buy is still not the "best" , or up to par with what I can purchase myself (and be allowed to use). This usually ends up being personnel gear.

That being said, the military is leaps and bounds better at buying whatever is needed from commercial sources than it was 15-17 (when I came in) years ago. Not to big of a deal to go to Home Depot, or elsewhere to purchase itmes needed in a hurry, something that will take too long via military supply route, or something specific that just has to bought out in town. Gov't credit cards are used everyday to round out a unit with items that are needed. Although, anything needed for certain platforms (aircraft, ships, etc) usually still has to come thru the normal military supply route, and can not come from off the shelf.

In the knife dept, I never saw or used a gov't folding knife that came close to a BM or seb, which is why I carry one or the other all the time.Some guys get misty over the old TL-29, but a good multi tool is better. My swiss army swiss tool works out gr8 , also. :D
 
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