The Great Debate...... Strider Sng and Sebenza

[crimsonfalcon07]

I'm another in the group that doesn't really expect to ever buy either one. Not because of price, but because I'll take a DDR over either one of them any day. I checked out the Umnum, which is the CRK that appeals to me most, at a gun show, and while it's a nice knife, I couldn't really understand what makes it "better," at least for me, than the HTM Gun Hammer that I usually carry. Just didn't feel as comfortable to me, and with Darrel releasing a framelock version, there's just no contest for me. As for the Strider, if I want something that looks like that, I'd rather buy from our very own peter r.

Not that I'm saying they're bad knives. I just think the adage that you should get the one that calls to you should really be your guiding force here.

And, because this thread needs more pics:

 

[dtownknifekid]

I bought a sebenza but i haven't purchased a strider and probably never will. The strider design just isn't for me. Also the designs of sebenzas and striders are just so different from each other and were designed for such different purposes that they should never be directly compared and contrasted IMHO.

 

[Insaneinmate]

You can't compare the two. Just go with your gut. What will make you more happy. I own an sng, and its easily my favorite folder. The thing that turns me off from CRK knives is the fact that he puts the lockbar cutout on the inside of the knife. For me, its just one of those things that I have decided I can't stand.

 

[EZ Bake]

I have both, but honestly am not that fond of either. I would be more fond if they were in the $139 range. The SNG is stout, light weight, a poor slicer and too spendy. The Sebenza has the "bank vault" thing going for it, more aesthetic appeal (in my subjective opinion), and is still overpriced by about $150.

I use the term "overpriced" loosely on each of these, as many people, including me, have paid the asking price. So in that regard the makers are charging what the market will bear. I'm groovy with capitalism. But in terms of materials and construction, they are not objectively 3x "better" than their lesser brethren, nor worth 3x the asking price. JMO.

This.

I bought a CC SNG and while the ergos were great, it was not worth at all what I paid for it. It is not over-built enough nor were the fit/finish near what the price insinuated (again, capitalism dictates that it was, even to me since I paid for it). I had an SMF for about a week since I thought maybe the SNG was just not as stout as the SMF. Turns out that the ZT 0301 I got shortly after that actually felt like it was worth Strider money (for about 1/4 the cost).

Then I realized that i don't need a folder that over-built for anything and sold the ZT. I've considered getting a small Sebenza, but would probably try for a Galyean Pro small JYD or Hinderer XM-18 on the secondary market before doing that (especially since I have a Spyderco Sage 2 - which was only about half of what a small Sebby costs).

Everyone has a grail knife (and for different reasons). Get what you want, but don't buy something because someone else will think it's cool. That took me a few expensive lessons-learned to figure that out the hard way.

 

[DrOpPoInT1110]

I have an SnG and small Sebenza but have handled several Large Sebenzas. The Sebenzas are VERY nice knives and plenty durable but I prefer my SnG. Locks up just a solid as my Sebenza and those I have handled, very smooth once it was broken in, and i like the ergonomics more. The SnG feels better to me than the Sebenza since it fills the hand more. The edge retention is also noticeably better which is probably due to the heat treat (although my Strider has CPM S35VN which is slightly better then S30V). That being said, I still would like to buy a large Sebenza but I would rather have a SnG if I could only have one or the other.

 

[Chris_Himself]

I prefer the SnG but the Seb is the nicer knife. The Umnumzaan beats both but the Strider still has cool points

Here's a cute vid I did in shit quality
[video=youtube;jWE3_s5lO4E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWE3_s5lO4E&feature=g-upl&context=G2ef83c8AUAAAAAAACAA[/video]

 

[JNewell]

I think you're thinking of necrophilia, not necromancy...

No, I did mean necromancy (Wikipedia and Webster's definitions below). Necrophilia is probably main-stream on some of the subforums here. Necromancy, on the other hand, probably isn't. Oh, wait...I'm going to withdraw that comment, given how often so many people here (myself included) wish for discontinued knives to be brought back to life!

Necromancy (/ˈnɛkrɵˌmænsi/) is a claimed form of magic involving communication with the deceased – either by summoning their spirit as an apparition or raising them bodily – for the purpose of divination, imparting the means to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge. The term may sometimes be used in a more general sense to refer to black magic or witchcraft.[1][2]

(snip)

Early necromancy was likely related to shamanism, which calls upon spirits such as the ghosts of ancestors. Classical necromancers addressed the dead in "a mixture of high-pitch squeaking and low droning", comparable to the trance-state mutterings of shamans.[5]

Definition of NECROMANCY

1: conjuration of the spirits of the dead for purposes of magically revealing the future or influencing the course of events

 

[lava_lamp]

What did you purchase first and which would you have?

I bought the Sebenza first. Like it, but don't carry it much. I carry the SNG more, but not that much. The Strider PT gets the most carry of any Chris Reeve or Strider knife due to its small size.

For me, the Reeve knives are well made (I currently own three) but a little clunky and boring. The Striders (I own two) have a unique look and feel in the hand. Reeve seems to be one of the "good" firms at taking care of customers, Strider not so much.

 

[hardheart]

I own neither and likely never will.

I'm another in the group that doesn't really expect to ever buy either one.

these, I go the custom and limited production route at the price point and higher.

 

[johnnytoxin]

Bought an sng first, carried it about 8 months. It developed lock rock. Sent it in, got it back solid in two weeks no problems. Eventually sold it because of the short cutting edge. Was gonna by an umnumzaan but when I got to the dealer the two he had in stock (nib) both had a tiny amount of vertical blade play. He had some sebenzas which were were plain and boring to my eyes but rock solid. I took a chance on the seb and guess what? I like it more and more and carry it every day. It's beauty is in its simplicity. Definitely not selling this one!

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I have owned numerous Sebenzas, both regular and classic. I have owned a couple PT's, one SMF and one SNG. I really like the ergonomics of the handles on the Striders, and think that the SNG is a perfect size for EDC. However, I would like to get a CC, think that for the price a lot of things could definitely be changed on the Strider folders, namely that those same ergonomic handles can sometimes bite into your palms, and that the grinds are too thick. Even though they are referred to as sharpened prybars, I have seen Striders with nightmare grinds that have great edges, I would like to see that done with the regular line.

As for Sebenzas, I own one large and one small micarta. Great users, I don't get the use out of them that I should. The only thing I would change? Chris, let's see a FFG Sebenza!

Both should hold their value, both are great users. The Striders just don't meet my tastes these days.

 

[snowreaper1]

I l love mid-tech knives. I don't know why a lot of people have to like one or the other. Every knife offers different features and characteristics and perform different duties. My first love and probably the knife I most admire for its superb craftmanship is the Sebenza. But latelyI have been on a Strider binge. I love the SNG CC ease of carry combined with its great strength. I just picked up this sexy green/ black monster and I am loving it. Strider has been pumping out some great knives lately.

 

[joeyza]

where did you get that strider pouch?

 

[The Mastiff]

I got a pouch like that with a Dwyer custom onetime.

My feelings are if I could get a Sebenza in 3V, or Z wear ( or some others I've seen or owned like Rex 20, CPM M4, S110V, etc.) I'd undoubtedly own one or two. Heck. If they went back to BG42 I'd have one. No thanks on the S30V or S35VN. Good steel but I expect a bit more for the price. The slightly better tolerances on the Sebbie are not as large a draw as the current batch of Striders in Z wear which has a tougher steel with more wear resistance. It cuts great. As good as any Sebbie I've tried.

Joe

 

[matt1987]

I like them both for different reasons. Probably the easiest way to choose is evaluate your collection and see what kind of knives you enjoy the most. If you mostly edc knives like Spyderco, a Sebenza might work for you. If you tend to use over built folders like Zero Tolerance, a Strider would be right at home.

Personally, I don't beat the crap out of my knives(especially $400+ folders) and I like a clean, lean, mean slicers so if I had to pick one I would go with the Sebenza.

 

[BladeChick777]

They are both great knives.
They're also completely and totally different.
I own both and I'm happy with that.
Both have great ergos.
The steels are good(especially the Z-Wear).
The Strider fills my large hand better, but I love my Large Sebenza and the overall design.
The Sebenza is the perfect all around EDC and can handle any chore you need taken care of.
The SnG is a brute of a knife and it's amazing. I love whole package, it's a great size and isn't too brick like.

If I had to pick one over the other, I'm not sure I could, I truly love both. They're amazing knives, but completely different.
I also have the Galyean Pro Series Small JYD mentioned earlier in the thread and prefer it over the Small Sebenza.

 

[archieblue]

If someone were to take three of each and load them all to the point of failure I would believe the winner is the stouter knife. Until then we can only guess.

From a practical standpoint if I were walking off the face of the earth and chose one folder to accompany a larger FB, I would choose a Lg Sebenza because it is the overall more "useful" knife. If I were search and rescue or similar I would choose the SnG because it is the more sure handed, tactile, knife.

From a day to day carry standpoint it's very similar. I have a Sebenza on me more often because it is the more useful knife. I carry my SnG when I want the more "fun" knife.

I tend to be a lot more willing to use my Striders hard... sometimes just for fun & sometimes to save a little time. Why? Because that's what Strider says their knives are built for.

Folks will say they don't like one thing or another about any knife or they don't "need" blah blah blah. If I wasn't attracted to these two knives I wouldn't own either. I owned both before people were doing YouTube reviews which I think can be one of the best ways to try and get to know a knife that floats your boat for whatever initial reason. I bought both because they initially, through build, materials, pictures and reviews, really jived with me. I could make a huge list of knives that do fit most of my personal criteria which I have not and will not own for whatever reason. For the most part I've understood every single one of the 80-100 knives that I have actually owned. ...why they are priced where they are, what the design is all about, what is there and why, what's not there and why, ect. The Sebenza and the SnG have both proven themselves to me as definite "keepers." But a Sebenza could/would be THE keeper.

 

[1holegrouper]

They are both wonderful knives. They are both very different yet quite comparable as well. Perhaps I need both and I should just let them take turns in my pocket?

 

[TacOpsEDC]

This ALL comes down to personal preference.

I purchased a Small Sebenza first and that's because I wanted one for a long time.

Then I purchased a Strider SnG DGG and its also a phenomenal piece.

Then not too long after I purchased a full Custom Tarani 889 TiCF, and love that as well.

Go with whichever one you like more first, but either knife is a great choice.

They are two of the top makers in the game and I will continue to purchase more from both of them.

 

[SaddleSC]

I l love mid-tech knives. I don't know why a lot of people have to like one or the other. Every knife offers different features and characteristics and perform different duties. My first love and probably the knife I most admire for its superb craftmanship is the Sebenza. But latelyI have been on a Strider binge. I love the SNG CC ease of carry combined with its great strength. I just picked up this sexy green/ black monster and I am loving it. Strider has been pumping out some great knives lately.

I agree with you 100%

Everybody who loves knives owes it to themselves to own a Strider SnG, a Sebenza and a Hinderer XM at least once in their collecting careers. They are all excellent, but they all have such a unique character and personality that you really have to own them all to decide which one is the best fit for you.

IMO, the Sebenza is the ultimate in fit-and-finish, high tolerances and beautiful embellishments. The Strider is the ultimate hard-use knife. I own multiples of all three brands and (for whatever reason) my Striders are the only knives in my collection that I feel comfortable using hard for any task.