thoughts on strider SNG!

Brendan

Brendan

Joined
Feb 13, 2002
Messages
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I always like to compare notes with like minded gents and want to know if any of you hogs own a strider SNG? If so, what are thoughts and at risk of opening a can of worms how do they compare to the sebenza?
 
I had one, but preferred the Sebenza. Actually, I prefer the Lochsa over the Sebenza, but would still take a Sebenza over an SnG.

The one thing that I found goofy about the SnG was that the blade was visible through the lanyward hole when closed. In other words, the blade would eventually cut through a lanyard, if one were attached through the lanyard hole. I don't use a lanyard, so it was a moot point for me. Still, I found it to be odd, at least design-wise.
 
cheers mate. Did you take any photos of the SNG - your work is really great and I use it as a reference all the time !
 
I had the SNG and the Sebenza as well but preferred each for different reasons. The SNG was quite comfortable except where it gets really fat wide at the end. It's a dumb design feature IMO and throws off what really feels good. This same feature makes it a very bulky knife to carry in the pocket and I kept scraping my knuckles on it reaching into my pocket. The Sebenza (both large and small) are great folders but I would like a choil of some kind or at least I found the point at the handle near the blade uncomfortable, particularly with the small sebenza. Trying to get a good controlled grip led to a little nick in my finger.
But this is about SNG.
They have a couple others that look more comfortable to me. It does seem overpriced to me though.
 
I have an SnG and a small classic Sebenza. I think they're both alright. I think the production quality (fit and finish, "walk and talk", etc) of the Sebenza is finer. I think the thumb stud on the SnG is not useful, at least not for hands of my size. The SnG feels more stout which is neat, but it also rides huge in my pocket so I hardly ever carry it. I like the radiused spine on the Sebenza (just a nice touch IMO) and prefer its overall size.

These days I'm into slipjoints anyways...
 
I love my SnG. Lockup is rock solid. Rides real comfortable in my pocket.

Opens smooth as anything.

I even like the way it feels in my hand...

Mine has the Double Gunner grips so it's nice and grippy.
 
Pros: looks cool, lets you pretend that you are on a covert special ops mission behind enemy lines, apparently pretty tough.

Cons: not a slicer (though not intended to be one), too spendy for what you get IMO.

But being a blade fan, I had to have one. :thumbup:

july052008hilltop010Medium.jpg
 
The Strider SNG (as is the SMF) is a great folder. So are the Chris Reeve Sebbies.
I own folders from both companies and quality wise it comes down to which you prefer from a design point of view. The Striders are my hardcore Users and the Sebbies I see more as my gentleman's knives.

Although both companies use S30V steel the heattreat is NOT the same. You can really hear the difference on the sharpeningstones. From this observation I do trust Striders S30V more in hard use than I would trust Reeve's S30V. But in all honesty I never really tested a Sebbie.

pic of a SMF in use...

DSCF0013.jpg
 
I preferred the SnG to the sebenza by far. Much better grip. Sebenza fit and finsih was vastly superior, but since I use knives that didn't mean anything to me, since it would be ugly soon. :p However the SnG (IMHO) is very overpriced for what it is. Make it 150.00 and it's great. Since that will never happen, I'll never own another. :(
 
I prefered the SMF sized blade to the SNG when I was in IRAQ, tough knife but large.
I gave it away when I came home, would like to have another but they are pricy for what they are.
I loved my Seb's but replaced them when I started carring Mayo's, Carson's and Tighe's.
Still have number CR 113 in the safe tho...
 
I like the SNG, but it and a Sebbie are very differant knives.

If your wanting the best all around knife I would go with a Sebenza, but if your looking for a heavy tank to use in tough conditions go with the Strider. The sebbie also rides great in the pocket, the SNG not so well, IMHO.

As for me, my large and small Sebenza's with micarta inlays will do anything I could ever expect a folder to do. If I'm needing a heavy duty knife I go with a fixed blade...usually a Busse.
 
Strider makes one of the Best folders on the market. You will can't go wrong.
Emerson
Strider
Seb
Kershaw
You can juggle all of these.
 
I have both the Strider SnG and the small classic Sebenza and they are both top-shelf knives but completely different animals.
  • If I had to pick one to take out into the woods for hard use the SnG wins, no question. It is the one folder I have that is almost as solid as a fixed blade. One word - tough!
  • If I had to pick one to wear as an EDC the small classic Sebenza wins, no questions. The workmanship and smoothness of the Sebenza is excellent. It opens like silk. One word - refined!

I use both and consider both leaders of their type. Note that the Hinderer XM-18 (still trying to get one) that I handled at Blade seems to combine 60% SnG and 40% Sebenza into one awesome knife and would probably be my Grail folder.

p.s. - The knife that gets the most use from me for EDC is actually an Alox Farmer by Victorinox that I got for $19 but it is not nearly as impressive, just functional genius. :p
 
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I've been carrying Sebenzas for about 9 years. Have handled a few SnG's, but do not actually own any Strider folders. I do own several Strider fixed blades, so am familiar with use of their products in general, steel, geometry, yada.

The Strider folders have come a looong way in terms of quality, but they are still nowhere near as nicely fit as the CRK's.

For a normal-use EDC cutting tool, I would definitely choose the Sebenza - small for discretion, large for longevity of sharpness. The SnG/SmF platform is built more around the idea of heavier use, for which I would favor a fixed blade.

Should point out that there are basically no restrictions on my carrying a fixed blade of that size, and that is certainly not true for everyone.

If you're basing a decision primarily on pleasure of ownership, then obviously you'll get whatever appeals to you, practicality be damned. If you just want a reliable pocket knife, that can be had for less than half the cost of either the Sebenza or the SnG. So in either case I think there is a little bit of “guy-thing” factor in there.

On the issue of S30V heat treating, I will say that I have been very impressed with keenness and edge retention in the Sebenza. There is definitely a noticeable difference between it and CRK’s BG. Relative to INFI, the CRK S30V is more of a micro-chipper than a roller, but it’s still pretty easy to maintain on a strop – as long as you don’t let it get away from you.

Honestly, I think the combination of Busse fixed blades and CRK folders is pretty hard to beat; and those are the knives I mostly carry and use.
 
I really like my SNG it is a great knife the steel is great sharpens well and hold a edge great. The fit of the handle in my own hands is great I could not be happier. But on that I have large with long fingers. A friend of mine that has smaller hands hates the feel of the knife and would rather have one of my Spyderco. The fit and finish on my knife though is 50/50, the blade opens great and is perfectly centered but it does not lock up solidly and in fact it will rattle when shaken back and forth. But that being said I would never spend my money on a Sebenza just do not like the feel, and if I could have it my way I would and my dreams got answered I would have a Busse folder but we all know that is 2 weeks away. But I have to say the Hinderer XM-18 blows everything out of the water that I have gotten a chance to play with.
 
I don't own either one so my thoughts are just based on a lot of time on the net drooling ;)
That being said, it seems like apples and oranges to me. The Strider is stout, grippy, bulky and tankish. It's a fill-your-fist kind of knife for rugged use. This is why camo finishes are fitting.
The Sebenza is less for the soldier more for EDC. Slim, sleek, light. The small is even just under 3" for legal carry in the strictest of counties.

I would say get both if you can afford it, because they fit two different categories.
 
fantastic feedback - thanks everyone !!

really looking like a 50/50 !! Like Tsiloics said - "If you're basing a decision primarily on pleasure of ownership, then obviously you'll get whatever appeals to you, practicality be damned." wise words
 
To me I like the Strider SMF over the SNG. The SMF is just a little bigger and fits me better. I also like the AR or GB, but some people think its "too big" for everyday carry. I never had a problem.

As for the Reeve, I never liked them...at all.
 
VoxHog said it before I could: save your money until you can find an XM18 and spend it on that. Even Rick's midtech version will make you happier for all-around use than either of those others
 
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