Will the Strider PT replace my small Sebenza 21?

jazzandmetal

jazzandmetal

Joined
Feb 28, 2010
Messages
239
I just ordered a Strider PT. I can't afford to keep both I don't think.....I just have a hard time using the Sebenza to cut things. It seems like more of a piece of art than a knife to me. The blade also feels thin to me....has anyone had a lot of experience with these two knives? I have done some searching and watched a lot of youtube vids and the only bad thing I see about the Strider is the clip riding high....but I carry in my cargo pants leg pocket so that won't be such a huge deal.

Experiences welcome, please no arguments or discussion about the owner.
 
I don't have a crystal ball so I can't tell you :D

Only time will tell. I prefer the Small Sebenza for a number of reasons but you may not have the same preferences in knives.
 
Sounds to me like you can wait to receive th PT and compare before selling one of them. I highly doubt that the Seb 21's blade will be too thin for any reasonable use. There are more than enough people EDCing Sebs over long periods of time to indicate that Sebenzas in general are "tough" enough.
 
Oh yeah, when I was nervous about using knives in higher price ranges, I'd just use them immediately to get rid of that feeling that I have to baby the knife. For instance, I'd slice up a cardboard box into tiny pieces or stab a beer can. I wouldn't abuse the knife mind you, but I'd put some user marks on them and after that, I'd be fairly comfortable using them like I would any other EDC.
 
Kaizen1 said:
Oh yeah, when I was nervous about using knives in higher price ranges, I'd just use them immediately to get rid of that feeling that I have to baby the knife. For instance, I'd slice up a cardboard box into tiny pieces or stab a beer can. I wouldn't abuse the knife mind you, but I'd put some user marks on them and after that, I'd be fairly comfortable using them like I would any other EDC.
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That is actually a pretty good idea!:thumbup:

So far the Sebenza has made every other knife I have ever held feel like a toy. I do love this knife. I guess I am just reading this forum too much and the PT peaked my interest.....this is why I now try to stay away from guitar forums.
 
I recently traded a PT and went with a small Sebenza.

The PT was a neat knife with some cool features but the CR knife is just a better piece for me.

It exudes quality.
 
I don't own a Pt yet however I do plan on getting one relatively soon. As far as the toughness of the sebenza goes though, I just can't fathom the blade snapping doing anything even half sane. It really is a pretty thick blade. Both the large Sebenza and the small have the same thickness blade so if you think of it in that terms the small is stronger for its size. But really all that doesn't matter, its actually probably the strongest framelock I've ever owned, besides the ZT 301. The small Sebenza is the (almost) ideal edc for me so far and if anything I'd want the blade a tad thinner but its really perfect for me.

On a side note, how much thicker is the PT's blade than a sebenza blade?
 
I've had both (A few of each: Lg. & small Sebs, PTs, & SnGs). I only have the Sebs now.

The PT is a nice knife, if it's a good one (No issues, whereas on Sebs it is very rare to have any issues from the factory). If your hands are large, the Seb will be more comfortable, IMHO. As for durability, they're both close. The PT seems tougher, but I think that's because it is stout for its size.

Personally, I prefer the small Seb to the PT, but do believe you should be able to answer your question once the PT comes in & you can compare the 2 head to head.

If you decide to keep the PT, STR (On BladeForums) can make a low-rider Ti clip for the PT. It works just fine.
 
jazzandmetal said:
That is actually a pretty good idea!:thumbup:

So far the Sebenza has made every other knife I have ever held feel like a toy. I do love this knife. I guess I am just reading this forum too much and the PT peaked my interest.....this is why I now try to stay away from guitar forums.
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You really have to Use the Small sebenza to appreciate it. i've had mine a few days now and i like it more the more i use it. it looks elegant, and feels like a tool! super clear.
 
remember if you pick strider your warranty is MUCH better. CRK will nickel and dime you to death for the repair and re-adjustment for your knife. Just look at the website EVERYTHING has a price.
 
Bill86 said:
remember if you pick strider your warranty is MUCH better. CRK will nickel and dime you to death for the repair and re-adjustment for your knife. Just look at the website EVERYTHING has a price.
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They sharpen, and clean as included in the warranty.

anything else such as re-finishing the handle or blade seems perfectly reasonable to charge for...
 
The worst warranty experience of my life was with strider. After months of them blowing off emails and calls and getting the run around they told me they fixed everything. I get the knife and lo and behold they didn't.

Not to mention the owners are cons that have made up all sorts of lies about military service, that's well documented. Google mick strider/burger. And strider will charge you shipping even if you recieve a new knife that came full of problems. Their QC sucks,they're CS sucks,they're cons and their warranty is over rated considering odds are if you use it at all it will be to get a new knife fixed.
 
Well I sent a knife to warranty I'll definitely make a post about it when I get back they've had it for 3-5 days now I would probably expect it back in a week or so ISH.....we'll see what they do ...Only cost me maybe $20 bucks to ship and pay return shipping.
 
Bill86 said:
Well I sent a knife to warranty I'll definitely make a post about it when I get back they've had it for 3-5 days now I would probably expect it back in a week or so ISH.....we'll see what they do ...Only cost me maybe $20 bucks to ship and pay return shipping.
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Good luck with that. They took about a month to fix my SMF. I don't mind waiting, just wish the communication had been better.
 
I sent them an email asking them about the turn around time...I really don't care I have other knives. Yeah I hear ya man, just let me know when my knives coming back....

We'll see what they say but again....I got other knives.
 
I don't own a PT, but have held one. They feel very nice. The clip would bother me.

I do a own a small 21 and love it. I used it right out of the box to shake off the want of displaying it. lol

After that I carry the sucker on the frequent and it's tackled every cutting task i've needed it to. I also like the extra cutting length on the small seb. I feel the thinness of the blade makes it a better slicer and that's what my tasks require.
 
Can we please all stop the bashing? I'm sure everyone can come up with anecdotal evidence. The vast majority of customers of either brand are very happy. No one is going to be swayed either way.

I own a Sebenza and a Strider. I think they are both awesome. Rugged, reliable, well-made tools that will last you a lifetime.

To the OP: Both knives will do whatever you ask of them. The Sebenza is not thin, just thinner than a Strider. It's tough as hell though. So just compare the knives and keep the one you like best. Or keep 'm both. :D
 
Like quite few others have already said, I've had both and used both. My PT-CC was a good one... centered blade, solid lockup at about 40-50%, very sharp. My only issue with it was the size. It was just too small to be really useful for me in the variety of things that I do with a folder. I didn't have enough blade length for a lot of the stuff I cut and the handle was too short for a comfortable grip. But as far as performance goes, and discounting my own personal preferences, both knives will do what they were designed to do very well.

I agree with Philwar... since you're gonna have 'em both in your possession, try them out and keep the one that works best for you
 
I've owned both several times. Seen a good many of others knives mailed to me also. The Sebenza is more consistent and built better. More refined I should say. The PT is more primitive, both in finish, and build. You can't compare them apples to apples really. The rounded off smooth edges and finish of the Sebenza makes the PT look like its left undone by comparison. I've never owned a PT I have not felt the need to take to my shop immediately to round the corners on. Each of the three I've owned bit into my palm in use which was something the SnG didn't do. I figured this was mostly the size difference and my hand since the PT is so small and my hand isn't.

Until I rounded off those rear edges and smoothed them down I found the PT to be quite uncomfortable in that one grip which for me was the most frequently used one. Otherwise the knives I owned were okay once I tweaked them to my satisfaction. They eventually smoothed out. The edges are sharp but the primary grind on the PT is rather obtuse by comparison to the Sebenza. I also redid that on my own to better make it to my liking. The PT is lighter as I recall and I did like that. I also much prefer knives with the built in choil which to me is the best feature of all the Strider folders. Between this and the lock stabalizer they are tough to beat.

All three of my Sebenza models were dead centered blades, locks were second to none with even wear patterns and they were very smooth well done knives overall. I did have trouble making myself carry them. It had nothing to do with the build, or the quality it was more the knife just didn't do it for me and I finally woke up to the fact that it never would so I sold them. I had one large and found this to be the case also. The large Sebenza was too large for me. The small too small. I found myself wishing they had a model right in between the two. The PT was small also and even smaller than the small Sebbie but ironically the PT fit my hand better. Two of my three PT's had blades off center the entire time I owned them. They came that way. Two of them developed blade play vertically and needed adjusted shortly after buying them, an easy fix though. All three had rough sharp edges and were uncomfortable as stated earlier.

Its a tough call to pick a real winner between these two.

Seb= high quality fit and finish and very consistent
great blade steel
all ti build
light weight
strong
easy smooth opening with one hand PB washers and a bushing design in the pivot
great warranty
high desirability should you need to sell it later
USA made
Unique pocket clip design using a bigger than conventional screw mount in a nested inlay in the handle on the lock side.
Lock cuts on the inside x 2 left pretty thick compared to other models

PT= high quality but inconsistent and non existent fit and finish by comparison
great blade steel
ti and G10 build
light weight
easy one hand opening PB washers in the pivot
warranty reads great on paper but there have been reports of issues here
high desirability should you need to sell one later after buying it
USA made
unique pocket clip design using bigger than normally seen screw mount and tab insert.
Lock cut on the outside and huge taken down pretty thin on most I've seen and owned. This can catch the rim of the pocket at times causing the knife to snag on some pants and there are scattered reports of this causing the knife to be dropped. I've actually done that myself on a few occasions with mine. Seems more of a problem if the clip tension is tighter rather than lose.


Anyway, there is my take.
STR
 
The debate between these two is only a debate because each person is entitled to their own preferences, and everyone's preference is different. Given the complaints you have with the Sebbie, I'd see the Strider replacing all of those with little problem. It doesn't feel fragile at all, and because of the characteristically imperfect finish, you don't mind using the heck out of it. The CRK will generally be considered a better cutter/slicer, but the PT is no slouch at all, and that Bos treated S30V is fantastic stuff. The more beat up a Strider is, the better it looks, and it doesn't exude the "art" appeal, but rather that militant "I'm gonna kick your ###" appeal. Your best bet would be to put them both in hand and try them out on some cardboard or paper or something, but I understand first hand that that isn't always possible or easy. Like everyone always says though, you can't hardly go wrong with either. I'm a Strider guy myself. My girlfriend, a Sebbie owner. We could trade on any given day and either knife would fill the gap left by the other just fine (except for that personal love, and all that...). Both'll cut the crap outta your finger if you don't pay attention. BELIEVE ME.
 
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