Zero Tolerance, Strider, Chriss Reeve?

As always, it's best to handle things before you buy them. If you can cut things with them too, that's even better.

I sold my ZT0561 because I felt that it just wasn't a great cutting tool. The thick stock and fat flat grind resulted in me being disappointed with its ability to slice things. It was a joy to open and close, the KVT is reeaaallly smooth and the flipper action was loads of fun, but when it came time to prep a little food or breakdown cardboard, performance lacked. My opinion YMMV

I've got an umnumzaan and I'll say that CRK definitely grinds their blades with cutting efficiency in mind. The hollow grind puts up noticeably less resistance when separating material, and of course the F&F and tolerances are all that CRK is cracked up to be; dead on.

I owned a strider SnG and really liked it, though I wasn't a huge fan of the proprietary pivot tool that prevented taking it down and maintaining it like I can with the umnumzaan. Otherwise, that blade was super solid. If (when) i get another strider, it'll be an SMF as i thought the SnG was a little small in my medium-sized hands.

Its all preference, but if you can handle before you purchase, that's the ticket.
 
d0nut said:
Re: the bolded part - is this for real? :confused:
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Not really. The amount of hearsay about CRK warranty outweighs actual experience 100:1 on this forum. I've had fantastic experiences with them sending me free parts no questions asked. They sent a shipping label to send them my original Zaan when it developed the thumbstud problem that afflicted the first batch (side note: it took 5 years of hard use for this issue to develop on my example).

I think this is a good thread to read about CRK warranty service (one member was denied warranty service on a lock issue, Chris says it was due to abuse, member says it was normal wear and tear. I'm not taking sides, read it and form your own opinion): http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/944249-Good-CRK-Warranty-Experience

It doesn't make sense to flick open a sebenza anyways, it's just not the motion that feels right for it. It's hard to explain but when you hold one it becomes obvious. It just opens so smoothly with a normal motion.

My understanding of CRK warranty is that, if you use the knife responsibly it will never need service but if it does they'll fix it. If you play with it or do unnecessary things with it they won't promise to honor the warranty. Even if they don't fix it under warranty you can get it fixed for a cost, about $150 for a new lock bar or blade.

To me, complaining about CRK warranty not covering damage caused by flicking or abuse is like complaining about Ferrari not paying to fix your transmission because you were using it for drag racing.

Strider and ZT on the other hand do encourage you to do whatever the heck you please and they'll fix it. If you want a knife you can beat on get a ZT.

I really do think that you have to be drawn to the sebenza to fully appreciate it as there is no one special thing about it, it's just really really nice all around.
 
justsomedude said:
Not really. The amount of hearsay about CRK warranty outweighs actual experience 100:1 on this forum. I've had fantastic experiences with them sending me free parts no questions asked. They sent a shipping label to send them my original Zaan when it developed the thumbstud problem that afflicted the first batch (side note: it took 5 years of hard use for this issue to develop on my example).

I think this is a good thread to read about CRK warranty service (one member was denied warranty service on a lock issue, Chris says it was due to abuse, member says it was normal wear and tear. I'm not taking sides, read it and form your own opinion): http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/944249-Good-CRK-Warranty-Experience

It doesn't make sense to flick open a sebenza anyways, it's just not the motion that feels right for it. It's hard to explain but when you hold one it becomes obvious. It just opens so smoothly with a normal motion.

My understanding of CRK warranty is that, if you use the knife responsibly it will never need service but if it does they'll fix it. If you play with it or do unnecessary things with it they won't promise to honor the warranty. Even if they don't fix it under warranty you can get it fixed for a cost, about $150 for a new lock bar or blade.

To me, complaining about CRK warranty not covering damage caused by flicking or abuse is like complaining about Ferrari not paying to fix your transmission because you were using it for drag racing.

Strider and ZT on the other hand do encourage you to do whatever the heck you please and they'll fix it. If you want a knife you can beat on get a ZT.

I really do think that you have to be drawn to the sebenza to fully appreciate it as there is no one special thing about it, it's just really really nice all around.
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Thanks for the information. I dont want to derail this topic but I was also made aware of other threads regarding the CRK warranty issue and them not warranting problems. The way the issues were handled really sealed the deal with me regarding CRK.

I'll take a production "No questions asked" warranty over a "Well, it looks like you opened it too aggressively, too many times so you are SOL" policy any day of the week.
 
Ive handled all 3 in a store, all feel nice and robust.

Can't go wrong with either, but I could only buy CRK.
ZT and strider (to me) isn't worth the money it's asking.
 
I would suggest you do some more extensive research, especially on Strider considering the different generations of SNGs/SMFs have been known to develop lock-rock and blade play quite often. $400+ knives should not have this issue.
Regarding the "dont flick" CRKs deal....I have had my Lg Sebenza for years and I flick, bang and beat the snot out of it without a hint of change. It is as solid and well built as any knife i've handled. People define "flicking" differently, so as long as you use the knife like a knife should be used...you won't have any problem with CRKs warranty.
You also can' go wrong with a ZT 560. I have had mine since they came out and it has performed flawlessly. The smoothest opening knife I own, and you can customize the hell out of it.
Regarding steel...you won't be abke to tell a difference unless you own several different types of high end steels and use/sharpen them regularly.
I suggest you start with the Sebenza or any other CRK because they are the company which all others are compared to. Start with the best and work your way down. May save you some $ in the long run.
 
Strider SnG. It's the Perfect folder.
I admire the Sebenza, and I had one, but not as much as my SnG. I love the rugged simplicity of this folder.
If the SnG is not your bag, go with a Reeve folder.
rolf
 
I wrote an article a couple of years ago (I'd link to it but BF frowns on that sort of thing - PM me if you'd like to read it) comparing the Hinderer XM-18, CRK Umnumzaan, and the Strider SNG. I've got quite a bit of ZT experience, and I'd prefer a 0560 to any of the others you're looking at. A Sebenza is a good all-around knife, but the others you're looking at are more "tactical"/defensively oriented...or perhaps marketed is the better word.

That said, have you considered expanding your search? A Brous Blades T4 is one heckuva knife for the money. Brous will also be coming out with a 3.5" Mini-Division in a couple of weeks which I've pre-ordered. Both can be had for less than Sebenza/Strider money. Here's a photo of my T4:

 
I get what you mean by "Scratch the itch". I bought a Paramilitary 2 a month ago, and I still have the desire to buy a new knife -_- it's an addiction.
 
Just out of curiosity, how would a S30V/154CM Strider compare to the Sebenza? The extra $100 just for S110V seems a bit steep for me, so I'm interested to know how Striders HT of their S30V and 154CM compares.
 
d0nut said:
Thanks for the information. I dont want to derail this topic but I was also made aware of other threads regarding the CRK warranty issue and them not warranting problems. The way the issues were handled really sealed the deal with me regarding CRK.

I'll take a production "No questions asked" warranty over a "Well, it looks like you opened it too aggressively, too many times so you are SOL" policy any day of the week.
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I can understand that and to each his own.

For what it's worth I don't think "Well, it looks like you opened it too aggressively, too many times so you are SOL" is a fair evaluation of their warranty policy and you're missing our if you rule out CRK entirely as they make a fantastic product and they DO have a great warranty, just not a ridiculously outstanding warranty like KAI/ZT (I have no exp with strider).
I don't mean any offense, I'm not trying to be hostile or say you're wrong in any way. My experience in customer service tells me you'll see a lot more negative than positive on public forums as people are more likely to be loud with negative opinions than positive. I try not to rule anyone completely out based on what I read here.

A lot of knife companies have great warranties, ZT and Strider are two of the best, I perceive CRK's as being more in line with other industries, "We won't fix it for free if it's not a manufacturer's defect." Which is pretty reasonable.
CRK never says they guarantee your sebenza will last a lifetime of normal use, that's just the word-of-mouth reputation they've built from having it be generally true.

To the OP: ZT is a fantastic company, one of the best in the industry! I recommend looking into some of their new releases if you're not in a hurry to buy!

Also, if you can't handle them in a store you should be able to resell either a CRK or Strider on here for little loss...
 
Rolex John said:
I wrote an article a couple of years ago (I'd link to it but BF frowns on that sort of thing - PM me if you'd like to read it) comparing the Hinderer XM-18, CRK Umnumzaan, and the Strider SNG. I've got quite a bit of ZT experience, and I'd prefer a 0560 to any of the others you're looking at. A Sebenza is a good all-around knife, but the others you're looking at are more "tactical"/defensively oriented...or perhaps marketed is the better word.

That said, have you considered expanding your search? A Brous Blades T4 is one heckuva knife for the money. Brous will also be coming out with a 3.5" Mini-Division in a couple of weeks which I've pre-ordered. Both can be had for less than Sebenza/Strider money. Here's a photo of my T4:

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Good looking knife, but that over ground heel is an eye sore
 
Rolex John said:
A Brous Blades T4 is one heckuva knife for the money.
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Brous has been having issues come up quite frequently in the GBU, not sure if all are solidly founded but it'd be worth looking into before a purchase IMO.

oXObsidianXo said:
Just out of curiosity, how would a S30V/154CM Strider compare to the Sebenza? The extra $100 just for S110V seems a bit steep for me, so I'm interested to know how Striders HT of their S30V and 154CM compares.
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I can't give you specific rc's (hardness) for each steel, but S30V/CPM154 from Strider will out preform CRK's S35VN any day of the week.

You're PM2 is more comparable to the CRK in term of edge retention.

Wolf1524 said:
Sorry for off topic but what does lock-rock mean? Thanks.
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Lock rock refers to up and down blade play, but more so, the audible click that is associated with it.
 
I think that PM2 will outperform Sebenza in edge retention any day of the week too.
 
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oXObsidianXo said:
Just out of curiosity, how would a S30V/154CM Strider compare to the Sebenza? The extra $100 just for S110V seems a bit steep for me, so I'm interested to know how Striders HT of their S30V and 154CM compares.
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Here's the ultimate steel ranking thread in terms of edge retention: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...based-on-Edge-Retention-cutting-5-8-quot-rope

Of course there's more at play than edge retention, mainly ease of maintenance and resistance to chipping/major damage.

For what it's worth, Chris Reeve worked with Crucible to develop S30V and S35VN which is what they use currently use. But S110V is considered one of the top super steels.
 
CRK offered to replace the knife purposely destroyed on Youtube.

If the CRK feels best to you, don't let the warranty blow it for you.

I think the three are so different, it's awkward to compare them-- do you want an SUV or a pickup?

Good luck tho, it's fun.
 
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