Strider GB

[StangBang]

Ouch guys,

Jim got a steal of a deal on a top notch super high quality piece of cutlery here. He even stated he sold off some of his other toys to obtain it! I for one think it is an awesome knife Jim and want to thank you for sharing.

Guys, if you don't agree with ones choice and can't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Striders aren't for everyone and their price tag prohibits people from getting them, sure. For me it just means a few months of holding off the Spydie purchases and saving up for an SNG :D

Different strokes for different folks.

Congrats Jim and thanks for sharing!

[aebfroman]

"Yeah, sure, it's a prybar that can't cut anything. Keep on believing that. You obviously aren't capable of much more. "

Jim, why so rabid? I just said I don't understand the appeal, not "your taste is poor because you paid out the *** for an ugly knife." I mention that they look about as ergonomic as a 2 x 4 and you're attacking me personally? Get a life.

[Padawan]

Jim, I feel as though you are becoming so defensive that you are having difficulty thinking objectively about the conversation, so I am hoping you can step back a bit to see that you are not being attacked, and there is no reason why the discussion can't be held in an intelligent and civil manner.

You've already stated that either Strider model would have performed the same in the situation you described. You have also agreed that there is nothing unique about the steel used in the knife, so it therefore follows that the steel is not imparting a special cutting ability that other knives do not possess.

You need only examine the specifications or look at the blade to see that it is made from thicker stock than many similarly sized knives. Thicker stock and a FFG result in a more obtuse primary grind angle. I think we can also agree that a more obtuse primary grind, all other things being equal, is not imparting the knife with increased cutting ability, nor is there anything special about the edge (unique serrations, etc.) that would change the way it cuts versus any other plain edge. So my question, which is not intended to be derisive towards you, is simply what gives this knife the ability to cut things that other knives cannot? If it isn't the steel, and it isn't a more efficient edge or blade geometry, what is left?

From my observations in years spent collecting knives and participating in various knife discussion forums, one of the main things that seems to irk people about Strider knives is the combination of exaggeration and marketing hyperbole that is often used by Strider fans to justify their purchases and praise the knives. As knife enthusiasts, I would like to think that we are able to see past such things and look objectively at any knife. There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying a Strider or any excessively robust folder, just as there is nothing wrong with buying a Krein ZDP189 regrind taken down to a .005" edge. It's all personal preference and intended use, and the world would be rather boring without variety. Instead, what starts to vex some people are outlandish claims about a knife without a reasonable explanation to support them.

I should also mention, so that you are able to frame my comments with the proper perspective, that I don't dislike Strider knives. In point of fact, I am rather fond of several of the models, and am currently considering the purchase of a PT.

[rosconey]

i have a strider pt-has good heat treat.fit and finish of the g10 isnt on par with most knives at the price range,its acceptable but not perfect-lockup is ok

still overall not a bad knife-used as a edc on the job for some time-pivot never loosened up

its a knife you dont mind getting dirty and it wont let you down-

[jimbo@stn24]

Not only that, but the blade is made from "Strider" S30V, which is able to cut through things that ordinary S30V and all other knife steels can't.

This and the tone of the other posts by "froman" in this thread is not helpful to fostering the clinical, objective style of discussion you now want to engage in Padawan. There are many styles of knives that people like that I have no use for but I would not dare post what I think because of the fact that I don't like it when someone implies that I'm a fool for what I like.

I have an old Strider SMF from quite some time ago that I quite like. I've thinned the edge, it is on par for sharp with anything else I have, and I like the heat treat of the steel. It and some of my other knives were bought with the thought that I'd like to try the blade and see what the fuss is about, rather than continue with my prejudice formed from ignorance of the subject.

[Padawan]

This and the tone of the other posts by "froman" in this thread is not helpful to fostering the clinical, objective style of discussion you now want to engage in Padawan.

You're absolutely right. In retrospect, suppose I was reacting to the initial defensiveness of the OP's reply, but sarcasm surely didn't help anything.

[tpro68]

Jim,
Sweet deal. I've been watching for a Strider. I enjoy users that can take hard work. Enjoy.

[aebfroman]

No, I merely asked "Why do people like these so much." I wasn't challenging anyone's personal taste but even if I was the response has been as if I told someone they had ugly children. It seems to me to be a reasonable question. Is it outrageous that I dare reveal my personal tastes by asking such a question so offensive as "Given the price, what is the appeal?" I'm not sure why some individuals are being so thin skinned.

[Jimd]

No, I merely asked "Why do people like these so much." I wasn't challenging anyone's personal taste but even if I was the response has been as if I told someone they had ugly children. It seems to me to be a reasonable question. Is it outrageous that I dare reveal my personal tastes by asking such a question so offensive as "Given the price, what is the appeal?" I'm not sure why some individuals are being so thin skinned.

I did tell you, in a very detailed and objective manner, why I am of the opinion that Striders are worth the money for me. I further emphasized that they fill a specific niche for me. I expounded on the ergonomics and what I thought of them.

You asked if the knife was worth it. I gave my opinion. And then you replied back with what I perceived was sarcasm; "Sooooo because its a prybar too? Gotcha. "

That answer, in response to what I thought was a well-articulated answer on my part, kinda set me off. I did, in fact, perceive it as if you were criticizing my choice of equipment.

But I believe my response to your initial question was quite objective, and I was earnestly trying to give you a lucid response; basically, Striders are "worth it" for some people, and not for others, depending on what you're going to ask your knives to do and how you'll use them. Kinda neutral either way.

[Jimd]

Jim, I feel as though you are becoming so defensive that you are having difficulty thinking objectively about the conversation, so I am hoping you can step back a bit to see that you are not being attacked, and there is no reason why the discussion can't be held in an intelligent and civil manner.

Sir,
I believe I was objective in my initial post in which I responded to Mr. Froman's question regarding "Is the purchase of a Strider worth it?" In that post, I believe I explained my position on the matter rather calmly and thoroughly. I even said that they aren't for everyone.

I don't see how I can get much more objective, civil, and intelligent than that.

So I disagree with your post above.

[jimbo@stn24]

aebfroman,
The topic of Strider knives comes up from time to time here and on other knife forums. Often they follow a predictable path, and probably one Jimd has seen, I would guess, 137 times. Roughly.

Perhaps Jimd jumped on you fairly hard, but your response, "sooooo it's also a prybar. Gotcha.", appears as you ridiculing Jim on his taste in cutlery, after he composed a post as too why he likes Striders in a sincere attempt to answer your question.

As for if you are referring to me as being "thin-skinned", believe me, I care not a whit about what you like, or don't. If you look back far enough you can find where I expressed an opinion not much different than yours regarding Striders and Jimd and I had a civil exchange of ideas.

[Jimd]

aebfroman,
The topic of Strider knives comes up from time to time here and on other knife forums. Often they follow a predictable path, and probably one Jimd has seen, I would guess, 137 times. Roughly.

Perhaps Jimd jumped on you fairly hard, but your response, "sooooo it's also a prybar. Gotcha.", appears as you ridiculing Jim on his taste in cutlery, after he composed a post as too why he likes Striders in a sincere attempt to answer your question.

As for if you are referring to me as being "thin-skinned", believe me, I care not a whit about what you like, or don't. If you look back far enough you can find where I expressed an opinion not much different than yours regarding Striders and Jimd and I had a civil exchange of ideas.

You summed it up very well.

[aebfroman]

Lesson learned. Question Striders at your own peril.

[harkamus]

Why do people like ____ (fill in the blank) so much? These questions, if you ask me, are rather pointless. It's obvious that anyone that likes anything feels some kind of connection to that product on a deeper level than the person that's asking the question of why. If you can't understand that concept, you won't like any answer that someone will give you when asked that question.

I like the knife myself for reasons that echo the OP. In fact, he's rekindled my desire to obtain one in the future.

[Jimd]

Lesson learned. Question Striders at your own peril.

Wow. Man, you are unbelievable.

Lesson learned; some folks cannot understand when you explain something to them calmly.
I'll stop here, as my response isn't worthy of this forum.

[cyberspyder]

I'm not trying to bash anything, but this statement clearly implies that either the steel or the knife's blade geometry (which is obviously not optimal for sheer cutting performance due to the obtuse grind) allowed it to cut through material that other knives somehow couldn't:

Number one:

He said Spyderco. What sheer idiot will go to the conclusion that since it's a SPYDERCO it HAS to be MADE OUT OF S30V?

Simple. Nobody. IIRC, Spyderco has used more steels than all my fingers and possibly even toes. Oh, and a nice thought. They most recognizable Spyderco would probably be the Endura or Delica. Guess what? They aren't made out of S30V (or that the S30V variations make up such a low percent of Enduras/Delicas made).

Number two:

Slicing is not only based upon steel or grind. There were way to many factors that could've applied at that moment. The fact that they tried with other knives and it didn't work is good enough. Call it marketing if you'd like....as far as I know everyone does it and boasts upon it. Kinda like the MBC-rated lock claims Spyderco makes. Its up to YOU to decide if YOU like the knife, and if it is worthy of it's praise. The sheer balls of some Spyderco supporters are amazing. This wasn't even in the main forum and you guys are bashing him on another brand of knife.

Jim, I feel as though you are becoming so defensive that you are having difficulty thinking objectively about the conversation, so I am hoping you can step back a bit to see that you are not being attacked, and there is no reason why the discussion can't be held in an intelligent and civil manner.

You've already stated that either Strider model would have performed the same in the situation you described. You have also agreed that there is nothing unique about the steel used in the knife, so it therefore follows that the steel is not imparting a special cutting ability that other knives do not possess.

You need only examine the specifications or look at the blade to see that it is made from thicker stock than many similarly sized knives. Thicker stock and a FFG result in a more obtuse primary grind angle. I think we can also agree that a more obtuse primary grind, all other things being equal, is not imparting the knife with increased cutting ability, nor is there anything special about the edge (unique serrations, etc.) that would change the way it cuts versus any other plain edge. So my question, which is not intended to be derisive towards you, is simply what gives this knife the ability to cut things that other knives cannot? If it isn't the steel, and it isn't a more efficient edge or blade geometry, what is left?

From my observations in years spent collecting knives and participating in various knife discussion forums, one of the main things that seems to irk people about Strider knives is the combination of exaggeration and marketing hyperbole that is often used by Strider fans to justify their purchases and praise the knives. As knife enthusiasts, I would like to think that we are able to see past such things and look objectively at any knife. There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying a Strider or any excessively robust folder, just as there is nothing wrong with buying a Krein ZDP189 regrind taken down to a .005" edge. It's all personal preference and intended use, and the world would be rather boring without variety. Instead, what starts to vex some people are outlandish claims about a knife without a reasonable explanation to support them.

I should also mention, so that you are able to frame my comments with the proper perspective, that I don't dislike Strider knives. In point of fact, I am rather fond of several of the models, and am currently considering the purchase of a PT.

He just gave his own opinion on it. Opinions are like *******s...everyone has one. What gives you the right to criticize his opinion? By replying, it's clearly obvious you love your own opinion and can't stand it being questioned. Get over it.

Lesson learned. Question Striders at your own peril.

Get your head out of your ***. Live life with the perspective you hold now....have a good one.

[aebfroman]

I really wasn't trying to be an ***. Sorry.

[Jimd]

I really wasn't trying to be an ***. Sorry.

It's cool, bro', I don't want any hard feelings either.
--handshake--

I've been a bit edgy of late, given the work stress and the fact that some narcotics-trafficking staff and members of an outlaw motorcycle gang might want me dead at some point in the near future. I need to be armed 24/7 these days, and it rather works on the nerves.

[stonyman]

Jimid, enjoy your tool bro. I guess to the rest, if you have ever had to pull occupants out of a overturned car. Pry open a door on the fly....make shift dig through a ditch to expose wiring to be cut or lifted......broken blades because you did not have enough time to pull the prybar from the trunk.......THERE WILL BE NO APPRECIATION FOR STRIDER type or similar products! I guess it is just a different mindset with these designs. I am not a collector nor do I feed into hype when it comes down to my choice of cutlery, guns or anything else. We are all here because we like Spyderco products, heck I usually have one or more on my person daily.

I have been somewhat urging Spyderco(through some of my post (here and a couple other forums) to make a scaled up beefy folder fit for duty. Something out of their normal scope for the Save and Serve Line. LEO's are notorious for breaking things! Knives or similar working tools they get their hands on. :rolleyes: Hey I say that affectionately! :p

Guys let us just be glad that this small cutlery world of ours usually has something that appeals to us all. I am a working guy who spends dicretionately on tools..........boy if I could ever land one of the upcoming framelock Ti AR's. That will be a real therapy folder, that I would not think twice about doing the job. That is God forbid I or a teammate have to pry just enough to get a door open to save the life of one of YOUR Family members. without the prybar! :o

I do not think Jimid's friend screamed about the price of the blade compared against the saving of his life. Let me be clear, you do not need a Strider product to survive or to be tacticool. It is cool knowing that it is built to withstand slightly greater than normal abuse. A blade or tool is too expensive when I am afraid to use it.

Anyway enough rambling. Jimid prayers to you and yours brother and stay sharp. It may get a little bumpier before things smooth over up there. Take care of yourself!

[harkamus]

I have often pondered what a Strider - Spyderco collab would look like.