The Strider SNG Pocketknife: The Nick Shabazz Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 มิ.ย. 2016
- The Strider SNG is a really well known knife in the "hard use" and "tactical" knife world, and Mick Strider, the designer, is (in)famous throughout the knife world. The knife has an interesting design, and looks deeply tactical, but the fit-and-finish, design choices, and incredible price leave this knife cool, but ultimately, not recommended.
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Nick watching your videos has saved me a ton of money. Every time i get a hard on for a really expensive knife I look to to see if you've reviewed it. You hit pretty much every point I'm concerned about and it helps me make an informed decision.
Thanks for all you do bud.
I'm glad that ProTech got their hands on this design.
"Just a freaking tool!"
Im sure Mick has heard that a few times before
That’s adorable
I have to tell ya nick. your vids have kinda grown on me. while your voice i had to get use to and i was a little sketical of your vids in the beginning, i have come full circle. I do enjoy and respect your intelligence and opinions on knives. nice job man!
Really happy to hear you address some of the same problems I have with this knife and I'm a just getting serious about my knife collection! I need to show my buddy this review.
Well done, Nick. Mick probably wasn't happy about this review, but yeah, you saved me some serious dough. Thanks!
Hello Nick, first off I like your reviews on many many different kinds of knives. Here we go...that Strider you have is an SnG CC (concealed carry). That is an old school one and let me point out that the pivot is backwards (the tool should always enters the pivot from the show side). With the pivot the way it is it will account for the "blade play" on lockup. The TERRIBLE sharpening job that was done to it is insanely bad as well. Strider knives are ment for hard use, as you said. That being said there are many different models of Striders that would suit you better if you intend to use it for such purposes. There are very small Striders called the PT, next is the SnG, then the SMF, then the XL then the Yeti. Inside those models there are different steel types, blade shape, handle choices, coatings etc. I would encourage you to please review another Strider. I would love to send you a couple to compare if you would like. Thank you sir, and have a great day.
I second this
The pivot is in backwards....
MA supaskunk thank god someone noticed!
Yeah whoever owned this knife didn’t know how to take it apart and they sure as shit didn’t know how to sharpen, my god.
I like the honesty here. You're not afraid to give your honest opinion on a knife that's bound to have a lot of fanboys. Really refreshing.
Great review. I used to have 2 SNG's and a SJ75. All gone now. The SJ75 was by far the best of them. Excellent EDC, and quality you would expect in an expensive knife. I actually found it very similar in feel and quality to my Slysz Bowie. The SNG's were cool to have and worked great as long as you did not want to cut anything. My 1st SNG had blade play. I sent it in to get fixed. Guess what they did? They put a metal cap over the lock pin/stud on the TI side. Increasing the diameter of the pin, caused the knife to not open quite as far which decreased the lockup. This fixed the problem, but a very chintzy solution on a $475 knife.
I love my SNG with Gunner Grips. It is my favorite folder. In my hand, the back of the knife fits perfectly into the palm of my hand. I actually really love the crude, High School shop look. I showed several of my friends this knife compared to a pimp looking $80 knife and they chose the “cool” look of the cheap knife every single time as the better knife. I guess its a acquired taste.
Thanks for detailed reviews: Good, Bad and the Ugly. I am a bit tired of lazy reviewers who simply say things like, "Yeah, its a good knife." And when it comes to the negatives about a knife, "Well, maybe this style is for you. I can see that." Seriously, brush-up on your knife knowledge or stop being lazy (It seems like they are trying to placate whoever maybe sponsoring them). Stay honest.
Yep, the sponsorship thing is real. When you share the bad and ugly, particularly when there's plenty of it, manufacturers don't love you, and don't send knives. So, probably not "lazy" so much as "trying to make a living". Sympathy, but not a big fan. Glad you love it here, though.
great review, very funny.
The quality control issues I’ve seen on striders on TH-cam makes me wonder why they were part of the holy trinity back in the day. I love there design though so I decided to pick up a Protech SNG and I’m loving it
If you hadn’t mentioned the price I would’ve expected it to be around $100-$150 range. When you get into the $400+ range, the maker better be able to wow the customer because that’s what they’re paying for. At that point, you’re not buying a knife just for utility, but for the best fit and finish, and best materials possible. If I were to buy a $400 knife, I’d want more than s30v. Not a bad steel, but it is for that price. I’d be happy with buying this at $80, but not much more than that.
This guy doesn't wow anyone. He sells because of his name. Which I Have no idea how. I heard he is a complete dik.
Awesome review Nick, this one was on my hit list until now. I'll keep my 940 now.
You are 100% right! Especially at the price point.
I had a lego sng and traded it away about a year ago. Now I'm looking at them again. I miss it but when I buy another one I wii get the CC version.
Love your style! seriously awesome man!
Great review. I've been binge watching your vids for a couple weeks now. You are one of my favorite blade reviewers.
+Stephen Schachner Here's hoping Binging on Nick doesn't result in purging. Glad you're enjoying my reviews!
Iam very glad I watched you review I have wanting to put a Strider to my collection of tactical knives .Now not so much great review Nick
Great review
I used to own 16 Striders many were SMFs in different steels and customs. This was before the shut down and rebranding to mick strider custom knives. Striders are great knives but not for the asking price. For around 15 years plain SMFs we’re $475. The knives are rugged for sure. Many small issues kept me carrying my Sebenza over an SMF and finally I sold them all.
Great review!Over the 5 yrs of using and gathering knives there’s the ones I hover over threw the yrs. This Strider is 1 of them. I don’t go buying without considering my initial criteria check offs. I’m also more of a fixed blade user. I do carry a pocket knife daily. Spiderco PM2 has seen the most carry along the way and is still the 1 that naturally rolls with me. S30v suits my needs and then some. These last 2 yrs I watch reviewers to help convince my purchase. You are way ahead with your honesty and the knives you choose to review are in line with the ones I question. So thx for knocking this Strider so far out my playing field and I can focus more on the others.
We knives sharpened that strider...
Hahaah oh God help us i just git a snex mini buster and its dull as shit
Very good job Nick!
Obviously liked your video!
The G10 is added for weight. It lowers the weight considerably. Even your Spyderco example, they removed the steel liners from the Native this year and cut out 20% of the weight. G10 is a considerably strong composite and doesn't need steel liners under it for support. I've seen knives hit by cars (I actually own one myself) and the only thing that survived was the G10. G10 is not a plastic. If you'd like to know how hard it is, look up "machining G10" and see for yourself. These are things that research could easily clear up before questioning a knife design and making the manufacturer look bad.
this g10 scales is very thin though, almost comically so
@@TH-cam-Censorship-Police G10 has a flexible tensile strength of 55,000 psi at just 1/8" thick. That makes it almost stronger than steel. Machining away excess is a hallmark of any good design, but particularly knife design. It keeps it thin & light. You won't be breaking your G10 any time soon.
Thanks Nick, for you brutally honest review(s)
I agree with you . I payed close to 5 bills for a strider. Took it home, and couldn't stand it. Took it back and got a Chris Reeves. I don't he even touched on lock stick
Great video! It is kind of a status symbol. But also, being overbuilt as you said, i have seen people baton it through cinder blocks, bricks, metal cans, etc. And still shave hair afterwords. Even after seeing this, i would be skeptical of that one side of G10. Given all that, i would still like to have one because I'm a knife snob. lol
I wanted this knife for years but I don't know if I should get one after all that has been said about the maker..
So happy to see someone not fanboy over a strider. Tacticool knives aren't all that special imo. People are buying the name because James Yeager and John Willis of SOE bob on striders knob all the time. Striders aren't horrible, just not the end all be all that some make them out to be. My main issue is the price to quality. He way over charges for what he puts out. Imo He puts out $100-175 knives other than customs. PM2 over a strider any day every day.
The pivot is in backwards. Not sure why the owner would do that.
took it apart and forgot to put it back together correct
The warranty is like none other in the knife world though, Nick.
Oh man, I'm surprised you didn't mention the lockbar stabilizer screw. You can see it protrude past the frame lock at 2:54.
+/ Beadlock In a review like this, you've gotta let some things go or it'll end up a three hour knife review. That was awful too, but in the grand scheme of "Strider", not so bad.
the pivot screw is in backwards
dude didn't put it back together correct
Hi mr nick, I'm curious what you think about Nitro-v steel, thanks!
Great review, but what about the Protech-Strider auto? Would like to see a review on that one!
The issue with the lanyard hole is unbelievable.
I'm sorry, but who carries their phone and or wallet in the same pocket they carry their knife?
My phone and knife stay in my front right pocket. No issues, the side of the phone sits perfectly paralell to whatever knife I'm carrying. I don't carry non clipped knives though.
Good point.
I carry my knife in my cargo pocket. My .380 sits in my right front pocket in a pocket holster.
Watching this in 2020, coronavirus time. I always wanted to get a strider, the whole trinity thing, crk, hinderer, strider. I admit to trying to find a new strider for the last couple of years with no success. After seeing this review I'm kind of glad. Although I do have a Protech strider auto sng on backorder, but the price was nowhere near an actual strider. Have they addressed the ugly since this video?
It's entertaining as hell watching all the Strider fanboys getting so butthurt in the comments. LMFAO!!!
I have 2 Strider clones and theyl are both made better than the real Strider. One has both sides of the handle made out of titanium with that "tiger" stripe ionization pattern, identical to the one on your strider in the review. The steel is s35vn, and the blade is beffier than tha original. It also runs on ceramic bering balls, so the action is smoth as glass. The second one i have has a titaniyn back and carbon fiber front. The carbon fiber front of the handle is super thick, all the lines are even and align, there is no blade play in or out of the knife. The machine work and quality is miles ahead of the original knife. And the final insult to injury the real sad fact is tha both knives go under $100. I paid $50 for one and $70 for the other one. And i owned a real Strider many years ago, when there were no clones on the market, and it was plagued with tons of issues. I ended up giving it to my buddy. I dont condome counter fits, but dont really have an issue with clones especially if they build a knife that is better in quality than the original. Just saying.
Do you recall where you got the ceramic ball bearing version? I have the $50 clone and am satisfied so far…honestly just purchased it for practicing titanium anodizing.
Interesting. This is almost the exact same design of the buck marksman but obviously without the lock
Good job Nick.
So the SMFis military use right?
Id rather get a hinderer as my first Mid-tech.
Not saying Striders flat out suck, but they're sold A LOT on aesthetics, hype and marketing. I always question the logic of having a hardcore fighting knife that costs several hundred dollars. Wouldn't a $50 Cold Steel make a more logical tool for a job that is going to ding up your blade and cover your knife in blood, guys and entrails? IDK, not for me.
well at least with a strider, you wont be able to tell if its damaged after the fight. Nothing lines up and it already rattles
Wow. Had to take this thing off my BladeHQ wishlist after seeing this.
sailfish Striders are excellent knives, especially the new ones that are marked M. Strider. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t sell out in 10 minutes every time there’s a drop. Go try and find one brand new from a knife retailer. Not the custom $1,509 one either. $590 SNG or SMF. Good luck. Don’t hold your breath. Everywhere you look you see “out of stock”. Nick lost some points with me with this review. Excellent knives. Give some other reviewers a chance before you write Striders off.
Thanks for the informative review. There are a lot of great knives available at this price point but it's very difficult to actually see one in person before buying. This review helped me make an informed buying decision.
You should try the protech PT. I carry it every day. It has a deep carry picket clip and it's only 200 bucks lol
Why is the pivot backwards?
If i wanted build quality I’d get a zt but i just want a strider!
G10 is actually pretty strong. There's a cold steel video and the blade snaps before the g10 does lol. Pivot is backwards. Doesn't look like it was put together right. But thats also an old knife. Back then, this was top tier QC 😂
Nick, I have a feeling you're gunna get a lot of push back on this review, LOL!! I agree with most of what you've said here which is why I've only owned one to date. I have been eye balling a PT though, cant lie.
+Fernando Sedillo Everybody's tempted, but... Yeah. No.
The retail is actually $495 for that model now. I had 5 striders before, not anymore. 2 of them had blade play after several months of normal lock wear. Other 3 were good, but they are still like what you said in this video, their quality just don't match the price tag, they cut corners in design and manufacture all over the knife. People say G10 is actually very strong, yes, compare to plastic. The only one I'm satisfied was the custom MSC version, but it cost nearly $900, and the quality is still not as good as Taiwanese Spyderco.
Just totally agree Nick. just watched xm18 video, same as. As a collector and user of knives, my taste never ran to folders which I were OVERBUILT, Overpriced maybe. Those 2 knives always pop up in knife discussions, never been tempted, by the way, I was cas vac paramedic in HM Forces for 7 yrs and 22 yrs paramedic in the Scottish Ambulance Service, only ever carried scissors or I should say shears, they could cut through silk or a penny. Of course I am British, where understatement is thought good form, on saying that I own a Large Espada, I know, I am sick, As ever another real review,
Nice review NIck. Never really been a Strider knife fan for some of the reasons you mentioned in this video.
Love the vids Nick. You have to be from New York. Lol. Cheers.
your voice is funny, reminds me of a voice on the simpsons. but its not a bad thing, because i watched MANY of your videos to simply keep me entertained
Wow, never realized it's only g10 on one side, no liner. Maybe they try to make up for it with the thicker titanium like it alone bears the stress?
I agree with your opinion that it's a flawed design considering how it's marketed.
My ZT0560 is twice the knife with gorgeous 3d machined titanium and a ti liner along with g10.
g10 is stronger than you might think...
It's also weaker than you might think. I've cut G10 liners thicker than that with nothing more than a Stanley blade, after a few scores it snaps easily. You're looking a very few layers at that thickness, the thinner it is the more brittle it is.
Jimmy Grey Cutlerylover broke a Cold Steel knife before, guess what? The the steel blade snaps in 2 the all G10, without any liner is sturdy. Vininull already torture the SMF, the G10 still pretty strong
You should review a marifone custom msg 3
God knows if the washers are in the right spots.. it matters.. tell your boy to learn how to put his shit back together lol
This is exactly why I love your reviews Nick! You are not afraid to talk about the good AND the bad...or as you have coined, "the good, bad, & the ugly". You Sir, just saved me a $400 mistake! Thank you!
Seems to me the production blade that is the most similar to the Strider SNG is the Spyderco Manix 2. Definitely hard use, better cutting performance,similar ergonomics , and also a quarter the price.
so I have to chime in. the stop pin only locks up the blade on the ti side. not the g10 it just he's very close. and with the single piece of g10 its unbelievably strong. but your pm2 and the sng handle in a vise and I bet if your strong enough you can break the pm2. your not gona break the sng. And almost all the other complaints I agree with but those are mainly just issues with the old models. I could be wrong but I believe that sng was made about 2011 2012. get your hands on a new one and see how you think about them
+ross geiger Yep, the stop pin stops just short of the G10. But I'm not so thrilled with that, as it means that the blade, when pushing heavily, will be naturally torqued. Which will stress the G10 further. It's probably fine for most people, but *why* would they build in a design flaw like that in a $400 knife?!
+Nick Shabazz well there actually is a reason behind the whole madness. I looked it up before basically the strider lockup is more so just on the front of the lock bar face and with the one sided stop pin it almost does purchase torque on the blade in a secure way. if that makes sense. there's plenty of great videos on it under strider lockup. and I do agree with the g10 but I think they just did that for light weight to make it not a tank.
Well, G10 is about half as strong as construction steel or mild stainless steel (260 vs. ~500MPa).
Being a glas fibre laminate it loses a lot of its strength when scarred, especially if it is very thin.
So the handle of the SNG is almost certainly weaker than the one of the PM2.
Did somebody attempt to sharpen the sharpening choil lol?
Thanks for the review!
A 3/4 grind SnG was probably not the right one to introduce you to the model, it is thin behind the edge but the transition to the shoulder of the grind is so abrupt that it wedges everything. I recommend watching my most recent SnG video, they've thinned the grind out on the FFG models and it's as thin as an Umnumzaan is now (~0.20" behind the edge) without the abrupt shoulder of the 3/4 grind.
+Misanthropia Sounds more interesting, for sure. But I still just don't get it, I think. Maybe at $200, sure.
Ya right...and the slysz bowie is worth over 3 bills......
wrong. its not over 300.
+JackDa Rippa the Slysz Bowie is comparable in quality to the CRK Sebenza...and not as expensive. Striders are mediocre.
I literally laughed out loud when you showed the blade going into the lanyard hole.
+Eric Munson I literally laughed out loud when I noticed it. So bad.
Yeah I almost waisted my money on a Strider about a year ago. Kept watching all these vids that talked about all the good things , put a Strider SMF in the cart , almost hit complete purchase ... Then went wait a damn minute ! Then looked at some vids about the bad things , nope ! No Strider for me ! I ended up buying the Nirvana , still waiting for the damn thing ! lol
You lucky dog! I think we All drool over the nirvana
+austinundeadarmy2 Well , what sucks is , I don't think I'll be receiving it any time soon ! There isn't enough coming out of the Taiwan factory , it'll be a long wait till they ship mine out ... Even though I preordered almost a year ago lol
Hillbilly Knife Nut i bet you would love it in person.
Hmmm... that pivot is installed backward.
OMG with white T10
First Honest Review ... Strider Fans Boys would cry
Brian Smith I cried because of the lack of knowledge, especially coming from a reviewer and not a user.
Janoy!
This review is too kind. I have an older SNG and it's the worst made knife that I own above $100.00
That thin G-10 is kind of disturbing. My new SMF has aluminum gunner grips, and is nice and thick.
As for the coating on the blade, could that be the natural heat treat color?
Also, one item to note, being the the blade is thick, that tends to hinder slicing, or cutting, but mine has a mild hollow grind, I assume is to help with the cutting action.
I can understand your disdain for this particular knife. Like you said, they are more like tools. Nothing fluff about them.
I really like my SMF. Pretty much most of your complaints about this knife do not exist with mine.
Sorry for dredging up and old video.
Jeeeeeezus the pivot is in backwards!
I wish you would do a new review of one of the new SnGs since Mick and Duane split up and maybe with a fullflat grind instead of 3/4 grind
love the shape and the handles but i would go with green jade g-10 and i think that the handle is too thick and bulky
If only this had steel on one side and it was thinner. I'd buy one straight away
- I'm also a big fan of Strider's flamed lock side. IMO it's one of the nicest finish in the business..
- The pivot bolt is Allen not Torx. Body fasteners aren't torx either.
- The top jimping on the Lego is a bit thicker and more comfortable IMO.
- The rattle is an abnormally. I have 2 SnGs (and I've owned several others) and none rattle when closed.
- I think that clip works great. I'll take that over stupid rigid fancy CNC clips that won't let you put the knife in your pocket (or take it out)
- I prefer the tiger/Ghost blades.
+Luc Albert Yeah, I mis-spoke on the pivot. Torx is so damned common that it just rolls off the tongue. Glad the rattle was weird here, and although I can see the utility of the clip, it's still just so lazily done. And the Tiger blades are attractive, for sure!
You should also try to handle a Lego version to compare. I had a CC and didn't like how it felt in hand so I sold it. Both my SnG's are lego. I love the looks of the DGG but I also like to keep my pockets intact - so I've never bothered getting one.
You should look at an SJ75 ...
I would have to agree
That lanyard hole thing has always confused me.
I'm a Microtech and Benchmade fan. I want a Strider but I hear really good or really bad. I guess your going to swing one or the other with such a high price tag. I have to ask what's so. controversial with Strider?
Ps after watching your vid that Strider looks rather flimsy. You can get a gun for the price of that knife.
Here is a good place to start with Mick Strider.
www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/453852-Mick-Strider-has-some-explaining-to-do
From what I can tell, he's not quite as sterling an individual as he'd like to portray himself to be. Much like his knives.
I wouldn't be surprised if Strider makes 100-200% profit on these things. For example Quartermaster, ZT, CRK all make titanium frame lock knives with CPM-S30/S35VN steel in the US (OK, maybe not Quartermaster, lol) for $100-$200 less. Kizer sells dozens of different varieties of titanium framelocks with S35 for less than $150.
Well said couldn't agree more & can't ethically support company based on lies of combat service (a big ethical NO NO where I came from)
Milan Asanovic absolutely. To hell with these guys (Strider Knives.)
I could not agree more....$420, it's absurd.
From 2003-2007 I bought 9 Striders, gave two to Army guys, and sorta used the rest. Still have the first two, Have sent back 4 for lock rock. Funny thing is my first black basic Strider SnG is still rock solid, and carried and used the most. The early blades were thick. I understand the newer ones have much better cutting ability and stronger lock ups??? Now I either carry Umnumzaaaaan or Hinderer. But ergos are great, better than H or CRK. SO what I want is ergo like Strider, wear and good looks like H and fit and finish like CRK, who says we can't have it all?????????????? The pivot is from a bicycle chain, so I hear..PSS, we need a factory Ti PM2...hell ya....
Nick, if you'll grab the knife in a reverse grip, that is tip down with the edge facing out you'll see why the rear end of the handle is designed that way. it's kind of a "fighting" grip if you will. I'm not a fanboy of strider and don't own one....
I like the Strider SNG in general, but on this one the cheap looking g10 makes it look like a 50 bucks knife.
Because of the blade steel one might add another 40 bucks at most, but for the weak and sloppy build and design you would have to subtract 40 bucks.
Own one
that unalineament on the back is completely unexceptable. absolute no
Agreed with all the negative parts, would only pay for it if the price point is cheaper than the PM2 otherwise I’ll pass.
Honest review finally on a Strider. I thought I was on the twighlite Zone or upside down world. People are simply paying for Hype or the dream on this knife. If more of us used our eyes and brain and we spoke up like Nick we may get better products.
Striders are cool but I'd take that 0562cf or para 2 before any Strider any day of the week.
"There's some quality ugly here"
TheMawsJawz _ 1:37-1:38 I say that a lot to myself when on Pornhub
I love my SnG!!
Vitaminb3 ayyyyy! It's willie!
Hey man hows it going!!
Yeah me too !!!
My knife gets a pocket to itself.
I really don't understand why this is considered part of the holy trinity... it's not even as beefy as a hinderer. Also the aftermarket rn is nuts, isn't worth 900 to 600 bucks. High speed low drag? maybe a mp5 if you want to compare fit and finish, but by far not even close to what i'd consider tactical...
Represents my opinion
I see so damn many Striders with botched sharpening jobs! Why is that?