Through the week I carry a knife dropped into the right front pocket of my dress pants (I don’t use the pocket clip). But that’s a risk I’m willing to accept for the aesthetic provided by the Strider ghost finish.Īs I previously mentioned, I’ve been carrying this SnG CC model for several days – I’m pleased to report that it carries extremely well.

I suspect the bead blasted areas will be more susceptible to oxidation (rust) and may also show wear more readily than the stone washed areas. I’ve never been a big fan of the traditional Strider “tiger stripes” but am really liking the looks of this ghost stripe finish. The finish is achieved by taking a stonewashed (tumbled) finished blade, applying strips of tape to sections of the blade, then bead blasting the exposed areas. In these photos you can also see the relatively new “ghost stripe” finish applied to the 3.5″ S30v blade of the SnG. Visually, it’s very interesting to look at – upon close inspection you can see multiple colors and patterns in the flamed finish: However, much like the G10 on the front, the Ti side is completely smooth. If you’re like me, when you see a photograph of the Strider flamed titanium back, you think it has a texture – almost like ridges. Turning to the backside of the knife, we see the “flamed” finish applied to the titanium: for the concealed carry (or “CC”) version which is designed to be both lighter and thinner than other SnG variations. The knife is impressively light-weight for its dimensions – just 4.2 oz. Instead, the G10 is milled out in a manner which maximizes structural rigidity, and connects directly do the titanium backside of the knife. Strider’s approach to the G10 side of the knife is unique – no liner is used to enhance the structural integrity of the knife. Set into the handle are black screws and the large blade pivot screw also done in black, which I think looks great against the brown G10. The G10 handles on the SnG have visible striations or grain pattern, but despite the textured look, they’re completely smooth (with a tactile quality not unlike smooth ceramic). There are several variations of the SnG (double gunner grip, aluminum handles, “lego,” etc.) but it was the concealed carry version which most appealed to me: Admittedly, it took me some time to warm up to the SnG. Apparently Strider has historically had minor problems in the area of quality control, but again these “Gen 7” knives seem to be the best, most consistently well made knives Strider has ever produced.įrom an aesthetic standpoint, the Strider SnG is certainly a distinctive, and somewhat polarizing design. No imperfections were present on the G10 or titanium side of the handle, and blade lock up was extremely solid exhibiting no side to side play or “lock rock” and the blade is perfectly centered within the handle. Much has been written about attributes and performance of the S30v blade steel used to make the blade on this SnG – and Strider uses a heat treatment process which brings optimal performance from any blade steel on which its used. The factory edge on the knife blade was acceptably sharp, but not impressively so – something I immediately rectified with my Wicked Edge knife sharpener. I’m told with time the action will continue to loosen.

At this point, the knife has loosened considerably, but I still can’t flick open the knife with the thumb hole without also employment some wrist snap.

I’ve been carrying my SnG for several days, and have been purposely opening/closing the knife several times a day. Out of the box, the knife did remind me of my ZT 0550 in that the opening action was quite tight initially and did require a period of break-in to loosen to a more acceptable level. From my perspective the quality of construction and build exhibited in this Strider SnG is in most respects in the same league as my Chris Reeve Umnumzaan and my Hinderer XM-18. While I’ve not sampled previous generations of Strider products, the community of Strider enthusiasts or self-titled “Striderholics” seem over the moon with the design and manufacturing improvements present in the Gen 7 models. The example I purchased is one of the newest currently produced by Strider – a “7th generation” model which has an improved lock face geometry designed to reduce dreaded “lock rock” as well as increase longevity as the lock face wears against the blade tang. Having secured examples of knives from both Chris Reeve and Rick Hinderer, I wanted to sample the quality from Strider Knives, and chose this Strider Sng Concealed Carry model with a “ghost striped” blade: Each is known for making relatively low-production tactical knives of with benchmark setting performance, quality, and innovation. Within the world of “mid-tech” (or “semi-custom”) tactical knives, three names stand apart: Chris Reeve, Rick Hinderer, and Mick Strider.

Strider knives reviews