Strider Production RC

OilMan · May 6, 2006

Got my Strider RC yesterday from Blue Line Gear and had some initial thoughts on it. First off though I'd just like to add that service from BLG was excellent as always. Anywho...

First thought on seeing it, wow this thing is huge. I also notice it has dings in the Ti finish because Strider ships them in ziplock bags instead of a decent pouch. It's irritating to know how much it cost only to be shipped with dings and crap on it because they don't want to put it in a decent bag.

Took it out of the box and held it in my hand closed. It's not so comfy holding it like this since the back of the blade sticks out so far and digs into your fingers. Big deal I spose, I could live with that if it was the only problem. Next I notice the thumbstud isn't tight and wiggles/spins around which is irritating. Then I open it up and try to wiggle the blade. It wiggles up and down slightly because the lockbar is sliding on the tang a bit. It also has minimal side to side play. I figured I'd have to set the lock with a couple of snap openings like on my SMFs/SnGs but it seemed to make it worse.

What is rather odd to me was that the issues that were brought up, and defended as being correct, with the design of the SMF/SnG were different on the RC. Such as the lock mating wasn't the huge angle, it was fairly close to being a full contact lock, and the lanyard hole is now set so the blade doesn't cut it. Also the clip is a good eighth inch away from the scale. Just struck me as odd that they would change the things they defended as being correct. I'm not saying they aren't correct I'm just saying it's odd.

So... within 1 hour of getting it I sent the Striderguys an email telling them I'm sending it in for service. That sucks. To wait for a knife to get here to be consistently let down by the fit/finish. I say consistently because out of the 15 or so production folders I've ever gotten from Strider all but 2 had to go back when new to be adjusted. Maybe it's just my luck but I doubt it. And before everyone chimes in about how great theirs are I would ask if they are customs as I've had very few problems with them.

Overall I'm disappointed with the RC's quality and feel that it shouldn't have left the shop in that condition. Especially at that price point. This will be my last Strider. BUT... I am keeping most of the rest of mine because after they are fixed when new they are a good knife but if they don't care enough to do some minimal QC then I don't care enough to waste any more time/money with them.

And this wasn't meant as a flame fest this was meant to express my continued disappointment with issues that are so easy to fix they shouldn't be issues.

Gotta go get this in the mail,

Greg McKean
OilMan

Edit: Doh, forgot the pics

barrabas74 · May 6, 2006

i had to send my first SNG back to get blade play removed so I feel you pain. I love striders designs but I agree man if its 600 + dollars it should come mint and lock up like a tank there's really no excuse for it.

T.K.C. · May 6, 2006

That sucks!! I love Striders too. My first PT had toget senrt back due to blade play. Knock on wood, my SNG's, AR & GB were all rock solid. I do feel your pain!! You shouldn't HAVE to send a brand new knife that cost as much as THAT one does, back to the manufacturerers.

severedthumbs · May 6, 2006

I have never had a problem with any of the Striders I own or have owned. Sorry to hear of your problem oilman.

SpyderJon · May 6, 2006

Hmm... That's not good. I do understand what you're saying about the ziplock baggies. I don't think I'd mind on the AR/GB or the SNG/SMF/PT, but you'd think they'd ship the RC in at least bubblewrap. I have a GB and its been nothing but a treat, and locks up very good; but I'm not sure if my particular knife has ever been sent back either because I got it used. I'm sorry to hear about your issues!!! I know the Strider guys will make it right, but I think you have a point about the issues you site shouldn't need to be fixed right out of the shop. Good luck on it!!

Artfully Martial · May 6, 2006

QC bothers me BIG TIME on 100ish dollar folders....I'm way too afraid to buy a Strider because I might go insane when something was wrong.

OilMan · May 6, 2006

Thanks guys. Let me also add that I know Strider will make it right, they always have in the past.:thumbup: It's the Microsoft mentality that irritates me: get the product out, we can fix it later. But, like I said, that's enough for me personally. I won't be getting any more. It's sad though cuz the designs are generally good just poorly executed/finished at times. My EDC will remain to be a custom SnG most likely too. I'm just not giving any more of my money.

Cliff Stamp · May 6, 2006

Are they aware that you have had repeat problems? Did they offer any compensation? Did they refund your shipping costs in each case?

-Cliff

Artfully Martial · May 6, 2006

Surely they're aware of this...

I will no doubt be flamed for this, but judging from what I read here (good versus bad reports) and granted that I really like both companie's designs, I would trust Benchmade before I trusted Strider.

I espicially find the display by the Strider folks over some other QC issue last time on BF really dissapointing....

For all I know, Benchmade acts like a jerk sometime too, but then, I've never seen one with a problem, so I wouldn't be able to say.

OilMan · May 6, 2006

Cliff Stamp said:
Are they aware that you have had repeat problems? Did they offer any compensation? Did they refund your shipping costs in each case?

-Cliff

I don't know if they keep track of shop visits but I explain each time my luck with their production pieces in my initial email for that particular knife. Usually all I get is 3 word email responses, "send it in". In the past couple of emails they've been getting better at correspondence though. As far as shipping costs sometimes they do sometimes they don't. If I make a point about it they don't charge me and if I don't then they do. If ya follow. I didn't send a check with this one. If it's an issue I'll take a refund instead.

BladeGoblin · May 7, 2006

Artfully Martial said:
I would trust Benchmade before I trusted Strider.

I've never had a problem with any of my Striders, wait until you own a Strider before making a statement like that bro.

Cliff Stamp · May 7, 2006

BladeGoblin said:
I've never had a problem with any of my Striders, wait until you own a Strider before making a statement like that bro.

Or he could just pay attention to other peoples experiences, or maybe they are only valid when positive. This isn't just one person's issues, as DaveH has noted, this isn't uncommon. STR noted similar problems on other Strider's recently as well.

-Cliff

digdeep · May 7, 2006

That's a pisser man - paying big bucks for a quality folder and yet finding quality control problems. This is completely unacceptable. Hope you get things straightened out but this type of crap is what turns me off to what appears to be a nice knife and this happens. Good luck man.

DaveH · May 7, 2006

First I want to thank oily, he sent me supportive email last year when I got a brand new, but bum Strider PT. That wasn't the only mail I received, I had additional messages from others with similar problems but didn't want to mention them on the forum.

I'm also sorry to hear about your current situation.

My informal record keeping last year was that nearly 50% of new Striders that people bought on this forum go back to the factory for fixing. No it isn't official, so you can tell me I'm full of it.

I do want to say something about a trend I'm seeing lately, not just with Strider but with other knives as well. Oily's pic above illustrates my issue perfectly.

My issue is this, observe how the tang of the blade is ground above. The first part is very flat, then the angle increases VERY sharply. IMO, what's happening is makers are throwing the precision needed to get good lock fit out the window. The first part of the tang lets the lock bar slide over, but the remaining angle is too steep to take up blade play. The result is the lock has play and slips even though it covers the first part of the tang, but it can never wear enough to match the angle on the other part of the tang. So basically you stuck with a crappy lock.

IMO it's a shortcut that ultimatly fails, but taken because the makers don't want to take the time to do it right.

My nomex undies is on.

Cliff Stamp · May 7, 2006

DaveH said:
My informal record keeping last year was that nearly 50% of new Striders that people bought on this forum go back to the factory for fixing.

Cosmetic or performance related?

The result is the lock has play and slips even though it covers the first part of the tang, but it can never wear enough to match the angle on the other part of the tang.

It looks problematic to me as well, it appears to only match on the far right of the liner as well and assuming it has the only front mating that Strider promotes as optimal, this is a extremely focused point load.

-Cliff

Artfully Martial · May 7, 2006

Well, I won't even spend 100 dollars for a Benchmade or Spyder without huge research into those knives...so there are some Spyders, for instance, with common QC problems, and I don't buy them. That's like me and Strider. No doubt there are plenty of fine ones, but I just can't risk the 400+ dollars until it's a sure thing.

Hair · May 7, 2006

I love Strider, but I would be weary to buy one without seeing it first.

Does it suck that you have to be weary buying a $400+ knife? Sure. But once you get past that (meaning you have a local store that has a HUGE Strider stock), I think Strider makes the best production knives in the world.

IMO, you can get more consistant F&F elseware in the production knife world, but you end up with an inferior knife.

I can go to Plaza Cutlery to buy my Striders, so I have an SMF and it's my favorite knife by far. I also want an AR.

DaveH · May 7, 2006

You're lucky you can pick one out in person. Does that mean if you can't you should put up with sending it back?

Hair · May 8, 2006

I guess. It depends on how much Strider appeals to you in the first place.

If I couldn't buy a Strider in person, but I knew how much I was going to love my SMF and covet an AR, I would buy online and even if I had to send them back several times, it would be worth it.

But the SMF happens to be perfect for me- my wants and needs. For another person, a Strider may not be worth the initial price, let alone having to send it back to get fixed.

I do think the consistancy of Strider problems is being blown out of proportion a bit. I have handled 5 or 6 Striders at Plaza Cutlery and I didn't notice anything wrong with any of them. I think their F&F is on par with brands like BM , Spyderco, and Buck. The "problem" is that Striders are a lot more expensive and harder to handle in person before buying. But in the end, I really do think they are the best production knives in the world- but I guess they fit my taste very well.

Daniel · May 8, 2006

I own 9 Strider knives and I guess that I am lucky in that all of mine have not had any intitial problems or have they had any problems over time.

I am disappointed to hear anyone having a problem with any knife production or custom at any price.

It never fails to amaze me how any company can send out a product that does not work when it would not be difficult, in my opinion, to give it the once over to make sure that it is right.

I am still amazed at the number of custom knives that I have purchased that have had problems with them. I just do not understand how a maker can sell a knife that is not right.

It is all very aggravating!! "Just send it in"--always the answer. My answer is-- I should not have to send it in!