Pale Rider
Expert
I’ve had what my wife calls a knife problem for almost 10 years now, and early on I created a short list of “grail” knives. Those knives that were relegated to a status above all others, knives I wanted to own “some-day.” I’ve now reached the point where I’ve owned those knives and many more, one was a CRK Sebenza which I eventually swapped for an Umnumzaan. Another was a strider DB I ditched because it was just too heavy with little utility. There are others, but I’ll spare you.
The last knife on my shortlist was a Strider SNG. With my Umnumzaan at the spa, I figured now was as good a time as any to pick up the SNG so it could get some daily pocket time with little competition. My Umnumzaan is my daily carry, except for those days when I’m headed to the woods on off playing in uniform. On those days I reach for an Emerson CQC-8. My hope was to replace the Emerson with the Strider and get down to two knives… well two that I carry most of the time. I tried to get down to two watches and as my wife will testify, it didn’t work.
I browsed a few ebay ads, but I’m terrified of fakes. So I turned to a trusted friend in the knife world; Brad. I have to give Brad some love, I’ve worked in sales, and remembering customers’ names and personal information isn’t always easy. Not only did he remember me (over 2 years since out last deal.) He remembered where I worked, down to the location! He had a few SNGs in stock and I picked a plane jane tan g10 model.
I’ve had the knife for less than 24 hours now and I think that qualifies me to make some initial observations. Like I stated before my goal is for this to be a user, one that will get slightly abused, tossed to buddies and occasionally treated as a pry tool or screw driver. All the things I use my Emerson for.
I don’t have a final “verdict” on this knife. Just thought I’d share some observations for those who haven’t handled one.
Observation # 1
This knife is very light and relatively thin. I’d never handled an SNG before Brad handed this one to me and I was surprised at the weight. When I mentioned it Brad laughed at me and said “Well, it’s Ti and G10, they aren’t heavy materials!” He’s right, and the light weight now puts this in contention with the CRK for daily carry.
Observation # 2
The blade shape and cutting edge are just about as perfect a shape as I could ask for. I absolutely love the large choil. I know some think it’s excessive and takes away from the cutting edge, but for me it provides a level of control and security that is perfect. My CQC-8 has an odd shape that has honesty been getting bothersome when trying to puncture boxes and other containers etc. It also tends to slide part way through rope and cord, but the upswept blade won’t finish the cut.
Observation # 3
There is 0 blade play. There is nothing I hate more than a wobbly blade, no worries with this thing.
Observation # 4
The pocket clip looks like it would be weak and as if it would wobble, but it doesn’t. I keep checking it, almost like a compulsion, but every time I do its rock solid. It does cause the knife to carry high in the pocket so I may invest in a deep pocket clip.
Observation # 5
The fit and finish aren’t as nice as I was expecting. The thumb stud is not shaped or ground uniformly; the screws holding the G10 scale on aren’t flush, but rather elevated on the G10 side and recessed on the Ti side. Where the grooves of the G10 line up with the grooves on the Ti (near the “butt” of the knife) it’s not a smooth transition. The Ti grooves are rounded and the G10 are blocky. The pivot screw is flush on the Ti side, but raised on the G10 side. As stated before this knife will be a user and these minor things won’t affect that or my love for it, but it was a surprise. I’ve owned a few ZTs with better fit and finish.
Observation # 6
The G10 scale is rough, in a good way. It’s got great grip. It may eventually tear up my jeans a little, but combined with the knife shape and choil, I have no fear of losing positive control.
The last knife on my shortlist was a Strider SNG. With my Umnumzaan at the spa, I figured now was as good a time as any to pick up the SNG so it could get some daily pocket time with little competition. My Umnumzaan is my daily carry, except for those days when I’m headed to the woods on off playing in uniform. On those days I reach for an Emerson CQC-8. My hope was to replace the Emerson with the Strider and get down to two knives… well two that I carry most of the time. I tried to get down to two watches and as my wife will testify, it didn’t work.
I browsed a few ebay ads, but I’m terrified of fakes. So I turned to a trusted friend in the knife world; Brad. I have to give Brad some love, I’ve worked in sales, and remembering customers’ names and personal information isn’t always easy. Not only did he remember me (over 2 years since out last deal.) He remembered where I worked, down to the location! He had a few SNGs in stock and I picked a plane jane tan g10 model.
I’ve had the knife for less than 24 hours now and I think that qualifies me to make some initial observations. Like I stated before my goal is for this to be a user, one that will get slightly abused, tossed to buddies and occasionally treated as a pry tool or screw driver. All the things I use my Emerson for.
I don’t have a final “verdict” on this knife. Just thought I’d share some observations for those who haven’t handled one.
Observation # 1
This knife is very light and relatively thin. I’d never handled an SNG before Brad handed this one to me and I was surprised at the weight. When I mentioned it Brad laughed at me and said “Well, it’s Ti and G10, they aren’t heavy materials!” He’s right, and the light weight now puts this in contention with the CRK for daily carry.
Observation # 2
The blade shape and cutting edge are just about as perfect a shape as I could ask for. I absolutely love the large choil. I know some think it’s excessive and takes away from the cutting edge, but for me it provides a level of control and security that is perfect. My CQC-8 has an odd shape that has honesty been getting bothersome when trying to puncture boxes and other containers etc. It also tends to slide part way through rope and cord, but the upswept blade won’t finish the cut.
Observation # 3
There is 0 blade play. There is nothing I hate more than a wobbly blade, no worries with this thing.
Observation # 4
The pocket clip looks like it would be weak and as if it would wobble, but it doesn’t. I keep checking it, almost like a compulsion, but every time I do its rock solid. It does cause the knife to carry high in the pocket so I may invest in a deep pocket clip.
Observation # 5
The fit and finish aren’t as nice as I was expecting. The thumb stud is not shaped or ground uniformly; the screws holding the G10 scale on aren’t flush, but rather elevated on the G10 side and recessed on the Ti side. Where the grooves of the G10 line up with the grooves on the Ti (near the “butt” of the knife) it’s not a smooth transition. The Ti grooves are rounded and the G10 are blocky. The pivot screw is flush on the Ti side, but raised on the G10 side. As stated before this knife will be a user and these minor things won’t affect that or my love for it, but it was a surprise. I’ve owned a few ZTs with better fit and finish.
Observation # 6
The G10 scale is rough, in a good way. It’s got great grip. It may eventually tear up my jeans a little, but combined with the knife shape and choil, I have no fear of losing positive control.
