A few comments about some knives - old and new:

Another Strider!

Ok, I shouldn't have, but what the hell, you only live once, right? I found another Strider, a smaller model called an MFS in Montana. The guy wanted a very reasonable price, so I bought it. I don't have it in hand yet, but he sent me a picture of it. The smaller size will probably cause this one to get a lot more general use. The S30V steel that is used in these knives makes them incredibly tough. More on this latest acquisition later...

14MAR10, update: I got the new Strider yesterday and it's really nice. Same extremely high quality as the other one. I only have two minor complaints about Striders in general. First, people who are willing to put out the money to own a Strider have a lot of pride in the fact. The stampings in this knife are so shallow you can hardly read them. They should make it part of their QC to ensure that the stampings are deep, clear, and legible. Second, the kydex sheath that comes with these smaller knives scrapes off the finish on the blade each time the knife is drawn or resheathed. Again, when you pay this much for knife, you don't want the very cool finish to self-destruct every time you draw it. Still, these are the coolest knives ever.

Strider knives: my newest obsession

About a month and a half ago I was over at a friend's house and he showed me the coolest knife I'd ever seen. It was a large folding knife made entirely from non-magnetic alloys and intended for use in explosive ordnance disposal. I had heard of Strider knives before, but never really gave them a lot of thought - not really being a big knife hound. Seeing this first one started me researching them and the more I learned, the more I wanted one. The problem with Striders is the price. They're ridiculously expensive - even considering their exceptional quality. The fixed blades are crazy, the folders are simply absurdly priced. I decided a fixed blade would probably serve me better anyway, as I seldom if ever carry a knife as a matter of course. Hunting, fishing, hiking, that's a different matter. I always carry a knife when I'm in the woods. I found a nice used BT model located in New Jersey, and I bought it for about 2/3 new retail. I've been really happy with the knife, and will probably pack it with me whenever I venture into the woods. The first thing you notice about a Strider is the thickness and heft. This thing makes a Ka Bar look like a cheap steak knife! The blade is 3/16" thick. They also use a very special alloy of steel called S30V that is reported to keep it's edge under almost any circumstances. I can attest that this thing is freaking sharp! You could shave with it, it's not quite at true "razor sharp," but it's as close as I would ever figure a large field knife of this type could be. I don't consider myself a knife collector of any sort, but these things are so cool they're addicting!