• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

BladeReviews.com

Knife Reviews

Menu
  • Home
  • Reviews by Brand
    • Al Mar Knives
    • Benchmade Knives
    • Boker Knives
    • Buck Knives
    • Cold Steel Knives
    • Chris Reeve Knives
    • CRKT Knives
    • DPx Gear
    • Emerson Knives
    • ESEE Knives
    • Fällkniven Knives
    • Fantoni Knives
    • Gerber Knives
    • Great Eastern Cutlery
    • Hinderer Knives
    • Hogue Knives
    • Ka-Bar Knives
    • Kershaw Knives
    • Kizer Knives
    • LionSteel Knives
    • Mcusta Knives
    • Mora Knives of Sweden
    • Microtech Knives
    • Ontario Knives
    • Opinel Knives
    • Reate Knives
    • Rockstead Knives
    • Schrade Knives
    • Shirogorov Knives
    • Smith & Wesson Knives
    • SOG Knives
    • Spartan Blades
    • Spyderco Knives
    • Steel Will Knives
    • Strider Knives
    • Victorinox Knives
    • Viper Knives
    • Zero Tolerance Knives
    • Close
  • Reviews by Purpose
    • EDC Knife Reviews
    • Tactical Knife Reviews
    • Survival Knife Reviews
    • Hard Use Folding Knives
    • High End Pocket Knives
    • Gentleman’s Folders
    • Rescue Knives
    • Traditional Knives
    • USA Made EDC Knives
    • Close
  • Reviews by Class
    • Folding Knives
    • Fixed Blade Knives
    • Assisted Opening Knives
    • Automatic Knives
    • Machetes
    • Titanium Frame Lock Knives
    • Close
  • Best Of
    • The Best EDC Knives
    • Best Survival Knives
    • Best Tactical Knives
    • Best High Value Knives
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
    • Flashlight Reviews
    • Multi-Tool Reviews
    • Watch Reviews
    • Knife Sharpener Reviews
    • Close
  • FAQs
    • Knife Care and Maintenance
    • Knife Dictionary
    • Knife Steels
    • Steel Composition
    • Interviews
    • Close
  • Contact
  • About
    • About
    • Privacy
    • Links
    • Close

Strider SnG Review

by Dan Jackson 15 Comments

This post contains affiliate links. We may get paid an affiliate commission if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of the links on this web page.

Last Updated: February 13, 2018
For many knife collectors the Strider SnG is a holy grail of sorts. Much like the Chris Reeve Sebenza, the Strider SnG represents the top of the line for production grade folders. Toss in a Hinderer XM, and you have what many knife collectors like to call “the holy trinity” of high end production blades.

Strider SnG
Buy the Strider SnG at BladeHQ

I am by no means an authority on Strider, but if you are unfamiliar with the brand Strider was founded some time in the mid 90’s by custom knifemakers Mick Strider and Duane Dwyer. The company is headquartered in San Marcos, California, and their designs draw heavily from the strong military background at Strider. They make a number of fixed blade and folding designs, and have fulfilled contracts for the U.S. Military in the past.

Strider knives aren’t cheap, but the company has built a reputation on quality and has gained an extremely loyal following. I have always found the bold lines of their folders intriguing, and the rugged nature of the knives further piqued my interest. The SnG is their mid size folder, resting comfortably between the large SMF and the small PT.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The SnG has an overall length of 8.25 inches, a 3.5 inch blade, and a weight of 4.4 ounces. The SnG could work well as a larger EDC, or as more of a large utility / tactical (self defense) knife. I will say that I was surprised at how lightweight the knife felt. With the SnG’s reputation as a hard use blade I expected some sort of folding brick to show up in my mailbox. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised with how manageable the knife felt. It quickly found its way into my pocket.

The blade on the SnG is a modified drop point design. My particular SnG happens to be flat ground, but I have seen hollow ground blades and tanto versions as well. Of course there are custom versions of the knife in every grind imaginable. Blade thickness on this knife is just over 4mm thick (.165″) and tapers down to a stout tip. Despite being a near full flat grind the SnG is quite thick behind the edge, and I found the cutting performance underwhelming. This is surprising considering the $400 price tag (intuitively, I would somehow expect the knives to cut better as the price went up), but when you consider the hard use nature of the blade it does make sense – this knife is designed to stand up to more than just cutting. The signature Strider tiger stripes are a result of a black oxide coating that has been partially sandblasted off. The tiger stripes are optional, but it’s a unique feature that is distinctively Strider.

Strider SnG Tiger Stripe Blade

Blade steel on this particular model is S30V. S30V is interesting because it was formulated specifically for knives, and is something of a collaboration between Chris Reeve and Crucible. S30V is a proven steel, and my experience with the steel has generally been very favorable. S30V sharpens without too much trouble, holds a nice edge, and is resistant to rust and corrosion. Strider’s heat treat for S30V was originally formulated by Paul Bos, an innovator in the world of heat treating who is perhaps best known for his in-house work with Buck (Strider used to collaborate heavily with Buck). Again, the thick geometry of the blade didn’t make this the most exceptional cutter, but S30V got the job done whether it was rope, cardboard, or wood.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handles of the SnG are special because they feature a one-piece G10 scale and backspacer mated to a titanium integral lock. You do get a choice of color with the SNG (green, black, and brown are standard – various other colors are occasionally available), and Strider also offers them in concealed carry and Gunnar grip configurations as well. What is shown here is their standard “lego” style handle with brown G10 and a flamed titanium locking side. Everything is nicely cut out, well finished, and perfectly mated together. Oddly enough, what really impressed me about the handle of the SNG is the hardware. The body is held together with over-sized black domed screws, and the pivot is an equally beefy proprietary piece. However, I did notice one issue with the handle. The blade partially blocks the lanyard hole. C’est la vie if you want a Strider SnG.

Strider SnG Handle

From an ergonomics standpoint the SnG is a good size knife packed with features. I had plenty of room to maneuver my larger hand around this knife, and it accommodates a good number of grips. In the traction department the SnG is loaded down with jimping on both the spine and pommel for a secure hold in both forward and reverse grips. This is great if you plan on putting the SnG into a more “tactical” role, but I found the jimping extremely uncomfortable under hard cutting. Plan to wear gloves if you want to seriously test the SnG. The forward finger choil is great for choking up and does give you some versatility under use. All in all I found the SnG reasonably comfortable for a folding knife, but it’s not my first choice for sustained cutting.

Strider SnG Pocket Clip

Strider includes a removable right side tip-up carry pocket clip on every SnG. The clip is made of titanium, features good retention, and slips in and out of the pocket with relative ease. It’s a nice secure clip – a must when you are toting around a $400 folder. I’m sure many southpaws would prefer a reversible clip as lefty SNGs are quite rare and expensive.

All in all, I found that the SnG carried really well. The pocket clip doesn’t carry the knife very deep, but the knife itself is slim and feels light for its size. While it isn’t my first choice for school or the office, I do not mind having this as my primary EDC, and didn’t find it overly bulky or uncomfortable in the pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

The SnG uses an oval thumb hole for deployment. The thumbhole is easy to get at and the knife opens fast and smooth. It’s not a knife that flies open, but with a little wrist action I can get it done. Inside there are two bronze washers surrounding that massive pivot. The action is smooth and very pleasant. There are what appears to be thumb studs on the blade, but they are actually stop pins and don’t work super well as thumb studs. The ball detent on this knife is very good and it’s fun to watch the blade get “sucked in” upon closing.

Strider SnG Frame Lock

Lockup is of course established via a beefy titanium framelock. This particular knife is a 9th generation SnG, and benefits from newly redesigned flat cut lock geometry. I have heard stories about Striders developing blade play, but this knife has held up really well. I have a very slight amount of side to side play, and no up and down. I’d tune up the pivot, but it requires a proprietary wrench that I haven’t acquired yet (really, it should come standard at this price). Lockup is pretty early and the titanium lock bar doesn’t stick at all. It’s also worth mentioning there is a small Hinderer lockbar stabilizer on the handle to prevent over extension of the lock.

Strider SnG – Final Thoughts

For many knife collectors the SnG will be something of a final destination in their knife collecting journey. It is an iconic American hard use folder with bold lines, contrasting finishes, and that kind of rough and tumble bravado that pairs well with a low slung Harley Davidson, a strong cigar, and several fingers of really good bourbon. I can totally see the appeal, and it’s been a lot of fun carrying, using, and admiring this really sweet folding knife.

However, I gotta be real here for a moment. If you are looking at knives from a purely practical perspective the SnG is functionally no better than something like a Spyderco Paramilitary 2. It’s not going to cut any better, the lock isn’t going to be any stronger, and it won’t feel any better in hand. But that’s ok, this is the nature of a luxury good. My $40 Casio keeps better time than a $5,000 Rolex – but I’ll be damned if I don’t own a Submariner one day. You buy a knife like this because you want it, and have a few extra dollars to spare.

That said, as a collector and an enthusiast I do think you get something more with the Strider. The G10 backspacer seamlessly integrated with the handle scale, the beefy custom hardware, the flamed titanium lockbar – these are a few details that make the SnG stand out in a crowd. You get something unique, tough, capable, and strangely refined. The only issue I could spot was the partially blocked lanyard hole – besides that this is a really meticulously executed knife. When it comes to titanium framelock hard use folders the guys at Strider know how to do it right, and the quality, materials, fit, finish, warranty, and U.S. manufacturing are all there. Simply said, it’s a great knife.

So if you want to buy an SnG, I say buy an SnG. I don’t think it’s perfect, and it’s definitely a luxury item, but at the end of the day it’s a really nice knife. While it may be the first Strider in my collection, I guarantee it wont be the last.

Strider SnG on BladeHQ
Strider SnG – $400
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Strider SnG at BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website (including Amazon) helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr

Related

Filed Under: Collectable Knives, EDC Knives, Folding Knives, Hard Use Folding Knives, High End Pocket Knives, Made in the USA, Strider, Tactical Knives, Titanium Frame Lock Knives Tagged With: Duane Dwyer, hard use, Made in USA, Mick Strider, s30v

About Dan Jackson

Dan is the creator of BladeReviews.com. He founded the site in 2010, and for the first 5 years Dan wrote all of the reviews and recorded all of the video reviews. He grew up using pocket knives, and the decision to start the website stemmed from his fascination of all things sharp combined with a deep passion for writing. He has personally reviewed almost 300 knives of all shapes, sizes, and price points. He is recognized as an authority on daily carry knives and has consulted with knife companies on product design.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. the edge observer says

    October 22, 2012 at 3:29 pm

    I want one. The blade peaking into the lanyard hole is a bit dodgy though. For the price – basic functions shouldn’t be compromised. Proprietary hardware, in the case of the pivot, is a drawback too…..

    Reply
    • Dan says

      October 22, 2012 at 3:55 pm

      Yeah in my opinion they should have just left the lanyard hole out if it was going to interfere with the blade like that. NIt’s an odd detail to overlook on a $400 knife. I think the proprietary pivot is cool, and I’m glad it doesn’t feature some run of the mill hardware there, but again, given the price I’d like to see a little tool included. It doesn’t have to be some awesome titanium tool either – just something to get the job done.

      Anyhow, thanks for stopping by man – always a pleasure!

      Reply
  2. JudasD says

    October 23, 2012 at 8:39 am

    I like the Strider design but i don’t feel it’s quite worth the price. If the Strider was closer to $200ish i’d be all over it. If i started to save money near the $400 price range for a Strider i would just save up a bit more and get a Medford.
    Thank you for the review!

    JD

    Reply
    • Dan says

      October 23, 2012 at 3:13 pm

      My pleasure JD! Yes the Strider’s aren’t cheap, and they definitely are not going to appeal to everyone.

      Hope all is well.

      Dan

      Reply
  3. Toms65 says

    October 23, 2012 at 10:14 am

    what a great looking knife, before i spent this much money on a knife, i would get a lefty large sebenza, if strider ever decides to do a lefty model i would definitly change my mind, great overall review dan, love the written reviews!

    Reply
    • Dan says

      October 23, 2012 at 3:14 pm

      Thank you very much Tom! So happy to hear you enjoy the write ups as the videos are generally more popular. I agree, they need a readily available lefty version.

      Best,

      Dan

      Reply
  4. Peter says

    October 24, 2012 at 10:35 am

    How does the strider compare to the Zero Tolerance 300 or 350?

    Reply
    • Dan says

      October 25, 2012 at 5:53 am

      Hi Peter,

      Next to the 0300 the SnG is much lighter and smaller. No comparison really. For me the SnG is something I would carry every day, the 0300 is not.

      Next to the 0350, both are nice larger utility / tactical style knives. Blade steel is the same, both lock up solid and strong. The SnG is a bit longer, but I see them fulfilling identical roles (and the 0350 actually has more cutting edge). The 0350 has a recurve which for most will be harder to sharpen. It’s ground more thinly so it will slice a little better too. The 0350 is also an assisted opener so that’s another thing to keep in mind.

      Both are tough knives and I wouldn’t be quick kick either out of my pocket. Will you get 3-4x the knife with the SnG over the 0350? I don’t think so. But the SnG does have some added cool value that the ZT does not have. Back when I had my 0350 I could get it for $100. If you can find one that cheap and you are a fan of the design it’s well worth checking out. Heck, even for $120 or $130 it’s a very nicely made knife. That said, if you have your heart set on the Strider and that is what you really want, save up for the Strider.

      Hope this helps a little! Feel free to follow up if you have any more specific questions.

      Dan

      Reply
      • Peter says

        October 29, 2012 at 6:56 pm

        What really intrigues me about Strider is its image of toughness, and do you think there is added toughness between say the SMF and the 300 or the SNG and the 350?

        Reply
        • Dan says

          October 30, 2012 at 7:55 am

          Hmm, between the SNG and 0350 I think the Strider may be a little tougher, Peter. The blade is certainly thicker, which will add to the toughness, and the oversized pivot, hardware, and 1 piece backspacer / handle scale will add something as well. Will it be enough to really make a difference under real world use? Probably not (honestly), but I suppose technically it would be a stronger knife.

          Between the 0300 and SMF – I really don’t know. I haven’t handled a SMF but the 0300 is supposedly a collaboration with Strider and ZT. It’s a very large and beefy knife with many features similar to the SMF.

          I think it’s hard to justify a Strider solely on the merits of it being a superior performer. Especially because the tiny incremental performance gain (if it actually exists) is coming along with a $300 increase in price. For me, the decision to buy a Strider would have to be centered around me really wanting a Strider – not because I really think it will be more durable or somehow work better.

          Dan

          Reply
  5. noah says

    February 5, 2015 at 2:08 pm

    A buddy and former teammate of mine was a knife geek like me. We were always buying and comparing knives. The lanyard hole issue was mmy arguement when talling him my knife was better than his. He lost his life to an ied in helmand. I was two vehicles behind. Tragic as it was, shrapnel from the blast ironically incresed the size of the lanyard hole. The rest of the knife remained perfectly in tact. Ive carried nothing else since. Rip danny boy. Your legacy and your strider live on

    Reply
    • Dan says

      February 7, 2015 at 3:05 pm

      Wow Noah! That is quite a knife story! I am at a loss for words here… RIP Danny.

      Dan

      Reply
  6. Dave says

    September 7, 2016 at 11:51 am

    Over the years, distant years, I owned a couple of SnG’s. I sold the first for reasons I do not recall. The second, the stop pins separated from the blade. It was freaky dangerous. Strider returned the knife repaired but I lost confidence in the knife and sold that too.

    I did suggest that it would be nice if they integrated a blade stop bar behind the blade that many folders have. At least my ZT 30-something has such a feature. Sadly Strider didn’t bite.

    Other than that I really liked the SnG but safety first,

    Reply
  7. Blair says

    April 25, 2021 at 10:53 am

    I really enjoyed this article on Strider knives, and all the stories behind them. I obtained a Strider SnG from MSC drop about a year from this post. It has a 20cv blade steel and the stone washed finish is beautiful. It is the only Strider I own and I now know why there so wanted.
    Thanks to Mick and Marissa for helping me acquire this knife.

    Reply
    • Dan Jackson says

      April 27, 2021 at 11:03 am

      Hi Blair, Thanks for taking the time to leave a kind comment. Glad you have been enjoying your MSC. I still have my Strider SnG and love it. It’s a unique knife!

      Dan

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on YouTubeFollow Us on RSS

Subscribe to Email Updates and Never Miss a Review (No Spam)!

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Shop BladeHQ

Shop Outdoor Gear on Amazon

Shop KniveShipFree.com

Search BladeReviews:

Best of BladeReviews:

Best EDC Knives
Best Survival Knives
Best Tactical Knives
Best High Value Knives

Copyright © 2025 · Log in