Most people who like tactical knives or hard use knives have probably stumbled across Strider Knives. Like the Sebenza and many other high end production knives, the pricing on Strider Knives are going to be the same, if you buy from a dealer. My SnG is a knifeart.com exclusive, with, what Strider calls, Arctic Grey G10 scales. Strider knives typically come in Black, brown, and ranger green scales. The CC denotes that it is a “Concealed Carry” model, but more on that later. Street price for a CC SnG is $475 at monkeyedge.com.

Strider StampStrider makes three other knives with the same design, just different sizes, as the SnG. The PT is the smallest of the 4, then the SnG, then the SMF, and the SMF XL [Editor's Note: Links would be included, but the crappy Strider site is getting an update so there are no links the product page or the product pages for its brothers]. These knives are made in batches, so they are often times sold out at most dealers. [Editor's Note: Here is a written review. Here is a video review.]

Design: 2

The ergonomics of the knife is fantastic. In usage, I do not find that there are any hotspots that hurt my hand. The cutout on the handles make the opening hole very accessible, even with thick gloves on. People that I lend my knife to tend to think that the studs on the blade are used for opening. Actually, they are stop pins, but can serve to open the blade, as well. There is also a large choil on the blade that allows for choking up on the knife for finer, more precise cutting. While the large choil does make it so you lose a little bit of cutting edge, I have never found that it gets in the way.What differentiates the “Concealed Carry” model to the regular “Lego” versions is the fact that the G10 Scales and Titanium Lockside have been radiused to reduce the foot print of the knife. It has also reduced the weight of the knife from 4.5 oz to 4.2 oz.

Fit and Finish: 1

Let’s face it, Strider knives are not the most refined out of the bag (they come in a bag, not a box). The action was tight and the lock was a little sticky when I received the knife. After a few dozen openings though, these things did work themselves out. My knife is now buttery smooth, and the lock no longer sticks.The finish of the knife, however, was outstanding. No blade play or rock lock, the G10 is cut flush with the titanium lockside, the blade coating and flaming on the titanium are very evenly and cleanly done. The blade is very, very slightly off center towards the lock, though.

Grip: 2

The jimping is very functional, while not being too aggressive. Coupled with the design of the handle and choil, the knife is very secure and comfortable in hand. There is jimping on both the spine of the blade and top of the knife, but as well as on the butt of the knife, making it very comfortable and secure in a normal grip and a reverse grip.

Carry: 1

The knife may be a bit heavy for some people. I know Nutnfancy has his 4 oz. rule for EDC knives. This knife comes in at 4.2 oz. The CC scales really help this knife disappear in your pocket. I hardly notice it or the weight when I have it on me every day. I carry it in cargo shorts, jeans, slacks, and occasionally IWB (in the waistband) when wearing sweats or shorts without pockets. It has never bothered me in any of these.I did knock the SnG a point in carry because it does stick out of my pocket a little too much. Nearly an inch of the knife is exposed when it is clipped. [Editor's Note: I am not convinced that EVERY knife needs to be deep carry, especially a more tactical blade like this one]

Retention Method: 2

Strider uses a titanium clip on their knives. It is very tight from the factory, and I have no worries about it every coming out of my pocket when I don’t want it to.

In pocket, shown in Triple Aught Design F10 NYCO Shorts

Blade Shape: 2

The blade utilizes a spear point blade. I have no qualms about this. It has adequate belly, and has worked for me in every instance that I needed it to.

Grind: 2

My SnG has a 3/4 grind, meaning that the blade is left flat for about 1/4 of the blade, and hollow ground the rest of the way. What this does is it gives you a very thick blade, while still having excellent cutting ability. This is where the SnG shines. Strider touts that their knives can take abuse like no other folding knife. You can pry with it, you can baton with it, and just all around abuse it. The thick blade stock aides in all of these activities. The edge was ground very evenly from the factory, and was shaving sharp, but not up to my (arbitrary) standards. I have since mirror polished the edge and have gotten it to whittle hair.

Steel: 2

It is S30V. I’m no steel expert, but like the “Folding Knife Score System” stated, it is the “sweet spot” of knife steels.

Lock: 2

The SnG uses Chris Reeve’s integral lock, more commonly known as a framelock. It is strong, but also easy to use. It also features Rick Hinderer’s Lockbar Stabilizer. While I don’t tend to overextend my lockbar, it is nice to have this feature.

Deployment Method: 2

Not quite the round hole that Spyderco uses, but the oval hole works just as nicely. The blade can be flicked out of the handle with no wrist movement. I won’t complain about the thumbstuds being in an awkward place, in regards to the handle, because they are not designed to be used for opening, they are the stop pins.

Overall Score: 18 out of 20

This knife is my favorite knife I have ever owned, even over the Sebenzas and customs that I once had in my possession. Because of this, I wanted to give it a perfect score, I really did, but I had to knock it for a few things. I must say, though, that I think what really makes a Strider a Strider is its ability to be taken beyond what a knife should be expect to do, which is cut. I like that I reliably pry with the SnG if I was stuck in a car, or baton wood for a campfire if I ever get lost in the woods. I like knowing that this knife will withstand a bomb and keep on coming. This sense of security that I have in my knife’s ability more than makes up for the little bit that sticks out of my pocket, or the grittiness that it had out of the bag (which, again, is now gone after the break in period).One more thing that I think more than makes up for its shortcomings is the Strider warranty. If you haven’t modified your knife, and it breaks under normal use, abuse, or pure recklessness, Strider will most likely fix it or replace it for only the cost of shipping. There are not many knife companies that will do that for you. Just be sure to read their warranty first.