There are many that denegrate Strider and many that are loyal, even fanatical about them. I'm now in the latter camp and here's why... It's the Las Vegas Knife & Gun Show in '06, and from a guy named Jack Alvarez I buy a black "sterile" SnG. No markings. I post pics on the Strider forum on USN but no one knows about them, so the next day I go back to the show and ask Josh at the Strider table about it. He says "Those were never supposed to be in the hands of the public" and makes it clear they'd like it back. That's enough for me, and I trade it to him for a Green SnG, a sheath and a t-shirt. Fast forward to a month ago, and I lost my SnG. I was sick about it, and told my sheathmaker (Lifter) about it. He makes sheaths for Strider and told Josh about it. I guess Josh remembers me trading the sterile one back to him because next thing I know he sends Lifter a new SnG and I got it yesterday. Unbelievable that they'd give me a knife! This, to me, is the kind of people that make up Strider Knives and I'm proud to own their knives.
Yea, these knives run over $400 so it was suprise! I hope to see them at the show in Vegas next month and thank them personally.
Not to bag on the strider guys but this is common practice. You protect your high end customers, keep them happy. When most people would not pay more than $20 for a pocket knife when you find someone willing to pay $400 you keep them happy.
I am anything but a high end customer - I own 2 Striders. Some guys buy the Mick and Duane customs for $1000 each but I cannot afford any of that stuff. Strider does many things that are above and beyond, especially for soldiers who need knives but can't afford them. Panhead is right - when you buy the best you get the best. I know a lot of knife companies but I don't know any where it's common practice to send people free knives.
I'll never understand why anyone would pay those high prices for there knives. I'am one of the people that will spend usually up to $100 on a knife. I buy knives to use not to admire.
Don't assume I don't use it - I do. With knives you really get what you pay for and that's why Strider, Emerson, Chris Reeves and Benchmade are the best.
