So the way I figure this, a Strider SNG, CRK small Sebenza 21, and Benchmade's gold-class 525 all cost roughly the same amount. It's a lot of coin, but it's about the same.

I know there are plenty of forumites with Striders and CRKs in their rotation, so I'm looking for feedback/thoughts/opinions.

If you were gonna pick only one of the three for a user, which would it be, and why?

I would go with the small sebby.. Its built like a tank and designed for use. keep in mind however the small sebby is by far a large knife, I prefer smaller folders so its perfect for me but some find the small well,just to small... The gold class is beautiful but not something I would put to work in field. As far as the strider, IDK really anything about them. As far as the list pricing goes these are all in the same neighborhood but I think you will find a better deal on the CRK then on the gold BM.. Either way I dont think you can go wrong with any of them but if you have yet to get a sebby, be careful they are almost as addictive as the BM line is.. keep us posted..

Gold 525

I have several SnG and have classic, regular, and 21 small Sebs and would trade on in a second for a Gold 525.

They just look and feel so good.

Edit to add I love the SnG it is one of the best knives for any price but I have always liked the 525 and the gold is just great looking and if I get one I will still beat the crap out of it.

quote:

Originally posted by djsportland:
Gold 525

I have several SnG and have classic, regular, and 21 small Sebs and would trade on in a second for a Gold 525.

They just look and feel so good.

I really like the 525 anyway, so to me, that'd be the best choice. I'm looking forward to this discussion, though.

The sng itz a tank,the sebb to small,and a gold class i don't consider a working edc knife.but the chris is a good one just to small.

A tanto SNG... The the 525, then the CRK.

Tough one. I like all three .

Havne't owned the gold class mini, but I had it's distant cousin (the regular production version) and I like the design of the knife a lot (and like DJ, I'd prolly wail on it too . Figure it's tough enough to withstand and dish out some pain ).

The SnG, if you've read my posts in that other thread, I've been completely happy with since I've gotten it. Mind you, I've also got the SmF, but that one's a bigger animal. It's a good one, but might be a bit much for your needs. The SnG is tough as well, but in a more managable package (if you're headed in that direction, see if you can find one of the stonewashed ones. Not that the stripes aren't good, like mine. But a lot of folks have been singing their praises. Nice thing is you've got a pick of a few different finishes with the SnG).

The Seb I've got limited expierience with. Meaning that I've handled them, but I don't own one. Not much of an opinion on it, except that it is a really refined looking blade. One that I think can also really handle a lot of tough tasks too. With that said, I'll agree with Punisher, and say go with the large one.


And of course, it goes without saying that the warranties on all three are among the best in the biz.


Maybe do what I did today, and go plunk down some cash on an Ascent/Rescue hook set . You'll have a little bit of cash left over

Those are all fairly different knives. They don't have too much in common other then being high end folders and $300-400.

I'd never buy the 525 not my type of knife, maybe if I was a collector but I'm not. For the SNG vs Small Sebenza you are comparing two knives that are fairly different in size as well. If I wanted to carry a smaller knife I'd get the Small Sebenza if I wanted a larger one I'd do the SNG. Now if you want to compare the SNG vs Large S. or the Small S. vs the PT then those might be more realistically compared knives, but even then fairly diff.

I have an SNG CC and I like it (I don't have a regular but can tell I'd like the CC much better it seems much more refined). I have a couple large Sebenzas and a small one on order and also like them.

If I had to chose I'd pick the Hinderer XM-18 that's on the mail on its way to me.

TB, this is an interesting thread. It made me look up the SNG as well as the ZT (although you didn't mention those). The question of the sizes kept coming up with me. It seems that the SNG would be more of a match for the Large Sebenza, where the 525 would be more like the small. If a guy is jumping all the way to the SNG, you must be after a working beast, so that made me wonder why not take a look at the big ZT's which seem like they would answer almost anyone's desire for muscle among the folders. I had a large Sebbie and thought the size was nice. As I recall, it was shorter than a 710, but maybe a tad thicker. Like The Punisher said, it's hard to see the gold 525 as any kind of worker knife. So, for me, if the ZT's are out, I'd go with the sng then a large sebbie for work. For pocket-candy, a pimped sebbie or the gold 525.

-fj

Yeah yeah, keep rubbin' it in why dontcha JJ .

Great score .

FJ you ain't seen nuthin' til you've seen the SmF .

ZT's are terrfic. I've said before a few times that they were some of the best production knives out there. FJ, you are right, they are one of the "muscle folders" of the world. Big, heavy, and heavy duty. With that said however, the 300's (might be the best of the lot), quite possibly are more than what some folks need. There is a mini 300 series on the way sometime soon. From what I've heard and read, it's a little more managable for most folks.