Strider Knives
View on WikipediaStrider Knives, Inc. is a custom and production knifemaking facility headed by Mickey Ray Burger, founded and based in San Marcos, California.
Key Information
Materials and design
[edit]Strider Knives makes folding knives and fixed-blade knives, using metals such as ATS-34, CPM S30V steel, titanium, stellite, beryllium, damascus steel, and BG-42 for the blades. Currently Strider does runs in many premium super steels (CTS-204P, Z-Wear, CTS-40CP, CTS-B75P, CPM-154, CPM-S110V,CPM-3V).[1][2]
Strider fixed blade knives utilize Steel, Paracord or G-10 fiberglass for the handle material.
Strider uses a proprietary heat treatment originally developed by Paul Bos of Buck Knives.[2] This resulted in knives with blades of ATS-34 or BG-42 coming back from heat treat with a very dark colored blade which would then be bead blasted a flat grey color. After masking a blade before beadblasting, Mick Strider found it resulted in a striping or camouflage effect and it has become a part of the design.[3][4] As the newest steel Strider uses, CPM S30V does not darken after heat treating, a black oxide coating is applied beforehand.[3]
Strider folding knives
[edit]After eight years of making fixed blade knives, Strider turned to making folding knives. Strider's goal was to produce a folding knife that was as strong as a fixed blade. To work toward this goal, Strider relied on the use of G10 Fiberglass handles, titanium liners thicker than what was in current use throughout the cutlery industry and an oversized pivot screw 0.19" in diameter. The end results were two linerlocks known as the AR and GB models. Strider makes titanium handled framelock folding knives. These models utilize the handle itself as the locking mechanism and are named the SMF, SnG, PT, and RC models.[4]
Military models
[edit]Strider's first project as a company was to supply Naval Special Warfare Group 1 with WB and BG models in 1994.[5][6] Strider Knives currently makes several models specifically for units of the US Military in the Global War on Terror,[7][8] each with its own NSN.[4] NATO Stock Numbers are: Strider SMF (officially - Knife, Folding, Special Mission) 1095-01-531-5015, Strider DB-L (officially - Knife, Fixed, Camo) 1095-01-531-5023, the JB1 (officially - Shroud Knife) 1670-09-000-3920, and the Probe Knife 1095-01-503-7231, built for landmine detection.
Strider Knives has designed a new bayonet it hopes to market to the US military. The blade is CPM S30V and it features a tang extending all the way to the latch plate for increased strength. Strider designed the bayonet for Zero Tolerance Knives, which will release it as the ZT Bayonet D9.[9]
Strider Knives has manufactured modern versions of classic military designs such as the V-42 stiletto, the Marine Raider stiletto, the SOG Knife, the USMC Fighting Utility Knife, and the Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife. These versions have the same profile as the originals, but incorporate modern steel and materials in their designs. The SOG Knife, Marine Raider stiletto, and V-42 stiletto have been used to raise funds for Veteran's Groups associated with those units.[4]
Collaborations
[edit]
Strider Knives has collaborated with the following companies:
- Buck Knives for a variety of Strider developed knife designs mass-produced at a more affordable price.[4][10]
- SureFire Flashlights. Strider Knives collaborated with SureFire by making an exclusive SF fixed-blade numbered and marked with the SureFire logo and sold with an identically numbered Strider marked M2CombatLight.[11][12]
- Unertl Optical Company, Inc. (longtime manufacturer of USMC Scout Sniper Scopes) for a unique SMF knife paired up with each custom 1911 pistol sold.
- Zero Tolerance Knives for Strider joint designs with custom Knifemaker, Ken Onion. A portion of the proceeds from every sale of Zero Tolerance Knives is donated to the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Strider, Ken Onion and Zero Tolerance won Blade Magazine's Publisher's Award for 2006 because of this collaboration.[13]
- Richard Marcinko for the "Rogue Warrior" series of knives named after the author's series of books.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ Covert, Pat."Strider Knives Are Hard Corps", American Handgunner, March–April 2000
- ^ a b Gardner, James. "Duel of the Titans: two exceptional folders exemplify state-of-the-art", Guns Magazine, June 2005
- ^ a b Kertzman, Joe. "Earn Your Steel Stripes", Blade Magazine, March, 2006
- ^ a b c d e Covert, Pat."Evolving edges: Strider Knives get Better and Badder!", American Handgunner, January–February 2005
- ^ Bolke, Darryl. "Strider Knives!", American Handgunner Magazine, 2002 Annual
- ^ Dick, Stephen (1995). "Blades of the Combat Swimmers". Tactical Knives. 1 (2): 68–73.
- ^ Ayoob, Massad. "One night in the War on Terror", American Handgunner Magazine, Nov-Dec, 2005
- ^ Ewing, Dexter (2003). "Keep Your Eyes on the Strider Guys". Blade Magazine.
- ^ Cox, Matthew (16 January 2009). "Shot 09 - Wicked Bayonet". Army Times. Army Times. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
- ^ Markel, Paul. "Practical Tacticals: Buck's Strider Folders", Tactical Knives Magazine, May 2006
- ^ Ewing, Dexter, "Knives and Lights", Blade Magazine, March 2004
- ^ "Surefire/Strider - New Products", Guns Magazine, January 2003
- ^ Cascio, Pat."Kershaw's Latest Tactical Folders", Knives Illustrated, February 2007
- ^ Shackleford, Steve (2009). "New Knives for 2009". Blade's Complete Guide to Knives. 33 (3). Blade: 90.
External links
[edit]Strider Knives
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and Early Development
Strider Knives was co-founded circa 1992 by Mick Strider, Duane Dwyer, and Josh Lee in Oceanside, California. This formal establishment followed Mick Strider's earlier efforts as a custom knifemaker, where he began supplying knives to the Naval Special Warfare Group 1 in 1994.[5][1] Mick Strider's background as a custom knifemaker was shaped by his service in the U.S. Army, including time in a Ranger Battalion, which ended due to injury. After discharge, he channeled his experience into creating durable tools for extreme conditions, particularly influenced by the practical needs of military personnel in high-risk environments. Starting in 1988, Strider focused on designing knives that prioritized functionality over aesthetics, drawing from a "tabula rasa" approach to avoid conventional patterns and instead emphasize robustness for battlefield use.[1] The company's early development centered on fixed-blade knives engineered for survival and tactical applications, such as full-tang constructions with thick stock and subdued finishes to withstand harsh abuse. These designs quickly established Strider Knives' reputation for ruggedness among military users, with initial products featuring paracord-wrapped handles and sheaths optimized for quick deployment in adverse conditions.[1][5] After eight years of producing fixed-blade knives, Strider Knives transitioned to include folding models to expand its offerings for military and civilian users.[5]Operations and Closure
During the 2000s, Strider Knives expanded from custom orders to include limited production runs, particularly through projects like the SMF model developed for U.S. Marine Corps special operations, which later became available in catalog quantities for civilians and law enforcement.[6] This growth emphasized high-end tactical knives engineered for extreme durability in combat and professional environments, broadening market reach beyond initial military contracts to include civilian enthusiasts.[7] As a privately owned company operated by former military personnel, Strider Knives maintained a singular focus on crafting edged tools optimized for harsh, real-world conditions, earning a dedicated following among special forces operators across U.S. military branches for their reliability in demanding operations.[7][5] On March 31, 2017, after 25 years of operation, Strider Knives announced its closure, with founder Mick Strider expressing satisfaction with the company's enduring legacy and a desire to conclude on a high note rather than dilute quality over time.[2] The final inventory was liquidated at the 2017 Blade Show, selling out completely and allowing Strider to transition to exclusive personal custom knife production.[2] This closure reinforced Strider Knives' influence in the custom knife market, where its designs and standards continue to inspire high-end tactical craftsmanship.[2]Design and Materials
Blade Construction and Steels
Strider Knives primarily utilized ATS-34 stainless steel for early production models, valued for its balance of edge retention and corrosion resistance in demanding environments.[8] Later production shifted to premium powder metallurgy steels such as CPM S30V, which offers enhanced wear resistance and toughness due to its uniform carbide distribution, and CPM S35VN, an evolution incorporating niobium for improved fine-edge stability.[8] Additional options like CPM 154 appeared in select runs for its ease of sharpening while maintaining high hardness, and custom variants occasionally featured Damascus patterns for aesthetic layering or solid titanium blades for lightweight utility.[8][9] Heat treatment represents a core element of Strider's blade performance, with early and many production knives processed by specialist Paul Bos using a proprietary method tailored to the steel type, achieving Rockwell hardness levels of 59.5 to 60 HRC for CPM S30V to optimize durability without brittleness.[10] This process minimizes post-treatment cleanup, resulting in subtle, uneven surface variations that contribute to a distinctive, non-uniform appearance often associated with the brand's rugged aesthetic.[11] For Damascus and certain custom blades, in-house treatment at Strider Knives ensured pattern integrity and consistent mechanical properties.[10] Blade construction emphasizes robustness for extreme conditions, employing full-tang designs in fixed blades to distribute stress evenly across the entire length and prevent failure under lateral loads.[12] Folding models incorporate reinforced titanium liners or frame locks with phosphor bronze washers for smooth, reliable deployment, prioritizing zero-play fitment and lockup strength to endure repeated high-impact use without compromising edge geometry.[12] Finishes typically involve bead blasting, which creates a matte texture that enhances grip during wet or gloved handling while improving corrosion resistance by trapping microscopic oxide layers without relying on coatings.[13] These blade elements integrate seamlessly with handle materials to achieve balanced ergonomics, ensuring the overall tool remains intuitive in prolonged, high-stakes operations.[3]Handles and Finishes
Strider Knives commonly employ G-10 fiberglass composites for handle scales, valued for their lightweight construction and high strength-to-weight ratio, which enhances portability without compromising durability during intensive use.[14] This material is often textured, such as in gunner grip patterns, to provide a secure hold in various conditions. Additionally, premium models feature titanium frame locks and liners, offering corrosion resistance and a robust foundation that supports heavy-duty applications.[15] Paracord wrapping is another frequent option, particularly on fixed blades, where it delivers a tactical grip that remains effective in wet or bloody environments by absorbing moisture and preventing slippage.[16] Ergonomic considerations are integral to Strider handle designs, with contoured shapes engineered for prolonged use and secure retention in both forward and reverse grips, accommodating a range of hand sizes during demanding tasks.[3] Textured surfaces on G-10 scales further bolster this by minimizing hand fatigue and enhancing control under stress. For folding variants, deployment mechanisms include dual thumb studs or integrated thumb holes, facilitating rapid one-handed opening while maintaining structural integrity.[17] Handle finishes prioritize functionality for tactical and military contexts, often featuring black or earth-tone Cerakote coatings to reduce visibility and provide corrosion protection in harsh environments.[18] These non-reflective applications, such as desert tan or flat dark earth variants, align with low-light operations and complement blade camouflage patterns for overall stealth. Limited-edition pieces may incorporate engraved titanium elements or custom inlays, adding personalization while preserving the knife's utilitarian core.[19]Products
Fixed Blade Models
Strider Knives' fixed blade models originated as the company's foundational product line, emphasizing rugged utility for military and survival applications. Early designs, such as the DB-L and JB1, were compact tools with blade lengths ranging from 4 to 6 inches, crafted primarily from ATS-34 stainless steel for its balance of edge retention and corrosion resistance.[1][20] The DB-L, a slightly elongated variant of the original DB, served as a hard-use urban and field knife, featuring a tanto-style blade optimized for piercing and prying tasks.[21] Similarly, the JB1 functioned as a shroud cutter and multi-tool for aviation rescue, featuring a 6-inch rescue hook with integrated utilities such as oxygen tank wrenches for cutting straps and accessing cockpits in combat scenarios.[22] These models exemplified Strider's design philosophy of no-frills durability, with full tang construction from 0.25-inch-thick stock to withstand heavy abuse like chopping and breaching.[1] Handles were often wrapped in paracord for enhanced grip and field improvisation, allowing users to unravel the cordage for emergency repairs or shelter-building.[1] Kydex sheaths were standard, providing secure, low-profile carry with MOLLE compatibility for tactical deployment.[23] Production from the mid-1990s through the 2000s focused on custom and small-batch runs, prioritizing functionality over ornate aesthetics, with heat treatments developed in collaboration with Buck Knives' Paul Bos to enhance performance.[2] This approach evolved into folding designs for greater portability, but fixed blades remained core to Strider's legacy of overbuilt survival tools.[1]Folding Knife Models
Strider Knives entered the folding knife market in the early 2000s, following nearly a decade focused on fixed-blade designs, with the introduction of their initial linerlock models, the AR and GB, around 2001. These compact folders featured blade lengths of approximately 3.25 to 4 inches, making them suitable for everyday carry while maintaining the robust construction characteristic of Strider's edged tools. The AR model typically employed a spearpoint blade, while the GB offered a tanto configuration, both utilizing high-performance steels like CPM S30V and titanium or G-10 handle components for durability in demanding environments.[3][24] Transitioning to framelock mechanisms, Strider developed a series of overbuilt titanium-handled folders emphasizing strength and smooth deployment, including the SMF (Strider Modular Folder), SnG, PT, and RC models. The SMF, with its 3.875-inch blade and overall length of 9 inches, became a flagship design known for its modular scalability and titanium framelock side paired with G-10 scales, weighing around 6 ounces for balanced handling.[25] The SnG, slightly smaller at 3.5 inches blade length and 8.125 inches overall, served as the foundational framelock pattern, featuring generations of refinements such as enhanced lock bar stabilizers for reliable one-handed operation. Complementing these, the PT model offered a more pocket-friendly option with a 2.75-inch blade and 6.5-inch overall length, weighing just 2.5 ounces, ideal for lighter daily tasks. The RC, introduced in 2005 and discontinued by 2009, stood out with its 4-inch blade, integral bolsters, and heavy 0.190-inch blade stock for extreme robustness, though production was limited due to high manufacturing costs.[24][26][27][28] Key features across these framelock models included titanium liners for superior strength, oversized pivots secured by Torx screws, and options for plain or partially serrated edges to accommodate varied cutting needs. Later iterations incorporated non-adhesive bearings and radiused edges for smoother action, enhancing usability without compromising the over-engineered build. Blade finishes ranged from tiger-stripe coatings to bead-blasted or stonewashed surfaces, with handle scales available in colors like black, green, or coyote brown G-10, often customizable for individual preferences. These attributes contributed to their appeal among civilian users, positioning the folders as premium everyday carry tools prized by collectors for their heirloom-quality construction and limited-run variations.[24][3] While base designs like the SMF saw military adaptations for specialized units, the core folding lineup emphasized civilian-oriented production with scalable options for personalization. Post-2017 closure of Strider Knives, select models such as the SMF and SnG continue in limited custom production through Mick Strider Custom Knives as of 2025.[6]| Model | Blade Length | Overall Length | Lock Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR | ~3.25-4 inches | ~8-9.5 inches | Linerlock | Spearpoint blade, titanium/G-10 handles, full bevel grind |
| GB | ~3.25-4 inches | ~8-9.5 inches | Linerlock | Tanto blade, dual thumbstuds, upgraded detent |
| SMF | 3.875 inches | 9 inches | Framelock | Modular design, lock bar stabilizer, G-10/titanium hybrid |
| SnG | 3.5 inches | 8.125 inches | Framelock | Generational refinements, tanto/drop point options |
| PT | 2.75 inches | 6.5 inches | Framelock | Lightweight EDC, multiple G-10 colors |
| RC | 4 inches | 9.15 inches | Framelock | Integral bolsters, heavy stock (limited production) |
