A little while ago, I picked up a Strider SNG in the CC version. While I think that my SNG gunner grip with the digicamo blade looks cooler, the my SNGCC works better as a user (predominately due to the concealed carry handle being so much more comfortable). I bought that knife from a company called Knife Art (great to deal with and carry very cool knives). So...I liked that SNGCC so much that I decided to get a big old SMF in the CC version. So...I got ahold of the fine folks at Knife Art and the next thing I know...I've got the knife that you see in this photo.

A couple of general comments about Strider. I've got 4 Striders. Like them all. Still, I've commented that my Chris Reeve knives are generally "better made". Prior to scoring the SMF shown in this photo, everything that I'd seen, felt and used said that CRK blades are quite a bit better. Well...my new SMF appears to be just about as well made as my CRK knives. It is that incredible. Yeah...it's not a fancy...high-styled Strider...but it rings my bell BIG TIME. I like the Sand colored handle scales. I like the stone washed S30V steel...especially how freaking THICK it is. In fact, that may well be what I like most about this knife. I'm a little different when it comes to the thickness on any given knife's blade. I like thick blades; always have and always will. While this BURLY chunk of steel isn't as thick as my Pohl Alpha 3, it's right behind it. What else? I love the shape of the blade. While the knife gives up a fair amount of cutting surface to provide the chokable finger choil, the shape just rocks. Speaking of shapes...lets talk about the handle. One side is smoothly machined and curved G10. The other side is curved stone washed Titanium. Smooth to the point of being a little slick. Still, it feels really good in hand. That said, I've never cared for the handle profile on Strider knives. The flat-to-angle transition isn't naturally ergonomic. Still...it is aesthetically distinctive. As for quality...this SMF rocks. The blade deployment is super smooth...and it locks up flawlessly. To be sure...even with the fair pricing from Knife Works, this is an expensive blade...but "worth it".