Strider AR Olive Drab Knife [video]
Strider’s AR is probably one of the nicest balanced large tactical folders on the market, and that’s saying a lot. A lot of people consider Strider knives overpriced and underperforming, but I beg to differ. The AR might not be the best push-cut or slicing knife in the market, but it feels great in the hand, and like most Striders, allows you to choke up on it.
While not designed for detail work, the choke-up choil design of many of Striders knife does give you a sense of control when working on something a little bit more detail oriented than self-defense. This is a fantastic feature of the AR as while it is a huge knife, it doesn’t have to feel like one when you are cutting an apple.
Typically strider-esque, the finish isn’t perfect but the fit is solid and robust. A bit low on the cutting edge to handle size ratio but not too much so. It is exceptable and the knife doesn’t look too handle-heavy. The newer contoured and grooved handle slabs are a very welcome improvement over the earlier AR and GB models. The AR is a thick flat ground spearpoint with tiger striped S30V steel, as most of Strider’s knive are. Paul Bos heat treat and strider stamped tang as is the norm.
The olive drab and tan scale options were also a nice touch for me. I really like both of them over the traditional black – while looking perhaps a bit more military and less covert ops. I did find the blade a bit thick in use, for example cutting through an apple afforded me a bit more resistance that I would typically expect from a knife that was as sharp as the AR. I think softer material such as meat would be more forgiving.
The pocket clip on the AR/GB knives is a bit hard to use in my opinion.. they are tight and wreck havok on my jean pockets so I tend not to enjoy using them. I think they can be bent out a bit so its probably not a huge issue.
I still can’t get over how great the AR feels in the hand.. it comes alive and begs to be used. Great balance and feel, and that’s what makes the AR a great knife in the end. Don’t forget to check out the video.
Blade steel: S30V
Blade Length: 4″
Blade thickness: 0.1875″
Overall Length: 9″
Video
November 21st, 2007 at 7:16 pm
hey wuts up? i was just wandering about the STRIDER AR. it looks so cool, but you said that it has a lower tolerance than other STRIDERs. i just wanted to know if you thought it was as good, better, or worse ,performance wise, than other STRIDERs. other then that i like your vids a whole lot. i liked the ZT(ZERO TOLERANCE) the best. i own one and it is amazing. well if you could send me an e-mail at jklbakers@bellsoth.net that would be great.
your friend,
kyle
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:16 pm
oh crap sry i ment @bellsouth not @bellsoth
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:40 pm
I think the AR and GB are possibly the most well-balanced Strider folders available. They are huge, but they are very quick in the hand and the full flat grind is relatively thin and cuts very nicely for a knife of that thickness and size. The ZT is a sweet knife indeed!
November 22nd, 2007 at 2:28 pm
ok think you so much that really helps