It's Okay to Like UGLY Knives and Strider Knives Retiring ???

[@rekozma]

brother I totally agree with you. I found mine so ugly I don't take it out of the house. it's for home repairs only. I mean I have a reputation to uphold. If anyone seen me with it on the streets I might as well wear bright red high heels while I'm at it. great knife but ugly knife. imho

[@SolosKnifeReviews]

Pinned 😂

[@Billthesheepdog]

what ZT is comparable to my SnG? None that I have or tried or heard of.

[@JohnBarrow1961]

Beauty is in the eye of beholder. I love the Stretch and the Stretch 2.

[@melusinecentun5847]

I agree with you 100%. I just did a video explaining why I prefer the Stretch over the Paramilitary 2. It's a great knife. Take care, Irène.

[@sswwooppee]

Is that knife the updated version that was released this year?

[@SolosKnifeReviews]

No, this one's a few years old. If you don't care about looks and want a slicer I couldn't recommend this knife more :)

[@kevinAuman1]

Heck yeah,I have the hap40 stretch with an orange handle and man o' man is it a perfect little folding hunting knife that blade shape excels at skinning and slicing naturally I love it....

[@t_mac6866]

When you get your shop ready for DIY videos you should make one where you round over the spine on a knife like the Delica or Manix!! Thanks man

[@bsmith1103]

I have the green lawman in xhp. The heat treat is on the higher end for sure and has that sound like a straight razor on the edge of the blade that you like. You will love it. It cuts like a demon-d;)

[@howardgreen9718]

When I was getting ready for Afgan that's the knife I took as EDC/ fighting knife and didn't take a fixed blade luckily I was never in a position where I had to fight with it it now sits in my top drawer because now as a civilian I can't carry it in my state

[@1allspub]

Ugly? Ah come on... the Stretch is quirky, but cool looking. :)

[@claymewes2436]

I owned a Stretch 2 when I first got big into knives but I thought it was a little boxy for me.

[@matthewmelius4348]

You are a cool cat who gives his honest opinion knowing exactly what an opinion truly is. And what a "turd" is...lol keep it up man. Glad I subscribed.

[@lucacadianalbert]

I equally love my Stretch but mine is in uglier burnt orange and HAP40 :o)

[@SolosKnifeReviews]

Dude!!! I'm jelly, still need to try that steel! You like it? Better edge holding then .... ?

[@lucacadianalbert]

I love the steel - it's one of the sharpest knife in my collection. But keep in mind, I prob don't use my knives has hard as you do. I think HAP40 is a bit easier to sharpen but I'd say ZDP holds an edge a bit longer than HAP40.

[@SolosKnifeReviews]

Nice, sounds fun! I've heard about the same but don't know what real world users are experiencing. Burnt orange is ugly though lol

[@lucacadianalbert]

Lol. Actually I don't mind the color all that much.

[@SolosKnifeReviews]

It's a good ugly 😂

[@MilledSteel]

Maybe you can do another video later about carbon steel traditional blade edge retention advantages/ disadvantages compared to modern stainless. Maybe GEC could try D2 steel one day...

[@blanebiondolillo430]

i use my strech all the time,its the VG10 version/black FRN,never felt the need for carbon fiber or G-10 with this knife,like you said can't polish a teard!but this knife works vary well for me

[@thoricdavid8174]

I haven't picked up a strider yet.. liked the idea that I could if I wanted to though.

[@chosenname8104]

cts xhp was a great upgrade from aus 8, kind of similar to s30 v in edge holding and ease of sharpening. that's my experience. get 1 i think you will like it.

[@flashphoto007]

As always great video. I actually like the look of that Spyderco knife, and with the design of the blade you can always tell were the Spidey hole is for Quick access. As far as strider going out of business. Like you said ZT makes the same quality knife. But when you buy a strider you're kind of going for the look and design of it as well.

[@TheModernNeanderthal]

I love the stretch. I want to find one of the CF ZDP ones eventually

[@the_average_fisherman_hawaii]

I feel the exact same way about the spyderco Gayle Bradley haha. Looks way better opened. It's an awesome knife though!

[@xXBallistic82Xx]

I wish i still had my blue ZDP-189 Stretch2.

[@havemikki]

at first I thought he only had one eyebrow

[@ogenmatic]

One nice thing about ugly knives is that they're easy to put to use. The 'pretty' ones tend to sit in the drawer.

[@SolosKnifeReviews]

I see your reasoning but even my pretty ones have to do work. Ha, but you're right there is zero issues about putting them to work!

[@ratride1]

I see that Strider and Protech have collaborated together to market a smaller model. The PT auto in a smaller 2.75 inch blade. Also comes in a more affordable price. I'm thinking of picking one up. What do you think. I know you like your Strider.

[@SolosKnifeReviews]

I've seen them, I believe Protech also did the SnG in a auto. I've haven't handled any to say either way. Protech has a great reputation so I'd bet/hope it's nice.

[@PkwyDrive13]

ratride1 I have one, I carry it quite a bit works great

[@TheStabbyCyclist]

Strider announcement definitely ISN'T a joke. But they'll still be around under the MSC name.

[@kenthenoob]

it's 4/5 now--did we ever find out if strider is really retiring? i've been forgetting to pick up a tanto sng zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[@lucasanderson9143]

i just got a spyderco stretch 2 zdp 189 and its amazing!

[@worldofgavin2999]

are you going to make more yoyo vids

[@joi777]

Yeah, though it's functional and a great slicer, boi is that blade UGLY!!

[@gammarayburst4763]

Did I have the right email or you didn't have time to answer it ? Please respond. thanks

[@SolosKnifeReviews]

Hard to say, I haven't be up to date with my emails in awhile. Bad business but I closed the books a long time ago. Life happens fast with 4 kids. Send another if you will and I'll be watching for it. Many thanks! [e-mail]

[@gammarayburst4763]

Don't worry about it man I have 2 kids and can only imagine 4. It was just an email about custom canvas micarta scales for delica 4 if you were doing that? Hopefully you start knife work again. Would love some custom scales from you.

[@SolosKnifeReviews]

You know all about it then haha, fun times! Two is just as crazy as four... you almost throw away enough food to feed two more. On a more serious note, I've never done a Delica due to the extreme amount of milling. I'd recommend Kevin Wilkins for the Delica, not cheap in any way but if you love your Delica it's well worth the cost. Love mine green Wilkins ZDP Delica!

[@adanma17]

ditto

[@gammarayburst4763]

That what I got same. Thanks alot for your input. Have a gray night man.

[@adanma17]

Never really liked the the Striders but what ever floats your boat, personally use the xm-24 and a spyderco endura 4.

[@Chingus696]

The expressions is “you can’t polish a turd!” Just saying... thanks for the vid.

[@RV-ardvark]

I don't know if the Stretch looks ugly, it just looks a bit weird. It reminds me of an alligator or lizard. If you are interested in XHP steel, try the Spyderco Manix 2 in CTS-XHP. It's an exclusive (I think) from Knife Center. I have one and it has a great edge, even from the factory.

[@SolosKnifeReviews]

I actually have a Sprint run foliage green manix in cts-xhp that Sal Glesser himself send to me along with this Stretch 2. I specifically want to try Cold Steel's heat treat to see if it's different or the same then all my Xhp spydercos. Thanks for watching 👊

[@SolosKnifeReviews]

Sure does, looks like a alligator profile, hole being the eye and the blade being it's mouth. Ha

[@mitchelldelmar9682]

"If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, never buy yourself a beautiful knife. From my particular point of view, get an ugly knife to use for you."

[@ashoppa]

I own a HAP40 Delica and like it, and have never owned s Stretch, but I do prefer 3.5" blades. Hmm maybe some day!

[@jonathanberumen9573]

the only reason I even clicked on this video was to hear what you had to say about Strider closing up shop and you didn't mention Strider until the last minute

[@slidetek]

As a designer of all types of things, there's always the balance of how much form and how much function. However, I do see the beauty in this knife because of everything that it does right. Spyderco in general has some true classics. There are certainly some things they could do with the scales to enhance it a bit more, but at the end of the day it's like putting lipstick on a pig. A tasty, tasty pig. BTW, I was so sure you were going to pull out a truly ugly knife, like the CRKT Wrinkle.

[@shubbagin49]

Good perspective M8y, I do not own one but have often looked at it and thought it looked really functional. Trouble usually is, not enough bread to buy another functional knife. Got my pm2, endura with blue steel,Enzo,940 etc. You kinda pushed me into thinking again about it, I enjoy your American laid back attitude and you make sense to me. One hiccup in all this is of course Spydys bad customer care and putting Red locktite on their knives now. I think Rob said it all the other night, so until Sal and Eric unscramble their obviously smart brains, this old Scot will not be purchasing another new Spydy. Regarding Striders, I do really like their design, but read and heard a lot of scuttlebut about I think you call it( stolen valor) in America, we call it something else unprintable here in UK, and being X HM Forces myself I will not give patronage to a wanna be riding on the back of brave men, enough said on that. Do not mind me guys, I am a 67yr old old fart. Like your musings m8y, keep it up.

[@26point2madness]

Picked up a brand new SNG last week just in the nick of time. I read the post and it seems legit, but who knows based on the timing. I may stop using my knife since it may have just increased in value.

[@blueeyeswhitedragon9839]

Might be mentioned somewhere in the comments, but it was Eric who decided that he deserved a pocket knife of his own design, and the Stretch was his choice (with stainless Damasteel & Niesijin scales) as product developer for Spyderco. Great video, and my Stretch is also almost perfect. As far as Strider goes...they are still in "limited" production by Mick Strider. In my opinion...overpriced, light duty knives.

[@hovan2yourjunk]

The thing is everyone knows the Stretch is ugly and doesn't care...the Skyline looks sleek when you first see it but as you get to know it the ugly starts to show and its quirks get really annoying. Don't have a Stretch but always wanted one. If I could find that exact one you have I'd jump on it

[@geraldchavez2405]

I don't think that knife is ugly at all. what type of truck loads do you deliver? Assuming you are a truck driver.

[@SolosKnifeReviews]

I might hit the "it's so ugly it's nice" box for you? haha! I'm in the wine business 🍷

[@cameronutt6383]

Cool looking and practical looking blade. But I hate Spyderco FRN handles, comfy yes, at least most of the time, but I don't like the feel and it's basically an ugly stick beatdown.

[@Seveneleven44]

Oh I think the skyline is my knife for great function but ugly as my HighSchool prom date.

[@7beartoad]

I've had the Skyline for 2 years now. And at first I liked the sleek lines and the blade shape. But now after improving my collection. I find it so dang ugly compared to my other knives. I only carry it to work now, good knife but just ugly.

[@jayunitedwestand1810]

yes, strider is closing there doors..

[@SolosKnifeReviews]

Knifenews does not have anymore information then you or me on this matter. It could be a early April Fool's joke, they just posted the USN forum post as the "news." I mean it could be true, but the timing is odd just saying.

[@jayunitedwestand1810]

i hope it's a joke but i don't think it is...i believe mick is closing shop....:(

[@victorseaton9123]

Looks kinda like Roadrunners head.

[@Andrew18408]

Hahaha. I knew it was the stretch. So ugly yet functional.

[@jamesmiller360]

Always thought Spydercos were ugly. Then I carried and used a Pacific Salt for a week. Still think they're ugly but also great edc and users. Now I hate thumb studs. Now I'm looking yo buy more ugly Spydercos.

[@another5961]

Strider can't just leave, there will be a hole in the market, someone will make comparable designs to fill the gap.

[@khahillurhsheilf9256]

i am not joking, but i find many of those ugly spyderco knives to be actually good looking. i guess my tastes are lucky!

[@jasonshuey8145]

hate my stretch so much I got 2 of them... burnt orange hap40 and a racing green zdp... like the blue scales, like lipstick on a pig. a delicious, fat pig. ugly rules!

[@vqman535]

compared to my Spyderco Dodo the Stretch 2 is beautiful! !!!!!

[@SolosKnifeReviews]

Truth!!!

[@gavinreddig3969]

RIP Strider 😢😢

[@SolosKnifeReviews]

Hoping it's just a early April Fools joke, but.... could be?

[@williamfedericoni]

I think the Griptilian is an ugly knife, I still carry it

[@Mr.TenBelow]

I Absolutely HATE choils, of any kind. just my opinion. hate the blade to handle ratio.

[@lostoutdoorsman6004]

Why don't you like choils?

[@rogercrossjr8685]

Luv you brother. Miss you man. Call me

[@sethadam4266]

I see a truck driver with a fashion obsession, do you have ugly shoes also? You said its your educated opinion, dayum. the suspense was riveting.

[@randallkelley3599]

Warranties, only as good as the company is in business, which is why i don't buy Chinese! Just saying.......

[@jaydenwied958]

wtf click bait that nice doesn't even look that bad a delica or tenacious looks way worse

[@1113jackson]

I hope Strider does shut down. FS.

[@jonathanberumen9573]

why does Spyderco use that ugly plastic as the handle material!? It looks so cheap and is very ugly. It completely ruins the look of their knives and I will NEVER EVER buy a plastic handled knife from Spyderco or any other maker that uses FRN, GRN, or any other name for PLASTIC!

[@jaydenwied958]

Jonathan Berumen they use g10 on most of there knifes not plastic dumbass