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View Full Version : Working the SnG & YKLE


338 Stalker
09-12-2008, 06:48 AM
OK lads, I'm back from another hunt. Long story short, deer on the deck.

First up, the SnG. Talk about a knife that has a bit of everything, or at least how I use my knives that is.
Light & balanced in-hand. Which might not seem that big a deal to some, but for me it works & aids. And a real pleasure on the wrist in various angles.

The G10 slab works superb with blood soaked hands, as does the Ti. Like I said earlier. I don't know what Strider use on their Ti finish, but whatever it is, it works & works well!
Have I mentioned the jimping :p . I farking love-it. More knives need this feature IMO!!!

The choil on the blade works great when one needs to do some fine work in close. It would be extremely handy on a head cape-out, if one doesn't have a small knife(I now will not carry a smaller knife).
I did also use this technique to perform some cuts(removing the eye-fillets) on this deer. I also used the normal index-finger hold with middle-finger resting in the handle choil. As well as moving right back on the handle. This is just one of the areas where the design of the SnG handle & blade are outstanding. In close or far out, the SnG has it covered.
This is one of the better ways I use to remove the eye-fillets. Dropping the guts can be a chore at times. This technique, I have been working on for some time. It finally gelled perfectly with the SnG. Try that with most other knives getting around, it's tough if not impossible to get it to work in various hand positions, especially in confined spaces. Again & IMO, the SnG handle design is very well thought out :thumb:

The blade design really works a-treat for me. With enough sweep to cape, & a grind that flows so one can slice down the bone.
Working down a leg or dropping the guts. The SnG has two positions for the thumb. Pick which one works & use it. I used both choils, & both worked well. I really like having two choil options, as it does come in handy for different situations.
Hole in blade, or thumb rest to open blade. Call it what you will. Or I know is it didn't jam up with meat, & it does also aid for another grip point for your index-finger & thumb. You will know what I mean once you buy one & use it. Too hard to try to explain exact details over the PC :rolleyes: .
Blade held it edge with no edge damage from bone, hair or meat. Perfect :thumb:

That frame-lock is not moving. I don't care what others say or think. For this sort of work, & I'm 100% certain for many other applications. These Strider FL's work great, & are made/designed well, full stop.

As you can see from the pic's, I don't baby my knives. All meat, blood & gore washed completely out(pic's if wanted). Again, perfect.

On the hip & in sheath. This SnG is a pleasure to carry. It's just sooooo light & out of the way. If I fall, it will not spike me, nor will it dig into me. For me & my mountain hunting, this is very welcomed.

After taking my SnG out, & working it. I have come to realize that I have found one great hip knife, which should last a life time & some. Be it working a deer on the deck or whatever your use. I reckon the SnG is a winner, & well worth the $400.

I have also come to realize that I only really need one other knife whilst out bush. The Scrapper 6. So what couldn't those 2 knives NOT DO, for my ventures. But that's just MO & my style ;)
But saying that, that would be real boring. So I plan on testing others. I will just sell off what doesn't gel, & work from there :)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Tez308/SnGYKLE-1.jpg
Starting the right leg bone-out.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Tez308/SnGYKLE-2.jpg
Finish. SnG does really well in various hand positions.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Tez308/SnGYKLE-3.jpg
Back-strap removal. The SnG was superb here.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Tez308/SnGYKLE-5.jpg
A bit of cape work. Again, the SnG sweeped & cut through the membranes with ease.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Tez308/SnGYKLE-9.jpg
The Strider frame-lock. Never once an issue. This system is solid & it works.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Tez308/SnGYKLE-11.jpg

If I were to rate this knife, I would give it a 9/10. Why not 10, well, everything can be improved!

PS-Yard Keeper thoughts & pic's coming soon.

sharpshooter996
09-12-2008, 11:18 AM
Thanks for the pictures 338. Looks like the SnG performed very well as expected :D
Enjoy this one bro, and thanks, now i have the taste for venison in my mouth.

eatingmuchface
09-12-2008, 03:45 PM
wow!
cool pics.
:D

even cooler knife.
It's nice to see striders getting some good use.

I just don't get the coating...
when you say "it works & works well!" what exactly does that mean?
its a stainless steel knife, so I don't see corrosion resistence being a factor...
I've come to believe (by personal experience shared with other) that it CAN drag and inhibit cutting performance.
though I'm sure it still cuts well, and maybe during some use it can't be noticed, but it definatley can.

thats just my opinion and I'm looking forward to hearing yours. :D

338 Stalker
09-12-2008, 07:05 PM
Checkout these 2 SnG videos.
I was in the process of making an SnG review. ATM I will leave it, maybe later?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXPxlUlbTDw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72TPP35uV-s&feature=related

338 Stalker
09-12-2008, 07:16 PM
I should also say, the Strider stone-wash process looks & seems to be real solid. In no way did it show stains, nor did it scratch up :thumb: .
As much as I dig the tiger-stripes, SW is the more practical option for my sort of work. But saying that, my next Strider folder will be in TS's. It's just that cool option :D .

338 Stalker
09-14-2008, 07:39 PM
Yard Keeper second & final thoughts.

Because I have already done the first part of the LE on another thread, I wont add too much detail.

With really blood soaked hands this knifes Resiprene C handle does get a little slippery, look don't get me wrong, it's definitely not bad. It fact is pretty good. What I'm trying to say is, it's no where near the grip of the Strider SnG G10/Ti system.
I've really come to have great respect for certain cuts of G10, Strider & Spyderco G10 cuts are superb, with grip & comfort IMO.
I also just received the Strider RCC with gunner grips. That is just another fine example of Strider knowing there stuff. The GG gives really solid purchase in-hand, in all hand positions.
I have not taking too many pic's of the RCC, as I'm sure the You Tube video I found will answer most of the questions. It shows the whole knife quiet well, & a video is always better than pic's. More about the RCC later with a pic or two.

The LE did all I asked of it, so in general I'm very happy with the results. But when one compares two or three knives together, you can really see what is needed & what works for chosen style.
Without going into it in depth. I would rate the LE 7/10. It didn't get the score the SnG did, because I feel the SnG worked allot better for me. But that's me & my work, everyone is different. So look at these comments with thought!
I took off points for no jimping, handle, blade finish & how comfortable it was in-hand, performing all the different strokes.
Now for the bit allot of you would be interested in. THE LE HELD IT'S EDGE WITH NOT ONE SIGN OF DULLING, & NO CHIPS OR DINGS :thumb: . Just as another forum member found. When a new edge replaced the old, it seemed to get better. Go figure.
It's a great caper, no doubt about it. The LE's thick-ass blade did it superbly.

Would I recommend the YKLE. My word! If you're after a tough skinning, capping, boning-out, do it all knife for the bigger critters. Look at getting one. Well worth the money$$$!

I just couldn't leave my Strider MFS at home. It was good to compare the two FB's together again. The MFS is a better option than the LE IMO. But again, that's just MO. My MFS & SnG really compliment each other doing what I do.

LE. Starting left leg bone-out.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Tez308/SnGYKLE-4.jpg

Removing the left back-strap.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Tez308/SnGYKLE-6.jpg

Some cape work.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Tez308/SnGYKLE-8.jpg

Workers.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Tez308/SnGYKLE-10.jpg

Three workers. What a combo!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Tez308/SnGYKLE-12.jpg

I just loves-me MFS. It does it in style :D
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Tez308/SnGYKLE-7.jpg

338 Stalker
09-14-2008, 09:58 PM
wow!
cool pics.
:D

even cooler knife.
It's nice to see striders getting some good use.

I just don't get the coating...
when you say "it works & works well!" what exactly does that mean?

I will try & answer as best as I can mate.

"it works & works well!" Basically what I'm trying to say here is. It's farking superb! LIGHT, STRONG with Sweet with IN-HAND PURCHASE. And the kicker here is , it also looks the part!
Very much a TOOL & not a toy, but that's Strider for you. Do yourself a favor, go out & buy a Strider folder of some sort. When you do, you will get what I'm on about. I now own 3 & I want more ;)

Lyly
09-29-2008, 09:36 PM
Banned for spam