In an early morning social media post, Mick Strider just announced that Strider Knives will be closing its doors. The timing left some fans wondering if the news could be a premature April Fool’s joke, but that appears not to be the case. “The last Strider Knives will be sold at Blade Show 2017, at the end of which we will strike the Strider Knives colors,” Strider wrote.

After 25 years in business, Strider says that he is satisfied with the company’s legacy and wants to leave on a high note. “We would rather finish strong than start doing the Indian casino circuit,” he explained. “When we started this there was a giant hole in the knife industry. We filled that hole .. we have earned a rest.”

As for the future, Strider said he’ll continue to produce high end customs within his Classic Line. He also reassured Strider owners that he’ll honor their warranties on an ongoing basis.

The announcement left some unanswered questions including the fate of his Pro-Tech SnG collaborations and whether he’d consider licensing designs to a knife manufacturer. But, Strider promises that he’ll provide more information. “I will be writing about this for some time.”

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Here is Mick Strider’s entire unedited post:

25 years!

Wait what?

Twenty five years of the Mick and Duane show known as Strider Knives.

Twenty five years of the He Man Woman Haters Club.

Twenty five years of changing an industry.

Twenty five years of employing our retired friends and supporting those still in the fight.

Strider Knives is written into history

We have been hated and loved and hated some more.

I’ve been pondering over this post since January.

I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s just not possible to do in a single sitting. There’s just too much. I will be writing about this for some time….. So here’s the short

Duane and I have decided to retire Strider Knives Inc.

BLAM!

The last “Strider Knives” will be sold at Blade Show 2017, at the end of which we will strike the Strider Knives colors.

I will continue to produce select items on a limited basis thru MSC as my “Classic Line”. I will also continue warranty service on all Strider Knives products. Your guarantee is still valid.

Duane and I made this decision because Strider Knives isn’t the same. With he and I doing our own things, and our buddies having moved on to other things, we would rather finish strong then start doing the Indian casino circuit. When we started this there was a giant hole in the knife industry. We filled that hole.

There are now plenty of knife makers building actual hard use knives, we have earned a rest.

We started this ride with a PALS mentality and never once let off the gas pedal.

I’m proud to say it was an epic ride with a hell of a lot of amazing Friends.

Thank you all!!! PALS

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Knife featured in image: Strider Knives SnG

Image courtesy of KnifeArt.com