2008 CRKT catalog

Since I have some experience at knife importing I can tell you that the knife manufacturers around Yang Jiang (China's cutlery center) only have two stainless steels available to them in large quantities. One they call 420 which they usually harden to around RC54-55 and the other they call 440 which they usually harden to around RC 57-58. The one they call 440 performs about like 440C or AUS-8 ,I suppose, but it really isn't accurate to call it that even though some importers do. It might not even be appropriate to call it 440, for that matter. They are just the terms these manufacturers use. Perhaps the compositional name is really the best way to describe it.

They can bring in other steels but it increases the cost of the knife big time for the importer. Most of the knives made by these firms would be made from one of these two locally available stainless steels. The bottom line is that I wouldn't spend a lot time worrying about steel terminology in China. It isn't nearly as sophisticated as it is here or in Japan or Europe.
 
CaptInsano said:
I think I could live with AUS8 characteristics. :)
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I have been really impressed with the Aus8 on the Hissatsu Folder I bought...on a whim, I might add.

I took the edge back a bit further than the stock grind and gave it a nice polished, "battle" sharp convex edge using natural stones. I was not expecting too much from this steel but I'm suitably impressed...this one, anyway, gets very, very sharp.

I figured I could not even take my best girl out for a bit of a fancy meal for what I paid for this knife, and my investment would have literally been in the toilet the next day, sooo...now I have the one and only CRKT in my knife stable, and so far I'm quite happy with it.
 
Kestrel64, Spoonrobot - thank you for educated opinions on CRKT. There is so much CRKT bashing around and I don't understand why. I feel that if you have a lot of money to drop on a knife, you won't have that hard of a time finding a quality one. However, finding a well-designed, quality knife in the $35 - $70, this takes a knife education and patience. I always appreciate affordable quality over high-priced quality. CRKT sells phenomenal knives at excellent prices. I love the comment about how people used to cut up animals with stone tools. Great point - well said. I have had 3 different M16s from CRKT and loved every one of them. CRKT knives have slick action, utilitarian design, no frills and are all business.
 
lethal force said:
finding a well-designed, quality knife in the $35 - $70, this takes a knife education and patience.
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After years of searching, I have a really hard time finding knives better than these.

Kershaw Vapor II, AUS 6, $24.96
http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=4775

Kershaw JYD, 13C26, $37.50
http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=7420

Benchmade Mini-Griptillian, 154CM, $56.25
http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=3959

Spyderco Delica, ZDP-189, $71.81
http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=6614
 
I love my CRKT's , I love most all my knives or I would not own them.

Who cares what anyone else thinks about what you like , if it pleases you and serves you well , then.... :thumbup:

The Vapor II is a decent knife , bought one at OSH when they were on sale , after some moding it looks and works much nicer now.
Never could get into the look of the JYD though.

Not to take this thread OT , back to CRKT.

I lost my large S2 and cannot find it so guess what I get to do today...... :rolleyes: tear the house apart.
 
I guess that was a little off topic, sorry.

There are a few modles I like, I'd probably get a My Tighe if it were made of AUS-8.
The Razel line looks pretty good as well.

(I just can't stand it when people pay for overpriced steel)
 
When I see the turtle I see a blade thats hard to grip, like my a little buck bottle opener I had.
There were several designs I would try, like the razel, and the A.B.C ER blades or the extri8R, might pick a couple up for some family who are EMT's.
That lil guppie looks cool for an edc too.
 
I still buy some CRKTs, I may snag a few of these new ones.

I own, oh, maybe ten or twelve CRKTs. A couple are old 'good' ones - ATS-34, titanium - from before CRKT decided that making top performing knives wasn't profitable enough. A couple are presents, and hey, any gift is a lovely thing. And once in awhile CRKT surpasses themselves, like the Bwana.

But when I think of buying a CRKT these days, I usually don't think of it as a knife, at least not a performance knife that I grade on a how good is it for the money scale. For that, I buy Benchmades, Kershaws, Spydies, Blackjacks - you know, real knives. :)

When I drop $30 on Ebay on a CRKT, it's a toy. They do repros of a LOT of great designs by a LOT of great knifemakers. When I like one of those well enough that I think I'll get $30 worth of fun out of owning it and playing with it, I keep my eye out for one at my price.

I'm willing to admit that some of their current AUS-8 knives might be worthwhile as actual knives. But for their price I can pick up a Zytel Spydie or an import BM or Byrd and KNOW that I'm getting an actual working knife, so it's not a gamble I tend to make.

Meanwhile - what new race to the bottom junk is this "5Cr15MoV" that's appearing in some new CRKTs? Better than AUS-4 and 420-J2? Comparable to AUS-6? Or just another flavor of crap? :D
 
Hey Nick Hyle, I'm not too big on the whole 8cmejwlmol758 chinese steels either. I have no idea what all of that jumble of crap says. I just know that the higher the number the better. I'd rather it be something I'm familiar with. Since you mentioned spyderco, I regreat to inform you guys that I traded my Bwana and a little cash and got an Endura 4 combo edge from Spyderco :D.

I'll eventually get the Bwana back, probably next pay check since it is really inexpensive, I just couldn't let that spydie get away from me for the trade value and 20 bucks. I even added my own wave to it last night with my dremel, so now it looks just like the higher priced version :). I still like my M16-14, I waved that too. Just cut out what looks like an upside down dorsal fin on a shark, and grinded off the ball from the liner lock so that it opens with little to no pressure. Now I can wave that big o' blade as often as I want without hurting my jeans pockets.
 
CRKT will always be in my top 3 folder MFR's just because of the wide variety of knives they put out every year. The only downside is I am not allowed to buy any!!! My fiancee bought me my first CRKT for our first Christmas together (a Crawford Kasper Folding Fighter) and told me that it was her brand to get me so I couldn't get any. This way she knows what I do or do not have from them. The only downside is I do not have enough special occasions to get more!

My CRKT's are all knives, and used as such. I have never experienced the low quality that others comment about, and I own 27 CRKT's among my 200+ collection.

My opinion only!
 
CUTS LIKE A KRIS said:
CRKT will always be in my top 3 folder MFR's just because of the wide variety of knives they put out every year. The only downside is I am not allowed to buy any!!! My fiancee bought me my first CRKT for our first Christmas together (a Crawford Kasper Folding Fighter) and told me that it was her brand to get me so I couldn't get any. This way she knows what I do or do not have from them. The only downside is I do not have enough special occasions to get more!
My CRKT's are all knives, and used as such. I have never experienced the low quality that others comment about, and I own 27 CRKT's among my 200+ collection.

My opinion only!
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Dood !!!!

The only downside is I do not have enough special occasions to get more!
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By her flowers and a nightie , or offer to do a chore she usually does , suprise her with dinner some night , then skillfully leave the new catalog where she will find it , so she can suprise you with some goodies.
:D
 
CUTS LIKE A KRIS said:
CRKT will always be in my top 3 folder MFR's just because of the wide variety of knives they put out every year. The only downside is I am not allowed to buy any!!! My fiancee bought me my first CRKT for our first Christmas together (a Crawford Kasper Folding Fighter) and told me that it was her brand to get me so I couldn't get any. This way she knows what I do or do not have from them. The only downside is I do not have enough special occasions to get more!

My CRKT's are all knives, and used as such. I have never experienced the low quality that others comment about, and I own 27 CRKT's among my 200+ collection.

My opinion only!
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take the logo off the blades
 
I can't afford a custom Razel. Just purchased the CRKT stubby version in 9Cr18MoV for $51.
 
OK...I just received the CRKT Fulcrum for Fathers' Day, and it is instantly one of my favorite edc knives. It has a very slim profile for a liner lock. Its unique opening action drew a crowd today with my friends. I don't mind the handle material--it will be very easy on dress and golf slacks. It's the perfect size, a sharp color and (I just read) received the 2008 Best Imported Knife at the Blade Show. I believe it.

This same week I ordered and received the CRKT Badger...but I am sending it back tomorrow. It is a sharp knife, but all the black (blade, pins, spine, etc.) are what I call "painted" (ie, coated). Such "paint" jobs will chip and peal, not neatly fade with use. If you want one this size with a better "black" on the blade that will fade like jeans, you will be better served with the M16 EDC from CRKT.

That Fulcrum, though,...man it's nice! My SOGs may have to get shelved for a few weeks (and I love my SOGs!).
 
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I'm not sure which is cooler, the knife, or the fact that your family bought it for you without you having to order it.

Both very cool.
 
I bought one of the K.I.S.S. folders when it came out years ago - it was cleverly designed and light and really easy to keep with me wherever I went any time of year, no matter what I was wearing. Problem was, it wouldn't hold an edge worth a damn and I found myself sharpening it each and every time I so much as opened a box with it. When I lost it, I didn't mourn it, but I have a feeling I would have (and would have replaced it) had the blade been of even a slightly better quality.
 
chuckschilling said:
I bought one of the K.I.S.S. folders when it came out years ago - it was cleverly designed and light and really easy to keep with me wherever I went any time of year, no matter what I was wearing. Problem was, it wouldn't hold an edge worth a damn and I found myself sharpening it each and every time I so much as opened a box with it. When I lost it, I didn't mourn it, but I have a feeling I would have (and would have replaced it) had the blade been of even a slightly better quality.
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The KISS has a blade made of 420J2.
The Fulcrom has a blade of AUS8.
That is a huge difference in edge retention capability.

420J2 is a marginal blade steel for edge retention if one is generous in making the assessment.

AUS8 is pretty good stuff.
 
Check out http://www.blademag.com/bladeshow to see the 2008 Blade Awards. CRKT scored more than once.

I'm telling you...if you put one of these Fulcrums in your hand, you will be a believer. I showed this to some guys in the church lobby this morning (I'm a pastor!), and they were ready to place their order at www.thebladeshop.com. They were writing down the website once they handled this blade with it's feel and opening function.

By the way, The Blade Shop has the best price on the internet for the Fulcrum that I could find--$40. Fast shipping too.
 
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knarfeng said:
The KISS has a blade made of 420J2.
The Fulcrom has a blade of AUS8.
That is a huge difference in edge retention capability.

420J2 is a marginal blade steel for edge retention if one is generous in making the assessment.

AUS8 is pretty good stuff.
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I wasn't suggesting that the Fulcrum is the same or even comparable to the K.I.S.S. - just relaying an experience where an innovative design was compromised due to a poor choice in blade steel, is all.
 
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