Quick edit: looks like I misspelled "Russell" in the subject! Doh! Can a mod fix that for me?
I got my ringer 2 in the mail around a week ago. I've been interested in the design for a while so I threw one in with the rest of an order just for the hell of it. I'm glad I did as this has become my edc.
Here's the idea behind the knife:
This is exactly what the ringer is. It carries lightly enough that I usually just drop it in its sheath into a front shirt pocket and forget about it until I need it. The blade is a good length and shape for serious use. The little "control lever" part of the handle is comfortable and helpful. This isn't like tiny knives such as vic classic that are only good for light cutting; this is a serious work knife.
CRKT ringers are made with 3Cr13 steel. I believe this is similar to 420J2. It's not that great of steel compared to more expensive stainlesses (s30v,vg10,etc). The hardness of the edge is 54/55r. I believe this is comparable to circular saws and screwdrivers. This knife sharpens very easily. Edge retention is satisfactory. I can't get it shaving sharp but that's because I'm not good enough at sharpening to do that with any knife. I can get it much sharper than I need for utility use. It's important to be careful when sharpening hawkbills; a little bit of laziness can screw up a good edge without much effort.
One important thing that surprised me is that it turns out this knife is extremely sheeple unfriendly. Eight different coworkers of mine have commented so far on how it looks like an evil claw for killing. None of them really care about it, but this reaction was unexpected. These are the same people who don't care one bit about my hissatsu folder, a coworker's huge black switchblade, concealed razors, or another coworker's foot long ao folder. Apparently an efficient blade shape and secure grip is more scary than actual weapons.
Just in case Mr. Russell reads this I want to say thanks for designing this. It's working out great for me. You mentioned on your site that you hoped users would send new blade ideas in to CRKT; do you know if they take such submissions seriously? I've got a couple ideas already.
I got my ringer 2 in the mail around a week ago. I've been interested in the design for a while so I threw one in with the rest of an order just for the hell of it. I'm glad I did as this has become my edc.
Here's the idea behind the knife:
The Designer said:
This is exactly what the ringer is. It carries lightly enough that I usually just drop it in its sheath into a front shirt pocket and forget about it until I need it. The blade is a good length and shape for serious use. The little "control lever" part of the handle is comfortable and helpful. This isn't like tiny knives such as vic classic that are only good for light cutting; this is a serious work knife.
CRKT ringers are made with 3Cr13 steel. I believe this is similar to 420J2. It's not that great of steel compared to more expensive stainlesses (s30v,vg10,etc). The hardness of the edge is 54/55r. I believe this is comparable to circular saws and screwdrivers. This knife sharpens very easily. Edge retention is satisfactory. I can't get it shaving sharp but that's because I'm not good enough at sharpening to do that with any knife. I can get it much sharper than I need for utility use. It's important to be careful when sharpening hawkbills; a little bit of laziness can screw up a good edge without much effort.
One important thing that surprised me is that it turns out this knife is extremely sheeple unfriendly. Eight different coworkers of mine have commented so far on how it looks like an evil claw for killing. None of them really care about it, but this reaction was unexpected. These are the same people who don't care one bit about my hissatsu folder, a coworker's huge black switchblade, concealed razors, or another coworker's foot long ao folder. Apparently an efficient blade shape and secure grip is more scary than actual weapons.
Just in case Mr. Russell reads this I want to say thanks for designing this. It's working out great for me. You mentioned on your site that you hoped users would send new blade ideas in to CRKT; do you know if they take such submissions seriously? I've got a couple ideas already.
Last edited: