Alternative to CRK. What other folder's compare in quality and price point?

Aidansdaddy17

Aidansdaddy17

Joined
Mar 30, 2012
Messages
1,413
Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan, not a fanboy. I love Spyderco, some Benchmade's, Kershaw and GEC. I am currently looking at getting a Mcusta Taina. I love my small 21 Sebenza. Getting an Insingo with micarta soon! Might not be able to justify two. Or should I? Need new glasses first. Sold my Mnandi for those. Tear. This is a hate free zone! Just thoughts and opinions wanted. For those who like CRK: What else do you buy or carry? For those who dislike: What else do you buy and carry? What do you feel is just as good in the range of specs, quality, and price? Let's see what everyone comes up with. Maybe opinions and minds will be changed both ways within this thread. :thumbup: I'm a knife nut. Just looking to expand my horizons. I also have been looking at some custom knife makers. Wow...so beautiful. I'd maybe spend between $400-$500 soon, on one. What do you suggest? I'd love to find that one "flipper" knife. Had the ZT 0560. It was amazing, just too beefy/big for me. Just like the Large Insingo was. Blade laws. 3.5 inches and under here. Thanks! (Ideas for semi and customs would be great)
 
For me currently at the price point I can pick up a well made local (South African) knife. Those are the only ones I consider at that price point, however, one can easily shop according to price point at certain online stores to see what is in that category (( yes, that's deal spotting )).

I am on a Gareth Bull, local maker, craze and have 4 knives still on order from him some in RWL-34 and others in M390. Great guy to deal with and I love his work.

---
Groetnis

My Youtube channel of knife use: http://tinyurl.com/d9bjha7
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Benchmade 790 Subrosa,

531047w.jpg


Pretty much the Sebenza cloned by Benchmade, Subrosa also sound accidentally similar to Sebenza IMO.
 
Last edited:
Bradley Alias similar materials, different fit and finish, but for the price it can't be beat. Spyderco Sage2 is another good one.
 
Marthinus do share about the m390 knife. My small warlock should be done very soon and i was thinking about having him make another knife aswell.
 
shqxk said:
Benchmade 790 Subrosa,

531047w.jpg


Pretty much the Sebenza cloned by Benchmade, Subrosa also sound quite similar to Sebenza IMO.
Click to expand...

Wow. I wonder if people haves as much hate for benchmade as they do for SRM and it's copy of the Sebenza. Clearly benchmade copied/borrowed/was inspired etc by CRK. I've seen a lot of people knocking SRM for their "evil" practice of copying a knife design, but I've never seen benchmade brought up before. Seems like there's a little knife bias.
 
The Les George VECP - there will be more available after Blade too. It's an outstanding folder IMHO and I prefer it over the CRK offerings.

I LOVE my VECP.
 
Last edited:
newknife said:
Wow. I wonder if people haves as much hate for benchmade as they do for SRM and it's copy of the Sebenza. Clearly benchmade copied/borrowed/was inspired etc by CRK. I've seen a lot of people knocking SRM for their "evil" practice of copying a knife design, but I've never seen benchmade brought up before. Seems like there's a little knife bias.
Click to expand...

That's a Matthew Lerch design. Personally, I'd say it's unique enough to be distinguishable from the Seb.
 
I'm a strider fan as well as CRK. Peter R on this site makes some bad ass looking flipper blades too. Kingdom armory has some amazing knives and look at the direwire s90 too.
 
I've become a fan of Hinderer knives as well as CRK. The fit and finish of Hinderer matches that of CRK.

The XM-18 in 3" is comparable to my small sebenza, just a small bit beefier in the hand, and the XM-18 3.5" is comparable to an umnum in size.

 
Just because it has Ti scales and frame lock doesn't mean it's a sebenza copy. Look at it, the design is no where similar.
 
The Hinderers are NOT at a similar price-point. I usually see them at $700-$900, which is way over my top.
I haven't owned a Microtech Socom Elite yet, but I was impressed by Youtube videos of jdavis882. He tested knives with S35VN and 20CV blade-steel and was nearly overwhelmed. I remember that he bought three Elites, although he often buys three at a time. He also just sold three Elites to buy his first custom, which is a physically large folder but very smooth. Cannot recall the name. His tests of the Microtechs just flew through the rope-cutting and still push-cut phone-book paper. These knives have 4" blades, a bit long for me, although I have an Umnumzaan that I like a lot. Gonna hafta buy one, I figure.
And, as a previous poster mentioned, Les George VECP is very popular; custom but not too pricey at $400 or so.
I just bought a ZT0550; hadda see what all the shouting's about. It's a bit fatter, probably, than what I like, but I'll try it.
My faves are PM2's and Militaries in super-steels. And perhaps an Emerson or two. These Spydercos are cheap compared to CRK, but very smooth. The compession lock is something that I cannot fault: easy and quick to open and close one-handed. Love those Spydies.

sonny
 
Last edited:
dflores said:
Marthinus do share about the m390 knife. My small warlock should be done very soon and i was thinking about having him make another knife aswell.
Click to expand...

Will do. It has a few design elements from other makers I asked Gareth to do his spin on it again. Loveless, Emerson, Lum...should be interesting when its done.

I think that one will be M390...damn can't remember right now. Getting confused with everything ordered :) hopefully he keeps better track then me!
 
marthinus said:
Will do. It has a few design elements from other makers I asked Gareth to do his spin on it again. Loveless, Emerson, Lum...should be interesting when its done.

I think that one will be M390...damn can't remember right now. Getting confused with everything ordered :) hopefully he keeps better track then me!
Click to expand...

Good choice of inspirations. I'll definitely be interested in seeing the result.
 
I have been edc my small sebenza since purchased.

I do have a chapperal spyderco on order though to alternate with.
 
Get yourself one of these. Klotzli Walker 2005, within your price range,comparable quality to CRK and if you love the Insingo you'll probably like this one too.

KlotzliBetterPic1.jpg
 
Last edited:
marthinus said:
Will do. It has a few design elements from other makers I asked Gareth to do his spin on it again. Loveless, Emerson, Lum...should be interesting when its done.

I think that one will be M390...damn can't remember right now. Getting confused with everything ordered :) hopefully he keeps better track then me!
Click to expand...

Sounds awesome :) I was thinking about his fixed blade that looks like the warlock aswell.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top