Any experiences on CRKT M-18?

J

James Y

Joined
Feb 18, 1999
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I handled one at a gun shop and was quite impressed with the construction and feel of the knife. The version I inspected was the smaller (blade just over 3" or so) one. It happened to have the black G-10 inserts.

It seemed like this one you could snap open pretty hard via the flipper and the liner lock would not become "stuck" or overshoot its normal position with a normal opening. It seems quite an improvement over the M-16 series. Also, the clip side was smoothe aluminum, which would be far more pocket-friendly; my M-16 spear point with Zytel scales is murder on my pants pocket due to the handle holes and the clip in relation to the holes.

Any comments from owners appreciated!
Jim
 
Hi Jim,

I currently own both the small and large versions of the M-18 and I love them both! The action on both is very smooth and both were razor sharp out of the box. I generally carry the smaller one as an EDC and the "big boy" on the weekends and have no complaints as to "carry comfort".

Take Care,

James
 
Like most of the CRKT line, this folder is a very decent knife for the money.
I have the large model(black G-10 inlays) and since I bought it nearly as it was coming off the UPS truck at Ruff's, it has been my EDC most(about 80-90%) of the time.
I find it has most all of the features I like in a folder. Tip down clip, an almost gentleman's type folder "look" with those cool looking inlays, Carson Flipper/finger guard that makes for a very fast deployment, LAWKS safety device, drop point recurve blade, high blade grind which makes for a thin edge, THICK aircraft grade Aluminum scales and the AUS8A blade holds a very decent edge and gets scary sharp rather easily on my Sharpmaker. I can't find much of anything bad to say about this folder. Now I'm thinking maybe I need one with blue G-10 inlays, or maybe the red ones!:D
 
James and misque:
Thanks for the feedback!
Actually, it's been some time since I bought a CRKT knife. It looks like there's some pretty excellent stuff they're coming out with. The M-18 seems very, very strong and smoothe. Looks like I will have to consider buying one, probably the smaller one. I also like the looks of the fire engine red G-10 handled M-16 small tanto, but I would be concerned with carry comfort on all the M-16's, whereas the M-18 seems to have solved that problem.
Jim
 
I have the smaller version, plain edge, blue inserts. The liner lock engages beautifully and solidly every time and the knife is a pleasure to carry. Another example of the fine products being turned out by CRKT.
 
I have the small w/black inserts as well and I think it's a great knife--been thinking about picking up the large as well. I really like the flipper and I like the smooth handle on the clip side. This was the first knife that was able to oust my Boa as my EDC (still carry the boa, just not as often). What I like is that it has similar properties to my Boa, i.e. flipper (sans SpeedSafe), recurve blade, but it is much lighter. Locks up great. Really well-made/designed knife.
 
I must agree with ZENGHOST. I too carry the Kershaw BOA as my EDC.
I picked the M18-02 at a local store and I love it.
I initially wanted to get the M16 but when I was comparing the both model
M18 was much more smoother.
This knife is a winner.
 
I know that the flipper is the best way to open the M18 (and M16), but what about the thumb-studs on the M18...are they as abrasive as the ones on the M16?
The studs on my M16 were just too rough and I had to file them smooth.

Allen.
 
Allen C

Yeah the thumb stud is very rough like the M16 ( Ouch !)
The only reason I bought this knife was the flipper factor.
You may want to sand it out a little if you like using both.
 
Originally posted by Torah
Allen C

Yeah the thumb stud is very rough like the M16 ( Ouch !)
The only reason I bought this knife was the flipper factor.
You may want to sand it out a little if you like using both.
Click to expand...
What Torah said, except that I wouldn't recommend sanding down the studs if you are planning to use them. Their main purpose is to stop the blade although they do work for me as a thumbstud. If you were to sand them down, because the studs don't rise above handle height at all, they would be extremely difficult to open. Although sometimes when I'm going for a low-key opening I will push on the flipper slightly and follow through with the thumbstud in one easy motion as opposed to snapping the blade out as I do 95% of the time.
 
I have three of them, the one I usaully carry is the blue g-10 large model, its a great knife , but like the m-16 the studs are crummy, but they make excellent blade stops!!!
 
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