Any Significate Difference between the M16 Models

B

Billxxxv

Joined
May 13, 2004
Messages
6
With the Zytel handles and the plain aluminum models. I'm torn between the two variations and need input to sway me to one or the other. No local stores carry these knives.
This is my 1st post!
Thanks
Bill
 
Basically the aluminum ones are thinner and lighter. the zytel ones are thicker and heavier. the aluminum ones have 1 liner (the lock) and the zytels have 2 liners. i have a small zytel tanto which DOESN'T have LAWKS. the bigger zytel tanto does have it i think. zytel of course costs less. the zytel uses AUS6 and the aluminum uses AUS8.

if you want a hefty user, the zytel may be better as it's wider grip feels a bit better. it's also cheaper so you don't feel bad about abusing it. however it has a softer steel, so you may need to sharpen more often. as long as it has LAWKS, my fingers feel safe enough. As an edc, the aluminum is much lighter and slimmer, but if you get the big tanto it may be blade heavy when open.

also note that the combo edge versions of the M16 are chisel ground on the non-serrated portion. this is for the tanto points, not 100% sure for the CE spearpoint.

my fav is the aluminum M16 spearpoint. light, quick, and thin. not very sheeple friedly when you flick it open though. the blade looks like a stiletto.
 
I have an aluminum model and like it just fine. However, when I bought mine, they were not putting the LAWKS lock on it. I presume you plan to order a new one, but I wanted to point this out just in case you come across a used one for sale.
 
Billxxxv- welcome to the forums! :)

I had an M16 with zytel, but I never used it becasue it was too big to carry everyday. (For my situation.) I recently aquired a smaller M21 with aluminum handles, and I like it better, not just for more useful the size, but it has a more solid feel for it's weight. Just a thought, YMMV. But I would say that you can't really go wrong with any on the Carson CRKTs. ;)

So again, welcome! Hope you enjoy your time here. :cool:
 
I think there are 7 variants, not counting the handle material/coloring/Titanium.
One big Tanto, a mid sized spear point and a small tanto. Then there are the 2 Special Forces variants and one tanto/one spear point EDC models.
 
my fav is the aluminum M16 spearpoint. light, quick, and thin. not very sheeple friedly when you flick it open though. the blade looks like a stiletto.[/QUOTE]

Thanks all for the warm welcome.
I'm more interested in the Spear points also. This will be my first "real" carry knife so I want to make the right choice. I have a for "show" folder but want a knife for "GO" if the need should ever arise.
 
the spear points are CG too, i had an M16-13Ti, and thought it a very well made knife, wish i still had it in fact.


greg
 
Billxxxv said:
Thanks all for the warm welcome.
I'm more interested in the Spear points also. This will be my first "real" carry knife so I want to make the right choice. I have a for "show" folder but want a knife for "GO" if the need should ever arise.
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If you want a good EDC i'd say spyderco is the best bet. good steel, good lock, good knives. the m16 is a great design, but it's execution leaves me a bit wanting. AUS8 is fine steel, but for the price spyderco offers VG-10. the m16 spearpoints are also light duty knives. the blade is quite thin, especially with the false edge. this makes the knife light, but don't expect it to take too much abuse.
 
Welcome Bill. My favorite M16 is the M16-03, a plain edge spear point, aluminum handle. I've been abusing mine for two years with no problems. Even though have other more expensive knives now, this is still one of my favorites. If you want a thicker blade, get one with the tanto blade or the new M21 model.

There must be some place that carries CRKT in Tampa. I live in Orlando and most sporting goods, Army surplus, gun and cutlery stores have them. There are usually a lot of knife dealers at gun shows also.
 
GarageBoy said:
CRKT has stopped making plain edged M16s?? I just checked their website. No more KFF pro either
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Wow, that's a shame. I always wondered why they never made a PE version of their "special" M16's now they even gave up PE on the regular M16. at least the zytel version still has PE for now...
 
GarageBoy said:
CRKT has stopped making plain edged M16s?? I just checked their website. No more KFF pro either
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That really sucks! I was just saying that they never made a plain edge *1 model so I just checked also and you're right, no more aluminum handles PE M16. Just the Zytel PE. That I didn't know before. I'd also like a PE titanium, which was also never made. They're in business to make money, and the PE probably didn't sell well enough.

Just got a KFF Pro. A great knife that I never bought before because it had an ugly silver handle till last year.
 
KFF pro is doncontinued. Not on their site. Pick em up while you can if you want them. I don't like the white either
 
kz1000s1 said:
There must be some place that carries CRKT in Tampa. I live in Orlando and most sporting goods, Army surplus, gun and cutlery stores have them. There are usually a lot of knife dealers at gun shows also.
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I just checked out my local retailer (Reffered by CRKT) and the knives were priced pretty high (MSRP) and as much as I'd love to support them I can't see paying 20-40 bucks more then I'd pay online. I did get to handle a few and did like what I saw.
 
Ordered a M16-03 PE, SP, with Zytel handles. Now the hard part.........Waiting for it to arrive.
 
It arrived today (M16-03) and i'm impressed. It's sharp, tight. smooth, and no blade play when open. The flipper makes the thumb studs redundant. Only drawback is the clip placement precludes any adjusting to speed up presentation from the front pocket. The back pocket may prove a better location. Great knife i'm a happy camper.
Next I'm thinking will be a large M18....
 
I never use the studs on mine. If you are going to carry it in the back pocket, be aware that the sharp checkering on the studs will be ground against your pants and anything you sit on. On mine I ground down the sharp edges a little. The flipper is great!
 
This might be a little off on a tangent, but I have noticed that CRKT uses either AUS6 or AUS8 for their blades. I have not seen any CRKTs advertised using ATS-34 or other higher grades of stainless (or carbon).

I've noticed also that some people believe AUS8 is the equivalent of 440C, while others disagree. What is your opinion on this issue? Is AUS8 really as good as 440C? Since I tend to always use my Spyderco VG-10 knives for utility, I have not formed an impression of how other steels compare.
 
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