Any talk of a steel change?

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I'm not following the logic here. Because most people barely use their knives and don't know how to sharpen, means that CRK shouldn't think about upgrading the steel they use to make blades?

To put it bluntly, that makes no sense. It's akin to a car manufacturer saying they will only offer one engine for their high end car, because that engine is 'good enough' and it doesn't matter anyway since most people won't track the car. Well.....what about the people who WILL track the car, and the people that want the extra power?

CRK easily offer the knives in 2 different steels. Keep the 35vn for their standard, and offer something upgraded for the people who want it. I'm familiar with the manufacturing side of knives. The cost, the complexity, the acquisition of materials - all of it. To try and say that offering their blades in something like 20cv or even XHP would be a big obstacle is just....patently false.

In my opinion, they should at least start listening to what people want. Specifically people who aren't in this little echo chamber where only praise is allowed.

Again, just my opinion.

 

yes, yea I do.

 

Lol. Go stand in the doorway of a walmart and ask 1000 people who Chris Reeve Knives is. 1000 people will say "who?"

How would a non knife enthusiast even know CRK even existed? They'd need to be on the forums, or browse knife shops. Either of those means you're most likely a knife enthusiast.

 

not going to argue with you... but some random guy asks what the best knife is and buys a crk. you see this all the time. they may be an enthusiast in another field like guns or something else.

but yea for the average consumer your right. if a guy with a lot of money that drops coin on great things ... he doesn't have to be an enthusiast of knives either.

but anyways...

another look at the idea of changing steel is that crk is backed up making so many knives because the demand is so great. they don't even need to fill the market with other steel types. they are just trying to keep up with demand. they can either expand or raise prices to help.

 

Your whole statement is quite ambiguous and I'll tell you why.
It's obvious you haven't read many of the threads in this forum. People do in fact express their concern on issues concerning CRK as well as their satisfaction with CRK. After all, it is the CRK Forum.
You need to read some of the threads in Maintenance, Tinkering& Embellishment Forum. It will give you an idea of just how many people in this forum need help maintaining their knives. Not everyone has the mechanical aptitude to maintain their belongings.
Using your example of the car, there are some models that offer only one engine, and that is mostly for the working class that want the best product that they are willing to afford. That's where CRK comes into play in the knife world. It isn't about the selection of steel, it's about the knife as a whole. When people fork over any amount of money above their comfort zone, they want it to be the best experience and be happy with their purchase. That includes for most, to be able to maintain the level of sharpness they are used to, being able to tear down, clean and reassemble their knife without issue. To know that customer service is top notch and prompt when issues arise. I know I wouldn't be satisfied with a knife if I couldn't sharpen it without having to spend even more money( and sometimes more than the knife) on a sharpening system.
It's evident you've either not seen or missed the reason CRK uses the steel they do in one of their video's. Chris did explain why he chose S35VN and it wasn't because it was the flavor of the day steel when CRK chose it.
Using the example of Walmart people is just wrong on so many levels, it's not worth trying to explain it. But, I will say this. the people I work with know I'm a knife guy. I'm always showing them my different knives. And yes, I do have many brands besides CRK. The one knife that gets the most comments about being a well built knife is my CRK's. Granted, typically I'll have something like a ZT, Hinderer or Shirogorov along with the CRK, but it amazes me that non knife people like the CRK. Maybe they don't like flippers, or maybe they relate to the CRK better. I've never asked why.
They do listen to what people say, if you ever have a chance to go to a show where they're at, they will acknowledge that some of the things they do is because of customer feedback.
Lastly, I've read a few threads (here on BF) about people getting back to simpler steels and not being really impressed with some of the super steels.

 

Wow, look at all the fun I have been missing.....lol

 

I quit reading this forum back in 2011 when it became nothing but CRK praise and anything even perceived as negative was quickly dog piled. I had my fill of it in 2011 after years of seeing it.

So you’re right, I’m not very familiar with this forum anymore.

As far as missing or not knowing why CRK uses this steel, that’s laughable. I was here when they switched to s30v....I was here when they switched to s35vn... And I owned all of them. I’m well aware of how/why they use what they use. Just because Chris helped develop the steel doesn’t mean they have to be pigeon holed into it. I’ve owned over 80 CRK knives and have 12 in my collection now. I appreciate them for what they are, but when I need a knife to work long I reach for something different. After well over a decade actually using the knives I’ve become accepting of the fact that they just won’t hold an edge as long as others. But again that doesn’t mean they *couldn’t* with a few changes.

It’s clear we will disagree, so we might as well just stop here.

 

Even though I'm on this forum I'm not a knife nerd when people start getting into the technicalities of steels and heat treating and the like I my eyes glaze over. When I bought my my 21 last year it was in the running with the Spyderco Nirvana and the Medford 187DP they're all price competitive with the Sebenza even if they're all different. The reason I bought the Sebenza over the other two was not the steel and not the design it was the simple fact that I could take it apart without voiding the warranty, and CRK would replace a blade if needed. A new steel isn't really going to make me want to run out and buy a new one, this year when I wanted buy a new knife in the 400-500 price range I bought a KC Grey Pirate Jack because this time I just wanted something not everyone would have. I've never bought tech specs I buy whole companies.

 

the last time I corresponded with Matt the answer was, in so many words, "no" to any new blade steels... and that was roughly 6 months ago

There is no secrete to knife sharpening... you need the right tool for me that is the WE and a then little practice to get it right...

 

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I am nearly there...
I haven't handled a Ti-Lock yet, and I think I would love it. I love the look of the mechanism, and the sizing. But I don't know if I should hold out and find something that also catches my eye and adds the bonus of an upgraded alloy.

I don't mind S35Vn, but that is the issue... I don't want to "not mind" an alloy on a $400+ knife (now that they are disco'd).

In this price range, there are plenty of options. That is the issue that CRK is up against. That folks "don't mind" their alloy of choice, is sooner or later going to become a less than appreciable alloy. For some of us, that time is Very soon, if not already come...