Anybody tried the CRKT Lake 111Z lockback

R

Rich S

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Sep 23, 2005
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The title says it all. I've got one on order; should be here tomorrow. The double locking system sounded interesting, but unnecessary and I doubt I'd use it. It looks nice and the write up on it sounds good and was on sale very inexpensive. I had excellent experience with all my CRKTs and Kershaws.
Just wondering if anyone has any experience with it. Thanks
Rich
 
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Rich S said:
The title says it all. I've got one on order; should be here tomorrow. The double locking system sounded interesting, but unnecessary and I doubt I'd use it. It looks nice and the write up on it sounds good and was on sale very inexpensive. I had excellent experience with all my CRKTs and Kershaws.
Just wondering if anyone has any experience with it. Thanks
Rich
Click to expand...

I have the smaller version. It is the worst knife I own. Gritty as hell even after cleaning. Blade play. Blade is much more chippy than other steels of the same type from different companies.

Hopefully you get a good one.
 
Whoa, sorry to hear that! I'll let you know how mine works outs when I get it and use it a bit (keeping my fingers crossed that it turns out to be better than yours). (Probably why it was on sale so cheap). If not then it's just $15 bucks down the drain :-(
Rich
 



I got the 3" version and really like it for what it is. Cost me right about $20 shipped. I don't "hard" use it, its one I keep in my more casual rotation, carries pretty light, and my edge was shaving sharp out the box, and holds it reasonably well...

It's no super knife super steel, but for what it is it's great IMO. I wouldn't put next to a $100 knife, but compared to any other ≤$20 knife it will absolutely hold its own. My only complaint is the lockback sticks a bit.

*edit - the denim sheath IMO is ugly as sin, but still nice that for the price it came with a sheath as an option.
 
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Thanks for the info. The 3" is what I've got coming. I'd already planned to ditch the sheath. The lockback might loosen up a bit if you have a side only needle file and do a LITTLE filing on the blade notch edge where it locks into the backspring. I've done it with a couple knives and it only takes a very little work to smooth out the working of the lock.
Rich
 
Got my CRKT lockback yesterday. Blade is really sharp out of the box. Slide "safety lock" is a waste and I will find a way to disable that. The problem with the lock hanging seems to be that the cut outs in the handles are too shallow and you can't depress the backspring enough to easily release the blade lock. I'm working on a solution to that - maybe grind the cut outs in the handle deeper with my dremel rotary grinder. Impressions so far; great blade, poor design but can be fixed I think. Worth the $15.

I found that by just filing the edges of the blade lock notch a bit, that it unlocks quite easily. Easy fix. Also, by applying a TINY bit of superglue to the bottom edge of the slide safety lock on the handle (the unlocked position), that it stays put (basically doesn't do anything), but a hard push with a screw driver or a bit of nail polish remover and you can reactivate it if you wish.

Rich
 
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Found 3 of the smaller 111 a couple of years ago online for less than $10 apiece. Gave two of them away to non-knife friends and kept one. It never gets carried, but it's an OK knife.
 
Bought one...sharp blade and decent lock. But lotta blade play and made like, well, a cheap knife. It is what it is.
 
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