Are there any CRKT knives you really like ?

Durwood

Durwood

Joined
Dec 10, 2003
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I'm just curious of your overall opinion of CRKT knives and if they make any that you feel are well worth the money. I've had a couple of models and was never impressed, except with a carbon fiber M16 model, and I still thought it could have used some revision.
 
I currently have a large KFF with which I've been very happy. I also have a stiff KISS which has held up well. I used to have a small KFF as well, but gave that to my father-in-law. He's still uses it regularly. My neighbor has a CRKT M-1603Z which has seen some hellish treatment but is still holding up pretty well. He does a lot of construction work, and likes to use knives for pretty hefty tasks, things I normally wouldn't use a knife for--cutting shingles, sheetrock, metal cable, boring holes through stucco walls, etc. He brings it over to me to sharpen after he is done abusing it, and it's still in good shape even though he's been torturing it for over two years now. I've been very impressed with the amount of abuse that knife has survived.
--Josh
 
There are two CRKT knives that I own that I absolutely do not regret buying:

BladeLock and the Rollock.

They are very nice in fit-and-finish, and very well engineered and constructed.
The blade-steel is the only place where they are lacking.

Allen.
 
I've had several, but my favorite model--the only one I've kept (then bought a second one as I couldn't believe they would continue making something like it) is the Grant Hawk DOG. I really solid, nicely made edc.

Best regards.
 
The Bladelock clicks with authority. Don't like the blade shape of the 2, but I don't like the handle of the 1.
I love the Hammond Cruiser, the KFF/KFF Pro and the Carsons. Nice designs, wish they'd make some in a nicer steel, though, but AUS 8 is fine
 
I have a Ryan Plan B fixed blade, and I like it a lot. It's my 'going out with the boys' knife. It it small, concealable, great ergonomice, and if I lose it or it gets confiscated, well, no big woop. So I'm out $30. Personally, I wish I could get a version of this knife in VG10 or S30V. If I could, it would become my favorite edc knife. Unfortunately, Steve Ryan's customs are just a weeeeeeeee bit over-priced :eek: . Which leads me to go post a new thread.
 
Got one of the Cruisers... I like it. It's become my beater carry.

The lock has been real solid, I love the LAWKS, the blade is nice and stabby, handle is comfortable. Wish it had higher end materials, but I'm not too concerned if it gets lost or beat up.

-j
 
I really like the Ryan Model 7 and Lightfoot M1. Both have the Lawks safety. Great knives for under $50.

D13
 
I really like the look of the Corkum First Strike family, but like most CRKT knives, I wish thery were in a better steel. Seems to be the only drawback of most Colubia River knives.

Thor
 
CRKT knives are my favorite production knives. I'm not very hard on my knives, so the steel has proven adequate for me, but it's interesting to hear so many that are dissatisfied with it. Hopefully someone from CRKT will see this thread.

I have an M16 zytel spearpoint, and my son has an M16 tanto. We both like them quite a bit.
 
I originally was drawn to the CRKT K.I.S.S. because of its unique design. However, with use I found the knife, either because of design or execution, to be unreliable in its lockup. I still have the smaller P.E.C.K. attached to my keyring.

This design needs to be treated as a slipjoint. It's not that secure. I also found the AUS6 steel which is used on many of their knives hard to sharpen, or hard to keep sharp.
 
CRKT has had their ups and downs. I really liked them in the early 90s - the Mirage, Commander Series...

After that they spent many years bead-blasting everything and making cheap knives with a lot of Zytel handles and not much else.

Lately they've really gotten pretty good again.

I also like the Ryan Plan B neck-knife a lot. It's the only neck-knife I really like and kept. I used the heck out of it on an Alaskan Fishing trip last summer because I could hang it outside my big-long raingear and it wouldn't rust from the pretty crinkle-coat coating.

If you're interested in the M16 series, I'll give you some advise because I've owned a few. You'll find that the large all-steel models operate best because the blade has enough momentum to flip out and lock more positively. That and the over-all robustness of the larger all-steel models, I think, makes them work better because they have a thicker lock bar.

I also really like the LAWKS lock.
 
I like the KFF. Well designed and fits the hand like a glove. Certainly, a well conceived knife. One of the better ones to emerge in recent years. :)
 
my 2 fav CRKT's are the KFF pro and the polkawski/kasper companion, an excellent fixed blade imho, get the companion and a good aftermarket sheath to replace the 2 crappy oners that come w/it and ya got something, imho, for less than $50.

i challenge someone to find a better EDC fixed blade for less than $50, i really think its that good, closely follows the P/K design, only neg is the steel and the aforementioned sheath, ya would think CRKT wouuld figure out 1 good sheath is 10X better than 2 crappy ones, oh well, got a kydex from on scene tac for $20, paid about $28 for the knife, like i said lots of knife for low $$$.

the crawford/kasper folder is another good one, again very closely follows the C/K design ( i have 2 custom KFF's, one ti and 1 micarta handle, the CRKT is really close as far as thickness/blade geometry/design, suprisingly close) and is a lotta knife for $40 or so, i liked mine so much i had to have a custom crawford KFF, which was my first custom, still have it too.


greg
 
My current favorites (which could change over the next six months as CRKT comes out with new models) are the Large KFF and the M-16. Great knives for the Price!
 
They use cheap steel, but it's more than adequate. Also, it helps keeps prices low. Wish the M16 1* series were in plain edge, though
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Prowler. I got mine for $35.00 on eBay and it has proved to be an excellent utility knife. It is fairly substantial design and the LAWKS system makes it extremely safe.
 
CRKT is not a top quality knife, but I've found them to be a good deal for the money. I don't always need to or even want to carry a high-dollar knife. My job requires me to go in and out of metal detectors several times a day, so my edc requirements are: (1) nothing too large or menacing looking to worry security; and (2) nothing that can't be easily replaced if I forget or loose it.

For a couple of years one of my edc's was a Sampson's Kiss. I don't have it know because my fiancee was impressed by it's simplicity, and she's carrying it now.

I also like the Prowler a lot. It's been on numerous motorcyle trips, and has performed well for the moderate chores I've asked of it.

If I were to be stranded on a desert island, would a CKRT be my first choice? No. But as a casual, everyday knive I've found these two to be handy and very serviceable.
 
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