Are there any high quality CRKTs?

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kgriggs8

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I have only had the M-16s and similar knives. They are not what I would call top of the line. Are there any CRKTs that compare to Spyderco and Benchmade in terms of blade steel, fit and finish and overall quality? Or are they all designed to be mid range knives?

I ask because there seems to be a loyal CRKT following yet from what I have seen, I haven't seen any really good knives from them yet. In fact, I am considering giving up on them since I have had a few problems with them.
 
I would say the Lake's P.A.L. is high quality. Aus 8. I know the Viele wasp models were well mad with Aus 118 steel. The Hawk D.O.G. is also very well made. Aus 8
 
The Titanium and other For Those Who Serve M16's use AUS 8 steel and its pretty good. But I don't think you are going to get the quality price ration you get from other finer companies, especially if they produce for specialized markets, namely people that USE their knives.
 
As far as current offerings go, check out some of the newly-relased models. Most feature AUS-8 blade steel and appealing designs, and and several include machined G-10 scales. Some that you might want to look into are the Anubis and Pharaoh, the M4, the Tighe series, and the Crawford Triumph.
 
I have CRKT's M16 13sf, I believe it's aus8, and although its chisel ground, it still can cut like a demon, and it has the original lawks system. I hear tales that the auto-lawks that they fit onto all the cheaper m16 models tend to have engaging problems. Good knife, but I would like something grippier than anodized aluminum for the handle... I rotate it with a manix
 
CRKT isn't really into higher end knives. But they do have good everyday quality. And they are very good at providing variety, including collaborations with creative custom knifemakers.

Still, supersteel isn't the whole story, and they have assisted openers that look pretty good.
 
I've found the Wasp and the S-2 to both be quality knives, especially considering the price paid.
 
While they don't carry anything with super steels or materials, I would say the M16 series with AUS8 steel is pretty high quality for an everyday working knife or a LEO/first responder tool. I am excited to check out the M4's. I think that maybe a micarta, carbon fiber or G10 insert on the titanium M16's would be a good addition, but where do you put it? The M18 that I got in a trade coupla years ago was an improvement handle wise, but did not look as good as the M16's or M21's IMHO.
 
It seems like you're after folders, but they're alaska hunting knives seem to be decent. I like the looks of the wrangell hunter, but don't quite want to spend it on a crkt. That being said AUS-8 is a pretty good steel and spyderco used it in their bob lum fixed blade so they're probably closest to equal in that respect.
 
I'd have to say "no". CRKT makes inexpensive knives for folks who either don't know or don't care about quality. I have several and none of them stack up favorably to folders from other production comapanies. I'd say they're a little below Kershaw on the quality side of things. They do have some interesting designs, though. But some of their ideas are kind of cheezy and lame, there's a high gimmick factor to what they do.
 
CRKT's knives once offered good value for money.

But over the past few years they began using inferior grade steel in many of their models. After a while, these models were selling for pennies on the dollar at places like Smoky Mountain and ebay. And further, moving to the lesser grade steel, IMO, corrupted the good reputation for excellent value that CRKT had cultivated. (The fit and finish of their knives, however, remained generally excellent.)

However, CRKT seems to have had a change of heart, and released several really good looking knives for the beginning of this year. For example, they're using AUS 8 again in most of these new blades, instead of AUS 4 or 420J2.

In fact, I've got my eye on one; I'm really looking forward to its release later this month. http://www.crkt.com/hissfolder.html
 
The S-2 was titanium handled with ATS34 bladesteel, and was very good in fit and finish. CRKT had it in them at some point to make excellent knives, hopefully they'll head back that direction.
 
i like CRKT. i have a M16-14D. Its a great knife. Locks well, cuts easily, looks great, feels good in the hand. It isnt all about super steel you know. AUS 8 is an excelent steel in IMO. I honestly think that we have all been spoiled by the likes of s30v an VG-10 and others that we wont accept anything less than that.

if you just use ur knife for around the house tasks and gardening, then why the heck do u need something like s30v? even if ur working at a store or something stocking shelves u dont really need that super steel.

if ur in the military or other jobs where u have ur life in ur hands in the form of a knife then yes, u need a great steel and great overall knife. thats what think of CRKT. Alot of soldiers use the M16 series. I figure if our troops like them, then they are good enough for me.

i have yet to play around with BM but i have with spyderco. spyderco i hate.

thats just my opinion. go with what works for you. just remember, just because it doesn't have a super steel or something like g-10 for the handle or the ight type of coating on the blade ect, doesn't mean it isnt a good knife for the task it was designed to do.

thus my opinion
 
They're hard to find these days, but CRKT once produced the Apache series...
Aluminum handled, ATS-34 blade-steel, and every bit as nice as any Spyderco or Benchmade.

Also look for the SeaHawk series.

The Carson M18 was also an exceptional knife.

The Carson M21 is still a fantastic knife.
 
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