Back on the bandwagon with CRKT

JediKnight86

JediKnight86

Joined
Jul 9, 2003
Messages
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The last knives I bought were a couple Benchmade Griptilians and Spyderco Delicas, two of my all time favorite models made by two of my all time favorite companies. Whenever anyone has asked me what's a good brand to look at for an inexpensive high quality knife I say "Spyderco of course" and if they end up not liking the offerings I recommend Benchmade.

I usually don't recommend CRKT unless they think even the Red Line of Benchmade or a Delica are too expensive. And usually the former end up being less expensive than some CRKT models. But, today, I caved and bought my first CRKT knife in about 6 years. I got the M16-13LE with the new Autolawks (a feature that I didn't even know existed, notice the red dot). First I noticed how smoothly the knife flicked open and then I felt the Lawks automatically engage, Cool! Then I noticed one of the washers was phosphor-bronze instead of Teflon. CRKT quality seems to be getting better. Plus the M16 has been around so long now that it should be perfected.

:thumbup: And Looking through the catalog theres a lot of new stuff I had no clue about and I've got a few I'm eyeing for my next purchase.

M16SRT06.jpg
 
I continue to be a fan of CRKT. As you've said, they've been expanding the model line recently, and I've found the overall quality of the knives to be quite good. To top it off, my recent experience with the CRKT warranty department left me extremely satisfied with the company's customer service and support of its products. :thumbup:
 
yobbos1 said:
What the heck is Autolawks?
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well they first came out with LAWKS which is that little slider thing that stops the liner lock from moving when opened. Now it just engages automatically when the knife is opened as opposed to the operator choosing to put the LAWKS in place.

theres an explanation somewhere on CRKT's website
 
For the money, IMO, you can do much worse than the M16 series from CRKT. I'm thinking about getting a large one to keep in my truck...
 
I have about 15 M16s. I really like them and the M18s and the titanium, framelock S-2s. I would love to see CRKT offer some upgraded steel in limited runs like Kershaw has been doing. I know I will never see it but I would love to see a CRKT M16 with titanium handles and a framelock. Add to this a blade in S30V, VG-10 or even ZDP189. All of the serrated blade M16s I have are chisel grind. The plain blades are not.
 
flip said:
All of the serrated blade M16s I have are chisel grind. The plain blades are not.
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Do you mean the primary bevel is a chisel grind or just the secondary, serrated bevel?
 
I recently bought a CRKT Lightfoot M1. Pretty hefty (and heavy) folder with a very usable blade. Very sharp out of the box with the exception of the tip which was ground at a pretty blunt angle. I've never had much use for a stabber, so it's fine with me. I could always reprofile it if I deem it necessary.

Anyway, it's got AUS8 steel, grippy handle, comfortable grip, decent liner lock, 4 options for attaching the clip, a flipper that doubles as a guard when open and a very helpful customer service department. My only concern was that it has no lanyard hole. I solved the problem by using a thin strip of leather tied around the spool-shaped spacer at the butt of the handle. The blade misses it by about 2mm, so it works for me. A thinner-than-normal piece of cord should work just as well. Nice knife.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Do you mean the primary bevel is a chisel grind or just the secondary, serrated bevel?
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The regular M16 Zytel, M16 titanium, and M16 EDC all have the edge ground on both sides. The version that I got is hollow ground on both sides, but the edge only on one side. I'm OK with it though bc it's wicked sharp and pointy. The M18 recurve spear point is also egde ground on both sides. It seems like the 1* knives are all "chisel" but it's really not that bad bc the blade is hollow ground on both sides like I said, just the edge is on one side. If you use the knife as a brute like I bough it for it doesn't really matter. If you want a precise slicer, buy something else.:D
 
I checked over at the CRKT website, and wow - really have to pick and choose carefully. I see they're making the "Professional" Crawford Kasper out of 420J2 now. I had to read it a few times because I kept thinking they were referring to the liners. But it's the blade!

The M16s are AUS 8A as mentioned...
There are quite a few others with AUS 8A too.

Then there are models with AUS 4, 1.4116,...more with 420J2...
 
the kasper pro is disco'd IIRC.

those were pretty cool knives for the $$ imho, i liked 'em so much i got a crawford Ti kasper folder, perfigo too.
 
SIFU1A said:
the kasper pro is disco'd IIRC.

those were pretty cool knives for the $$ imho, i liked 'em so much i got a crawford Ti kasper folder, perfigo too.
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Interesting. Because it's listed on the CRKT website.
And they were cool knives for the money when IIRC they were made of AUS 6 - they even made a version in AUS 8.

But the one on the website, black blade, has a blade of 420J2.
It's called the Kasper Black, but you get to it on the site by clicking on the "Professional" knives link.

In fact, here it is: http://crkt.com/tactflds.html

Point being to pick and choose carefully with the CRKTs, do a little research first to see what you're actually getting.
 
What is the difference between a "regular" and a "professional" Kasper besides the price? Looks like to me the handle material may be better. Does the "professional" have a better F&F?
 
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