Being a new CRK owner...

dgf

dgf

Joined
Jul 13, 2016
Messages
178
Hi,

I have a small Sebenza CGG and love it. I am considering ordering a small titanium frame lock flipper, because I want a flipper. I've looked at many on line. I and am close to deciding on a Rick Hinderer Half Track. My question, and the reason I post it here, will I be happy with the fit, finish, and overall quality of the RH having been so impressed with my CRK? Last thing I want to do is drop a bunch of money and be disappointed. I realize they are different knives. I am asking about general quality. Thank you.

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Quality is there. They make a fine product. In that price range you might want to check out the shirogorov neon as well.
 
In the world of flippers, Hinderer isn't known for their amazing flipping quality. I've got two that are terrible flippers, of course they're earlier models, and there has been discussion here about the earlier generations. Wouldn't have a clue if they're better now. I would say the fit and finish is top quality. I do not care for the Teflon washers that they use. Regardless of the reasoning RHK uses to justify using Teflon washers, it's a deal breaker for me.
Hinderers are excellent knives for their intended use, but I'm not a firefighter or EMT. Keep in mind, the whole CRK experience is about the overall qualities of the knife and not just one feature.
For me, the quality of build, materials, F&F, geometry of the blade come together and make the CRK a great knife that stays in my pocket. There's nothing more disappointing than to have a knife that you like, but doesn't perform the chores you want it to.
IMO, Zero Tolerance has the best production flippers on the market. Even better than that, if you can score a Hinderer/ZT collaboration like the 0392, you've got the best of both worlds.
 
Hinderers share none of the qualities that I love about my CRKs. I like my latest gen XM18, but there are a few things I'd change. The Teflon washers are finicky and not as smooth as PB, their stonewashed blades are lighter near the bevel, and finding a good balance between the blade being centered and flipping well is near impossible. I find myself questioning whether it's worth the price, and I got it at less than MSRP. I've never questioned the value of CRKs.
 
I have owned well over 100 CRK. Have owned 14 RHK. I sold many CRK years ago to purchase the RHK, which I DEEPLY regret....!. Now, I still have quite a few CRK, while only 1 remains. RHK makes some nice knives, but they are no where near CRK in quality, fit, finish. They are a Lego knife, plain and simple. In the 14 I had, every one flipped different, had different detents, etc. I had a couple that were perfect, while others you felt like you were going to break your wrist just trying to flip it. I had a couple non flippers. Again, if I am going to have a RHK non flipper, I might as well just have another CRK. One thing of note is that CRK can take criticism. When people critique their design, Chris will give a clear reason Why he does it his way. Really cut and dry. RHK, simply Cannot handle criticism at all and because people were complaining about detents and such, they lacked to leave Bladeforums. There IS a reason for the criticism, yet they just folded when getting asked why this or that. I am not here to bash them, they make Good Knives. But CRK they certainly are not.
 
Btw, what CRK CGG do you have.....??? I love the CGG/UG, so you know you have to show us a pic.....!!!
 
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I'm looking more for a flipper with a less than 3 inch blade. So far ask I see that I'd consider are a zt900 and a RH HT.

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As it has been said many times before, early XMs were not great flippers, but the Gen 4s are much improved in this regard. My Gen 4 3.5 Slicer is a fantastic flipper, perfectly centered, and rock solid. Different animal than CRK all together, but thats what I love and appreciate about both, they excel in their intended use.
However, you want to know about the Half Track. I have yet to handle one, but If you look at it you notice there are no thumb studs. This would lead me to believe that its a dedicated flipper and one would only hope that its detent is strong enough to support a good flipping action.
Hopefully some Half Track owners can chime in and confirm my theory.
 
dgf said:
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I'm looking more for a flipper with a less than 3 inch blade. So far ask I see that I'd consider are a zt900 and a RH HT.

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Nice Celtic....!!! The XM-3's were nice. I have a larger hand, so had a lanyard on it to give me more grip for flipping. You don't see the 3" around as much. ZT makes some nice flippers also, on a much more $$ friendly scale.
 
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They used to say that Hinderer's weren't flippers, but knives that could be flipped. I am not a flipper fan and hope the fad eventually subsides, but for now it is at full force.
 
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I have one XM-18 3.5" Slicer, bought for $385 back in 2013 when they were that price. I love it NOW, but that is after spending a bunch of money making it right in my eyes. Adding up all the extras makes it way more expensive than a comparable CRK.

The total cost of my one XM is $385 for the knife, $200 for an add-on titanium scale (the stock G-10 feels cheap to me), about another $130 for bronze Ti hardware, and around $100 for a regrind by Josh at Razor Edge Knives. Total cost of about $815, which would be a bit more nowadays since they increased base prices.

The kicker is, to me, the XM isn't worth even just the base MSRP price if you're not gonna change anything, given the super thick grinds RHK puts out. When you buy a knife, it should be able to cut things, ESPECIALLY if it is referred to as a "Slicer" grind. But if you're minimally willing to spend the extra money on the regrind from Josh at Razor Edge, I think the cost of the knife plus the regrind then makes the total package borderline worth buying one...but just one. Note that RHK recently changed their warranty to say that a regrind will not void the warranty unless it specifically causes the issue you're having. This should tell you something...I am guessing so many people were regrinding them to make them able to cut well that they had to do this. It is a solid knife and looks cool, but I don't think I'll ever own more than one RHK due to all the extra costs involved.

Bottom line is if you're going to spend all that money and are dead-set on a flipper, maybe look for something else first like the ZT 0900 for far less money but (usually) comparable quality to an RHK. I have no idea if the Half-Track cuts well, but my hunch is it is similar to other RHKs and doesn't cut well out of the box, so you'd have to pay the base price of $585 plus about $100 for a regrind. For that price you can almost buy a small Inkosi and Small Sebenza 21 which both have sub-3" blades ($725 total, vs. $685 for one modified Half Track). Although they're not flippers, they're much better knives.
 
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Had several RHK in the past. Gen4 and a few older ones. 3"and 3.5 XM and one eclipse.

Sold them all and I am happy to be back with a full line up of CRKs.
Just can not beat a CRK. Not that there is anything wrong RHK just not my thing. Some what over built for me. I don't need a blade that's that thick and I don't like how much room it took up in my pocket nor the hole the flipper put in my pocket over time.

I could think of other reason but would be getting picky.


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As mentioned above, I'd buy a Shirogorov Neon over the RHK Half Track. Might be a little harder to find, might be a tad more expensive, but if you're looking for CRK level fit and finish, I think you'd be happier with the Neon.
 
Fit and finish-CRK
Tolerances-CRK
Blade steel-Hinderer
Size and carry-CRK
Ease of maintenance-CRK
Price-CRK
Customer service-CRK
Cutting ability-CRK
Handling-Hinderer
Still like them both.Cheers.
 
If you like the blade shape I think you would like the ZT900. It really deploys well and is a nice heavy duty knife. I have an 3" XM as well as CRK's and it really needs a regrind to slice well. I had thought about buying a half track but for the money another CRK is cheeper and nicer.
 
I'd second the Shirogorov Neon recommendation. Another good one would be the Brad Sputhard Avo if you can get your hands on one.
 
What about a ZT 0450? It's 3.25 but so is the Neon. The Neon Is awesome though if you want to spend that much. Miss mine sometimes.
 
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I love the action on the 0450. The shape of the handle feels great to my hands but the look just isn't quite my ideal look. For some reason it just doesn't seem as classy. Functionally, I don't have a single negative thing to say about that knife. Such a great flipper.
 
Thank you all for all the responses. I am going to start with the ZT 900 since I doubt any thing will replace my Sebenza as an edc at this point. Save a few bucks and put it towards a mnandi

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dgf said:
Thank you all for all the responses. I am going to start with the ZT 900 since I doubt any thing will replace my Sebenza as an edc at this point. Save a few bucks and put it towards a mnandi

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The ZT900 has gotten some good reviews, you'll like it.
It will give some variety when you give the CRK a rest :)
 
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