Rec. both of these knives over the last couple of days. I have to say the Skirmish is much bigger than I thought. Pics as is usual don't do the thing justice. The CRKT S2 is a titanium frame lock folder of ATS34 and this one is a of a p.s.e. style blade. Not to get into details and to keep this short the S2 rocks folks. I like it much better than the Skirmish. Not as big but almost as long. The edge well no comparions for cutting or slicing ability, the S2 is a ripper for sure. Screaming sharp as we like to say. Also the frame build on the S2 seems to be more stout even though it is a slightly less robust looking knife. I can't bend the frame on the S2 even though I can somewhat on the Skirmish. Anyone else own the S2, and if so what are your opinions. keepem sharp
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BM Skirmish, and CRKT S2
- Thread starter longbow
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2003
- Messages
- 45
I have the small and medium sized versions of the S2. While I like the general quality and execution of this model, you should be aware that there is an inate design flaw which predisposes to inadvertant closure during vigorous use. The non-lock side of the frame has a cutout intended to make it easier to close the knife. Unfortunately it is located exactly where the index finger rests when gripping the knife. I'm not sure, but I think the curved shape of the handle may magnify the pressure one places on this location. The adjacent area of the lock side of the frame has no cutout and is scalloped to make it grippier when closing with one's thumb. In any case, all of the above combine to make it unusually easy to release the lock with one's index finger when gripping the S2 tightly. This seems to be particularly true for me if I put thumb pressure on the thumb ramp. Try it on yours to see if you find this to be true.
I did not really notice this fault until another forumite posted that he had been bitten by his S2, causing me to evaluate mine carefully. CRKT initially made this line in 3 sizes, but the largest size was quickly withdrawn from the market. My retrospective conjecture is that the largest size was the one where accidental closure was most likely to occur.
I have several other framelocks and have not seen this problem on any of them (including a CRKT Ti Mirage framelock), although as has often been said: any lock can fail. I think it is the combination of factors listed above that is the isssue with the S2. My Buck Mayo also has a cutout on the non-lock side of the frame, as does my Lochsa. In the case of the 172, however, the index finger tends to rest forward of this spot when holding the knife, and the adjacent lock side of the frame also has a cutout (perhaps a cousin of the Boye dent) instead of grippy scallops. The corresponding spot on the Lochsa's frame has been machined smooth, providing less grip from a thumb pad when purposely closing, but also reducing the chance of accidental closure. I initially wondered why Scott Cook smoothed that area, and this is the only conclusion I could come to. My other framelocks have one or two of the predisposing features I noted about the S2, but each seems to have some design feature to offset the tendancy to inadvertantly close. It's quite interesting to look at all the little decisions that go into designing a really good folder.
I still carry and use my S2's, particularly the small one, which is a nice little Gent's folder. I don't forsee accidental closure while wrestling with a newspaper coupon or attacking an envelope. Hope you use yours in good health; just be aware of a need for caution.
I did not really notice this fault until another forumite posted that he had been bitten by his S2, causing me to evaluate mine carefully. CRKT initially made this line in 3 sizes, but the largest size was quickly withdrawn from the market. My retrospective conjecture is that the largest size was the one where accidental closure was most likely to occur.
I have several other framelocks and have not seen this problem on any of them (including a CRKT Ti Mirage framelock), although as has often been said: any lock can fail. I think it is the combination of factors listed above that is the isssue with the S2. My Buck Mayo also has a cutout on the non-lock side of the frame, as does my Lochsa. In the case of the 172, however, the index finger tends to rest forward of this spot when holding the knife, and the adjacent lock side of the frame also has a cutout (perhaps a cousin of the Boye dent) instead of grippy scallops. The corresponding spot on the Lochsa's frame has been machined smooth, providing less grip from a thumb pad when purposely closing, but also reducing the chance of accidental closure. I initially wondered why Scott Cook smoothed that area, and this is the only conclusion I could come to. My other framelocks have one or two of the predisposing features I noted about the S2, but each seems to have some design feature to offset the tendancy to inadvertantly close. It's quite interesting to look at all the little decisions that go into designing a really good folder.
I still carry and use my S2's, particularly the small one, which is a nice little Gent's folder. I don't forsee accidental closure while wrestling with a newspaper coupon or attacking an envelope. Hope you use yours in good health; just be aware of a need for caution.
Good info Dryfly. I have gorilla gripped the knife since reading the post a few doz times, even when cutting. Can't get the frame lock to fail. Doesn't even move one iota. I am getting just about 50% engagement of the frame lock to the back of the blade. I have also done the spine whack test pretty virgorously too and the thing just stays put. Maybe I lucked out with mine?
I don't understand the dynamics of my finger making the lock open to release it and then the blade to shut on your finger. I haven't torqued it hard yet so maybe there in lies the rub so to speak. My finger pressure seems to come up from underneath the lock and not the side. Who knows though, I will definetly keep a wary eye out for it.
I do know I like the design well enough to start carrying the knife as an edc. It cuts extremely well and with little effort. Very pointy too to make it a good splinter remover. This is the large version of the knife and the one you stated thought had the problem with releasing. I would love to get a p.e. large anyways just to have. Anyways I will watch for that anomaly that may occur. Keepem sharp and thanks
I don't understand the dynamics of my finger making the lock open to release it and then the blade to shut on your finger. I haven't torqued it hard yet so maybe there in lies the rub so to speak. My finger pressure seems to come up from underneath the lock and not the side. Who knows though, I will definetly keep a wary eye out for it.
I do know I like the design well enough to start carrying the knife as an edc. It cuts extremely well and with little effort. Very pointy too to make it a good splinter remover. This is the large version of the knife and the one you stated thought had the problem with releasing. I would love to get a p.e. large anyways just to have. Anyways I will watch for that anomaly that may occur. Keepem sharp and thanks
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2003
- Messages
- 45
Longbow, It is indeed lateral (outward) pressure on the lock from my index finger which causes the problem. It's never happened to me during actual use, but with my thumb on the thumbramp I can quite easily cause one of these to start closing with a small amount of lateral force where my index finger meets the bottom of the lock. It's easier to accomplish on the medium than the small size. I think a little torquing of the knife during vigorous use could reproduce this.
If you are interested, knifecenter.com has the medium (2 7/8") S2 in plain and combo edges (CR7502 and CR7512) and the small (2 3/8") in combo edge (CR7511). By coincidence I was browzing their site tonite, and this is the only place I've seen them recently. I haven't seen a large (CR7503/7513) for sale for years.
If you are interested, knifecenter.com has the medium (2 7/8") S2 in plain and combo edges (CR7502 and CR7512) and the small (2 3/8") in combo edge (CR7511). By coincidence I was browzing their site tonite, and this is the only place I've seen them recently. I haven't seen a large (CR7503/7513) for sale for years.