CFK Knife update and company history

[IXLR8]

A. After years of unproven claims about their knives, we still await any confirmation beyond those claims.
B. Please do buy a CSK - or one of their many ePrey competitors who make the same claims about materials, quality, world-class makers, etc. Post a review, including your qualifications.
C. People buy 1000's of fantasy junk knives every day and love them. If you are happy, you are happy.
D. ePrey ratings are meaningless. Not much study by you will prove that to you.
E. Feel free to ignore the opinions of others. It's a free country, thankfully.

Allow me to address b-e.
The people who have purchased these knives seem to be pleased with them. Such as the case here a member was sent one of their knives to test it............and did so.
Still not good enough?
I disagree with your comment about ebay ratings being meaningless. That is simply not the case. Why you could try to make this case is beyond me and seems like youre reaching.
What qualifications must I have to give review on an item that has no moving parts. Will it cut a tomato, yes is probably can. Will it stand up to a lifetime of abuse? I don't know but CFK seems to think so which is why the knives re guaranteed for a lifetime with a free replacement OF YOUR CHOICE on any comparable knife that they have, should something break, fall apart, or otherwise disintegrate.

Lots of people here seem to agree that these knives are beautifully done. In fact, I agree that they are indeed beautifully done. I don't think this can be denied one bit.
Go have a look for yourself. In fact I'd tend to think that the sales of nearly 15 THOUSAND knives and a rating of 100% from FIFTEEN THOUSAND people, speaks for itself.

1285 people in the last month alone bought these knives. How many gave a negative rating? None? Let me say that again. None.
Things like this are unheard of , ESPECIALLY if the seller is selling junk.

iM not saying that the knives may not be up to your standards. I'm saying that 1285 knives were up to the standards of 1285 people in one month.
You would think that out of those 1285 people at least one person would come forward and say " ok this knife is a piece of crap" if the knife were truly a piece of crap.

 

[crufflers]

Lots of people here seem to agree that these knives are beautifully done. In fact, I agree that they are indeed beautifully done. I don't think this can be denied one bit.

The CFK's I have are beautifully done. The iPaks are as advertised - useful and a little rough, but mostly great looking.

Cutting through the bullshit, I personally assume these are 100% made in Pakistan and the steel is Pakstani "D2" like the rest of the companies selling similar knives. So knowing those things, I am ok with what I paid for them. I am also ok with what I pay for a Busse. The fit and finish on these CFK's seems above most Paki knives I see in pictures. However, some are very similar / identical with the only difference being the "maker's" mark. If you look at what CFK is offering currently, the styles, handles, blade shapes seem even more foreign, even more obviously Pakistani... like they are getting lazy and using generic patterns/reference designs from their supplier.

Go to your favorite auction site and search for Pakistani knives or similar and look through the designs, handles, pins, file work, blade shapes, stacked handles, sheath stitching, materials, descriptions, etc... it is obvious.

The knives are nice for the price. The bullshit is not.

 

[Thomas Linton]

I cannot see heat treatment. When I buy a knife, I have to rely on the honesty and skill of the maker.

If the seller, who is admittedly not the maker, systematically dodges revealing the basic facts about the knife and tells a tangled web of differing stories, I find it hard to extend that trust.

And x000 "positives" by unknown buyers are meaningless too me because x000 POS are sold every day on ePrey, and the strangers love their POS. Search for - custom damascus - on ePrey and see all the love for mystery steel from Pakistan or Whoknowswhereistan.

 

[Stargater]

Regarding knives from Pakistan, I have purchased a number of knives from CKF and have been very pleased with them. I can't attest to their cutting power, but the overall build of the knives and their beauty is enough to make me a satisfied customer. For field use, some models heft more like a revolver than a knife, so they aren't dainty by any stretch. I've also ordered a few knives from their competition, and though they were less expensive than the CFK knives, they also were nowhere near the quality. So if all of these knives are made in Pakistan, clearly some manufacturers are substantially better than others. The big question is, when any of these companies advertise their knives are D2 steel, what, exactly, does that mean? Does it mean the manufacturers went out and bought a bunch of actual D2? And if not, what are we getting? Look at all the Chinese knives (many made for U.S. based companies with brand knives) that advertise being made with 440A stainless. That may well be, but the steel is so poorly treated it's almost impossible to get an edge. Such is not the case with the CFK knives I've examined (and own). The blades may be a bit coarsely ground, but they constitute a good working edge. How long they keep their edges is yet to be seen and many are designed more for tactical use than for hunting and fishing (though there are some models for these things).

 

[crufflers]

The big question is, when any of these companies advertise their knives are D2 steel, what, exactly, does that mean? Does it mean the manufacturers went out and bought a bunch of actual D2? And if not, what are we getting? Look at all the Chinese knives (many made for U.S. based companies with brand knives) that advertise being made with 440A stainless.

TWO huge hooks for the marketing of CFK are the USA handmade story and the D2 steel + awesome heat treat and hardness claim. If you got hooked and feel like you got the buy of the century... and it turns out they are full of shit on both counts... you got suckered. That's the point.

Buyer beware is the point. I would say most of their knives have thick steel up to .25" that's something that most would see as a woods blade, or chopper. I've yet to beat on any but some of the filework, etc... on many of these seems like it might lend to cracking like with the Buck Hoodlum hook, etc....

I guess when someone chops a CFK blade in half with a SYKCO 911 then we'll know, heh.

 

[hermit dave]

Ok, I'm guessing all the CFK haters have high dollar knives and are afraid they paid too much. Rest assured your $600.00 knife will have more refined grinding
and fit/finish. That said, for the money you won't find a better knife. If there is any defect not mentioned in the listing, they will take it back and refund every
penny, INCLUDING RETURN SHIPPING!! To those who claim Ebay feedback means nothing, REALLY?!? With that many sales? It also appears that some of
the negative feedback is unfounded, as the buyer did not request a return before leaving feedback. These knives are built to be used and purchased to be used.
I find it hard to believe they are made of crap steel that goes dull and won't take an edge. I have a CFK skinning knife I use on packaging, cardboard,
stripping-cutting wires etc.. It is as sharp as the day I received it. I've also checked Youtube and found nothing but praise. Today I received CFK's version of the CRKT
Redemption. It wasn't perfect. The spine's grinding was rough, but after 15 minutes of hand sanding, it's all good. It's a 9 1/2" inch bladed beast. I also
have a 8 1/8" bladed, scaled down version of the same knife. The big one was $80 (delivered) the smaller was $70 Worth every penny and then some.
I think all further criticism should be from actual owners/ users of CFK, CFK Ipak knives. If you don't have one, "your opinion means nothing"

 

[crufflers]

Ok, I'm guessing all the CFK haters have high dollar knives and are afraid they paid too much. Rest assured your $600.00 knife will have more refined grinding
and fit/finish. That said, for the money you won't find a better knife.

If you don't have one, "your opinion means nothing"

I don't have any $600 knives. I have shared positives and negatives about CFK, and I do qualify to talk some smack about them. I own some and have used some. I have small blades, large blades, thin blades, quarter inch thick blades (CFK and iPAK). I'm just telling it like it is (IMHO, of course). The hook is BS.

 

[crufflers]

I think all further criticism should be from actual owners/ users of CFK, CFK Ipak knives. If you don't have one, "your opinion means nothing"

Reviews and info from CFK owners are valuable or at least interesting, but anyone can comment.

Anyone can have an opinion on whether it is possible to make a hand-ground, decently fitted knife made of specially formulated (on-purpose) "D2" steel with a proper heat treat and "forged" in the UK then shipped over here to the USA for more hand crafting and hand-made handles (like fat polished camel bone, stacked leather, or micarta) and then sold for as little as $40 shipped at a profit. Especially people who make knives. They don't have to own a CFK to comment on whether the CFK story is a fairy tale or not. Anyone with eyes can look up the auctions and have an opinion about the source of these designs that look obviously Pakistani.

Personally, I don't hate my Pakistani knife collection. Buyers should beware though especially if they are gullible - you buy into the story too much you might pay more than $40, $50, etc...

 

[Stargater]

D2 steel is an odd choice for blades that are meant to be choppers, but most of the CFK knives are built for chopping and as tactical knives. The knives are coming with qualifiers, CFK now suing its D2 is specially formulated with more chromium to give it better rust fighting. Adding any chromium to the mix, however, would make this specially formulated D2 just another type of stainless. What I was originally concerned about was that the blade maker would simply use the same steel as their Damascus knives, but polish it in lieu of treating it -- and that steel rusts very easily. Happily, that doesn't seem to be the case. People who have purportedly reviewed the knives report that there's no chipping of the edge or breaking of the blade. The latter isn't surprising, but with D2 some chipping would be expected along the edge with chopping.

For awhile, some of the I-Pak short swords were being advertised as 420HC, and it may be that that's what the D2 they advertise really is. Again, who knows? The draw for me was the blade configurations. I like the short sword weight, balance and looks. Many are compact enough to use as machetes, but retain most of the benefit of a short sword (such as thrusting and cutting). They're also easier to sharpen and are easier on the eyes.

 

[* KnifeLife*]

I stopped reading this thread on pg 6. I joined this forum because I've used it for YEARS for answers to ?'s. All I wanted info on CFK knives and I got was caught in a whirlpool of stupidity,abuse,sparring,low blows and off topic comments regarding CFK. IMO all types of people collect knives...high end...inexpensive...functional....whatever. I've seen people insulted because of the "low number of posts that their opinion doesn't count." I'd hate to feel when I get involved in a topic I'm going to be ignored because of my low number of posts. I'm smart enough to learn and an education is what I was looking for... not an English lesson in semantics. For cryin' out loud..let people buy what they want because THEY like it....respect that !! I don't need you to like knives that I do..or even the car I drive. I hope to eventually see "DRUID's" video's to get his evaluation the CFK he was testing. For now I'm exhausted !! I think I'll go buy a knife now...it will make me feel better and I don't care what anyone else thinks of it.....as long as I do......that's what's important ! PEACE

 

[crufflers]

IIRC the guy who made a crack about post count was DRUID. That's always going to happen in forums. If you came here for info on CFK that's why almost everyone is here, I imagine.

Usually in a thread where the actual knife maker/importer/reseller comes into the thread to answer questions, it all gets handled pretty quickly and efficiently. That was not the case here.

Yep you can always leave a thread and live your life and unsub from a tedious one, close the window, laugh your butt off at silly internet people. In any case, it is nothing to get worked up about. No one is trying to give you buyer's remorse, just get the facts worked out.

I stopped reading this thread on pg 6. I joined this forum because I've used it for YEARS for answers to ?'s. All I wanted info on CFK knives and I got was caught in a whirlpool of stupidity,abuse,sparring,low blows and off topic comments regarding CFK. IMO all types of people collect knives...high end...inexpensive...functional....whatever. I've seen people insulted because of the "low number of posts that their opinion doesn't count." I'd hate to feel when I get involved in a topic I'm going to be ignored because of my low number of posts. I'm smart enough to learn and an education is what I was looking for... not an English lesson in semantics. For cryin' out loud..let people buy what they want because THEY like it....respect that !! I don't need you to like knives that I do..or even the car I drive. I hope to eventually see "DRUID's" video's to get his evaluation the CFK he was testing. For now I'm exhausted !! I think I'll go buy a knife now...it will make me feel better and I don't care what anyone else thinks of it.....as long as I do......that's what's important ! PEACE

 

[* KnifeLife*]

You are 100% right !! I WAS getting worked up and shouldn't have. I'm just used to more direct answers from the group on this site and I got lost in the battle that was going on. I appreciate you bringing me back down to Earth. I realized it was DRUID that did make the post count comment...and it actually was justified when he said it. There is always a "hazing" a newbie might encounter and that seemed like one of those moments. I actually bought 1 Pakistan knife many years ago for the "looks".....I'll never buy another one...they're just not for me. I prefer high quality knives from 70's and 80's. I'm never concerned what people think about my purchases...as long as "I" like the knife. FYI: the knife I said was going to buy was a well done WWII shrapnel knife. I think I am going pass on the CFK's for now.

 

[crufflers]

You are 100% right !! I WAS getting worked up and shouldn't have. I'm just used to more direct answers from the group on this site and I got lost in the battle that was going on. I appreciate you bringing me back down to Earth.

Hey, no problem. That happens to me on other forums sometimes. I just get tired of a thread that is too long, repetitive, or tedious so I just leave or never read it, or avoid the next one. Not like there are a ton of CFK threads, but how about the ten thousandth 9mm vs .45 vs .40 vs. 10mm etc... thread, with the same people giving the same answers and arguments and getting worked up the same exact way, hahah. BUT sometimes those types of threads are entertaining too.

This one is not for everyone, but I think people are just hoping to get to the truth.

 

[Stargater]

There's also the loose ends and the mystery of it all. People keep returning to see if there's an “ah-ha!" post that will either exonerate or expose CFK's claims regarding their knives. Sure, some people want to just feel good about their purchases; others are just curious. I don't know of any serious review that's been done on them so far. We all want to get to the bottom of this from a sheer curiosity standpoint, plus no one wants to see someone profit on false claims. So they keep tuning in for the latest, only the "latest" never reveals anything new. So I suspect this thread will continue on, and why not? It's a great water cooler topic and is one reason this forum exists. It's easy enough to avoid -- just read another thread. There's no reason to be upset or agitated because of this topic. When it dies, it dies.

 

[hermit dave]

CFK produces the finest knives known to man. They are lovingly hand forged by Tibetan Monks. The resulting magnificent blades will easily baton through
hardened steel chain and still whittle a fuzzy baby hair.

CFK produces the worst knives known to man. They are torch cut by child slaves using the cheapest cast pot metal available. Each pitted, porous blade is
sharpened with a 60 grit hard disk until red hot, leaving an edge that compares to some of the finest butter knives out there.

 

[wesmanthetiger]

Yknow I have read through this post and I find something interesting. Thomas Linton asked some pretty straightforward questions of Drbulldog. I've known craftsmen and I've known politicians, and a craftsmen always speaks to the point and gives straight answers. A politician gives lots of words while deflecting the actual questions. Drbulldog answered like a politician. A bad one at that. Now I have disagreed with Thomas Linton before, but for being too detailed and making what I thought was a mountain out of a molehill. In this case however that attention to detail and those specific references have created reasonable doubt in my mind. I could care less if CFK knives were the deal of the century, their honesty was called into question and was not acquitted in my mind. There are too many reputable knife manufacturers out there with great knives for me to waste time supporting someone that won't answer basic questions. My $'s are going elsewhere.

 

[Stargater]

Yknow...I could care less if CFK knives were the deal of the century, their honesty was called into question and was not acquitted in my mind. There are too many reputable knife manufacturers out there with great knives for me to waste time supporting someone that won't answer basic questions. My $'s are going elsewhere.

As I see it, your first point is well taken and right on. Your second point, however, misses the point. As I've said, I bought a number of CFK knives, but not because there weren't reputable knife manufacturers making great knives, but because those manufacturers aren't making many of the knives I want and which CFK makes. For example, one of my favorite knives (and the one I have in my bugout bag) is the Buck Hoodlum. I hate the notch in it and believe it introduces an unnecessary weakness in the design. It's also ugly, and just a bit on the light side for chopping. Oh, there's the price, too. Not cheap. Family members with bugout bags have CFK long blade knives. I called them "short swords" for lack of a better term, but what reputable manufacturer makes such knives? No one I know of. So there's a market for them, or more accurately, a need for them. Such a configuration makes for a fair machete while retaining all the advantages of a knife. As compared to the Hoodlum, these CFK short swords have significantly better reach and, in my opinion, better balance, and thus make for a more versatile knife. They aren't heavy choppers like the Ontario Marine Raider, but are lighter and longer than the Ka-Bar Large, Heavy Bowie (both of which I have and think highly of). These CFK knives sell like hotcakes, are strong and come sharp right out of the box (only there's no box).

All this either mitigates the many questions raised and potentially false claims made or it doesn't. The buyers have to make that decision. Most of us want to believe people, and we're loathe to call anyone a liar, though there's no shortage of hucksters in the world. Still, it's possible to be wary and yet obtain what we need without ending up with junk. The question is, are CFK knives "junk"? The answer seems to be no, but are they manufactured as advertised? Again, the answer seems to be no, but if so, what are we getting? Who knows? And that's the question. When polished, junk stainless steel looks a lot like great steel. Thus, we have to try the steel and see if it's strong and keeps an edge.

In the meantime, I wish other manufacturers would offer blades in the same configuration as found in some of these innovative new designs. In the meantime, we have only the opinions of those who have purchased and used the knives.

 

[crufflers]

As I see it, your first point is well taken and right on. Your second point, however, misses the point. As I've said, I bought a number of CFK knives, but not because there weren't reputable knife manufacturers making great knives, but because those manufacturers aren't making many of the knives I want and which CFK makes. For example, one of my favorite knives (and the one I have in my bugout bag) is the Buck Hoodlum. I hate the notch in it and believe it introduces an unnecessary weakness in the design.

Many of the designs you posted have not one, but as many as NINE of those notches you hate on the Buck Hoodlum. Just saying.

There are tons of knives out there that do what you say only CFK's do. How much of a short sword do you want? Many companies make 10-13" blades and then there are machetes, actual swords, etc... lots of them. Some cheap options, lots of cheap Shrade, Frost, United, generic fantasy, etc... brands. If you look in the right places you'll find tons of cheap swords - China and Pakistan FTW.

The CFK I use the most, which is hardly tortured... (mostly kitchen stuff) got pretty dull. I got a Work Sharp recently and used it today to sharpen all my beater kitchen blades to hair poppers. I was surprised the CFK bowie was not cutting paper just ripping it. I convexed it out on the medium belt and then stropped it on the fine grit. Better than new real quick and cuts paper and shaves like a razor. We'll see how it holds an edge this time. Actually not at all impressed with how quick it got dull. Love the work sharp though and it definitely works on CFK's.

 

[wesmanthetiger]

As I see it, your first point is well taken and right on. Your second point, however, misses the point. As I've said, I bought a number of CFK knives, but not because there weren't reputable knife manufacturers making great knives, but because those manufacturers aren't making many of the knives I want and which CFK makes. For example, one of my favorite knives (and the one I have in my bugout bag) is the Buck Hoodlum. I hate the notch in it and believe it introduces an unnecessary weakness in the design. It's also ugly, and just a bit on the light side for chopping. Oh, there's the price, too. Not cheap. Family members with bugout bags have CFK long blade knives. I called them "short swords" for lack of a better term, but what reputable manufacturer makes such knives? No one I know of. So there's a market for them, or more accurately, a need for them. Such a configuration makes for a fair machete while retaining all the advantages of a knife. As compared to the Hoodlum, these CFK short swords have significantly better reach and, in my opinion, better balance, and thus make for a more versatile knife. They aren't heavy choppers like the Ontario Marine Raider, but are lighter and longer than the Ka-Bar Large, Heavy Bowie (both of which I have and think highly of). These CFK knives sell like hotcakes, are strong and come sharp right out of the box (only there's no box).

All this either mitigates the many questions raised and potentially false claims made or it doesn't. The buyers have to make that decision. Most of us want to believe people, and we're loathe to call anyone a liar, though there's no shortage of hucksters in the world. Still, it's possible to be wary and yet obtain what we need without ending up with junk. The question is, are CFK knives "junk"? The answer seems to be no, but are they manufactured as advertised? Again, the answer seems to be no, but if so, what are we getting? Who knows? And that's the question. When polished, junk stainless steel looks a lot like great steel. Thus, we have to try the steel and see if it's strong and keeps an edge.

In the meantime, I wish other manufacturers would offer blades in the same configuration as found in some of these innovative new designs. In the meantime, we have only the opinions of those who have purchased and used the knives.

Actually my second point was that I felt the company's honesty was in question and that I would not give them my money. As a statement of action on my part it can't be way off. Its the decision I've made based on My belief. When I refer to a reputable company I am not talking about one that makes silly knives. They all have those in their stables. By reputable I mean a company that is honest about where their knives come from. I don't believe CFK has been homest, therefore I won't do business with them. You are welcome to and I hope you use and enjoy your purchases. 😃

 

[crufflers]

Oh, there's the price, too. Not cheap. Family members with bugout bags have CFK long blade knives. I called them "short swords" for lack of a better term, but what reputable manufacturer makes such knives? No one I know of.

True enough that they are cheap. Do I think a Tops Tahoma is worth three CFK's? Yes. How about four CFK's for one SYKCO 1111 or 1311? Yeah, worth it. But, like I said before you could get a Chopper at Big Five on sale for $10.