CFK Knife update and company history

wesmanthetiger said:
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.
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Crufflers has made some very good posts on this, and in my opinion has been very objective. He also owns and uses the products in question. This post above pretty much nails it for me. A company's honesty was called into question, multiple times, on a worldwide forum. They had a chance to totally clear the air and put the issues to bed completely. Instead, they ducked for cover, and gave some ridiculous comments about blah, blah, blah, talking much and saying little.

When someone questions someone's integrity, all the honest people I have ever known jump at an opportunity to tell their side in as complete detail as possible, in order to clear their name quickly and without a shadow of a doubt. Oftentimes they will go to great lengths to even provide additional information, all aimed at avoiding even the appearance of impropriety. That isn't what happened here. Speaks volumes.

The quality of the knives and their "materials" (?) is only half the equation. If the hook, as crufflers mentioned, can't be trusted, can anything? That's the point, to me anyway.
 
crufflers said:
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.
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Yes, I had wondered if anyone would call me on that! Actually, I don't baton with knives of that sort, but the steel in the CFK knives also is thicker at the top. Besides, I don't particularly care for one notch in the blade just because of the looks. My CFK blade is most likely stronger despite the notches, and having many notches doesn't bother me as much. Besides, I can get the pot off my fire anywhere along the blade I want. I'm not just locked into one place on the blade like I am on the Hoodlum. (Are you buying any of this?)

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.
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We, I can say the CFK knives are better than the cheap ones you mentioned. And I have a Frost knock-off of a S&W Homeland Security. Got it for $13 and it has been a Godsend. First, I can get it sharp (probably because it's 420). If it had been cheap Chinese 440A, I most likely couldn't have sharpened it. My wife cuts weeds and vines with it, and digs up dandelions as we. Oh, and she uses it to open packages and to pry things. (It has a tanto point.) In the winter we use it to break off ice and snow in our wheelwells. Did I mention it was $13?? And it spends the rest of the time in the trunk for self defense if we need it. So we've gotten our money's worth out of it.

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.
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That's good feedback. I'll bet it holds up pretty well to rust, too. That's one of the good things about 420J2!
 
Stargater said:
Yes, I had wondered if anyone would call me on that! Actually, I don't baton with knives of that sort, but the steel in the CFK knives also is thicker at the top. Besides, I don't particularly care for one notch in the blade just because of the looks. My CFK blade is most likely stronger despite the notches, and having many notches doesn't bother me as much. Besides, I can get the pot off my fire anywhere along the blade I want. I'm not just locked into one place on the blade like I am on the Hoodlum. (Are you buying any of this?)
That's good feedback. I'll bet it holds up pretty well to rust, too. That's one of the good things about 420J2!
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The Buck is real 5160 steel and properly heat treated, but potentially weakened by the pot notch. The CFK's might be thicker, but they are mystery steel with a bunch of notches for looks, or arguably to notch wood or hang pots anywhere you want. Dunno if I am buying it, hahah. Go ahead and hang a dozen pots off your CFK if you want to, it is a free country. Personally I'd want a knife I could trust with no pot notch... and I'd make a pot stick from a branch if I needed one. Dunno what 420J2 has to do with it, besides your "S&W" / Taylor Brands knife being made of it I assume. My CFK's are "D2". (unless you happen to have some inside info from the CFK factory?)

There are plenty of CFK designs with no notches.

As far as popping dandelions and other chores, you could do it with a garden tool, letter opener, a butter knife, or sharp stick too. Just saying. I get it, you love your CFK's. That's great, but some people have questions. I like mine, but they don't really have any resale value if I wanted to get rid of them, and I have lots of other knives that I trust the build quality and steel more. I have a Chinese $20 CRKT bowie that hasn't broken or rusted in 20 years or so. Doesn't mean it is a great knife, just means I haven't used it much ;)

Try one of these for $5 - much more efficient and effective at popping those suckers out and getting the root.


:)
 
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Upon first seeing this thread I really WANTED to come in here and defend CFK. There pricing is not far off from mine and the blades seem to have a pretty solid fit and finish. HOWEVER! upon looking them upon on ebay and seeing the shear quantity of knives they post leads me to believe something fishy is up. The prices shown are only slightly above the cost of the materials they are using, which on its own wouldn't be fishy. but when you combine that with the shear number of knives they have for sale its clear that they would have to have quite a few employees working for them. You can't pay that number of employees to grind out knives all day and still keep your prices that low.

SO I decided to look and try to find the country of origin of these knives, they say in all caps in some of there listings "USA" but on there website they claim to be made in England. You can't pay that many employees in either of those countries for the amount of money these knives are sold for.

My guess would be these knives are imported from another country (probably china or Pakistan). I really hate when people do this kind of stuff,It makes life harder for me by giving people the impression that anytime a "custom" knife is sold for less than $100 that the person selling it is up to the same no good as these guys.
 
Read all 15 pages of this shenanigans.

I'll post my .02 on my cfk Knife.

History, never heard of them before, saw found dealer at a flea market that was selling these. He didn't have any junk $5 knives like everyone else so I trusted the guy. Saw USA on the blade, said it was D2 and I got suckered into paying $120 for the knife which seemed like a killer deal for a handmade d2 knife.

Anyway I've had it probably 2 years now and have no complaints. I use my knifes hard. Prying, hammering, cutting, throwing the blade into the dirt etc.

I've chipped the blade a couple times, the guys at bass pro hate sharpening this blade. It always takes then forever
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Txwelder121 said:
History, never heard of them before, saw found dealer at a flea market that was selling these. He didn't have any junk $5 knives like everyone else so I trusted the guy. Saw USA on the blade, said it was D2 and I got suckered into paying $120 for the knife which seemed like a killer deal for a handmade d2 knife.
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Yeah, for that size especially, $120 is a lot. I've paid $35-$40 shipped for smaller iPAK's and even $40ish for big 7" camel bone handled CFK knives. They must cost $5 to make or some low low cost only achievable with 3rd world slave labor and who knows what steel. Every batch is probably different - maybe you got a decent blade on yours, maybe not. Mine sharpen right up quick and easy on a Worksharp belt and dull just fine too, hahah. I will have to try ceramic rods, but I don't remember ever thinking they were hard to sharpen. Convexing seemed to help. If there is any misinformation about CFK out there, the owner should just come clear it up with the facts. Otherwise, the known facts speak for themselves and no amount of BS can cover up that fish smell.

 
Well this is the thread that never ends so I'll pitch in....

I hold three things above all else; loyalty, honor, and integrity. I don't own expensive knives, nor do I care much what steel makes my knives, I'm a simple guy I just want them cut what I cut into. I'm pretty sure these will do that and look pretty sexy doing it that Bowe a couple pages back is sexy. The problem comes in with the honor and integrity part I just want folks to own sh*t just be honest (preferable in bullet points) and we're good to go since this company can't answer simple questions that leads me to me to believe they have no honor or integrity. Unfortunately that also calls into question the values of those that endorse them particularly the I'm a 10 year SF vet. So now I think I'm going to have to do a bit of research and FOIA the gent.
 
Just wanted to report my experience with one CFK damascus " camping-hunter -skinner" bought recently on ebay . Paid ~$50 and was initially impressed . But within a week of wearing the horizontal leather sheath -I noticed the loop was coming apart at the seams and was paper thin on one side . Put in a regular request for return/ refund Sunday night and was approved that same night by CFK and given a link to print prepaid return label ! Regardless of other problems with CFK - I'm impressed by the fast response . Of course I'll have to wait&see if I actually receive a refund .
 
Welp , I went to bid on ebay on a CFK "D2" karambit and low and behold , CFK has blocked me ! That's one dumbass business model . Apparently if you actually have the temerity (and turgidity) to return anything for refund , they IMMEDIATELY BLOCK YOU ! I have a perfect buyer record on ebay and have NEVER lost a dispute . I've been respectful and aboveboard in all my transactions . I tried to keep an open mind about CFK iPak but being blocked as a reflex action policy before they have even received my return just seems dubious to me .
 
DocJD said:
Just wanted to report my experience with one CFK damascus " camping-hunter -skinner" bought recently on ebay . Paid ~$50 and was initially impressed . But within a week of wearing the horizontal leather sheath -I noticed the loop was coming apart at the seams and was paper thin on one side . Put in a regular request for return/ refund Sunday night and was approved that same night by CFK and given a link to print prepaid return label ! Regardless of other problems with CFK - I'm impressed by the fast response . Of course I'll have to wait&see if I actually receive a refund .
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DocJD said:
Welp , I went to bid on ebay on a CFK "D2" karambit and low and behold , CFK has blocked me ! That's one dumbass business model . Apparently if you actually have the temerity (and turgidity) to return anything for refund , they IMMEDIATELY BLOCK YOU ! I have a perfect buyer record on ebay and have NEVER lost a dispute . I've been respectful and aboveboard in all my transactions . I tried to keep an open mind about CFK iPak but being blocked as a reflex action policy before they have even received my return just seems dubious to me .
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So did CFK issue a refund for the describes initial purchase after they blocked you from future purchases on the big E site?
 
reply to buckfynn : The CFK Damascus hunter-skinner is in the USPS system and being tracked back to it's maker . They don't refund until they receive knife .

Interestingly CFK now claims to have never blocked me and has suggested that I might want to alter my above post ! Great to know that somebody at CFK reads and responds to this forum.

Well maybe it's all just an innocent misunderstanding / coincidence but I'd never been blocked before and didn't even know what it meant until now .

I did notice that CFK seems to have a habit of blocking and excoriating any negative reviewers on ebay . But maybe it's just that ol' paranoia kicking in again ! Now wear in tarnation is my meds ?

Continuing saga : "Jason " did unblock me on ebay . He also refunded my money in full including shipping as soon as they received it . They prepaid the return shipping also - so my cost was zero !

I bought one of their "Eagle Claw " Karabits - a double edged version in thick "D2" and received it in just a few days . Looks very good so far except for a few quibbles I have with the design-but I already knew that before buying . Their photos and descriptions on ebay are very clear and accurate in my limited experience from the two knives I've gotten .

I'm not endorsing or recommending - simply reporting my personal experience . I'd post some photos if I could figure how to . Oh -forgot to add that I broke the Damascus Hunter/Skinner before I returned it but I hesitate to state that the knife was defective ,because I did put it to an extremely challenging test for any knife . I attached the knife to ~7' long walking stick to form a spear and proceeded to preform martial exercises vs the "wooden man " . The blade finally did succumb to lateral blocking blows against the flat of the blade .

The knife was actually very attractive , ergonomic and probably would have given good service in regular expected duties . My old Carbon V Recon Tanto and SRK Cold Steel survived this test but not many would today .
 
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Speaking of TOPS, anyone familiar with the Prather War Bowie. This is a nice looking newer model. It looks strangely familar to me hahah. Why do I feel like I applied mustard to one of these in a past life or something? Keep those original designs coming, CFK. Maybe Prather copied CFK's design and then had it produced by TOPS?
 
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Cruffers, ain't imitation the sincerest form of flattery (or battery !) ?

I don't believe you've really made it as a knife designer unless your work has been chicom cloned or at least obviously copied .

Not sure how many modern designs are truly original vs variations on ancient themes . Not that bowies are ancient -maybe historic . There are many old bowie patterns and I'm no expert .

Oh , and re: Jeff Prather , please see warriorschool.blogspot.com

I've never owned or even handed a Tops knife but always heard they're good ,tough knives .
 
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DocJD said:
Cruffers, ain't imitation the sincerest form of flattery (or battery !) ?

I don't believe you've really made it as a knife designer unless your work has been chicom cloned or at least obviously copied .

Not sure how many modern designs are truly original vs variations on ancient themes . Not that bowies are ancient -maybe historic . There are many old bowie patterns and I'm no expert .

Oh , and re: Jeff Prather , please see warriorschool.blogspot.com

I've never owned or even handed a Tops knife but always heard they're good ,tough knives .
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Hahah, yeah. Funny, that was one of the CFK designs I really liked except for the spine notches. I haven't owned a TOPS and hear mixed reviews, but the Prather might be the first one I try. Then again, there's always some Bussekin in the Exchange that the $160 would go a long way towards :)
 
crufflers said:
Hahah, yeah. Funny, that was one of the CFK designs I really liked except for the spine notches. I haven't owned a TOPS and hear mixed reviews, but the Prather might be the first one I try. Then again, there's always some Bussekin in the Exchange that the $160 would go a long way towards :)
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Yup , crufflers, I hear ya ! I'm a blade collector /user of old -but now retired on a draconian entertainment budget . That's what sparked my interest in CFK IPak initially .They seemed to offer a lot of bang for the buck - especially before they caught the attention of some deeper pockets . Seems that the final "winning " bids on their product just keeps going up . They're on Amazon also now in a limited way but at higher fixed prices and don't have many reviews as yet .

As per your last posted photos : I wouldn't mind having either of the top two but I'm not even sure what the bottom one (chisel point?) is supposed to be used for unless its like a "cop tool " pry bar/chisel knife ?:confused:http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif
 
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