Cheap little Apache III...........

S

shivey

Joined
Sep 5, 1999
Messages
439
I just got a new CRKT Apache III from Smokey Mtn. (great 3 day service!) for $15. It is perfect out-of-the-box, and, in fact, is so sweet that I was moved to lay it beside my pricey little MT SOCOM jr. ("98 mod.) for a comparison. Both have essentially the same steel and both are built to last: they really are very similar. My point is, I know many of you have perused the SMKW site and passed on the Apache. If MT was selling the mini-SOCOM for, say, $40....how many of you would turn it down? Is this snobbery, or we just don't like the "made in Taiwan" stamp? Just a thought.

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Tom Pilotti
 
Some reputable knife companies have turned to Taiwan for manufacturing and have produced excellent knives. For instance, Outdoor Edge, CRKT, Gerber and Timberline. I understand that even Buck is having some knives produced in Taiwan as well. I think it's arrogant to assume that the best knives are always made in the United States. It's the steel and the workmanship that counts, not where the knife is made. I own knives from Spyderco, Al Mar, Kershaw & Beretta all made in Japan, 2 Grohmann knives made in Canada, A Muela knife and 2 Aitor folders made in Spain and 4 Boker knives made in Germany. I also have several CRKT and Outdoor Edge folders made in Taiwan. I like them all and they are all well made.

[This message has been edited by el cid (edited 06-06-2001).]
 
Having spent a good part of today pondering exactly this, I am qualified to answer.

I think I will pass on the Apache becuase of 3 reasons
1) I don't really like linerlocks
2) I really don't like tip-up carry
3) I spent some time doing searches of the general & testing archives and founs some negative criticism from owners.

I have nothing against Tiawanese or CRKt, as I own or have owned a Neck Peck, Point Guard, Commander, and Mirage.

Enjoy it!
 
what's the url for the smkw site? i can't find the d*mn thing.
aleX.

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"i flip you... i flip you for real..."
 
thanks.
smile.gif

aleX.

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"i flip you... i flip you for real..."
 
hey, shivey...
are you familiar with the emerson wave? the apache's blade shape looks like it would accomodate such a modification. what do you think? i may try...
aleX.

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"i flip you... i flip you for real..."
 
shivey,

An ApacheIII for $15 bucks?! That is a very good deal, I paid almost $50 for mine. I think that anytime you can get an ATS-34 blade in a half way decent handle for $15 bucks - you got a deal.

While I don't consider this a heavy use knife (only one liner, and that is very thin), I do consider it a great general purpose blade. The handle seems a bit too large for the blade but, I love hard anodized AL. I think they are discontinuing the series, get 'em while you can!

Oh...RH, They are tip down by the way.

Steve-O
 
RH, I'm really not a big fan of liner-locks, either. But I own several, and subject most of them to hard use w/o any failures...yet. The axis lock, frame lock, and maybe even the mid-handled lock-back, are preferable IMHO. However, as Steve-O said, when you can get ATS 34 in a quality knife for $15, it's a great buy! I'm going to carry the little Apache on the golfe course, and if I lose it I'm not out the $100+ I paid for the MT or the little Wegner. It makes a nice expendable "gents knife".
Alex, sorry but I've never owned or handled the Wave. What Emerson products I have handled @ knife shows seemed to me to be over priced, so I've shied away from them. The Wave's opening feature DOES appear to be quite innovative, but its' manufacturing cost should be no more than what it costs to put the "hump" on a Spydie blade....doesn't justify the final cost of the knife, IMO. But if you're skilled enough to add such a feature to a knife, go for it!
 
I bought primarily CRKT knives for the better part of 2 years. I remain convinced that they offer some of the biggest bangs for the buck of any knives.

I never got an Apache until a couple months ago. Got one that was a special run. COmpletely surprised myself by how much I like it. So, not too long ago, got plain Apache and Apache II. Yesterday, ordered the Apache III.

They're not heavy duty knives, but then again, there is nothing frail about them. My only complaint is the too small thumbstud on the 2. Can only imagine how small it will be on the 3.

For use as a thrusting/stabbing style defense knife, the blade shape is better than most for easy penetration. I respect those knives that have a minimal distance between OAL and blade length. But, for me the relatively long handles of the Apaches feel really good in my hands.

Guess I can put it best by saying that after most of a 2-year ride in my right front pocket, my M16 is outa there, and my Apache now rides there. Course, just got a Wegner, and that is definitely going to be getting carry time. So will the S-2 I got. That knife could well become my semi-permanent EDC. I truly like it a lot.

Personally, I believe that the $25 large Apache is an even better deal than the $10 large Mirage, also at SMKW. The Apache has one very nice feature. If the lock should ever fail, your index finger will get a super bad pinch, but it and your other digits should remain in place without serious injury.

IMHO, the Apache may well not have had the sales it could have, because it was not a collaboration knife. It was designed by those amorphous in-house design teams/individuals. I'd sure recommend getting them while one can at the SMKW prices.

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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
I have an Apache II, and I really like the design, good sharp blade, great deal for the blade steel. But unfortunately there's one thing about it that makes me NEVER carry it, and that's the liner lock. More specifically, the liner lock release. It's a tiny little tab, with little sharp teeth, and there's no cutout or anything. It's easily the most difficult knife of mine to close. I got tired of the lock chewing up my thumb, so for now it sits in a drawer.
 
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