Cold Steel Tuflite vs CRKT Pilar

B

bryan123

Joined
Feb 7, 2017
Messages
264
Hi,

The last time I asked for a comparison between two affordable knives it was a disaster because one of the two was felt by many to be an evil clone.

That hopefully won't be the case this time and I'm looking for an inexpensive, legal-most-everywhere utility knife for medium duty tasks like box cutting, opening packages, etc.

Thanks for your opinions.
 
Last edited:
I just gave a Pilar away to a friend who needed a knife to open boxes w at his job
He chose it over the tufflite. For knives of similar size, they are quite different.

The Pilar was very smooth and has a very wide tip. It is a very no threatening knife with a frame lock. He liked the frame lock and the tame look of the Pilar.

I much prefer the tuff lite for utility tasks, but it can be annoying to close one handed because the triad lock. But the tuff lite is a box cutter, package opening extraordinairre.

IMO, the Pilar looks fancier, operates smoother.
Tufflite is more utilitarian.

Still, I would be remiss not to tell you to look into a spyderco dragonfly or a Byrd Robyn if the dragonfly is over budget.
 
i think the crkt pilar looks much better, i dont recommend it. while aus 8 and 8cr13 are very similar my experience with crkt is that their neat treat is very poor and will hold an edge barely better than a sherpened butter knife
 
My brother has the Tuff and likes, I think he uses it for cutting tape to open boxes at work, so edge holding ability is not an issue for him.

I like Spydercos VG10 steel, the new wharncliffe Delica might be an option for you if it is in your price range.
 
I have both, and IMO Tuff Lite by a mile or so. It's lighter, tougher, and it cuts better (as long as your cutting task doesn't require any belly to speak of, of course).
 
It's a tough choice as I wouldn't recommend either. I've had bad experiences in the past with CRKT, but I hear their quality has improved. I certainly like the looks of some of their offerings, but I don't trust their execution.

Not a fan of Cold Steel, but that has more to do with their business practices. Their quality is miles above CRKT in my experience.
 
Armadew said:
It's a tough choice as I wouldn't recommend either. I've had bad experiences in the past with CRKT, but I hear their quality has improved. I certainly like the looks of some of their offerings, but I don't trust their execution.

Not a fan of Cold Steel, but that has more to do with their business practices. Their quality is miles above CRKT in my experience.
Click to expand...

Oops. I was hoping external factors like business practices wouldn't be a factor and we could focus on the attributes of the actual knives. Hypothetically if the Tuf Lite were made by a different company would you recommend it?

I do agree with you that CRKT is nice designs with lousy execution of some of those designs. A shame really.
 
bryan123 said:
Hypothetically if the Tuf Lite were made by a different company would you recommend it?
Click to expand...

100% ... hypothetically :D

I haven't owned one, but I've handled a few. It appears to be a quality product.

I've owned several Cold Steel knives over the years (and still have an old Voyager). Never had any quality problems.
 
The CS Tuff Lite isn't a bad utility knife at a modest price. It fits my hand like a glove. I'd say it is a very good economical product. I found closing with the lock took a bit more finger pressure than I felt should be needed. I searched for an alternative that I felt was made better but still had most of the redeeming qualities of the Tuff Lite design (wharncliffe/sheepsfoot blade) and size. I eventually purchased a Spyderco Kiwi 4 as a substitute and although I think the Kiwi 4 is a tad over priced, it is a great little knife with VG-10 steel. The wharncliffe Delica would be a apt choice as well but I haven't seen one of those. May have to do some searching.

As far as Pilar specifically is concerned, I have no experience with it.

Generally speaking I am not a CRKT buyer. I have three of their Razel knives excluding the largest one. I like them ,but they are special purpose knives for me and at the time I was trying to decide if I liked the design and whether it would work for me before getting a custom/handmade version. I never got the handmade version and was comfortable just having the lesser expensive Razels.
 
Last edited:
I own a tuff light and it is probably the most abused knife in my collection very good knife for the money, I highly recommend it!
 
I have a Mini Tuff Lite and it is a phenomenal little knife. If the regular Tuff Lite is that good, buy it. It now comes in colors, too.
 
Funny you should ask that today.
I just opened this box a minute ago.
Guess that clears up my vote.

My very first knife that had a pocket clip on it was the Tuff Lite Mini.
A couple of weeks ago I busssed it out of the drawer and started carrying it with my new acquisition, the CS Voyager Large. A brilliant pairing.

Link to the daring duo.

Some other back ground : I am not one to "complete" collections; I didn't buy this knife because I want a set I bought it to use and because I thought it is a great design and I will be using it EDC. Also and I suppose I should be embarrassed by this; I don't own a single CRKT. I do own many, many Cold Steels in spite of the lack of elegance of the tri lock release. Locking up I have absolutely no problem with these and I suppose THAT is what it is about. Using the knife and not about putting it away which is an after thought (more so with some companies than others . . . but I will resist that chapter in this novella). (in other words . . . I couldn't help it after all . . . a little time with the knife disassembled and a diamond file in the right spot and the knife becomes . . . in Nick's lingo "A Gem".)

Compared to the CRKT Pillar :
The Pillar should be vastly easier to close but I have beat that dead horse.
The Tuff Lite should be MUCH better in the hand. The handle is full, thickish and rounded with a dip length wise in the handle for your finger tips to fall into. I like all these features immensely.
I like frame locks well enough but I don't like slab sided knives and especially metal slab sided knives. I do like Ti. That's were I make an exception for metal handles but I prefer much sculpting to help get a grip and eliminate hot spots.

This full size Tuff Lite is much easier to open one handed than the Tuff Lite MINI, very easy. (the mini takes practice).
As are many Cold Steel Tri Locks it is very firm to close. The lock bar must be absolutely bottomed out in the handle and at that point, if you are fresh and your hands aren't damaged . . . you say a little prayer and if Bob is with you you will feel the lock disengage. If all those conditions aren't present . . . well . . . you are just going to have to push the lock release further some how aren't you . ? .

I exaggerate a little. Very little.

That said I LIKE THE KINFE !




Oh hell it's cheep and high quality buy the Tuff Lite
and maybe the CRKT as well.
 
Last edited:
The tuff lite is a much better knife in use. I've put mine through every task I do other than food prep and its been fantastic. The handle is very good, especially for the price, the blade has great geometry and cuts really well, and the lock will hold up to whatever. I like mine so much I had a tip up conversion done to it.
 
OP here.
Thanks everyone.

I would up getting a Dragonfly 2 and a Case Teardrop Wharcliffe. I may pick up a Three Rivers LTC Nomad.

I like smaller knives because of the restrictive knife blade laws here in Massachusetts, Boston and Lowell in particular.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top