Columbia River Knife & Tool M1 Lightfoot

James Green Dragon

James Green Dragon

Joined
Oct 24, 2004
Messages
3,318
I like this design & the blade steel - any info on how strong the lock is and or whether or not fit & finish are any good? Seems like a decent choice for a folder & I was thinking of getting one...
 
I have one. Its a very well made knife, very stout. It is quite thick through the handles, to the point of overkill I think. Locks up nicely and the coating on the blade is quite durable. I did'nt like the LAWKS so I took it apart and removed it. It seemed redundant to me and not necessary. The thumb studs were also very abrasive so I smoothed them up some. I also like the texturing on the handles very much. I really like the design alot and would'nt hesitate to buy it again.

john
 
I had one... The lock failed with slight pressure against the spine... some other guy had the same problem. The blade is also quite thin for such a thick handle.
 
MelancholyMutt said:
I had one... The lock failed with slight pressure against the spine... some other guy had the same problem. The blade is also quite thin for such a thick handle.
Click to expand...

Did the LAWKS fail? If not, then that's why they made LAWKS, to save your fingers.

I have one as well and the first thing that comes to my mind about it is heft. it's definitely thick in the handles and heavy to boot.
 
For me, the lock bowed and slipped, failing with light spine pressure.

This is unacceptable, even with a LAWKS system. The LAWKS should be for "hard use", not light spine pressure.

The edge was ground at two different heights, although I've read that this is "intentional".

The detent was so strong that it was impossible to open it with the flipper.

Nice design, not so great F&F and QC.

-jon
 
Intentional tanto grind is annoying. LAWKS is a safety, not an excuse for crappy liners. (I like my NOS M16 b/c it has a thick liner that engages perfectly and DOESNT have LAWKS)
 
madfast said:
Did the LAWKS fail? If not, then that's why they made LAWKS, to save your fingers.

I have one as well and the first thing that comes to my mind about it is heft. it's definitely thick in the handles and heavy to boot.
Click to expand...

The lawks did not fail, but it's a secondary lock... a safety. The primary should not fail... it's like a gun that has a habit of going off as soon as you flip off the safety... it's unacceptable.
 
I have had one for quite sometime and for the bucks I think it is money very well spent. The fit and finish on mine is excellant. Doesn't fail the spine whack test even out to the end of the blade. Extremely sharp blade that with the high grind cuts like no tomorrow. I smoothed the blade stops out a bit as they are abrasive but they aren't meant to be used to open the knife. The flipper is for that they are there to to stop the blade after opening. Do I edc it everyday? Nope, I rotate 3 others for that although on occasion I do carry it. The three I rotate for edc are a PE Police Spyderco, BM 975 superbly sharp and fit and finish of this piece is perfect, and then last but not least a Buck/Strider large PE that I just rebuilt and am quite pleased with. keepem sharp
 
Thanks for the replies!

I think I will pass though - I will be getting my next folder on-line which will save me some $$ but doesn't leave me with the option of inspecting it first. Thus, the manufacturer's reputation for QC is going to influence my decision greatly. I do like the design of the knife but it sounds like its kind of hit or miss as to whether it will have a good lock or not - that is totally unacceptable to me.

I'm not a fan of folders really to begin with - I'd rather have the added strength of a fixed blade. However, the folder is more PC & easier to carry.
The other folders I have are all Cold Steel models. The fact that they torture test the locks gives me a little added sense of security and the money is right; I can get a 4" clip point Voyager for the same $48.95 as the M1 - the design is pretty plain-Jane but also pretty PC; and I know the lock is good. So that is probably what I'll do...

Nevertheless, anyone have any suggestions for a good folder with a strong lock for about $50? Some of the Spyderco models I've seen look to have weak point designs & are usually about twice the cost. However, any suggestions would be considered & appreciated.

Thanks!!!
 
MelancholyMutt said:
The lawks did not fail, but it's a secondary lock... a safety. The primary should not fail... it's like a gun that has a habit of going off as soon as you flip off the safety... it's unacceptable.
Click to expand...

yes, LAWKS is only there for backup but CRKT generally makes good stuff given their price point. what i read on these boards before i got my M1 was that the M1 was a strong knife. i have a lot of CRKTs and they all lock up nicely. i guess it's more of a QC issue. some bad seeds made it out, while i'm fortunate to have received only good ones.

unless things have changed, i don't think CRKT lock failures are that widespread. remember what price they aim for and the quality that's associated with that price.
 
James Green Dragon said:
Thanks for the replies!

I think I will pass though - I will be getting my next folder on-line which will save me some $$ but doesn't leave me with the option of inspecting it first. Thus, the manufacturer's reputation for QC is going to influence my decision greatly. I do like the design of the knife but it sounds like its kind of hit or miss as to whether it will have a good lock or not - that is totally unacceptable to me.

I'm not a fan of folders really to begin with - I'd rather have the added strength of a fixed blade. However, the folder is more PC & easier to carry.
The other folders I have are all Cold Steel models. The fact that they torture test the locks gives me a little added sense of security and the money is right; I can get a 4" clip point Voyager for the same $48.95 as the M1 - the design is pretty plain-Jane but also pretty PC; and I know the lock is good. So that is probably what I'll do...

Nevertheless, anyone have any suggestions for a good folder with a strong lock for about $50? Some of the Spyderco models I've seen look to have weak point designs & are usually about twice the cost. However, any suggestions would be considered & appreciated.

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...

spend like $10 more (online price) and get a BM griptilian. it's all the edc you will ever need. the axis lock is proven and totally ambidextrous. BM's 440C is quality stuff. the handles are light and comfy enough with good grip from the textured scales.
 
CRKT is usually good stuff. Once in a while a faulty lock occurs or it occurs when the knife has been abused
 
GarageBoy said:
CRKT is usually good stuff. Once in a while a faulty lock occurs or it occurs when the knife has been abused
Click to expand...
*nod*

I generally agree... I have a CRKT Cruiser whose lock is inordinately stable... I throw the LAWKS on when I'm wiggling the thing in something dense, but for the most part, it is rock solid.

My old-school M16 without LAWKS actually had thicker liners (since when did CRKT move to THINNER liners!?) and has never ever failed, even after abusing it insanely.

Probably my bad experience with the M1 (NIB, btw) was just a fluke.

-j
 
Don't get me wrong... I love most of the CRKT's... My EDC is a m-16 w/aluminum scales. It's just that my particular m1 is a piss poor design and manufacture.
 
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