Corkum First Strike

Posted for Kevan:
-----------------

From Kevan to CRKT:

Hello, I have been always well-pleased with every CRKT knife I have
purchased. I have purchased a Bear Claw, two M-16-04Z, and a M-16-03Z. I
just recently purchased a Corkum First Strike and this knife is so dull,
it will not cut butter. I have never seen a CRKT knife that did not come
out of the box shaving-sharp. This knife is a huge disappointment. I
tried sharpening it with a Spyderco Sharpmaker, a DMT diamond stone, and
an Arkansas stone and this knife will not take an edge no matter what. I
suspect it is because it never had an edge to begin with. If this knife
is strictly a "stabber", surely it should say so in the promotional
inofrmation (and should be cheaper!) I saw one on display at a local
shop and it was very dull, but I thought it was because it was a display
that they may have used. The one I have they ordered for me. Right out
of the box, this is the dullest knife I have ever seen. Now, I like
everything else about this knife. The sheath is practical and the handle
wrap is attractive, to say the least. But I want a knife with an edge. I
wouldn't mind putting an edge on it myself if it would take an edge! But
it remains as dull as new and I have never seen a knife that would not
sharpen up.

What I would like is an warranty exchange for a SHARP Corkum. One
that actually CUTS and doesn't fold paper. I'm not using this as a
utility knife, but as a self-defense carry. I cannot have a dull knife
for that. I won't be using the edge for daily chores, but I need it
there. I absolutely MUST have a sharp knife, period. I chose this knife
over the Benchmade Nimravus. I know the Nimravus is razor-sharp right
out of the box. Can I please have this one sharp? If not, I need an
exchange for something else, please. But I really want this Corkum
instead of something else. But, again, SHARP. I read on Blade Forums one
guy who says his Corkum was dull right out of the box, but gave CRKT the
benefit of the doubt because I've always gotten sharp knives from CRKT.
Can you please help me? Perhaps a sharp Corkum and a UPS call tag to
pick this one up? Please help.

Sincerely,
Kevan Taylor-Perry
Click to expand...

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Response from Patrick Gottsch of CRKT:

Kevan,
The design of the Corkum First Strike is a very unique blade style. It
is called a "Convex" style blade which basically means the edge of the
blade protrudes outward from the edge. The knife will appear to be dull
when trying to cut paper because of the density of the blade will not
penetrate the paper. It is exactly as you stated in your message, " it
is used for stabbing and penetrating". I cannot exchange the knife if
you have already tried to sharpen. It is a very specific grind that can
be very difficult to sharpen. I take my Corkum to a professional
sharpener and for $15.00 he put an excellent edge on the blade. If you
are interested, I would be happy to have the knife sharpened. The cost
is $15.00 and I would not charge shipping. You would need to get the
knife back to me and a credit card for the service. Let me know!
Sincerely,
Patrick Gottsch
Operations Manager/CRKT
Click to expand...
 
Hey Kevin and everybody else that gave thier reviews on the first strike. Well I seen the pic and it looked like a really cool knife. I ordered it monday and was very excited. After reading kevins' response and others agreeing I called down and cancelled my order for my first strike.

That is no way to treat a customer... what a crock of SH!T. Personally I would be pissed to have to pay shipping, be charged for sharpening, and then my warreny is voided because I tried to make a dull A$$ knife sharp.

Well next time I consider buying a Coulmbia River I will think twice. WOW what kind of customer service is that? I don't care much for thier knives as is and now think even less!
 
Well, yesterday, I got an email from Patrick Gottsch that said he would now be happy to exchange the knife for another different knife. I called him today and he is going to send me a different knife that I chose and also send a UPS call tag to pick up this Corkum. So, CRKT is going to stand behind this product for me now. But I thank Blade Forums and all the good folks here for helping me out, too. Thanks, 4th, for posting the email. Patrick mentioned that he felt I may have misrepresented what he said in my previous posts. That is always possible when conveying a discussion. Now that the email is posted, everyone can decide for themselves and comment on it. I will say that Patrick has stepped up to the plate and is going to make this right for me and I am grateful for that. So, I don't want to seem like I'm still slamming CRKT after they've agreed to replace the knife with a new and different model. If I have been unfair to CRKT in my posts, I would hope that another forum member would point that out.
 
Kevan, I would feel the same way. I think the only reason he stepped up is because you made a fuss and he didn't want to lose business to prospective buyers being this forum gets so many people veiwing it. This is no way for them to do business and in order to keep it good business they need to stand behind their product at all times instead of just this one time when the pressure builds up.

I'm glad they are taking care of you, but good luck next time.
 
I agree. I think one of the wonderful things about Blade Forums is the tremendous opportunity we all have here to educate ourselves and get news out to all our fellow forum members and friends here. I think most knife manufacturers view Blade Forums as a great tool in assessing what their customers needs and wants are, as well as their complaints. I posted what I posted not merely for my own benefit and to vent frustration and anger, but also to caution fellow forum members about a product that may not be up to snuff. I would think that CRKT could use a thread like this to learn from. I've worked in warranty repair (power tools and electrical equipment) for going on 14 years now. I've always treated my customers exactly how I've wanted to be treated myself. I always expect that of others, as well, when I need warranty service. I always say that a happy customer is a repeat customer. The best advertising a business has is word-of-mouth. Every time I've gotten a good product or service, I've said so here on this forum. I've said so in lots of threads here. I've even given lots of praise for CRKT products. In fact, just recently, I did so for their Bear Claw over in the tactics forum here.
 
Hey... see if the have any of those Kasper Fighting Folders with the AUS8 blade and Aluminum handles left. I've got one and it's a pretty sweet knife. I think they were around the same retail price.
 
I held one of these CRKT Corkums at a knife show and it was basically a stick of metal than was thinner on one side than the other - not sharp at all, thick, unweildly, and with a big blunt nose of a tip TOTALLY unsuitable for actually penetrating anything. It looks really cool but I can't for the life of me think what it's good for. Can't even call it a sharpened prybar b/c it's not sharp!
 
It
is called a "Convex" style blade which basically means the edge of the
blade protrudes outward from the edge. The knife will appear to be dull
when trying to cut paper because of the density of the blade will not
penetrate the paper.
Click to expand...

This is nonsense. Convex != dull.

-Cliff
 
Here is a paragraph about the steel of the knife "The blade is AUS 6M stainless steel in a satin finish and is available in both Razor-Sharp or Combined Razor-Sharp and Triple-Point™ Serrated edges"
RAZOR SHARP, HUH? THAT'S PRETTY FUNNY!
 
Patrick Gottsch wrote to Kevan:

"It is called a "Convex" style blade which basically means the edge of the
blade protrudes outward from the edge. The knife will appear to be dull
when trying to cut paper because of the density of the blade will not
penetrate the paper."

As Cliff Stamp said, this statement is nonsense. Mr. Gottsch is, at best, mistaken about convex edges. Thickness of the edge grind, and sharpness of the edge grind, are separate and unrelated properties. Further, I have several (fairly obtuse angled) convex edged Busse knives, including a convex zero edged one, and they are all truly razor sharp.

While it is true thick edges (and thick blade grinds) can bind in some (dense, rigid) materials, paper is not, in my experience, one of them. All my convex ground Busses can push cut through paper effortlessly.

From CRKT's website description of this knife:

"There are many CRKT “firsts” in our production version of Steve’s custom First Strike, including the blade grind and edge, and the hand-wrapped handle. It is a knife different in almost every way from familiar Western knives."

The above paragraph seems darkly humorous within the context of Mr. Gottsch's response, as well as the rest of this thread. Apparently CRKT has boldly innovated by making their first edge which won't cut. This truly does appear different in almost every way from familiar Western knives. It doesn't sound like something to brag about, though; and I suspect that Mr Corkum would be upset to have the people who represent the design he licensed say, in essence, that this knife design is SUPPOSED TO BE unable to cut (which also contradicts the advertising copy, which says, "Razor-Sharp Cutting Edge").


Wow.

--Mike
 
Kevan,

Sorry about your luck with the First Strike! (I extent my sympathy to the other Forumites with the same bad luck!) I had been interested in this blade for some time, but now I'm not too sure. I didn't really plan on buying it for use...so maybe it wouldn't be too bad of a purchase? :p

I was just curious what other model you picked? I picked up a Polkowski/Kasper "K" model earlier this year and am very pleased with it. Feels good in hand, light and slim, and I like the numerous carry options the sheath offers...plus shavin' sharp outta box!!

Anyway, good luck with everything!
 
A suggestion was made by Patrick to trade for a new model they're coming out with called the M60, so that's what I asked for in exchange. Being a new model, I'll be sure to review it here for everyone once it arrives.
 
Razor sharp is CRKT's lingo for plain edge, just like triple point means serrated.

It probably isn't worth their time and effort to change all the ads for such budget line pieces. I would have actually been surprised to find a shaving sharp chisel ground AUS6 blade.

The grind is what Steve calls a convex zero edge, or appleseed cross section, resulting in an edge that is much stronger than taper or hollow grinds.
Click to expand...

The only convex zero edges I know of are on unsharpened axes.
 
FWIW, the lightfoot M1 that I received wasn't razor sharp either, and the bevels were uneven. I changed that with 5 minutes of stropping. The knife was then shaving sharp. What I don't understand is why the factory can't ensure that all knives are razor sharp. Isn't it about making sure that the edge bevels meet properly?
 
I also received a Lightfoot M1 with uneven bevels...but that baby was hair-poppin' sharp! :eek: Out of all my CRK&T's, the only one that wasn't that sharp was an F4 I bought for my 2yr. son's first knife!

(Note: For anyone who's not a true knifenut and doesn't have kids...the knife is always out of reach, and when I do let him see it...he is TOTALLY surpervised!)

Sorry, just thought that should be stated!

Anyway, as stated before...there's always going to be those few blades that are the exceptions to the rules (when mass produced)...but as far as the First Strike's concerned...this is an issue that must be addressed immediately by CRK&T.

I still feel they are a great company with (majority) well thoughtout designs. And as a military employee...I've always like the "For Those Who Serve" models and support the company supplies!!!!
 
I think the problem people are having with this knife is they are trying to sharpen it by the angle of the convex edge. I sharpened mine at the same angle I do all my knives, with a simple triangle carbide (the kind you hang from a keyring)and it was razor sharp in a few min.
 
Howdy All,
I purchased mine a few months back at a local gunshop that BTW has the best knife selection in NC ( BIG Thanks Cupcake !! )). I was 99% pleased with mine right out of the box, was not dull and the blade did not exibit the tendency to drag the edge along the sheath as a few other have mentioned.
I have also handled 3 others purchased at other locations buy friends and out of those only one needed minor touching up to be razor sharp. This was done with my triangular pocket sharpener .

I did find that for me the lip on the belt clip was too long but I soon fixed that . So no complaints from this corner on the First Strike. Perhaps these issues could be related to a "batch of knives that quality control did not inspect closely enough ? If what I saw through my local dealers hold true the demand for these was pretty high" either way it is an issue CRK&T should investigate.


Reguards
Headhunter
 
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