Crawford KFF

ARtsig1

ARtsig1

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Jul 20, 2000
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I have gone through several custom knives in the past month in a search for a good daily carry and user. What I found, and kept, was a large mdl. 16 by Kit Carson and a GTD framelock folder by Rese Weiland. I am now searching for a third folder and have looked at a DeVilliers ADV. Very nice knife with a VERY smooth opening. Only problem is; to small and to light for me. I really do like a robust folder. Thats why I kept the Carson and the Weiland! :D

I finally did what I should have done at the beginning and ordered a large KFF from Knifeart. Stndard ATS-34 steel blade and a ti frame. Little catch to the ti frame though as it has been beadblasted and then annodized. Larry said it is a dark blue/black. Should be pretty cool:D There is a little file work on the back spacer and clip.

I've had several KFF's but always ended up trading them although they are one of my all time favorite folder shapes. The thing about Crawford's folders is that they are built HEAVY-DUTY!!! I read about this knife or that knife being a heavy duty folder only to see that my version and their version of heavy duty differ. No problem and nothing wrong with the knives. I just want my version of heavy duty!!:) :) A solid steel back spacer that runs 2/3's the length of the handle is heavy duty. Thicker stock blades equate into heavy duty. Thick liners means heavy duty. Hardened pins and pivots says heavy duty. Phospher/bronze washers of a large diameter tell me it is heavy duty.

So I guess I've made myself clear. I want a heavy duty folder and I have a Crawford KFF incoming to fill that need. After all I've heard Pat Crawford builds a heavy duty folder!!
 
Awesome!! I too like the Kaper Fighting Folder design. Though I have only been able to handle the CRKT versions, they are pretty cool. I liek the wide blade shapel that is something you don't often see in a folder.
 
Art,

If you want a heavy duty folder, the KFF is a great design, custom or production. I have handled 3 custom versions of the KFF and found them to be exactly as advertised. They were all owned by a local knife knut (BF member Keninshiro) who liked them enough to buy 3 of the same knife.

The handle design in particular is everything you could wish for in a folder.

Andrew Limsk
 
i like all of kaspers designs i have had the opertunity to handle or buy, have a crawford KFF and a polkawski companion 4", and i agree the handles/grip on all his designs are awesome!!

have been thinking about getting a perfigo, a slimmer version of the KFF w/a 4.5" blade, made by crawford, and alsoa persico a thin blade version.

crawford knives are as good as it gets imho, no one makes them BETTER and few are as good imho, and he stands behind his work, also

greg
 
Everyone of the previous Crawford knives I've had have been excellent. The KFF arrived today and is simply stunning. I say that due to the anodizing on the handles. The whole titanium handle is anodized a dark blue. The bb finish beneath it gives it a satin/flat appearance that is consistent throughout the entire handle. The satin blade contrasts nicely with it. If possible this one seems to have the smoothest opening of any I've had. I like to tighten the pivot as tight as I possibly can and still be able to open it. Got this one tightened down good and it still just glides open as smooth as silk! The locking bar lines up about a 1/3 of the way across the blade tang so plenty of room for any wear that might occur. The edge is Crawford sharp and that says it all. The grinds are perfect throughout. I don't have any doubts that I made the right decision with this knife. It looks like the KFF fires have been rekindled!:eek: :D :cool:
 
and i got a used KFF from the infamous jaxurman, the handles were scuffed up, stain on the blade, i sent it in to pat and w/in 2 weeks had what looked to me like a LNIB KFF, he re-BB the whole thing, re-signed the blade, rebuilt the lock and adjusted it,sharpened it, and threw in a cool belt sheath for it, all for like $28, less than $30 for SURE. this INCLUDES SHIPPING!!

he told me he liked to see his knives used, and to examine well used specimans to see how they wear, makes me less wary of scuffing it up/scratching/etc when i know for a very modest fee he can make it look LNIB again. and also installs confidence in the design.....

and to top it all off, he sent the knife back to me w/a bill, I DIDNT PREPAY! SHOCKED me, it just came via UPS one day. couldnt get him a money order off fast enough. that is trust, and remember i bought the knife 2nd hand, he owed me NOTHING. was billed for the parts on the lock work and re'BB only, no labor involved, and he gave me the sheath, i woulda payed $20 for that

pat crawford, good honest knives, good honest man

greg
 
I was looking at the Perfigo also since it is a longer but slimmer KFF. I don't like the "frog" stud though and would definately go for the clip.

Another thing that I really like about Crawford knives is the fact that Pat uses a steel back spacer that is 1/2 or longer the length of the handles. This gives a little added heft and really solidifies the handle, at least to me. The satin finished and fileworked spacer on the KFF really looks cool against the dark blue of the handle slabs.

Man, I am really PLEASED with this purchase!!:D :D :D
 
Still waiting for my lefty Crawford KFF with micarta slabs and titanium bolsters; satin finished blade. Also waiting for my genuine Polkowski Companion, set up for lefty IWB.

It's a tough wait. Pat says I'd expect it in late August, early September. Al said the Companion was due to be done very soon, but maybe his idea of very soon is on a different time scale. Robertson's is doing the deal on the Companion - he was due for the knife unbeknownst to him and I called and claimed it. Normally, it'd be a year wait - well, maybe a year and a half in Polkowski Time. ;)
 
I love the KFF design also, I own TWO of the CRKT versions. I had the opportunity to handle one of the Custom versions and the ONLY thing that I didn't like was that the Liner Lock release was recessed deep inside the handle. Since I was rather new to Customs I thought I was just being a Wimp when I couldn't close it with my thumb (of the same hand). I asked the question here on BF if that was normal detail on the KFF and was soon educated as to the reasoning behind the recessed release. Does that bother anyone else, I mean having to use your other hand to release the lock in order to close the knife?

Forgot to mention, I think it's great to hear about a Maker like Pat who will stand behind their product and take care of a problem for you really quickly. Makes me want to rethink owning a Custom KFF.
 
I have no problem closing with one hand. The lock is recessed but my thumb can reach the liner up near the blade tang and push it over to unlock with no problem. If there is a problem it is that the locking bar seems stiffer than any Crawford I had before. Not a bad thing either!
 
.................I hate to keep going on and on and on and on about the KFF but I have been so impressed with it since it came Friday that I have no other option! As stated earlier I've had 4 or 5 maybe 6 of these over the years and ALWAYS liked them but ALWAYS ended up without them. Figure that one out!:eek: Now the newest one comes along and all of a sudden I've got what appears to be the slickest and tightest KFF that has ever gone through my hands. What I really noticed today was the anodizing on the handle. As I said in another post it is a dark blue with just a hint of gray and is not shiny but rather a flat finish. The blade, screw heads, fileworked clip, and fileworked back spacer are all satin finished and really, REALLY have a nice contrast against the dark blue anodized surface.

Okay, I'll shut up now and quit talking on and on, like a little kid with a new toy (although I am:D :D ) about this knife! Of course that is until another revelation strikes.:eek: :eek: :eek:
 
This revelation was; I need another KFF that I don't mind using as the one I already have would make a better dress knife. I even took this revelation to the next level by ordering and receiving a black bladed KFF with full black micarta handle slabs! This will be my user, hopefully. The same things that made the anodized KFF endear itself to me are present on this one as well. Solid lock up with absolutely no blade play in any direction, razor sharp ATS-34 steel blade, smooth opening, easy to carry, fits the hand like it was made for it! and a blacked out, no nonsense look about it. All in all, another great version of the KFF from Crawford Knives!!:D :D
 
Art, I take it you are somewhat enthusiastic about your recent KFF acquisition.:D Your enthusiasm is well placed. I only own the CRKT versions, regular and "Pro", but I've handled the "real deal" at shows. The KFF is a modern classic and now you've stoked my acquisitional fires and the drool is starting.

My custom Crawfords are the Falcons, large and small. The fit, finish and "feel" could not be better.

Add to that---Pat is a true gentleman and Wes also.

Good luck with your increasing KFF collection.:cool:
 
I've just gotten the large and small CRK&T professionals in the blackout mode and it is uncanny how little difference there is. I'm sure that most parts would be interchangeable!

Yep, haven't had my lid flipped like this since the Sebenza revelation. The KFF has long been a favorite of mine.

Today I went ahead and called Pat to see what was on hand and wouldn't you know................I now have a Perfigo with satin blade and dark blue anodized titanium handles w/pocket clip not stud coming tomorrow!:D :D

Now have a matched set of the Bob Kasper inspired Crawford built knives. Promises to be a GREAT weekend.
 
Originally posted by redvenom
Art,

If you are shopping for more of Pat's work, you might want to take a look at the Shark too - I have got two of them :D

Pics of my pair of Sharks: http://members.tripod.com/~limsk/kshark.htm

Andrew Limsk
Click to expand...

I had ordered a Shark along with my KFF, but had to cancel one due to funds. The KFF won out. How are you liking the Sharks?
 
Very nice Red! I went to Pat's site this morning because I had noticed a Shark earlier. It had the micarta handles with no bolsters and was listed with a 3.75 inch blade. Alas it was gone or it would have been heading to N.C. as I type!!
 
Originally posted by Boink

I had ordered a Shark along with my KFF, but had to cancel one due to funds. The KFF won out. How are you liking the Sharks?
Click to expand...

I like them a lot. Very handy blade shape, a good size, built tough and secure hand-filling handles. Probably my favourite folder design other than the Carson M4. I bought the basic version with plain micarta handles a year ago recently got the bolstered version as well.

Cheers
Andrew Limsk
 
Well big brown made its delivery today and dropped off the Perfigo from Crawford Knives. I must say it is an awesome looking piece. The anodized titanium handles are a dark blue with some gray and are even all the way through. The bb underneath really gives a good feel and the anodizing is a flatter shade. The blade is satin finished and is as sleek a design as I've seen in a while. This is a narrow knife. I was worried that the grip would be too narrow for my liking but it is a perfect fit. When you pick it up your hand just sorta melds itself to the handle. The thumb falls on top and there is a notched area that is just in the right place. Lock up is picture perfect with absolutley no play in any direction! Opening is something else, as I tightened it down to where I like it to be, which is fairly tight in others estimation, and it still just glides open. If possible it is smoother than the KFF that I was so impressed with! It came set up with a clip and a stud. I will be going with the clip, but might just try the stud sometime or other. I read the TK article and am very happy with the way the Crawfords put these together. The handle spacer and stop pin are both hardened 440C steel while the ti lock has a carbide bead welded to the front space of the lock for extra hardness. Those are extra steps that put the Crawford knives up with the top tacticals!:D

Now for the other little bit. When big brown made the delivery there were TWO packages! I had ordered a Crawford Falcon large with the full micarta grips from Larry C. at Knifeart. When I discovered the Perfigo at Crawford Knives I decided to take it and emailed Larry to cancel the Falcon. It must have already been processed and sent out.

So, what to do? I was going to get a Falcon but wait a while so the plastic could cool down before it melted! Now I've got it in hand and is it ever sweet. I just have to think that Crawford Knives is getting better and better with putting these together. The opening is so smooth. I tighten them down to a point that most people look at me when they try to open it and ask where the lock is. The Falcon is no exception, it just glides open and locks up as solid as the others with a big ol' THUNK. So I guess that just made my mind up:eek: I'm keeping them both and putting the plastic up for a while....................for a LONG while!!:D :D ;)
 
Art,

Thats a real nice collection you are building there. It looks like you've got almost all of the popular models in Crawford's line.

Nothing like basking in the joy of a knife collector with new knives. It's infectious... makes me want to buy some new knives too :D

Regards
Andrew Limsk
 
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