Cricket questions...

M

Mumbles

Joined
Dec 16, 2009
Messages
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I was considering picking up a Cricket for myself, as I am ordering one for my Dad and figured I might as well try one myself since I am already paying for shipping. However, I am unsure of a few things which perhaps the Cricket owners here could help me with.

My first question is about the tip of the blade. It looks awfully susceptible to breaking, being so tiny and thin. Has anyone here ever had the very tip of their Cricket break on them?

I am leaning towards getting the PE version. Not sure which would be more advantageous on a blade as curved, and short as this one. Any opinions?

My other question is regarding sharpening a PE Cricket using the Sharpmaker. Since the blades curve is so drastic, I am curious as to whether or not the flats of the Sharpmaker stones can be used, which is of course recommended for PE blades. Maybe I am wrong, but it looks like flats of the stones would simply bridge the gap of the blade's curve, missing the valley. Is that right? If so, do you just use the corners of the stone for this PE blade? Would the SE version be far easier to sharpen?

Thanks
 
Due to the curve of the blade you should sharpen on the corners even if you have the PE version.

I've never had a tip break on me, and I've owned a couple of Crickets. They are nice little knives and very underrated.
 
The flats of the SharpMaker rods are too wide to do the inside curve of the reverse-s blade, you have to use the corners. I've not had a Cricket in SE, but the folks who have seem to love them. Both of mine are PE, one is FRN and the other is Almite/aluminum. I've only touched the steel handle model once, and that was enough for me. It was thin and light, but that just made it too small for my hands. The somewhat thicker FRN model feels much better to me. All in all, they are nice little knives that cut bigger than they look.
 
I really enjoy my Etched Cricket PE. I have not yet needed to sharpen it and I can't imagine using it in a way you would need to sharpen it for a very long time. Love the S shape on the blade it works very well and the tip does wonders for opening up letters and cutting tape on boxes. I keep mine as a secondary/sheeple knife in the inside pocket of my jacket.

For how thin it is, it's still vg10 and can handle quite a bit.
 
Thanks for the input guys.

Yablanowitz: This is one knife that I don't mind being thin. I don't grab the cricket like a traditional knife, but rather so the knife is horizontal as opposed to vertical. I find it feels way more natural. Not sure if everyone does this. Another exception for this knife is SS... I would usually pick FRN over SS anyday.... but on the Cricket I think it's perfect.

ZTKT: I know what you mean. I have a cheapo cricket knock off, and it's great.... though I haven't pushed it very hard. Are you glad you got the PE version? I'm still a bit torn between SE and PE. BTW good work on your youtube vids!
 
Mumbles said:
Thanks for the input guys.



ZTKT: I know what you mean. I have a cheapo cricket knock off, and it's great.... though I haven't pushed it very hard. Are you glad you got the PE version? I'm still a bit torn between SE and PE. BTW good work on your youtube vids!
Click to expand...

Im very pleased with the PE one, with that said im not yet an authority on a SE version. Never tried spyderco's serrations just because I have been so pleased with their PE knives. Haven't had the need for serrations with my work or day to day tasks. With that said I do think the PE cricket is more than suitable for simpler tasks. Blade is more than sharp carrying the same blade quality as other popular spydies, vg10. IMO I picture SE knives for more aggressive cutting tasks. Don't quite see the need in such a small knife.

and thanks hah came across some eh?
 
Ya I agree with you about serrations. My EDC chores are all very light duty... the heaviest being cutting open the occasional box. PE just glides through real nice, providing a clean cut... even if it doesn't stay sharp for quite as long as SE. I have never found myself saying "man, I wish I had serrations right now". In fact quite the opposite.... I find when using my SE Ladybug, I am wishing for PE. And truth be told, I am not a fan of sharpening SE... even on the Sharpmaker.

Ya I enjoy your knife vids. The Cricket vid reminded be about the etched version which I had completely forgotten about, and I am ordering 2 of them today.
 
I much prefer SE on the Cricket because it holds the edge longer in my experience. I have never had an issue with the tip coming off of a Cricket. For sharpening, the corners of the Sharpmaker stones is the way to go! Sometimes you may find getting the very tip a little easier with the flats of the stones. My brother in law had the tip chip a bit on one of the Crickets I gave him. He is a mechanic and tryed to pry something, go figure.
 
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