Cricket with ats-55, any good?

[clembrewer]

A local knife store (the only local knife store) has a crickett with an ats-55 blade. They're asking about $45 for it.

I did a quick search for this steel, and it seems as if it is ok, but how does it compare to the current crickett models?

Thanks

 

[Pete1977]

I will play devils' advocate here

ATS-55 is one of my favorite steels. It takes an edge easily, and holds it for a good amount of time under moderate use. is this cricket serrated or plain edged? The serrated edge will hold an edge longer than the plain edge, and ats-55 isn't as hard, and therefore not as brittle as vg-10 (the current cricket blade steel), and with as thin a tip as the cricket has, I'd prefer the ats-55 personally.

also, the ats-55 cricket is zytel handled I believe and a liner lock. although I prefer the frame lock on the ss cricket, the frn with liner is a thicker package, and has more grip texture than the stainless vg-10 version.

for the uses you'd most likely use a small knife for, ats-55 won't dull with the first cut. but, if sharpening a reverse-s blade is difficult for you (use the sharpmaker ) you may want the vg-10 for it's longer edge retention ability



pete

 

[clembrewer]

It is the zytel handled knife, and the plain edge. I'm not worried about sharpening it.
I'll take another look at it. I really like the way the knife looks.