CRK fixed blade question

C

coldsilence55

Joined
Oct 4, 2008
Messages
251
Hello, I'm getting more into bladeforums recently and wanted to post a question... It has probably been discussed before but here goes... I hope I won't be black listed here or something for mentioning it... but I have always liked the CRK fixed blade designs but have been extremely hesitant to even think of getting one after seeing the infamous Noss tests. I was wondering if these two failures have ever been addressed by CRK and has the heat treating problem been fixed with more recent releases?

Before people start saying how its not a realistic test, etc etc let me say that I do understand that already. It is not a real world application of either of those knives. However, for example, if being used as a survival blade in a frozen environment, batoning with and through frozen hard would could come pretty close to the soft 2x4 and metal hammer.

Anyway, my point being... The designs seem great, but for the price point, unless the blades are more durable then the two tested by Noss, why not spend an equal or less amount of money on a knife that most likely will not have catastrophic failure if pushed a tiny bit past its intended purpose? (ie, RAT, Ontario, Busse, SwampRat, etc)

I want to mention I am not trying to bash or bring up any sore subjects... just asking this question as a potential buyer of a product. Because I do own a Sebenza and love it (after a few mods anyway)!

Thanks!
 
i believe whatever crk did to address the videos was kept confidential. i am not aware of any public declaration of such from either party.

ultimately, if you do not have confidence in one of your tools, you are not likely to carry it. some people put stock in the videos, some do not.

they are good knives, ive owned the green beret, warrior, and several one piece. i have found they aren't the fixed blades for me, for a variety of reasons.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
i believe whatever crk did to address the videos was kept confidential.
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Not exactly the mark of a good company.

I very much sympathize with the OP as I am in the same boat. I've had my eye on a shadow for a very long time but cant seem to bring myself to purchase one without even an explanation of why two of their knives broke in exactly the same fashion.
 
We have had hundreds of posts in several threads on this question. Chris Reeve cannot give a technically convincing response to a technically incompetent demonstration. Period.

If this leaves you with no confidence in his fixed blades, buy something else. CRK struggles constantly to keep up with demand from people who have satisfied themselves with their quality anyway.
 
I have been using the S30V and A2 CRK fixed blades for a good while and have never had a problem with them.
The one piece knives are actually some of my favorite and most used fixed blades.:):thumbup:

If you don't feel they are for you then thats fair enough but many people use them with good results.
I have also never heard of anyone breaking a CRK fixed blade in the field.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Chris Reeve cannot give a technically convincing response to a technically incompetent demonstration. Period.
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I don't recall CR giving any response to this. This is what bothers me the most. They could have easily said "we looked at both knives and determined that the cause of breakage was a moron in a mask". They didn't however and thats the worst part.

As bladeforums members we have the advantage of being around several companies and owners. If two RAT's broke in virtually the same place under almost identical conditions not only would Jeff demand to see the knives, but he would offer an unsolicited explanation before anyone would think to ask.

I don't think its too much to expect this from CR as well. Since its clear that there are many people who have held off of buying a CR knife either because of the test, or because or a lack of any explanation it would only help their bottom line to put this issue to rest. Their failure to do so makes it seem as if they are trying to hide something which only increases the skepticism of people like the OP and myself.
 
STAGE 2 said:
They could have easily said "we looked at both knives and determined that the cause of breakage was a moron in a mask".
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The Reeves could say anything, but you know what they say about wrestling with a pig. You both get dirty but only the pig enjoys it.
 
This topic is SOOOO Old. These knives were made for 28 years and the Only Time I have Ever heard of breakage was when the "moron in a mask" intentionally broke one. Anything can be broken when used in a way it was not designed for. Knives are made to CUT....Period....( I also consider slicing and chopping cutting ). If you wanna take a sledge hammer to a hardened steel, dont expect it to last. The knives broke were serrated versions and I still feel strongly that serrated blades weaken a knife in that area. There has never been a report to my knowledge of a CRK one piece breaking in the field under normal or even extreme use. All Chris Reeve needs to know is if there was ONE knife out there that I had to rely on in a life threatening situation, it would be a CRK One Piece Knife........That says it all and I Know I am not the only one that has confidence in them.
 
We just had a 40 page "discussion" of the Noss "tests".

No matter how many technical objections were raised, there were those who loved the tests and swore they were scientific and valid. No matter what CRK said, people would never accept it. Under such circumstances, the cleanest response is not to dignify the antics with any response.

Personally, if the knife had failed in actual use, that would be one thing. Breaking because some clown pounded it with a hammer until it broke has no significance. Remember this is the same "tester" who received a used knife (not CRK) that by his own admission needed sharpening. He tested it without putting a proper edge on it, then complained that it did not chop well. Why would any of his "results" carry any weight after such a thing?

If you don't care for the knife, don't buy it. But don't whine that CRK has to respond to some crackpot.
 
knarfeng said:
We just had a 40 page "discussion" of the Noss "tests".

No matter how many technical objections were raised, there were those who loved the tests and swore they were scientific and valid. No matter what CRK said, people would never accept it. Under such circumstances, the cleanest response is not to dignify the antics with any response.

Personally, if the knife had failed in actual use, that would be one thing. Breaking because some clown pounded it with a hammer until it broke has no significance. Remember this is the same "tester" who received a used knife (not CRK) that by his own admission needed sharpening. He tested it without putting a proper edge on it, then complained that it did not chop well. Why would any of his "results" carry any weight after such a thing?

If you don't care for the knife, don't buy it. But don't whine that CRK has to respond to some crackpot.
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Well Put.......Every time I see this come back up, I know my blood pressure has to go up :mad: I agree that the best stance for Mr. Reeve is to not say anything because no matter what he says, some wingnut will twist it around to their favor. The fact that there are no known failures in the field under normal knife using conditions in 28 years of the knife being made says it all. Its a legendary design.
 
So there's two examples of a CRKFB breaking. Big deal. Knives are not supernatural artefacts and this will happen. Banging on a piece of tool steel with another piece of tool steel is asking for trouble - remember the old adage about banging two hammer heads together. If he had used anything, ANYTHING other than a freaking hammer, the results may have been different.
All the same, in the thirty-odd years that Reeve has been making those knives, those are the only two examples Iève heard of them being broken. I like my single One-Piece knife, and I trust it.
 
I say if it bothers you that much, don't buy it. To me, the Noss tests don't have much value. Despite the bickering his "tests" caused, I bought a Shadow IV and love it! If I had more money, I'd buy another one piece. I brought up in another thread that 28 years of a solid reputation says a lot about a manufacturer and I was basically told reputations don't matter. What?! Companies like CRK don't have outstanding reputations because they make pretty knives that break easily. People have been purchasing and using their knives for a long time and I, like others, have yet to see a broken Reeve One Piece other than ones pounded on with hammers. In the end, it's up to you. Like I said, if it bothers you that much, don't buy it.
 
CRK are reputable knife company and I'm sure the products are top notch. But that doesn't make them perfect. Every knife company has a purpose/goal behind their products. Perhaps CRK knives are more on the collector's side rather than the user's side. Also, all knives & tools are breakable it is up to how you use them. However, are you ever going to be at a situation thats equivalent to what Noss does in his testings? The answer is probably NO! So, a blade for us (civilians) are more of a collectable then a user. If you still hesitate to buy CRK fixed blades or any other knives. Then I suggest to hold off and do more researches. Buying a knife requires commitment. DO NOT EVER RUSH b/c you will regret and end up losing $$$. Hopefully that helps.
 
I saw the Noss tests before I purchased my two Mountaineers and actually learned something --DON'T BANG ON A KNIFE WITH A HAMMER! :D :rolleyes:
 
I'd be more hesitant due to pricing than due to morons in a mask.
 
Thanks for the replies, I know its a really old topic and sorry about bringing it up again. I was really just asking more specifically if CRK has ever released any statement along the lines of... "we have re-evaluated our heat treating process and... " either found it to be perfectly up to the industry standard or have re worked the process to make the steel less susceptible to failure under hard impact. And from the responses it seems it just simply hasn't been addressed :-/ But thats ok, at least the folding line doesn't seem to have any question of doubt hanging out there! :)
 
coldsilence55 said:
Thanks for the replies, I know its a really old topic and sorry about bringing it up again. I was really just asking more specifically if CRK has ever released any statement along the lines of... "we have re-evaluated our heat treating process and... " either found it to be perfectly up to the industry standard or have re worked the process to make the steel less susceptible to failure under hard impact. And from the responses it seems it just simply hasn't been addressed :-/ But thats ok, at least the folding line doesn't seem to have any question of doubt hanging out there! :)
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If those were the questions you had and wanted answers to, why did you not ask ???....... I had many one piece knives before I saw the noss test, I bought many more after seeing the tests. What I learned from them is that the only way to break a CRK One Piece is to pound on it with a sledge hammer until failure. Thats something I would never do. I have 17 OPK and counting, so the tests in No Way Affected my decision to buy them. Many fellow members have come to me asking about them, after I told them my thoughts, they are now happy owners of the CRK Legendary One Piece Line. There is certainly a very long line of people who love them, but a very short line of those who dont.
 
If you read all the posts on this issue, you'd be busy for a long, long, long time. No comment...
 
nyefmaker said:
If those were the questions you had and wanted answers to, why did you not ask ???....... I had many one piece knives before I saw the noss test, I bought many more after seeing the tests. What I learned from them is that the only way to break a CRK One Piece is to pound on it with a sledge hammer until failure. Thats something I would never do. I have 17 OPK and counting, so the tests in No Way Affected my decision to buy them. Many fellow members have come to me asking about them, after I told them my thoughts, they are now happy owners of the CRK Legendary One Piece Line. There is certainly a very long line of people who love them, but a very short line of those who dont.
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I don't doubt they are very hard use, great knives... just questioning if it was ever addressed by the company really. If I ever came across one for a very good price, I sure wouldn't turn it down. Thanks!
 
coldsilence55 said:
If I ever came across one for a very good price, I sure wouldn't turn it down.
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Actually, $255 for a 5.5" blade model is a very good price considering the quality of the knife and sheath. I can assure you, now that the OPR has been discontinued, they will only go up.
 
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