CRK Fixed Blades

bobobama

bobobama

Joined
Jan 15, 2017
Messages
416
I was just scrolling through the thread asking about Sebenza's (are they worth it?) and I know it's a question that's been asked (and answered) many times, but I'm curious. No where near as much discussion here about CRK's fixed blades. Anyone have experience with them; pro's and cons, price to performance?
 
Outside of specialty needs (e.g. chef's knives, skinners, etc.) any fixed blade that isn't made by Mora or Imacasa/Tramontina/etc. isn't really "worth it", IMO.

That said, buying expensive fixed blades is fun so go for it. I do think you could get more for less with other brands, though. For example, my beloved Buck Yellow Jacket (mirror polished S90V clad in 154CM) about the same as the middle of the regular CRK price range, and it looks like this:

3mfOFvE.jpg


IMO it's prettier, more wear resistant, and probably cuts better than the CRK fixed knives I've handled (based on their thickness and grind).

If you want a stout equivalent to the CRK beefy knives, it's easy to find something with better materials at the same price point. For example, this Bark River in CPM-3V is two hundred dollars less expensive than an equivalent CRK fixed knife, despite having superior materials:

BAR07123LTMNCa.jpg


Buy one if you want it, of course, just know that you could probably do quite a bit better for your money if it was about looks or performance or whatever per dollar.
 
evilgreg said:
Outside of specialty needs (e.g. chef's knives, skinners, etc.) any fixed blade that isn't made by Mora or Imacasa/Tramontina/etc. isn't really "worth it", IMO. That said, buying expensive fixed blades is fun so go for it. I do think you could get more for less with other brands, though. For example, my beloved Buck Yellow Jacket (mirror polished S90V clad in 154CM) about the same as the middle of the regular CRK price range, and it looks like this:
IMO it's prettier, more wear resistant, and probably cuts better than the CRK fixed knives I've handled (based on their thickness and grind). If you want a stout equivalent to the CRK beefy knives, it's easy to find something with better materials at the same price point. For example, this Bark River in CPM-3V is two hundred dollars less expensive than an equivalent CRK fixed knife, despite having superior materials: Buy one if you want it, of course, just know that you could probably do quite a bit better for your money if it was about looks or performance or whatever per dollar.
Click to expand...
I tried to send you a PM, but couldn’t because your inbox is full.
 
I’m interested in the responses that come in to this thread.

I'm just getting into fixed blades and find the Pacific intriguing, especially because I missed out on the last run of a particular custom <by the time my mind was made up they were gone>.

If I’m not mistaken, CRK fixed blades are run softer than their folders, and in spite of my comments in the folder thread, my concern is they might be too soft for my expectations.

As I’ve never owned one, it’s all conjecture. Hopefully folks that have used theirs can chime in.
 
I have an Insingo Nyala I carry it on days that I want a fixed blade knife like when I’m going work on the warehouse or when I’m out wheeling or camping. It’s not a great food prep knife but it’s great for just about everything else.

I don’t think my Nyala it objectively worth more than any other full tang smallish fixed blade but it is to me
 
bobobama said:
I was just scrolling through the thread asking about Sebenza's (are they worth it?) and I know it's a question that's been asked (and answered) many times, but I'm curious. No where near as much discussion here about CRK's fixed blades. Anyone have experience with them; pro's and cons, price to performance?
Click to expand...

When it comes to CRK, you are paying an added $ for the name. There's no doubt one can find a long list of quality fixed knives, some using better steal (and there's an ongoing debate about the HT of CRKs making them surprisingly fragile under hard use that can be found on a search...) that will perform as well or better for less $, including having a custom made to your won specs. On paper, they seem like quality knives that come with a known name, and some of the designs are very nice. I had a bunch of them I'd purchased from a buddy and sold all but the Neil Roberts as that's a collectors keeper but have never used it for anything.

I'd think most would consider price for performance quite poor but a $50 knife made of 1095 will perform well for 99% of its users.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top