CRK Nyala Or Falkn. TK2 decision

[staysharp^]

Hello everyone! As some of you know, I have been in the market for a CRK Nyala for a few months now. I will not buy one without parting with one of my other knives. I am not a collector at all and use my knives as tools. I currently own a Fallkniven TK2 fixed blade and its nice in hand, has laminated steel and convex edge. I am not fond of the sheath it came with and also not a big fan of the "thermurun" handle material. I am happy with this TK2 but its the only knife I am willing to sell to buy another CRK product. Here are pictures of both knives. Please give me your honest technical opinion as to why you feel the way you do.

Lance

 

[Ken44]

I have knives from both companies, but I don't have either of those.

3G is a great steel(IMO), but I prefer Micarta on any fixed blade. Really like the design of both.

I would go with the Nyala since it has Micarta scales.
I've heard great things about both, but I'm not a fan of the Thermorun handle.

 

[staysharp^]

I have knives from both companies, but I don't have either of those.

3G is a great steel(IMO), but I prefer Micarta on any fixed blade. Really like the design of both.

I would go with the Nyala since it has Micarta scales.
I've heard great things about both, but I'm not a fan of the Thermorun handle.

I agree with 3G being a great steel. The TK2 does feel very good in hand which makes this decision hard because I cannot hold a Nyala unless I buy one. Do you know if sharpening a convex edge is harder to do than a more traditional edge found on the Nyala? Both knives would be used for field dressing small and medium game animals and some food prep around the house or camp.

 

[TechDoc]

I have a convex edge on my Bark River knives and I wouldn't say sharpening them is harder, but it is different. You need to use sandpaper and foam (like a mousepad) instead of stones.

 

[1AbominAble1]

You know I'm biased but if say that the belly of the Nyala would serve better in the roles you mentioned than the straighter edge of the other knife. I've been hunting White Tail Deer and Small Game for over 30 years and I've used a LOT of knives, the Nyala has been BY FAR THE BEST so far. I've used knives that run the gambit from bigger to smaller and much cheaper to MUCH more expensive than the Nyala and I find it easy to say that it's the knife for me; although the knife nut in me will keep me trying others as long as I live I can easily say that the Nyala is the standard that they are all measured against.

I don't usually like rubbery handles but there are exceptions. Between the two the Nyala would take it for that reason alone. I have a couple of ESEE knives that I really like for a lot of reasons but the Nyala kicks them to the curb hands down because the handle actually fits my hand- unlike the ESEE knives.

 

[MatthewSB]

I agree with 3G being a great steel. The TK2 does feel very good in hand which makes this decision hard because I cannot hold a Nyala unless I buy one. Do you know if sharpening a convex edge is harder to do than a more traditional edge found on the Nyala? Both knives would be used for field dressing small and medium game animals and some food prep around the house or camp.

The Nyala also has a convex edge, as far as I know all Chris Reeve knives do from the factory. To maintain the factory edge, you will need to use sandpaper on a computer mousepad or a loaded leather strop. If you use a Sharpmaker, like many do, you'll loose many of the benefits of the factory edge.

It's worth the effort to learn the technique, as well as being pretty easy because stropping is very forgiving (the "give" in the leather or mousepad allows for slight inconsistencies in angle as you learn).

 

[Haze]

They are both great knives in their place and IMO they hold different places, although they of course overlap.

The TK2 is a pretty standard European bushcrafter style knife. The slimmer blade with more acute point makes it great for bushcraft in temperate zones with hard woods. Tasks like drilling, notching, splitting, food prep etc are no bother. The preparing of some animals and wood types is where it would start to fall off though. Fine for fish, wood pidgen, rabbits and mushrooms, as well as nice hard woods like Chestnut, Oak, Sycamore, Lyme etc. For larger animals like dear, hogs or pelt beasts I would prefer to have a bit more belly and less guard.
The Nyala is a more utility style blade and can handle a large range of tasks comfortably and well. I have used one in Europe and in Asia with pleasing results, I have found my "Euro bushcrafters" don't seem to do so well in Asia. The woods in Asia tend to be hard and brittle... when sun baked dry so that is where the taller blade and grind on the Nyala helps with breaking down those woods. The grind on the TK2 saves it there over a scandy or sabre grind but it's thin point and slim blade can see issues on hard brittle woods. The grinds are rather different but in performance the full flat convex Vs high hollow are actually pretty similar when all is said and done, IMO.
The blade profile and near totally neutral ergos are what put the Nyala on top for me, as well as its materials. I don't mind a synthetic sheath as in Asia leather rots realy quickly if you don't mollycoddle it. I carry my Nyala in kydex but I do like the standard leather sheath. The steel is good on both knives, but san-mai is not a particular selling point for me so I would not feel I'm losing anything by buying a single steel knife.

That may or may not mean anything to you and is purely based on my personal uses, but it's why I have chosen the Nyala now I live in Taiwan over the "Euro style" knives more similar to the TK2 I used to use back home.

 

[staysharp^]

Well, once again you guys gave me an education. I can now see how sharpening would be pretty easy and more forgiving on a Convex grind. Thank you all for the advise and information so far.

Rich, I know you love your Nyala(s)... I would not consider you biased but educated and experienced with hunting and using knives in real world environments. Do you have large or medium small hands like mine? I called CRK last Friday and they told me I am looking at 8 weeks to get one direct or I can wait 4 weeks to buy from one of there dealers since there will be an order going out in that time. The Nyala has been eating at me for a while and I have never been 100% happy with my Fallkniven TK2 purchase. Its a nice little knife just not putting a smile on my face if you know what I mean.....

 

[1AbominAble1]

Well, once again you guys gave me an education. I can now see how sharpening would be pretty easy and more forgiving on a Convex grind. Thank you all for the advise and information so far.

Rich, I know you love your Nyala(s)... I would not consider you biased but educated and experienced with hunting and using knives in real world environments. Do you have large or medium small hands like mine? I called CRK last Friday and they told me I am looking at 8 weeks to get one direct or I can wait 4 weeks to buy from one of there dealers since there will be an order going out in that time. The Nyala has been eating at me for a while and I have never been 100% happy with my Fallkniven TK2 purchase. Its a nice little knife just not putting a smile on my face if you know what I mean.....

When I state my size the numbers make me sound huge but I'm not that big of a guy. At 6'3 and 205 im not fat but could lose 10#'s or gain 10 in muscle if that describe shape well enough. I only state that because by describing build I think it's easier to picture my hands. I wear an extra large glove but my fingers are thinner than you'd expect at that weight- I don't have brick layer or millwright hands, just" normal" if there is such a thing. My hands are wide though which necessitates a decently sized knife.

The Nyala has a handle that would be big enough for King Kong but still short enough not to get in the way. I find it comfortable in every grip that I use and especially like the divots at the front of the scales when doing a sort of pinch grip that I often use. The oval shape indexes superbly while being big enough to keep it from twisting even when bloody, wet, or both. The handle also tapers to be smaller at the front but is still big enough that my fingers aren't getting in the way when held like a hammer.
One thing I haven't heard anybody else speak of is just how well CRK riunds and contours the choil/guard area of the knife. I hold a knife with my hand jammed as far forward as possible and that extra smoothing from CRK makes it really comfortable with the Nyala.
As I said before, I've tried dozens of other knives but none have hit all the switches for me in a fixed blade like the Nyala does. If I wasnt a knife junkie and was just searching for the right one I'd never have need to buy another fixed blade for hunting, camping, or hiking-it's pretty nice in the kitchen too😃

I buy others to try different sizes and brands for fun, not need.

I hope that helps.

PS
Did you try checking YouTube vids of it yet? It's been a few years but I think I posted one of it if seeing it in somebody's hand would help. My username there is the same as here.

 

[staysharp^]

Yo! After reading your post, i ordered a new Nyala threw CRK direct. Should be about 4 weeks but one dealer plans to have them by next Monday so I can always cancel my order and buy threw dealer if I choose. CRK said that would not be a problem. I am pumped! I will have to do a review with pictures once it comes in. Oh and by the way, I did look up your youtube channel and watch your video. Very nice work and sorry to hear about your father. I lost my best friend a few years ago and he was my hunting companion and everyday in the woods I think about him. Will not be easy. First few years I would cry a little if the hunting got slow. Once I started that up, I would start walking and hiking around and it seemed to ease the pain.

 

[1AbominAble1]

You're too kind, I know the vids are rotten😳

I always thought that i'd learn to edit them and post better quality but with three kids I never had time and I just don't post too many anymore.

Thanks for the kind words about my Pop, I still miss him dearly. I'm just thankful that my little girl came into the world a month before he left-she and her brothers made those last weeks better for him.
It's really tough to lose a close friend, I hope that those moments of pain you still feel get replaced with laughter thinking of all of the dumb stuff that best friends do.


Let us all know what you think of the knife when you get it.

 

[staysharp^]

You're too kind, I know the vids are rotten😳

I always thought that i'd learn to edit them and post better quality but with three kids I never had time and I just don't post too many anymore.

Thanks for the kind words about my Pop, I still miss him dearly. I'm just thankful that my little girl came into the world a month before he left-she and her brothers made those last weeks better for him.
It's really tough to lose a close friend, I hope that those moments of pain you still feel get replaced with laughter thinking of all of the dumb stuff that best friends do.


Let us all know what you think of the knife when you get it.

I enjoy rotten videos, so your in good company. Children can be a blessing for sure. Sounds like everything worked out for your Dad, your children, and yourself. Glad to hear that. Thank you. Time heals a lot of things but for me it seems to just put a band-aid on it. We did tear some s*** up back in the day running around drinking beer and driving fast cars. Good times. You will be the 1st to know when that knife arrives. I can't wait!