CRK Project I opinions sought

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fireballxl5

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May 19, 2006
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Yup I know this is the Busse forum.

But I figure if I post my questions in the CRK forums I'm asking for biased and possibly fanboi answers, whereas here I think I'll get forthright answers from real knife users of a different "church" so to speak.

So please bear with me...

In the late 80s I first saw ads for Chris Reeves one piece hollow handled knives.
This was at the peak of First Blood Rambo craze and everyone was into hollow handled knives. They were all the rage.

Of course Bill Bagwell in his Soldier of Fortune Battlin' Blades column generally (with a few choice exceptions, e.g. Randall Model 18s) recommended against hollow handled knives on the grounds of strength, amongst other things. As was usually the case I listened to Bill (and here I sit to this day with a penchant for 8-12" big, bad bowies), so avoided the hollow handles, even though I sorta felt left out not getting at least one.

Then I saw the ad for the CRK one piece hollow handled knives and I thought a lot of the arguments against hollow handled knives go away with these.
I've always wanted one ever since.
Never quite got around to buying one.

Well I recently read the CRK one piece hollow handled line is to be discontinued, so now I am thinking seriously about getting a Project I while I can.

But I'd like some feedback from anyone who owns/has used/has handled a Project I/II in particular and CRK one piece hollow handled knives generally.

My big concern is that they a Project I may feel handle heavy.
I prefer a neutral (near centre) balance or a slightly blade heavy balance.

So....
1) Do these knives feel balanced?
2) Or is the balance biased if so which way and does it subjectively feel a lot out of balance or just a bit?
3) Do you have any pro or con thoughts or experiences on these blades generally/comments you'd like to share?

Thanks for reading so far and if you have any relevant experience with the CRK hollow handled one piece range, thanks for your comments.
- Jason
 
Probably the place for this is General or CRK (I know you dont want bias but most people there are very upfront on there answers).
 
i have a project II and i dont find the handle all that heavy.... it seems pretty well balanced to me... anyways, here are a couple pics that show the balance point. (i dont recommend trying this at home - at least not without shoes on anyway! holding the knife on 1 finger and trying to work the camera can be tricky! luckily for me i still have all my toes!)



 
Well I have a Project 1 and have had numerous other hollow handle knives from Lile, Randall and other lesser makers. In general I liked them well enough and they were popular but have to say the Project 1 has some very heavy checkering on the handle ....so much so it would make using it for heavy chores uncomfortable. That and the pure round grip as opposed to an oval shape are my only issues. You could re-shape the grip by adding padding or cement a shape to an oval shape and then pull over a bike tyre inner tube over the handle to give a more comfortable grip.

On the issue of tuffness for the way it is made you might want to check out the CRK reviews done by Noss....they were not too good on this score.

Personally if I were to look for a hollow handle knife the best balance and feel I had was the Lile knives...I liked the fishing line rap technique and you could re-shape the handle and re-wrap it for a more comfortable shape. Mine was in D2....I solid it to a guy who was "daft" on them....it is a good knife but I would'nt want to rely on the short tang for extended chopping...but I would prefer it to the skin damage the sharp checkering on the Project 1 would do.

Here is mine.....I modified the sheath....I am still considering removing the checkering on a belt sander and doing a fishing line wrap....oneday....but the poor showing on the Noss test put me off somewhat....

100_0014.jpg


Balance wise....so long as you don't fill the handle with loads of fishing split shot...it is very good.
 
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Peter, isn't the handle on the Project one the exact handle as on your Scout Knife (CRK Skiner Mod)??

I really like all the CRK A2 (Hollow handled) knives. I am really surprised they are discontinueing them, but it is FACT. I have a TON of CRK knives of all types.... I do agree that it would be a bit nicer had the handles been more oval vs. the perfect round shape, but I think it is not a problem. And as for the tests done by Noss.... let's not even go there. He absolutely abuses knives beyond anything they would ever be used for in the real world.

Yes, I think Busse knives are the Bomb and a better knife (than any other really!) but CRK makes some very very good quality knives for use in 99.99% of any situation the common human could use.
 
MJON, I only have a CRK Project 1....I have'nt got a Scout....but yes they would be the same handles. I did have an older knife called the Jeraboam (sp?) I think which was very similar to the Project 1 but was made when Chris was in South Africa....that one had a very low number on it and a friend who imports them here in the UK took it for his collection....those knives were not as sharp on the checkering....but were still a bit harsh...but I do agree that the knives are innovative and interesting and that Noss probably does go beyond what most would do to a knife. All told I still like the Project 1 and will probably like it a lot more once I smooth down the checkering....as to whether I alter it for a fishing line wrap....well I would like to do so but have'nt done this before...although that has not stopped me before on doing mods....so it could happen!
 
Sorry, I was confused there.. mixed you with the Peter from Poland.



PeterPHWS said:
MJON, I only have a CRK Project 1....I have'nt got a Scout....but yes they would be the same handles. I did have an older knife called the Jeraboam (sp?) I think which was very similar to the Project 1 but was made when Chris was in South Africa....that one had a very low number on it and a friend who imports them here in the UK took it for his collection....those knives were not as sharp on the checkering....but were still a bit harsh...but I do agree that the knives are innovative and interesting and that Noss probably does go beyond what most would do to a knife. All told I still like the Project 1 and will probably like it a lot more once I smooth down the checkering....as to whether I alter it for a fishing line wrap....well I would like to do so but have'nt done this before...although that has not stopped me before on doing mods....so it could happen!
Click to expand...
 
MNJON said:
I am really surprised they are discontinueing them, but it is FACT.
Click to expand...

I read ( I think in the CRK forum here on BF, but maybe not) that the reason for the discontinuing was that the roughs for the one pieces were machined by a South African guy, who wants to retire.
Not sure if that is definitely the case, but either way it's about time to scratch that itch, I can afford it now and having the models discontinued is a a damn good stimulus for me to scratch my 20 year itch.

Also re the knife I saw all those years ago, perhaps it was a Jeroboam if the Project I's weren't made in SA, because I think he was still in SA when I got my urge. And now that you've mentioned it, the Jeroboam is familiar sounding.

Thanks for your comments and pics gents.

I'm sold. I thought I would be, but I wanted to be sure.
Much appreciated, but I'd be happy to hear more if people have more to say.

Thanks
Jason
 
IIRC the Noss test was on a green Beret made from S30V steel, the one piece models are A2 steel. (Not the the Noss tests are real world)
 
Noss tested a CRK project ( ) in A2 too,with the same result than the green beret in s30v.
 
fireballxl5 said:
1) Do these knives feel balanced?
2) Or is the balance biased if so which way and does it subjectively feel a lot out of balance or just a bit?
3) Do you have any pro or con thoughts or experiences on these blades generally/comments you'd like to share?
Click to expand...

1) My Shadow I balances at the (CR) mark on the ricasso, so it is just a bit biased to the blade. That would shift with some kit in the handle.

2) Considering the 9" blade, I think it feels remarkably well balanced. It is sort of the opposite of the big little blade concept.

3) They aren't INFI. A2 rusts if neglected. A2 takes one hell of an edge. I dislike serrations, so the Project would not be my first choice. The Nkonka is interesting.

Like you, I was always intrigued with the one-piece concept but never got off the dime to buy one. A couple years ago, I took a Shadow I and a Strider MT-L in trade for a Busse HOFSHLE so I could see if I liked it. I did and I still do. I think every knife lover should own at least one.

Obligatory Busse photo:

pigsticker2.jpg


HOFSH, MMHW Starlight Bowie, CRK Shadow I
 
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