CRK Quality Rivals?

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Askurato

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Aug 6, 2013
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So I recently picked up a couple Sebenzas. Now I am spoiled. All my other production knives now feel like toys. I like to collect a variety of knives, and I am curious, what other makers rival the quality of Chris Reeve Knives? I have heard Hinderer's F & F are close. Can you guys point me in the direction of some other top quality makers? I'm guessing most of these will be customs. Thanks a bunch!!
 
Scott Cook's Lochsa or Michael Raymond's Estrella, for starters. Cook worked for Chris Reeve before going off on his own. He now Mentors Michael Raymond. But these are customs.
 
Bugout Bill says: "Taichung Spyderco's are often touted as being very close to CRK in terms of quality."
I have a decent number of Taichung Spydercos...Gayle Bradley, TUFF, Techno, and the Sage2 Titanium for a few. They ARE great folders. But I don't consider them to be in the same league as my Sebbies and Zaan. IMO.

I've owned many Sebenzas, several Hinderers and several higher-priced customs.
The Hinderers are gone; the customs are gone; the Sebbies are here to stay.
There is no substitute...IN MY OPINION.

Of course, it is possible for a custom knife to be made to specifications that are just as good as CRK's. And perhaps you can buy a custom in various super-steels. But NOT for the same price.
I just got one of my used Sebbies back from the CRK Spa today. It is AS NEW! The blade is scratch-free; the titanium slabs are perfect. Smooth, perfect operation. It is a gift-knife so this is important to me. I carry a CRK folder...every day.
 
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Bugout Bill said:
Taichung Spyderco's are often touted as being very close to CRK in terms of quality.
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Taichung Spydercos are in my opinion some of if not the best Spyderco knives I've ever owned but they pale in comparison to a Sebenza. I can't think of anyone making a production nearly as good as one but in the Midtech and Custom Arena the quality is there. To me that speaks volumes though, when you can compare a full on production knife to the some of the best customs (again n my opinion would be the
Lamberts, Blounts, Mayos etc) out there.
 
I honestly think the people who think Taiwan spydercos are on par with crk for fit and finish aren't quite picky enough to see the differences.

Sorry of full custom, you won't find anything close. I suggest Kirby Lambert or John W. Smith if you are looking for and affordable custom with prefect fit and finish.
 
Consider Brad Southard's knives (the real ones, not the Taichung Spyderco version, which is an exceptionally nice production knife and a good value).
 
William Henry is the only manufacturer who beat out CRK for manufacturing excellence ... once ... in many many years. They are very fine knives, but not really aimed at the same market.
 
Askurato said:
So I recently picked up a couple Sebenzas. Now I am spoiled. All my other production knives now feel like toys. I like to collect a variety of knives, and I am curious, what other makers rival the quality of Chris Reeve Knives? I have heard Hinderer's F & F are close. Can you guys point me in the direction of some other top quality makers? I'm guessing most of these will be customs. Thanks a bunch!!
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http://spartanbladesusa.com/Akribis...e-Gray?zenid=bdd3935f4f5b70a268c521fe9ad04195
 
There's a reason that CRK has won the "Manufacturing Quality Award” at Blade Show for almost every year since becoming a full-fledged manufacturer in 2000. Only once in the past 14 years did it not win!
 
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I think Todd Begg has some fine builds. I also think Strider has made great leaps in quality, but few can match the consistency of CRK. In fact, CRK quality can be beaten by several makers, but not on the same volume. Like 'em or hate 'em, CRK can do a large volume of near perfection.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
William Henry is the only manufacturer who beat out CRK for manufacturing excellence ... once ... in many many years. They are very fine knives, but not really aimed at the same market.
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Agreed. Love my William Henrys but it's tough to compare them to a CRK outside the Mnandi.
 
Yeah, I was going to say Todd Begg as a "production," but they start a little higher than CRK at $550 for the field grades and are harder to get. Also in same price range is Curtiss, which are custom. But they start at $550 as well. The real Southards, but they're impossible to find.
 
Scurvy, do you own any of the Taiwan Spydercos?
I have a Southard and a Domino. I also have a 21, 25, small, and a zaan. Fit and finish on all six are equal. The only difference is that the Spydercos cost roughly half the price.
I would like to know, specifically, how you judge fit and finish and what on your Taiwan Spydercos is lacking compared to a CRK.

Thanks
 
I honestly think the people who think Taiwan spydercos are on par with crk for fit and finish aren't quite picky enough to see the differences.
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Of course, the Sage 2 is an homage to the Sebenza. But I think it is easily the peer in fit and finish with the CRKs I have. I found the Sage equal or better in: OOB sharpness, smoothness in opening, blade finish (cosmetic), grinds, titanium finish (cosmetic), lockup, blade movement...

I'm curious: what am I missing in appreciating "manufacturer quality?"
 
Codethree said:
Scurvy, do you own any of the Taiwan Spydercos?
I have a Southard and a Domino. I also have a 21, 25, small, and a zaan. Fit and finish on all six are equal. The only difference is that the Spydercos cost roughly half the price.
I would like to know, specifically, how you judge fit and finish and what on your Taiwan Spydercos is lacking compared to a CRK.

Thanks
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I owned a Chaparral 2 a while ago (I don't really have any production knives anymore except LE ZTs) and while the fit and finish was fine, it just wasn't to the level of the CRKs that I have handled. The chamfering around the outside wasn't perfect, the action wasn't glass smooth, the back lock was gritty, the inside edges of the liners were sharp. Are they minor niggles that the majority of people would miss? Yes. Would you ever find something like that on a CRK? Doubtful.

And that was after having to return one to the dealer for being really gritty and having marks on the handles and having them hand pick me a good one.
 
TriviaMonster said:
I think Todd Begg has some fine builds. I also think Strider has made great leaps in quality, but few can match the consistency of CRK. In fact, CRK quality can be beaten by several makers, but not on the same volume. Like 'em or hate 'em, CRK can do a large volume of near perfection.
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Can you name any of those makers? The suggestions in this thread so far have me drooling. :D
 
Askurato said:
Can you name any of those makers? The suggestions in this thread so far have me drooling. :D
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As mentioned previously, Kirby Lambert, John W. Smith, Michael Raymond, Scott Cook and many many others will build you a knife that is as good as, if not better than CRK knives. But you pay for it.
 
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