CRKT a reputable brand? Looking at a hissatsu

C

Cityus

Joined
Aug 4, 2014
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Hey there, I'm new to the knife game and I want to avoid a bad purchase, I was reading a post regarding Gerber and how they've went down hill and someone else mentioned that they're on par with CRKT, is this accurate and why? Also do you know of any similar blades to the hissatsu, heiho or Boker kwaiken?

opinions please!

Thank you :D
 
CRKT used some lesser steels at one time, but they have always had interesting designs. I wouldn't avoid them, just look for what you like.

The Hissatsu and Heiho are good knives. I like all of Williams designs, and recently picked up the Otanashi Noh Ken.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
CRKT used some lesser steels at one time, but they have always had interesting designs. I wouldn't avoid them, just look for what you like.

The Hissatsu and Heiho are good knives. I like all of Williams designs, and recently picked up the Otanashi Noh Ken.
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Yes! the traditional/japanese tanto is awesome looking. I just want to weigh my options as they're not super cheap. Murphys law when you buy something you're bound to find a competitive option after the purchase Lol.

Thank you.
 
tomahawk68 said:
I do not know a lot about CRKT but I was recently at a national chain hunting store and was looking at the CRKT folders and they seemed beefy. I have never considered them top end but they seemed like quality. Just my opinion and not always right but I would buy one before getting that $1 knife you will see at the discount store in the camping section.
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Hey don't knock that $1 knife! It costs so little that you can abuse it all you want with no regret :D
As far as crkt goes I've only had and seen decent experiences with it but I know so people on this forum have not so decent stories about them..if say give it a shot you might find an amazing knife..don't let other's experiences change what you think, if you like the knife go for it
 
I've had bad experiences with their liner locks ( a lock so awesome it needed a LAWK added to it) and steel holding an edge


Their Japanese styled knives look awesome but I'm weary.


There is a custom guy here on BF (Josh Mason) doing Japanese style knives for a good price.


125 for 440a? Ehhh
 
I had the Hissatsu for a short time and it was a pretty good knife. Oddly enough it was kind of a pain to open with the assist but with the assist bar taken out it was extremely smooth. Wasn't a great cutter. The stock was too thick for how short (height not length) the blade is coupled with the main grind starting about half way down. If it was full flat ground or a very high hollow that thing would have been a mean slicer.

All in all it's a solid knife and worth it if you like the looks. I'd prefer the Heiho and Kwaiken, which also look to be more efficient cutters but don't quote me on that.
 
I really like CRKT for the price, not everyone of their designs appeal to me but they have some really cool stuff.
 
CRKT's website? Check your facts my man. The Hissatsu is $99.99 and the Heiho is $69.99, respectively.

Also, every knife in this thread (except Mr. Mason's) is made of AUS-8.

Manufactures website are a good place to get information, there are usually better places to actually purchase from.
 
:D Touche. Damn CRKT for naming two knives the same thing. Confusing us mortals.

I do agree with your sentiments about the fixed blade Hissatsu. Mr. Mason is a good alternative.:cool:
 
benchwarmer380 said:
:D Touche. Damn CRKT for naming two knives the same thing. Confusing us mortals.

I do agree with your sentiments about the fixed blade Hissatsu. Mr. Mason is a good alternative.:cool:
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It's my friday, my brain is mush so I've been mixing up stuff since I got home.


I've been looking at the Japanese inspired folders for a while based solely on looks but just haven't/cant pull the trigger.
 
First of all, the whole Williams line at CRKT is really meant for only one thing, and it isn't opening mail or prepping food.

I have had a few CRKT knives through out the company's history. They have great designs but execution and materials can be hit or miss.

The execution on the Hissatsu FOLDER was not so good for me. Great knife but many examples are near impossible to open with the torsion bar in place. This was the case for mine. Once the bar was removed it was super smooth! Also, the materials could have been much better. On a knife like this, please give me G10 and a deeper pocket clip! Auto lawks was annoying. And the liners could have been milled. This was a heavy knife. After a while I never carried it so it went on to another home. I still have my Heiho. This knife has much better execution. G10 handles, no auto lawks, and it works fine with the assist installed (like it should). I have the 8cr version which I bought at Lowe's for a very fair price! Rather than get a hissatsu FOLDER, I would suggest the Heiho or the No Ken. I don't have a No Ken yet but I plan on getting one when the time is right. In all, CRKT is okay, do your research on each knife you are interested in to avoid the odd ones and you should be fine.
 
craytab said:
First of all, the whole Williams line at CRKT is really meant for only one thing, and it isn't opening mail or prepping food.
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Agreed, but my Otanashi Noh Ken opens mail nicely. :)

These are fighting knives. I don't carry mine in public.
 
I have a few CRKTs and generally like them, but I do feel that they push form over function, not unlike a lot of the Boker Plus line. My Ultima 7 and M60 fixed blades are cool and unique without being over-the-top, and I really like the Hammond Cruiser folders, but I ordered one that was a complete trainwreck, with horrible blade centering (scraped the liner) and an essentially nonfunctional lock. The seller replaced it without any hassle, and the new Cruiser was flawless, so I chalk the first one up to bad luck, but I am hesitant to order another CRKT sight unseen. I've never had a new Kershaw in that kind of condition right out of the box, even a really cheap one. Meanwhile, I also have a Ripple, Drifter and Ignitor T, with no complaints. Most of their designs just don't appeal to me.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Agreed, but my Otanashi Noh Ken opens mail nicely. :)

These are fighting knives. I don't carry mine in public.
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I agree they're def designed as a weapon but they look like they would handle some simpler tasks such as mail/opening packages like a samurai haha
 
Seems to me, it's a design range thought of by mr williams
http://www.crkt.com/jameswilliams
And anything else other than sensei's official line would constitute as "wanna be" look alikes.
Despite being designated as a purely martial bladed weapon,
It would appear that the vast majority of folks owning these knives would not see any martial use.
Plenty of other great dedicated general purpose or utility cutters out there,
Just know that dedicated stabbing implements are normally intended or optimised for that sole purpose of putting an end to undesirable opponents.
Least one could do is to respect the intended sole existence of any such purpose built tools.
And not dishonor the sensei's brainchild with mundane edc tasking.
Having said that, I do see the point that there would always be calls for higher grade steels for particular individually favoured models.
When this is not possible, the only way then is to seek out the custom knife route.
Meantime, crkt isn't all bad.
The products do seem to have acceptable overall quality for the price.
As with anything else man made, it will never be perfect.
Just as some perfectionist would find the slightest fault with anything and everything.
Luckily for them, there is customer service to pacify their unacceptable and shocking find...
 
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