CRKT a reputable brand? Looking at a hissatsu

[NeilB]

I think the Ken Onion designed knives are a better buy for CRKT. I have two Ripples, an Eros, and a Hi Jinx. All very nice. However, I believe they are as nice as they are because Ken himself is deeply involved in the manufacturing and quality control of the knives with his name on them. I don't know that I would buy a CRKT that wasn't a Ken Onion design because their QC has been so, well, irregular in the past.

The Gerber I purchased most recently (1989, I think) had decent fit and finish, but the materials sucked. The blade got dull just by looking at it.

 

[jac_solar]

I've got a CRKT Carson M16-Z flipper, and it is extremely smooth and quick. I almost thought it had assisted opening, but there's no mention of that in the description, there's no resistance when closing the blade, and there doesn't seem to be any additional mechanisms inside from what I can gather (Just by looking around on it.). It's basically hard not to flip it open. I thought this was kind of weird, since there's hardly any mention of its flipping capabilities on these forums whenever it's talked about.

 

[MassMatt]

I have found CRKT's designed by Williams and Onion to have better fit and finish than main line CRKT's. They have some very cool designs and prices are generally very reasonable (easy to find MUCH lower than MSRP). I will say I have never had a single knife from CRKT anywhere near sharp.

 

[rubberdog]

My Lake 111 which has 8cr13mov steel takes a hair shaving edge no problem. Doesn't retain the edge very well but its easy to sharpen and gets nice and sharp.

 

[Angus McGunnigle]

Great knife for stabbing and injuring people. CRKT makes lots of great knives for a decent price.

 

[sabre cat]

CRKT products are very popular with the members of our armed forces and can be found at post and base exchanges through out the world. If anyone can abuse a knife, it would be our men and women in uniform. This should tell you something about the offerings from Columbia River.

I carried CRKT for the bulk of my military career and never had the feeling that I was under knifed except when I really needed a large fixed blade instead of a folder. Even though I have been known to call them junk, I would consider CRKT a budget level knife brand that I can carry and not have to worry about.

Yes, they could use a better quality steel and their heat treatment could be improved. With that said, many of their products are spot on for the money and I have to confess that I have purchased more of their products than any other brand. One of my friends loves his Mini My Tighe. Another thinks the old Prowler model is the cat's meow. I like the Prowler 6103 and also have had decent luck with the M16 series. I do, however, feel thet they have ruined that line by offering more models than needed.

In my opinion, Kershaw seems to have a slight edge over CRKT with a little better quality control but you do get a lot of bang for your buck with most of CRKT's product line. Remember, it's not like a CRK, Strider, ZT, Spyderco or Benchmade, so if your knife gets lost or stolen you can still sleep at night.

Just buy the knife. Let us know how it works out for you with a write up. A few pics would be nice.

 

[jimh0220]

I know I'm gonna go against the grain here, but that's never shut me up before.

Let me start by setting the tone: I am NOT a steel snob. I like a great steel, but it doesn't dissuade me if it's not a super steel. I also can't afford the extremely high priced custom blades out there. They are cool, and I would love to have some of them, but our budget goes elsewhere. I also understand why businesses make overseas knives, and firmly believe that quality of goods is more important than where it comes from.

Ok, now, with that out of the way: I am a huge fan of CRKT. I have a LOT of their knives. A LOT! I love the feel, the styles, the variety (not black, black and black, or everything has the same handle and hole. And they are affordable. Quality, variety, style, and value. Happy, Happy, Happy! I have other knives too, but I still like my CRKT knives, and use them as much as any other knife with a higher $$.
Best part: Their Customer Service rocks! Top Notch all the way! When I have had problems with a couple: two out of 40 or more, they not only help me with the issue, but usually are more than generous with their service and efforts to make sure I'm happy. Up there in customer service with Benchmade, Spyderco, Buck, and Gerber service (and yes, Gerber's service is amazing as well.).

I have the Hissatsu folder, Hissatsu fixed, and Heiho, and the Williams tactical pen, by far the best tactical pen out there, even beating my Benchmade. They are great knives. All three of them. Wiliams' newest offerings in folders and fixed blades are amazing looking, but budget constraints so far have me not buying them.
Like Esav said, yo can open an envelope, and other things with them, but their overall purpose is pretty self explanatory. All said, they would open body parts just fine as well.

But the Hissatsu or Otanashi Noh Ken first if you want to give it a go. Both will make you want the others.

BTW, the Boker Plus Kwaikens are hugely popular, and Boker's quality also top notch! Another great option.

 

[marcinek]

I have the Hissatsu folder, Hissatsu fixed, and Heiho, and the McWilliams tactical pen, by far the best tactical pen out there, even beating my Benchmade. They are great knives. All three of them. McWiliams' newist offerings in folders and fixed blades are amazing looking, but budget constraints so far have me not buying them.
Like Esav said, yo can open an envelope, and other things with them, but their overall purpose is pretty self explanatory. All said, they would open body parts just fine as well.

I had that pen, but I didn't like the edge retention of the steel they used. When is somebody going to make a tactical pen in CPM 3V!



You make a great point. While I'm not a CRKT fan, for something as "dedicated/self explanatory" as the knives you listed, I'm sure they are fine. I always get a kick out of when people complain about the steel of knives like that.

"I wish they would make them out of better steel!"
"Why...you stabbing people all day long? Need better edge retention?"

 

[jimh0220]

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

Check out Gerber. They are decent budget knives. Remember, not many folks here get that not every knife is worth $300. Also, they have newer offerings with better steel and are Portland made. Still, I see the same trend from CRKT, so I am liking the changes myself.

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

CRKT has been a huge proponent of the LAWKS system, because even a great liner lock can fail, so adding a safety feature is not bad. Other companies use the Lawks system, btw. Their steel is no harder to sharpen than any other blades. Actually easier in some cases, because super steels require different stones to sharpen. NEVER look at MSRP for a knife price. BTW, the Fixed Hissatsu is the ONLY blade in the entire Williams line with 440A, and you can shave with it out of the box. Since it really only is intended for one purpose, it is sharp as ever, and will stay that way because practicing with it does not dull it, and touching it up is a breeze.
until you own one, it's pretty hard to judge the quality of it.

Thumbs up on Josh Mason's knives!

Apparently the worst place on earth to buy one CRKT's website!

I thought I had checked on my Amazon tab not CRKT's



The fixed blade is 440a and folder is AUS-8. Both kinda ehh

Again, how many have you used? Numbers mean nothing compared to how it works.

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.

I just wish someone more respected would make a similar blade shape

Since when has CRKT not been respectable? you don't have to make $500 knives to be respectable. Opinel is highly respected, as is Mora. They are budget priced as well.

 

[jimh0220]

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.

Hissatsu Fixed blade vs Hissatsu Folder? Seems easy to me. I guess Benchmade is guilty too: Adamas fixed and Adamas Folder. Oh, the humanity....

I had that pen, but I didn't like the edge retention of the steel they used. When is somebody going to make a tactical pen in CPM 3V!



You make a great point. While I'm not a CRKT fan, for something as "dedicated/self explanatory" as the knives you listed, I'm sure they are fine. I always get a kick out of when people complain about the steel of knives like that.

"I wish they would make them out of better steel!"
"Why...you stabbing people all day long? Need better edge retention?"

Exactly! Check out the newest Williams offerings. Steel complaints off the table, and just Wow on the style and function!

I love the pen, but you do not want to carry it pointy end down in your pocket unless you like sewing the pocket after. The thing would huuurrrtt if used on you!

 

[marcinek]

I love the pen, but you do not want to carry it pointy end down in your pocket unless you like sewing the pocket after. The thing would huuurrrtt if used on you!

The pen is mightier than the sword. BLAHAHAHAHAHA! I crack me up! Hooo!

 

[crom]

Those pens baton like dog turds though

 

[zhyla]

But the blade shape... ugh. It's pretty and you *can* cut stuff with it, it's just tiny and stabby. Not a very natural choice for EDC, but it's a nice decorative gentleman's knife. Well, except that the clip is painted and doesn't look pretty after a while.

The blade is pretty stupid since it's only good for stabbing, but it's all of 2.75" long. But the Kwaiken is 3x the price so if you need a Japanese-style knife it's a good option.

 

[crom]

Hey, going to chime in because I just received a modified Heiho folder in th email from another BF'er here. The blade is 3.5mm thick and has a curved forward section one could call a "belly" it is most certainly capable of more than stabbing. I'd like to add that with the spring assist removed it is a very smooth and well made knife. Also, 2.75" is plenty to reach an organ if that's what it would come to. This is my 3rd CRKT to pass thru my hands in the last few years and I can say without reservation they have all been of good quality on par with examples by the "big three".

 

[SaintlyBrees]

I think the Ken Onion designed knives are a better buy for CRKT. I have two Ripples, an Eros, and a Hi Jinx. All very nice. However, I believe they are as nice as they are because Ken himself is deeply involved in the manufacturing and quality control of the knives with his name on them. I don't know that I would buy a CRKT that wasn't a Ken Onion design because their QC has been so, well, irregular in the past...

As someone who owns quite a few of the CRKT designer collaborations - I think this statement ^^^^ is true of most of them. I could recommend the Flavio Ikoma and the Brian Tighe collabs as well as the Ken Onion. I assume that when the designers get involved, they must typically press for higher standards. I carry/use my Nirk Tighe and my Fossil as often as I do my Ripple and find them of equal value and quality.

JMO.

...Since when has CRKT not been respectable? you don't have to make $500 knives to be respectable. Opinel is highly respected, as is Mora. They are budget priced as well.

QFT

 

[K.O.D.]

I've never been a CRKT fan, as I've had bad experiences with all 3 that I've owned. The steel was the main issue, that and I hate chisel grinds GRRRRR!!!!. Their designs as of late are interesting to say the least, the collabs with Onion and Tighe, but I'd like to see them in something better than AUS-8.

 

[Cityus]

I'm not saying they're not respectable I'm just going on what I hear, which is that people feel their products are less then great. I don't own a CRKT so I'm really at the mercy of others opinions until I can see for myself first hand.

I just meant I wish someone I'm more familiar with would embrace the blade shape.

 

[Cityus]

I'm not saying they're not respectable I'm just going on what I hear, which is that people feel their products are less then great. I don't own a CRKT so I'm really at the mercy of others opinions until I can see for myself first hand.

I just meant I wish someone I'm more familiar with would embrace the blade shape.

The blade of Hissatsu line that is *

 

[crom]

All I can say is don't believe everything that you hear.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I don't know if everything is made in Taiwan and China, or a few are still made in Japan. I started out with the M16 and M21 patterns, moved on to a bunch of other collaborations, went through AUS8, AUS6 and AUS4. I don't know if they offer anything with AUS8 made in Japan anymore, but it seems to me that would be your best bet. As far as patterns go, I picked up one of the recent Onion collaboration flippers for my little brother, and he used the heck out of it, and all it needed was a tightening and the 8CRMO steel was as expected, not bad not great, but took an edge after a clean up and touch up (I am not that great at sharpening either). My brother in law carries the Hissatsu folder, and really likes it. I can't stand the LAWKS mechanism. I would have no problem with giving any of the Onion or Carson collaborations as gifts. I would personally go with a Benchmade, Spyderco, KAI or similar, but if your heart is set on a CRKT, they are selling them by the case load in the PX's, and are popular with a lot of the soldiers I've talked to, they always mention the "Crickets". AUS8 is the best they offer, I wouldn't waste any money on 440A or AUS4. AUS6, depends on what you want. 8CR steels okay, 420J2 heck no.