CRKT blades?

I have a CRKT folder. It was the first modern folding knife I bought, I've always used Swiss Army Knives (SAKs).

I've since purchased some nice Spyderco's that are my clip folders of choice, but I have very few negative things to say about my CRKT.

It's got all steel handle construction, but weighs roughly the same as a Spyderco Native. The ergonomics are superb, when I first picked up the knife at the store it felt so good in my hand. The clip is very strong and durable too. It's got a nice gray color that I find attractive, matching the handles.

It uses a liner lock and I've heard very few positive opinions about them. This one is rock solid, there is no blade play in any direction while open or while opening. The thumbstub sits nicely on the handle for extra support when open. The far side of the liner reaches the middle of the blade tang, so it has room for wear. I've never gotten the lock to fail at all and LAWKS only makes the chances slimmer, which I always engage when doing heavy work. The detent on the liner has never failed to keep the blade in the closed position...when you close it you can feel a nice snap to it. Open design keeps dust from building up and everything is screwed together rather than pinned, which makes taking it apart easier. Bronze washers feel rather sturdy.

Blade came shaving sharp and hasn't required a touch-up yet. Very useful shape with a well done hollow grind. The flipper works great for opening the knife fast and the thumbstuf is welldone too, which I'll use sometimes. Fit and finish is just as good as the Spydercos I've purchased except for some slightly uneven grind lines on the blade, otherwise it looks like it should of costed much more. There are just so many little things about this knife that make you appreciate the thought that went into it. The biggest complaint people seem to have is the blade steel. Mine has no steel markings on the blade, but like I said it's held its edge fine. I've whittled a lot of wood and made shavings for fires, cut through a lot of boxes at my old job and done some food prep.

I'm a big Spyderco fan, but this was a purchase I was very happy with. It's an M18-02 model, something I can't seem to find on the internet or their webpage. It's like an M-16 except smaller and more dressy looking. Excellent knife.

Here, found a photo.

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meshmdz said:
well i just bought a CRKT Ed Halligan - designed Stiff K.I.S.S/Neck P.E.C.K knife. this blade just caught my eye and i had to have it. i wasnt intending on buying a new blade but i had to have this one. since i cant carry my 4.11 inch benchmade knife, i have been meaning to get a good fixed blade that i would have the option of variable carry methods. this knife is such... do any of you guys own CRKT knives? i have heard great things about them and have heard they are durable. so i invested. i hope i got a good one!!!:cool: what do you guys think?



i will get a picture of it up here in a bit. hang tight.
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I like the Ed Halligan knives CRKT sells. They are nice designs and inexpensive. In my opinion they use the minimum allowable steel (aus6) but they are priced accordingly. Those zytel sheathes they make for these knives are horrendous. They are bulky, heavy, (heavier than the knife) and 1000% over engineered. The guy who comes up with these zytel sheath designs should be fired.
These knives are small and light and should have a simple fold over kydex sheath with a few rivets. The KISS in the name stands for "keep it simple stupid" The sheath for these knives is 180° from that philosophy.
 
I had an F4 neck knife that dropped from its sheath and disapeared. The knife itself was razor sharp (AUS 6) and ever so handy. My 14K Mt. Rainier (AUS 6 again, before the quality of steel dropped in most CRKT knives) has lasted about 3 years with no flaws as of yet, except for a lot of lint and crud inside of it, collecting like crazy.

I can't say anything about the new models, having never used one, but the quality of steel has been going downhill.

I've lost interest in alot of the designs, but CRKT is always a good choice for a starter knife. I'd suggest one with AUS 8 steel, those are still often regarded as very good knives.
 
Their catalog of designs is less impressive to me than a lot of other companies, good point.

It's sad to see a maker capable of producing some fine knives use lesser and lesser quality materials.
 
I own two CRKT , S2 and Prowler and for the price I paid they are each a bargain of a knife.
Scored the S2 at SMKW for under 30$ , solid titanium scales , solid lock up (the "snik!" it makes when you open is beautiful) I also upgraded her to phos- bronze washers instead of the plastic , the blade shape is a little off the wall , more belly woulda been nice but hey , it works for me.. where else ya gonna get solid titanium scales on a good value of knife.
The Prowler is based on a custom knife by maker Marzitelli , it's been voted one of the ugliest knives on here before but , I love mine.. It's very utilitarian and stout.
Anyways have fun.

Todd
 
the sheath for the knife is convienient IMHO. i have it around my neck and the knife isnt heavy and it fits the blade perfectly.. i dont see why ya hate the sheath so much. so is the AUS 6m a decently tough blade? i have heard both good and bad in this thread?
 
also, the sheath wont hurt the knife will it?


i know that sounds dumb but i dont know any other way to put it.. if so, what other way can i carry this knife?
 
Vivi said:
I have a CRKT folder. It was the first modern folding knife I bought, I've always used Swiss Army Knives (SAKs).

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I've got the same model. CRKT doesn't make them anymore. The blade is made from AUS8 steel, which is a knice steel for a knife. All in all I think it's a beautiful verry well made verry usuable knife. :thumbup:
 
xterior, why did they stop making that knife? what do you think about AUS6m? one step down but still ok?
 
i'm sure they disco'd it because they werent selling well enough, AUS6 is "OK" but isnt anything to write home to mom about imho. there is certainly better stuff around (ie AUS8, 154CM, ATS34, S30v, etc)

CRKT is imho an ok entry level knife, i really like some models (ie the kasper folders and companions) and for the $$ they are ok, the higher ones like the whirlwind IIRC, the ones that MSRP at +$100 imho arent that great, at that price i prefer spyderco/BM/etc, but for $20 or $30 bucks or so they arent too bad, esp the fixed blades, watch the lock on the folders, i have had one lock go bad on a kasper pro, and the sheaths gen'ly suck on the FB, other than that they are ok.

whats not so great about the higher $$ CRKT's?? imho the ones i have seen just didnt have as good a F&F as i like to see at that price.
 
There are lots of different steels for knives. To say one is bad or good is simplistic, IMHO. The design of the blade and the handle and the grind of the blade are more important to the usefullness of the knife that the type of steel it is made from. Lousy designs with "good" steels are still "lousy knives".

Good steel to lots of folks is steel with a high Rockwell hardness number, which is equated to edge retention. A lower Rockwell number may actually be a tougher stronger knife, more stain resistent, with the downside is that you have to resharpen it more frequently. But how many folks go home every day and sharpen knives, even the dull ones with "good" steel.

I picked up several CRKT S-2 models. I like the feel of them in my hand and thought they would make great gifts for friends and relatives. They are ATS-34/154CM (basically the same steel) with titanium scales, good size but light weight. They are frame locks (not liner locks like some of the ads say). They are very tight and solid. I think this is an awesome knife I would put up against any in a cutting contest (isn't that why we really buy knives, to cut stuff?). This S-2 model is way beyond "entry level" in quality and performance. Bring on those $500 Sebbies and Strider sand lets start cutting and see which comes out on top.

http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eCommerce/product.jsp?Mode=Text&SearchText=S-2&SKU=CR7503

Here is some info about knife steels that may be of interest. It is really designed for the maker but has some interesting comparisions.

http://www.ajh-knives.com/metals.html


My good knife test is the 50 pound sack of potatoes test. Could I peel and cutup a 50 sack of potatoes without my hand cramping or the knife getting dull? If I could do this, then the knife is a winner in my book.
 
meshmdz said:
xterior, why did they stop making that knife? what do you think about AUS6m? one step down but still ok?
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I guess they produce the M21 as their follow up model. It has got the same blade profile, and steel, but an alluminium frame. About AUS 6, I've got only one little knife with that steel (Spyderco Jester) and it's getting little or no use, so I don't realy have got an Idea how good the steel holds up.
 
very interesting posts fellas. i didnt think about the steel/design being a huge factor. glad ya posted that. i have a new picture of my knife!!!!! this one is good!!!!!

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I picked up a CRKT S2 recently as well. As mentioned above, it really is an incredible value. Titanium scales, framelock, ATS-34 bladesteel, beadblasted blade finish, ... locks up like a vault. Can we say poor man's Sebbie ... (as we have on some of the other threads.) :)

I also like the large PE version of the Howard Viele designed Wasp with it's Ti-G10 scales and upgraded bladesteel (forgotten what they used, but it was a serious upgrade for CRKT).

Like any brand, you do have to pick and choose, but CRKT has managed to produce several really nice knives that are great values.
 
I paid 22$ for my M18. That's half of what I paid for my Delica. Both are great knives, but the CRKT was a steal IMO.

AUS8 seems to do alright in edge holding. I've cut tons of thick cardboard with mine and it just recently lost its shaving edge. Still very close to it though, no where near dull. Do the M21's use AUS6 or 8 now? I might try to order another M18 or a M21.
 
so how much softer is the AUS 6 vs the AUS 8? dumb question for knife know-it-alls but i am still learning. excuse my ignorance.
 
meshmdz said:
my blade is AUS6M high carbon carbon stainless steel. is this not good or something?? i was just hoping that it would be good for personal defense and carry...
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Ah, how do you know it's an AUS-6M? If you have the commemorative limited edition model, you do indeed have AUS-6M; if not, you have a 420j2, which is probably one of the worst knife steels you can get. (In the past it was used only as liner-grade steel.)

Seeing attractive knives made by reputable dealers used to be a fairly safe practice, but no more, alas. Never buy a knife without checking the blade steel. If there's no blade steel information on the package, come here and ask. If you like the purty colors, shop around until you find an inexpensive Chinese knife using the same blade quality.
 
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