CRKT C/K Dragon

[mdauben]

I recently purchased a Columbia River Knife & Tool C/K Dragon tactical knife. There was another thread about the Dragon started by a dissatisfied customer some time back, who dismissed the knife as cheap and poorly made. My own experience the knife was so different, I felt I had to post my own review of the Dragon.

Background
The C/K Dragon made by CRKT is a copy of the original Dragon tactical knife designed by the late close combat specialist Bob Kaspar and knife maker Pat Crawford. Comparing the two knives, they appear almost identical in size and shape, the main difference being the more expensive steel (S30V) used in the Crawford made knife and a slightly more finished look to the handle scales. I first became interested in the Dragon after having read Bob Kaspar's book Individual Close Combat (although I admit to also being attracted to the unusual design and exotic appearance of the Dragon knife).

Specifications

• Blade Length: 4.50 inches
• Overall Length: 9.25 inches
• Blade Thickness: 0.138 inches
• Steel: 9Cr18, 58-60 HRC
• Weight: 4.3 oz. (122 g)
• MSRP U.S. $89.99

First Impressions
On opening the box, unlike the previously mentioned reviewer, I was quite impressed with the quality and workmanship of the knife. All the edges were smooth and even, the scales closely fitted and it came with a good (if not exceptional) edge on the blade from the factory. The knife is light and seems to balance well in the hand and the unique Wharncliffe design is certainly eye catching.

The blade steel is listed as being made of "9Cr18 high chromium steel" on the CRKT website. I was unable to find much info on the qualities of this steel as a blade material, but I suspect it will be similar to one of the 440-series stainless steels. Not the best of blade steels, perhaps, but serviceable and an acceptable compromise I think at the knife's price point.

One of the things you notice when you pick the knife up is the shape of the handle. The single, large finger groove in the handle not only allows you to register the knife so that you quickly know which way the edge is facing (important on a single edge fighter like this) but it really locks your hand in place when held in a standard forward grip, preventing you hand from sliding onto the blade even during a powerful thrust. The serrations on the back of the blade also provide a secure thumb rest for a using a saber grip with the knife. Of course, the unique shape of the handle means the only optimum orientation for the knife is a standard forward grip. Certainly you could use a reverse or edge-up grip, but if so you are giving up the strong lock-up you get with the intended orientation. The only "small" flaw I found in the handle was that it could have been just a little longer, as with my large (although not unusually so) hands my little finger fell off the end of the scales and ended up wrapped around the exposed pommel This was comfortable enough, but could interfere with its intended use of the pommel as an impact striking surface.

Function
Not having any immediate likelihood of a real knife fight to field test the blade, I decided to test it using a number of different target materials including empty pop bottles, stacks of cardboard, and multiple layers of denim material. Not the best simulators, perhaps, but varied enough I think to provide some useful testing. I also pulled out a few of my other tactical knives, to use as comparison to the Dragon.

My first test was for thrusting capability, and not surprisingly the Dragon excelled at this. The long, thin point on the blade easily slipped through my test materials with minimal effort compared to anything else I had on hand, including a couple of conventional daggers. This very fineness of the tip did make me wonder if it might not be a bit fragile, in the chance that a thrust was to strike a hard object like a belt buckle or (in a military scenario) an ammo pouch full of metal rifle magazines? Breaking or bending the tip would severely degrade the effectiveness of the knife.

Next, I tried slashing with the blade and here again the Dragon excelled, due I suspect to the long, thin, Wharncliffe blade. Even with the factory edge on the blade it out slashed any of the other knives I compared it, leaving exceptionally long gashes in my target materials. Finally, I tried some straight cutting with the blade and even here it did well compared to my other dedicated tactical knives, only being beaten by a longer bladed knife which I had spent the time putting a much finer edge on.

Flaws
Well, aside from the minor weaknesses of a (possibly) delicate tip, and a (for some) small handle, the only real flaw I found in the knife was the sheath. I suppose if you are military or a police officer the sheath would fit well enough on your web gear or duty belt, but for civilian carry I think it is much too large with an excessively bulky belt attachment. All in all a sheath totally unsuitable for the concealed carry this small and handy knife seems intended for.

Overall
In the end, I remain impressed with both the design and manufacture of the CRKT C/K Dragon. While it could probably be pressed into service as a general utility knife, it's really optimized as a dedicated fighter. It seems to be an above average tactical knife for a relatively reasonable cost. The only real change I would make is to throw out the stock sheath, and replace it with a custom kydex IWB model similar to the one that comes with the Crawford made original, if you actually want to carry it on a daily basis.

 

[neeman]

Good review
Thanks

 

[somniloquist]

This is a thoughtful and and thorough review, thanks! I've had my eye on one of these for a while now and I might just pull the trigger once my tax refund comes back. Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts.:thumbup:

 

[razorburn]

good review,mdauben

I also bought this knife but I returned it because the handle was lacking enough length for comfortable grip,the sheath that I recieved has so many dust like kydex particles everywhere even the blade, and lastly the blade was surprisingly dulll as a butter knife.

 

[mdauben]

good review,mdauben

Thanks!

I also bought this knife but I returned it because the handle was lacking enough length for comfortable grip,the sheath that I recieved has so many dust like kydex particles everywhere even the blade, and lastly the blade was surprisingly dulll as a butter knife.

Regarding the handle, ideally I think I would have liked another 1/2 inch or so, but I still found that I had a secure and comfortable grip. This is something I notice on a lot of smaller knives, so I guess I am just used to it. If your hand is exceptionally large you might feel different but I found it only a very minor criticism of an otherwise very nice knife.

As far as sharpness, perhaps I was just lucky but I thought the factory edge was quite acceptable. It was not really "hair popping" sharp, but it was quite sharp enough to cleanly slice into a hanging piece of printer paper. I have certainly purchased much more expensive knives with much poorer edges than the Dragon had out of the box. In any case, the first thing I do with most of my new knives is to re-sharpen them to the best edge I can get, so I personally don't see a knife that comes out of the box somewhat dull a particularly onerous flaw and certainly not a reason I would return it.

I do agree about the sheath, though, but if CRKT had to cut corners somewhere to meet the price point for this knife, that is where I would prefer to see them do it.

 

[razorburn]

Regarding the handle, ideally I think I would have liked another 1/2 inch or so, but I still found that I had a secure and comfortable grip. This is something I notice on a lot of smaller knives, so I guess I am just used to it. If your hand is exceptionally large you might feel different but I found it only a very minor criticism of an otherwise very nice knife.

I wouldn't say that I have a large hand but more of a medium sized one.For the handle of a knife which was designed to be a combat one,I might even add an inch or two to get a more secure and reassuring grip.I found just changing grips was a challenge because of the shortness of the handle.

As far as sharpness, perhaps I was just lucky but I thought the factory edge was quite acceptable. It was not really "hair popping" sharp, but it was quite sharp enough to cleanly slice into a hanging piece of printer paper. I have certainly purchased much more expensive knives with much poorer edges than the Dragon had out of the box. In any case, the first thing I do with most of my new knives is to re-sharpen them to the best edge I can get, so I personally don't see a knife that comes out of the box somewhat dull a particularly onerous flaw and certainly not a reason I would return it.

As I said before I was surprise my first CRKT knife had a extremely dull edge that wouldn't cut anything.Period.......Dull as a butter knife.Of all the knives that I've bought CRKT is the worst while others are marginally sharp(will cut paper) to extremely sharp.I also agree that if an edge was dull that would not be a reason to return it but for me this knife looked more dwarfed in the flesh than picture.For me,the dragon is more of a child's toy that a serious combat knife because of it's lack of blade and handle length.

 

[Andrew Colglazier]

What are the specs on the knife? Good review, thanks.

Andy

 

[mdauben]

For me, the dragon is more of a child's toy that a serious combat knife because of it's lack of blade and handle length.

Well... I guess that depends on your circumstances. For a military or LEO who would be carrying openly, I would agree and I personally would want to go with a knife with a little more length in both the handle and the blade.

I think it’s a trade-off with concealed carry, however. I know people who have said they can carry much larger knives than this concealed, but I find knives of about the size of the Dragon to be the best compromise. Small enough that it isn't too difficult to hide, but not so small that it is hard to handle or unlikely to cause enough damage.

YMMV, of course and if you are not comfortable with the knife that is reason enough not to carry it. You have enough troubles to deal with if you ever need to draw your blade in a life-or-death situation, without having doubts about your weapon on top of that!

What are the specs on the knife? Good review, thanks.

Opps! Added to the review! Thanks!