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- Nov 25, 1999
- Messages
- 1,499
<center><h3>CRKT Carbon Fiber M16</h3></center><center><h6>part 1 of 2</h6></center>Kit Carson's M16 series knives have earned their opinion as true workhorses, maybe not too pretty looking but very strong and reliable. When I saw first time the pictures of new Carbon Fiber M16 knives I was not impressed too much. Another version of the same proven design, a bit another materials.
<center><h6>CRKT photo</h6></center>
But when I took live new knives into my hand at IWA'2000 gun show my impressions became much clearer. I do not want to say "sweet" about these miniaturized M16's to do not cause association with cheap fruit drops - this knife appearance is nothing to do with them. But they have something what caused me to wait impatiently when I could "play" with one of them somewhat more extensively.
Now this moment came and I can brandish with Carbon Fiber M16-01 as much as I want and here are my impressions of this brandishing.
<center><h6>Here is mine directly from scanner, front side...</h6></center>
<center><h6>... and clip side</h6></center>
General appearance is rather neutral. Slim lines, modest colors and holes in the handle are balancing quite aggressive blade shape (in fact spear point blade is designed mostly for straight stabbing). Think that for non-knife person it could appear more like tool than like weapon. To check this I asked some persons including my wife - my first advisor as to knife appearance and esthetics. All responses proved my presumption - it looks like tool.
Blade is flawlessly executed, I couldn't find any missing in grind lines, they are clear and even on both sides. Relatively thin edge cuts very precisely and is easy to direct and control. Maybe in edge retention this steel is not champion but it is closely comparable with popular premium grade steels. Please look here http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001863.html for edge retention test results.
I don't know could Carson's flipper be useful for this light blade opening but it would be nice addition for handling security, especially taking into consideration pretty diminutive handle.
Thumb stud has checkered working surface and allows very firm purchase. At the same time it has limited access when knife is closed what makes knife shape snag-free. It is hard to imagine unintentional blade opening due to thumb stud snagging against clothing. This knife doesn't have stop pin, thumb stud stops the blade in both opened and closed position.
Handle is very comfortable in a bit smaller man's or medium sized woman's hand, my wife confirmed it. For my rather medium sized hand it is also quite comfortable. Working hard during edge retention test I haven't experienced any unpleasant impressions. Initially I thought it could be noticeable less comfortable in larger man's hand, so I asked my friend with hands larger than mine to handle this knife. He said: "Of course I would like larger handle, but as to these dimensions handling comfort is OK". I noted his three fingers were placed on the handle's "waved" part and the little finger was supported with flat notch on rear-bottom of the handle.
Textured carbon fiber scales and holes provide very sure and secure grip. After extensive cutting on abrasive materials and/or sharpening I'm always washing my knives in running water to remove abrasive particles from pivot and lock area what could extend knife's life. Occasionally I can evaluate how securely knife can be held in wet and soaped hand. Carbon Fiber M16 displayed here surprisingly minimal difference comparing with handling in dry hand.
Thick carbon fiber scales make the handle strong and stiff even without full-length back spacer. Pressing together scales on opened knife with full force of my one hand fingers I obtained hardly noticeable bend only. I saw a lot of knives with G-10 scales supported with double metal (steel or titanium) liners which was noticeable more flexible. I think also the steel locking liner "nested" into CF scale provides additional handle's strength.
<center><h6>to be continued...</h6></center>
[This message has been edited by Sergiusz Mitin (edited 07-08-2000).]
<center><h6>CRKT photo</h6></center>
But when I took live new knives into my hand at IWA'2000 gun show my impressions became much clearer. I do not want to say "sweet" about these miniaturized M16's to do not cause association with cheap fruit drops - this knife appearance is nothing to do with them. But they have something what caused me to wait impatiently when I could "play" with one of them somewhat more extensively.
Now this moment came and I can brandish with Carbon Fiber M16-01 as much as I want and here are my impressions of this brandishing.
<center><h6>Here is mine directly from scanner, front side...</h6></center>
<center><h6>... and clip side</h6></center>
General appearance is rather neutral. Slim lines, modest colors and holes in the handle are balancing quite aggressive blade shape (in fact spear point blade is designed mostly for straight stabbing). Think that for non-knife person it could appear more like tool than like weapon. To check this I asked some persons including my wife - my first advisor as to knife appearance and esthetics. All responses proved my presumption - it looks like tool.
Blade is flawlessly executed, I couldn't find any missing in grind lines, they are clear and even on both sides. Relatively thin edge cuts very precisely and is easy to direct and control. Maybe in edge retention this steel is not champion but it is closely comparable with popular premium grade steels. Please look here http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001863.html for edge retention test results.
I don't know could Carson's flipper be useful for this light blade opening but it would be nice addition for handling security, especially taking into consideration pretty diminutive handle.
Thumb stud has checkered working surface and allows very firm purchase. At the same time it has limited access when knife is closed what makes knife shape snag-free. It is hard to imagine unintentional blade opening due to thumb stud snagging against clothing. This knife doesn't have stop pin, thumb stud stops the blade in both opened and closed position.
Handle is very comfortable in a bit smaller man's or medium sized woman's hand, my wife confirmed it. For my rather medium sized hand it is also quite comfortable. Working hard during edge retention test I haven't experienced any unpleasant impressions. Initially I thought it could be noticeable less comfortable in larger man's hand, so I asked my friend with hands larger than mine to handle this knife. He said: "Of course I would like larger handle, but as to these dimensions handling comfort is OK". I noted his three fingers were placed on the handle's "waved" part and the little finger was supported with flat notch on rear-bottom of the handle.
Textured carbon fiber scales and holes provide very sure and secure grip. After extensive cutting on abrasive materials and/or sharpening I'm always washing my knives in running water to remove abrasive particles from pivot and lock area what could extend knife's life. Occasionally I can evaluate how securely knife can be held in wet and soaped hand. Carbon Fiber M16 displayed here surprisingly minimal difference comparing with handling in dry hand.
Thick carbon fiber scales make the handle strong and stiff even without full-length back spacer. Pressing together scales on opened knife with full force of my one hand fingers I obtained hardly noticeable bend only. I saw a lot of knives with G-10 scales supported with double metal (steel or titanium) liners which was noticeable more flexible. I think also the steel locking liner "nested" into CF scale provides additional handle's strength.
<center><h6>to be continued...</h6></center>
[This message has been edited by Sergiusz Mitin (edited 07-08-2000).]
