CRKT - Credit where Credit is Due

R

rifon2

Joined
Oct 9, 2005
Messages
5,124
Seems that CRKT has turned things around nicely.

I watched over the last couple of years as they went from their standard AUS6 to AUS4 and 420J2. Often without any announcement, and without any indication on the knives. (Yes, I know some models here and there were made with better steel, but their basic was AUS6.)

This year, they've come out with a slew of new knives, some of them really nice.
They've continued manufacturing most of them in Taiwan.

I've recently bought an M16-03, an M4, a Hissatsu folder, and a couple of M21-04's.

Fit and finish is really superb for knives in this price range, and so is the value.

All these knives - as well as some other new models - use AUS8.

So while I beat up on CRKT a bit over the last few years, I'm a big believer in giving credit where it's due.

And CRKT, in my view, deserves a lot of credit for having nicely turned things around in favor of their customers.
 
I am tellin ya I have a Crawford Falcon PE and without a doubt as fine a build on a prod. knife as I have seen. Not the highest end materials but very high fit and finish. keepem sharp
 
Well, I'm sorry to say that things at CRKT aren't gettin' any better. For one thing, The M21-04 and the M16s have always had AUS8 entrees. The lower quality ones (M16-13Z, etc.) used to be made of AUS6 and now are AUS4. They show no sign of improving, though the knives you menion are beautiful and well crafted. If they were made with ATS-34 or 154CM, I'd say they would be nigh onto perfect.
 
longbow said:
I am tellin ya I have a Crawford Falcon PE and without a doubt as fine a build on a prod. knife as I have seen. Not the highest end materials but very high fit and finish. keepem sharp
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more... I paid about $25.00 for mine and it's very well made.
 
Confederate said:
If they were made with ATS-34 or 154CM, I'd say they would be nigh onto perfect.
Click to expand...

I'd love to see these knives with the steels you mention, but then I'd probably have to pay around 80.00 for them instead of the current 40 to 50.

Case, for example, recently released some of their popular patterns with 154CM blades.
And from what I've seen, they're selling at about 30 to 40 dollars more than the same patterns in Case's standard stainless.
 
CRKT uses designs from professional custom makers, usually you can find the knife you want in its original form with the quality and good materials you want. Just gonna cost you a lot more.
 
I love CRKT's and yes, I will agree that the quality is going up. For the money, they are some of the best knives out there. I just got a Stealth First Strike and a Dogfish recently...I really like them. The Hissatsu folder is next on my list I think. Still love the spectra PECK for a money clip and the stiff KISS and M-16 continue to be some of my favorite knives. I am glad to see so many new models this year...keep up the great work!
 
rifon2 said:
I watched over the last couple of years as they went from their standard AUS6 to AUS4 and 420J2.
Click to expand...
CRKT has knives made from 9cr18 to 154CM.

Remember that not every knife model was downgraded, only those that were lower end. I think that this is somewhat of a common practice of many knife manufacturers. Benchmade downgraded a lot of their steels prior to the introduction of the Red Class line and everyone 'round here had a fit. A few years later they upgraded most of their models to better steel and few said anything. CRKT downgraded, everyone whined and now they have new knives with good steel and some multi-tools.

That said, I will not buy any knife made from 420J2. I fired off my email about this some time ago so I have let my feelings known and have bought accordingly.
 
CRKT has come out with some really innovative designs. Their fit and finish is very good. But their steel choice and unreliable liner locks keep me away. It's too bad, because I really like some of their designs, but there are better options out there.
 
I've purchased about a dozen or so CRKTs in the last year or so. All have been extremely well made. The Crawford/Kaspers, large and small, and the Hammond Cruisers are fantastic knives and I got them on line at ridiculously low prices. Couldn't be happier.
 
medusaoblongata said:
CRKT has come out with some really innovative designs. Their fit and finish is very good. But their steel choice and unreliable liner locks keep me away. It's too bad, because I really like some of their designs, but there are better options out there.
Click to expand...

Why do you say their liner locks are unreliable?
 
rifon2 said:
I'd love to see these knives with the steels you mention, but then I'd probably have to pay around 80.00 for them instead of the current 40 to 50.
Click to expand...
And I would happily do that if I had the chance.

Look at CRKT's titanium frame knives. I've got several of them with large tanto blades and they're wonderful. I'd pay an additional $30 for 154CM blades if they gave me the option. I'm not quite sure that 154CM is as tough as AUS8, but I'd still like to have the option. But I'm not nearly as interested in them going to better grade steels than AUS8. I just don't want them to produce blades made out of AUS4, 420J or scrap metal from Erector Sets.

Buck has been producing blades made from 420HC for years and you won't find many people that don't like 'em. Gerber has just gone to the dogs in the last few years (and I apologize to dogs everywhere). Their blades won't cut butter these days and I'm afraid that CRKT is on the brink, teetering. Which way it slides will be up to them, but they need to stop making knives out of garbage steels and make the decision to make decent knives regardless of the cost.
 
I really wanted an M-16 or an M-21, but I thought they were all made out of AUS-4 now. :confused:
 
werwoof said:
I really wanted an M-16 or an M-21, but I thought they were all made out of AUS-4 now. :confused:
Click to expand...

According to their website the M21's and the aluminum handled M16's are still AUS8.

They offer a good selection of knives in AUS8 (even new models), it confuses me when you see higher end hunting knives like the Alaska Pro series in 440A.
 
The M16-13Z has a blade made from AUS4, so let the price be your guide. Prices cannot be a guide with Gerber, as they downgrade their quality, but not prices, so you'll see a lot of their junk knives selling for far more than they're worth. But CRKT knives that have been downgraded are going for cheaper prices. Twenty-something dollars for a knife that used to go for substantially more.

Check each knife you're interested in. If the price is remarkably low, assume the worst.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top