CRKT Desert Cruisers: Bad Blades?

C

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I bought a couple of CRKT Desert Cruisers when they were on sale (the kind with the "steel" toned blade). But now that I've used one for a couple of months, I've found they don't hold an edge worth &$%*! The blades are supposed to be AUS 8, which has served me quite well in Cold Steel knives, but these blades seem to dull by just opening and closing them.

Wonder if that's why they were going so cheap? Anyone else have any negative experiences?

images
 
I bought a CRKT Hammond on sale - not Desert Cruiser - with a TiNi coated AUS 8 blade, and the edge has held up well.
 
ive had the same problem with my crkt m16-12, i find im sharpening it after medium use, things like cutting some rubber handle materiel, rope.... its rediculous but other than the fact that its in constant need of sharpening its a good knife, and it only takes a min to get it sharp again.
 
Yeah, mine's sharpening up fast, too, which probably isn't a good sign. I'm thinking this just wasn't a good run. My CS Voyagers hold an edge much better. Hmmm.
 
Are you sure this Cruiser was supposed to have AUS8? Most CRKTs now "feature" 420J2 blade steel, or some other alternative that I can't remember the abbreviation for- something like 1.2.44.74 to the 10th power..:jerkit:

I would contact CRKT and opt for a replacement or you could take the hit and sell both of them and get one Spyderco that won't let you down.

Good luck.
 
Sorry if I sound so negative but I was contemplating an M16 until I read so many posts about the poor lock-up and the poor steel that I decided to spend my money on a Spyderco (delica).

Got to admit that the M16's and M21's sure look sweet but looks are only one part of a knife decision.
 
My old regular Cruiser also lost its edge very quickly... about as quickly as my old M16's AUS-6.

-j
 
The CRKT knives that I had held a very poor edge. The ones I had were AUS-6, so I suspect the newer ones are even worse.
 
for a couple of years. Didn't hold an edge worth a damn but it was tough. I clobbered that poor thing. Towards the end it had some blade play but it never failed to lock up, even through the stupid stuff.

Frank
 
I've never had any problems with any of my CRKT blades.
I've had quite a few over the years (mostly AUS-6 and AUS-8) and all could obtain a good edge and hold that edge as well as could be expected.

It sounds like you might have gotten a lemon.
Send it back and give CRKT a chance to make it right.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
I bought the same knife a few weeks ago on an impulse buy.
Looking at the SMKW website, they say it has the 420j2 blade steel. That has to be a typo. That is what they use as their liner material, not the blade material.... right?
Everywhere else I look, it says AUS8. There was nothing in the box it came in that stated what the steel was.
I haven't used it much, just to cut some rope and open some mail, so I don't know about the edge retention.

stdlrf11
 
According to the CRKT web site the Desert Cruiser uses AUS 8 for the blade.I think that the CRKT Cruiser is AUS 6.
http://www.crkt.com/dsrtcrsr.html
I can't speak for the Desert Cruiser, but I have been relatively pleased with my CRKT M16-13SF in AUS 8. It has been a tough work knife for well over a year now.
 
I was just reading that :) I just emailed CRKT and asked them. I bought the knife for $25, and the MSRP is $80. That makes me wonder why it was so cheap.

I have a CRKT Large Crawford Falcon that has done nothing but impress me since I found some in a clearance bin for $20. I don't know the blade steel on it either.

We'll see,
stdlrf11
 
I emailed CRKT last night and they replied VERY quickly. Here's the email:



Hi **stdlrf11**,

Thanks for your email. You are correct; the Desert Cruiser knife is made out of AUS 8 steel!

Thanks for your support of CRKT!



Lindsey
Columbia River Knife and Tool




-----Original Message-----
From: **stdlrf11**
Sent: Tuesday, December 05, 2006 10:58 PM
To: Customer Service for Columbia River Knife & Tool
Subject: Question about blade steel



Hello,

I have your Desert Cruiser “Operation Iraqi Freedom Certified” model knife and I have a question about the blade steel you used.

I bought it from a friend NIB for $25. At the time I didn’t know it usually sold for more than double that price.

At the Smokey Mountain Knife Works website, they sold it for less than $20 and they claim the blade steel is 420J2, which is what you usually use for the liner material.

Everywhere else, your company states that the blade material is AUS8.


For this knife, did you use 420J2 or AUS8 steel for the blade?


Attached is a picture of the knife for easier identification.



Thanks,

**stdlrf11**

(I edited out email addresses and phone numbers)
 
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