Okey dokey. I don't have this knife, i'm looking at getting it. Unfortunately, forums being as they are, the reviews on this knife span a good 3 years now, and can't seem to agree on anything. To recap for those who don't know about this knife, and recap for those who got one a while back, details are as follows:
Blade: Length: 4.375 (11.1 cm)
Thickness: 0.19 (0.50 cm)
Steel: 440A, 55-57 HRC
Knife: Overall length: 9.50 (24.1 cm)
Weight: 7.2 oz. (204 g)
http://www.crkt.com/frststrk.html
One model is a little smaller, one a little bigger, and one black in OD.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
This knife used to be made in AUS-6M. At some point, the material was quietly switched to 440A, which is what it is presently made in. That said (and previously mentioned on the forum) alot of the old AUS-6M's are still kicking around on shelves.
PROBLEMS:
(1) The knife, lovely cord wrap job though it is, used to have the blade sharpened all the way through, to the point that the last centimeter (1/3" or so) of the handle (the thicker corded part that sorta formed a finger guard) actually lay over the sharpened blade, leading to it eventually getting cut through.
(2) The knife came dull, was to all reports a !@#$% to sharpen, and wouldn't hold an edge because of rubbing in the sheath when drawn.
(3) given the blade is too stubby at the end to be effective at stabbing, and can't hold an edge to be effective at slashing, it was pretty much useless at whatever task you would give it.
THE TRUTH:
(1) Some models this has been fixed; the blade is no longer sharpened that extra centimeter under the wrapping.
(2) ?
(3) depends on #2.
So. This knife was much loved for its aesthetic value (let's face it, it looks pretty awesome), and for the beautiful cord wrap handle job - either much loved or much hated depending on your preference.
Here is my question: This knife has now been out three years. Are the problems mentioned earlier still a problem in the new knives being made? With CRKT's change in their steel choice of this knife from AUS-6M to 440A, have they fixed the sharpening and dullness problems, have they fixed the cord cutting problem, and in doing so have they finally made the knife worth owning, worth having, and worth using?
Much thanks!
Blade: Length: 4.375 (11.1 cm)
Thickness: 0.19 (0.50 cm)
Steel: 440A, 55-57 HRC
Knife: Overall length: 9.50 (24.1 cm)
Weight: 7.2 oz. (204 g)
http://www.crkt.com/frststrk.html
One model is a little smaller, one a little bigger, and one black in OD.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
This knife used to be made in AUS-6M. At some point, the material was quietly switched to 440A, which is what it is presently made in. That said (and previously mentioned on the forum) alot of the old AUS-6M's are still kicking around on shelves.
PROBLEMS:
(1) The knife, lovely cord wrap job though it is, used to have the blade sharpened all the way through, to the point that the last centimeter (1/3" or so) of the handle (the thicker corded part that sorta formed a finger guard) actually lay over the sharpened blade, leading to it eventually getting cut through.
(2) The knife came dull, was to all reports a !@#$% to sharpen, and wouldn't hold an edge because of rubbing in the sheath when drawn.
(3) given the blade is too stubby at the end to be effective at stabbing, and can't hold an edge to be effective at slashing, it was pretty much useless at whatever task you would give it.
THE TRUTH:
(1) Some models this has been fixed; the blade is no longer sharpened that extra centimeter under the wrapping.
(2) ?
(3) depends on #2.
So. This knife was much loved for its aesthetic value (let's face it, it looks pretty awesome), and for the beautiful cord wrap handle job - either much loved or much hated depending on your preference.
Here is my question: This knife has now been out three years. Are the problems mentioned earlier still a problem in the new knives being made? With CRKT's change in their steel choice of this knife from AUS-6M to 440A, have they fixed the sharpening and dullness problems, have they fixed the cord cutting problem, and in doing so have they finally made the knife worth owning, worth having, and worth using?
Much thanks!
