CRKT Greg Lightfoot M1

M

Mobile-eyez

Joined
Dec 23, 2008
Messages
219
Hey everyone. I wanted to start this thread to talk about a folder that has pretty much disappeared from the market. Columbia River Knife and Tool once had a model designed by Greg Lightfoot called the M1. I went on the CRKT website about two weeks ago to find that the M1 had been discontinued. I actually didn't see ANY knives by Greg Lightfoot in the CRKT lineup. I've carried a combo edge M1 for about a year and a half, and man is it a tank of a knife. It's withstood pretty much everything I've asked it to do for me, but I guess it just wasn't appealing to buyers. I don't really like the grips too much, but I have sweaty hands, so it makes it harder then it is for most for me to hang onto aynthing but the grippiest knives out there.

I'm kind of disappointed in CRKTs selection now, they used to have so much to choose from, but now they don't have nearly as many in my opinion.

So what's the deal? What thoughts do you guys have about the M1? Does anyone own one like me and use it alot?
 
I've owned two a black and a desert. Kicking myself because I gave the black away. But agreed in that it is a great knife and wish they still made it just for the simple fact that the prices have gone way up on the black since it has been discontinued and I want to get another one,
 
Teh M16, M21 and Hammond Cruisers are all very appealing, I think. I have a cruiser and it's a tank as well.
 
It looked like quite a nice design---a good user at an economical price point. That being said, I did not have the pleasure of trying one out; all my money seemed to go towards a Sebenza, and Spyderco/BM product. It always seems to happen that way---those brands get all my love and I forget about the others. Oh well! :D
 
This was about the only CRKT product I trusted enough to carry, I moved on to bigger price tags and better steels, but I still would stick the M1 in my pocket on occasion. Now I have pretty much converted to traditionals but if I needed a one hander for something I would not have a problem carrying the M1.
 
its one of my favorites as well. you can still find some online i think. really tough, strong knife.
 
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Yea, it's of course not the best quality out there, but it's strong enough for most tactical/utility applications. I think it was the best knife out there for the price range at the time. I do trust a Benchmade or a Spyderco more, especially for really heavy cutting. I definatly don't have a problem with my M1 at all, it's withstood alot.
 
I have one, black. The blade shape and profile is not in fashion - basically a rounded tanto saber grind. It seems to offer a style of cutting ability that I'm still trying to use on something - it's not so good on boxes, light materials, etc. CRKT's interpretation of blade to handle ratio has it looking like it needs compensation, you know?

I bought it for the scales, which are in FRN, not my favorite stuff. With the required liners, the grip thickness is too much, along with a lot of weight. The paddle clip works, just looks dated in style.

It hit the drawer when I realized any of my M16's would work better - sharper, easier cutting, slimmer in the pocket, etc., like the small CF I carry right now.

A G10 version with minimum liner for locking and a drop point blade would be nice, but that's not what it is.
 
Very true, you raise alot of valid points. I really don't like the saber grind that they put on it, it just doesn't create a very strong edge. I might send mine to a sharpener just to change the edge geometry, but I'll have to see. a G10 Drop Point version would be pretty sweet, but like you said, that's not what it is. I actually like the rounded tanto style that they put on it (I think it was called the "Millenium Tanto" upon the knife's release) but it did kind of go out of style. I might consider getting a CRKT M16, but I might be buying a couple of Benchmades, Spydercos, and possibly a Chris Reeve soon, so my money will go to those knives first.
 
If you do go CRKT, don't ignore the Carbon Fiber or Ti version. They make a better knife than aluminum or FRN.

Moving into the Chris Reeve price range will spoil your perspective quick. Standard production Benchmades and Spyderco's start getting a flea market feel after that . . .
 
True, those Reeve knives are pretty sweet. I'm not sure though that it would spoil my perspective. I really like all my knives, and am positive that I would carry the other knives on a regular basis. I usually carry two knives on me anyway, just in case a situation in which I need another knife or one of my buddies does, I'm covered. Needless to say, I would hang on to the Chris Reeve simply because of the price of the knife. I really think that if you take care of a good Spyderco or Benchmade, it will give you service near or equal to a Sebenza. The question is just how heavy you can work knife for how long. All great knives are just that... great knives. I already can see that Chris Reeve knives are slightly better in quality than Benchmades or Spyderco, and reall the only reason they cost so much is because they aren't considered production knives, they're considered semi-custom only because a majority of the work is done by hand.

Thanks for the warning though.
 
I have a M1 in the Desert Tan and I have been very impressed with the quality for the price on this one. I would think this knife this would do just about anything you asked of it within reason.
 
I gave one to my younger son a couple of years ago and he destroyed it. I don't think I would carry any of their knives.
 
well, I saw them awile age but never got one. I recently purchased one from another member here and I really do like this knife. True it is not my best slicer but it does the trick on cutting everything I need it to do. So.... different strokes. Im sure that you can find "a user" to play with.I did and have no regrets.
 
vjb.knife how did he destroy it? Did he take care of it and was he prying something with it or something like that?

I'd like to get a plain edge in black, the one I have right now is combo edge. At the time I liked combo edges more for some reason or another. If I were to get one in plain edge, I'd probably change it to a flat grind on the blade, maybe try to make some custom grips out of micarta or G10...
 
I had Greg's custom version of the M-1 for many years. I just sold it here a few months back. Sometimes I wish I had it back. The blade shape wasn't the most ideal for everything but I used it for many outdoor related tasks. Just like the CRKT version, Greg's was a real tank and locked up as tight as you can get. It was pretty good for cutting the heads off trout and slicing the bellies open. With the deep belly on the blade, it also made a fairly decent skinning knife. I skinned quite a few deer with it. The tip was incredibly beefy and at the same time surprisingly sharp.
 
Mobile-eyez said:
vjb.knife how did he destroy it? Did he take care of it and was he prying something with it or something like that?

I'd like to get a plain edge in black, the one I have right now is combo edge. At the time I liked combo edges more for some reason or another. If I were to get one in plain edge, I'd probably change it to a flat grind on the blade, maybe try to make some custom grips out of micarta or G10...
Click to expand...

Both of my Sons are Eagle Scouts and when they were younger they were very hard on gear and did not take very good care of it. I gave my older Son a Kershaw (forgot the model) and a CRKT to the younger Scout and I don't think either of them lasted a year. Chipped blades, worn out pivots, bent liner locks, etc. Generally trashed. I don't think those knives took a very good edge either. When they were about 16 I gave the older one a Benchmade 710 because he's a lefty and it is ambidexterous and the younger one got my old Microtech SOCOM which both are still using now about four to six years later.

I think I still have the parts of the CRKT down in my workshop.
 
How is the lock up of that 710 after all the use? Probably rock solid like any Axis lock. I'm getting a 520 and a 710 before summer. How comfortable is the 710 for EDC? Seems like alot of knife to be carrying around every day. I look forward to getting both knives.
 
I gave a CRKT model to my neighbor, his boy used it to cut asphalt shingles for a chicken coop, where I found it. Screws missing, chips, ragged scratches, you name it. Boys that age can break bowling balls.

I cleaned it up and handed it back, never saw it again . . .
 
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