CRKT Ken Onion Eros

CRKT really stepped it up on these knives and are doing a great job. They built these knives using my CAD drawings. Thanks for the props !!! Aloha!! Ken

Many thanks for the input Ken.

But props/kudos go to you and Doug Flagg for keeping on top of the manufacturing -
it was well worthwhile - as the results show - at least in the samples I have handled.

My sample of the CRKT Eros is probably the best factory knife I have had in terms of build quality and finish.

I feel these knives may have opened a new era for CRKT.

--
Vincent

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Hi Vincent -

Very nice review- I really like the way you picture the knives with other similar knives in profile to show the relative size and shapes etc., a nice touch.

Thank you for the reveiw, I'll have to go looking at this new design as I would like to feel the IKBS.

I also really like most Ken Onion designs, the sharp pointy tips are good for normal every-day tasks that I usually find myself needing a blade to perform.

best regards -

mqqn
 
I really like the way you picture the knives with other similar knives in profile to show the relative size and shapes etc., a nice touch.

Thank you for your kind words -
actually I had been doing flashlight comparison reviews for years and titled them as such -
to me, knife reviews just seemed less obvious -
but it appears from the feedback that it is equally applicable here.....

So taking that hint - here's a very relevant comparison that I and others have pointed out -
the CRKT KO Eros is very similar to the now classic Kershaw KO Leek -
Eros_LeekOpn.jpg


Eros_LeekCls.jpg

They do have pretty strong family resemblance in the pics.

But what can't be shown in photos is that the feel and weight are definitely different - if didn't seem so dangerous, I would suggest a blindfold test :eek: probably would not reveal how similar the knives are in looks.....

This comparison below probably is also worthwhile -
just because the other knife is so well known -
Eros_SAK_Ypse.jpg


Note all these photos have been scaled to display life-size on my PC monitor at 96dpi - hopefully they will do so on other PC monitors (Macs are supposed to be 72dpi, so probably show at 133% life-size)
there is a ruler in inches anyway in all my pics, so one can actually measure the knives.....

--
Vincent

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great presentation/review, I also like the clip treatment on both knives, Ken really must have put some thought into these.
 
I'm going to stray a bit from all the Eros love (hmm, eros eros?). I like the less pointy and angular blade of the Ripple for a edc. I've found that I'm too likely to use the point on a regular basis to have the super pointy style blades as an EDC. Visually I like the Eros and how it matches the styling of the handle, but from a practical perspective the Ripple 2 is more functional without worrying about damage to the tip. CRKT has it at a nice price point too.
 
I like the less pointy and angular blade of the Ripple for a edc. I've found that I'm too likely to use the point on a regular basis to have the super pointy style blades as an EDC. Visually I like the Eros and how it matches the styling of the handle, but from a practical perspective the Ripple 2 is more functional without worrying about damage to the tip. CRKT has it at a nice price point too.

First, welcome to BladeForums! I am flattered you chose this thread to be your first post.

Good thoughts - as I said my at home EDC is the Eros, and I can easily lay my hands on other suitable tools should the occasion arise - so it is unlikely that the pointy tip would get inappropriate usage - I find the pointy tip very useful for opening envelopes etc. while walking back from the mailbox :cool:

However I am trial EDC'ing the Ripple 2 as my away from the house EDC - exactly because of its less pointy tip, and as I might not have access to the correct tool - although I have always EDC'd my trusty SAK with screwdrivers (for over 18 years now) -
Scientist2.jpg

- so abuse is unlikely -
but there is always the possibility...
so I carry the Ripple 2.

Please see this gigantic thread -

EDC - What's in Your Pocket(s)??

--
Vincent

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Thanks for the welcome. I'm finding that it's a very friendly crowd here, much more so than most places.

I generally carry a little gerber clutch along with a knife, but after breaking a couple pointy points I've decided to just accept that I will do it and stick to more of a spear point design. These days I'm carrying a CS Voyager with a tanto style blade just because it's what I had around that was suitable for edc after losing my last one. For the life of me I can't remember what that one was, but it was a fairly small liner lock with a spear point design, the blade almost looked like a dagger grind but wasn't ground to an edge on the top. If I run across another I'll buy it, or maybe make something similar. I have a Knifekits.com stinger I'm testing various things on and when I'm done it might be my next edc just because it's a nice size, thickness and price. If I lose it I won't feel bad at all. For those who haven't tried them, they're very nice little "kits" and with the change to metal washers rather than nylon they are quite solid for the size.
 
As much as I love Ken Onion designs, and am loving this newest Eros, that thing is WAY overpriced. $60 is the max they should be asking for it.
 
Those honestly don't look like bad little knives, the only thing I despise is the clips on them...COME ON! Awful looking, especially the eros.
 
As much as I love Ken Onion designs, and am loving this newest Eros, that thing is WAY overpriced. $60 is the max they should be asking for it.

$60 for intricately machined 6Al4V titanium? From a shop that does as good of quality as these knives seem to be? What world are you living on? Maybe $60 in in aluminum from an average mainland Chinese factory, but in Ti from a quality Taiwanese maker the $140-$150 street price is more than fair. Spyderco's Taiwanese Ti knives are in the same ballpark. I haven't bought a CRKT in quite a while, but I think one of these is going into my pocket. :D
Just my $0.02
Greg
 
Thanks again for the reviews and comments . Do you guys think I should maybe do an Eros 2 with a different blade? Maybe a warny or a drop point? I personally love this knife with the pointy delicate blade but understand why there needs to be another version with a beefier blade for heavier tasks. What do you guys think?
 
I would say drop point since it is supposed to be a modern pen knife. Wharnie would still be a little delicate.

Just to add, I think your Bump design is great. My favorite design.
 
Thanks again for the reviews and comments . Do you guys think I should maybe do an Eros 2 with a different blade? Maybe a warny or a drop point? I personally love this knife with the pointy delicate blade but understand why there needs to be another version with a beefier blade for heavier tasks. What do you guys think?

OK I'd vote for a modified drop point - like the Ripple blades.

But I do want to point out (sorry about the pun)
At first I thought the Eros blade was too pointy and might be delicate -
and almost preferring the Ripple blade which seems to be a good compromise for more delicate cutting and being beefier.

However having lived with the Eros as my at home EDC I have found the pointy and slim tapering blade so much more useful for my daily knife using routines around the house -
one of which is opening envelopes - the Eros inserts and zips the envelope open just like that -
whereas in contrast, both the smaller and larger Ripples still do a good job - but not the way the Eros does it, the initial insertion is not as good plus I have to cut upwards to enlarge the insertion point and the cut is mostly on the more pronounced belly - whereas the Eros blade zips with continuity along the length of the blade which makes it simply stunning in this usage.

People may well laugh at such minor and mundane usage - but that's the whole point of an EDC - it mainly gets mundane and unexciting usage - that's why it's an EDC - I do not live in a jungle or war-zone to deploy (like that word?) my knife for anything dramatic or tactical usage - my knives get "normal" usage - and a Gentical is just about right for a description (and I still have to watch my spelling!)

--
Vincent

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Thanks again for the reviews and comments . Do you guys think I should maybe do an Eros 2 with a different blade? Maybe a warny or a drop point? I personally love this knife with the pointy delicate blade but understand why there needs to be another version with a beefier blade for heavier tasks. What do you guys think?
Personally, that pointy tip is icing on the cake of a beautiful knife. Did you run into any opposition from the bean counters regarding warranty concerns about about that tip? I need another knife like I need another hole in the head but that tip just makes that knife more desirable. Kudos to you and CRKT for bucking the trend.
 
OK I'd vote for a modified drop point - like the Ripple blades.

But I do want to point out (sorry about the pun)
At first I thought the Eros blade was too pointy and might be delicate -
and almost preferring the Ripple blade which seems to be a good compromise for more delicate cutting and being beefier.

However having lived with the Eros as my at home EDC I have found the pointy and slim tapering blade so much more useful for my daily knife using routines around the house -
one of which is opening envelopes - the Eros inserts and zips the envelope open just like that -
whereas in contrast, both the smaller and larger Ripples still do a good job - but not the way the Eros does it, the initial insertion is not as good plus I have to cut upwards to enlarge the insertion point and the cut is mostly on the more pronounced belly - whereas the Eros blade zips with continuity along the length of the blade which makes it simply stunning in this usage.

People may well laugh at such minor and mundane usage - but that's the whole point of an EDC - it mainly gets mundane and unexciting usage - that's why it's an EDC - I do not live in a jungle or war-zone to deploy (like that word?) my knife for anything dramatic or tactical usage - my knives get "normal" usage - and a Gentical is just about right for a description (and I still have to watch my spelling!)

--
Vincent

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Vincent , I agree . I carry an Eros everyday (as well as a few others) and I feel that the more I use it , the more I love it . I use it for everything but heavy use which as you mentioned is what we mainly use an everyday knife for . I seem to select it more than any of the other knives I carry in my pocket.
The original thought for the knife came from reading a book which had a section on the knives our founding fathers carried . I noticed they all had small knives with very pointy blades that they used for shaping the quills they used for pens back in the day. Well I figured if I was gonna design a gentleman's knife why not start from the beginning and design a knife influenced by the founding fathers as a kind of tribute to them. Now of course I didn't want to go to old school and make it look like there knives I wanted it to have some attitude and a modern twist but thought using a bit of history as the design influence would be cool. I really like the way it came out and am more than pleased with how well it works.
That being said I am not against doing another beefier version to add to the mix for those that are on the fence, that could be cool to. What do you guys think?
 
Hi Ken,
Is there any differance between the original Ripple that I own and wear daily and the Ripple #2?. I just noticed the Eros in Blade magazine and want to ad it to my collection. This knife is not in my opinion assisted so it is legal to carry(( I Hope)) Great Knives !!
Robert
 
Is there any differance between the original Ripple that I own and wear daily and the Ripple #2?. I just noticed the Eros in Blade magazine and want to ad it to my collection. This knife is not in my opinion assisted so it is legal to carry(( I Hope))

First I am very envious that you have a real Ken Onion Ripple....

Second I am obviously not Ken Onion :o....

Are you talking about a Ken Onion original Ripple #2
or the CRKT Ripple 2?

If CRKT then the Ripple 2 is a smaller version - this might help with comparison pics -

Review -
CRKT Ken Onion Ripple

what the heck - here -
RippleSz.jpg


Neither the CRKT Eros or the Ripple are assisted - they both are flippers without the use of any assisting spring.

If however you are talking about a Ken Onion original -
I'll leave it for Ken Onion to answer that.......


I agree . I carry an Eros everyday

Ken are you saying you carry a CRKT Eros everyday -
or one of your own made ones?

--
Vincent

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Vincent , I am carrying the first CRKT prototype Eros for everyday. But I have a custom one I carry when I put my dancin shoes on . :)
 
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