CRKT knives - opinions?

I really like CRKT knives (and prices
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), but I hate AUS6.

The large KFF felt way too big and heavy for me so I bought the small, which is a little too small. They need a medium-sized version. But now I carry a Sifu, so the large KFF can't be that big.

I also have a M16-03Z and damn that flipper is addictive. And fast! It's a feature I'd like to see on more knives. And the knife is very slim. I carried four months as my off-hand back pocket knife. Even with my clumsy left hand that knife would open quickly and reliably every time.

I had a large point guard as well. Overall shape and design was my favorite of them all, but the slots cut out of the scales and clip hurt my hand when gripped hard. I gave it to my brother 'cause he needed a good knife. I might get a custom one day w/o the slots b/c I like the design so much.

Also look at their brand new Tighe folder. I haven't seen one in person yet but it looks real nice online. And it's got a new kind of lock that CRKT speaks very highly of.

The new Ryan folder also looks like a good defensive piece, but IMO it's ugly as hell.

And their Wasp is absolutely gorgeous. It's a bit more expensive, and it's not a tactical, but it is smooooooth.

I really like CRKT's designs, quality of construction, and prices - but I hate AUS6.
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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"Is not giving a need? Is not receiving mercy?" - Thus Spoke Zarathustra
"Cutting his throat is only a momentary pleasure and is bound to get you talked about." - Lazarus Long
"Knowledge is not made for understanding; it is made for cutting." - Michel Foucault
 
I will second that! Aus-6 sucks, it goes blunt as you look at it!

The price and build quality of CRKT have often put my Benchmade knives to shame. However the Aus-6 is a big problem for me, as is the insistance of a bead blast finish
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Wayne.
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
 
DeLightsaber - Thank you. I certainly do feel very welcome here. This is a GREAT forum!

After looking at the CRKT knives again today, I really like the large M16 with the tanto style partially serrated blade. I was wondering... It appears to have a single edged blade (sharpened on one side only). Why would they make it like this? Is it for increased strength of the edge? Are blades designed like this better or worse than conventionally (double edged) designed ones? The M16 is made with AUS 8 steel, as opposed to AUS 6 for the Kasper/Crawford folder and Point Guard, so that is a good thing, I understand. Also, I really like the blade flipper feature! What are your opinions of the M16? I realize I’ve already heard some...I'd like to hear some more. Thanks, Jeff/1911.
 
OK, the argument is that it is a better... tactical grind as it is easier to sharpen and makes the blade sharper.

In the real world they are a pain in the but for several reasons, not least being that they won't cut straight and you will scratch the back of the blade if you are not careful sharpening. It is used cos its cheaper to grind only one side.

I bought this knife a year ago and was shocked when I saw the chisel grind. Sooooo, I used my DMT duostone on the course to grind a new angle on the other side and reduced the front side to 20 degree's. I finished with a Sharpmaker. The result? A knife I like a heck of a lot more! The 8a steel is fine and it is a great big chunky knife, mine is the exact model you are looking at. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me or ask me on the Forum. I am always willing to help a Knifeknut!

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Wayne.
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
 
General - I wondered about this edge style. Thanks for answering my questions...I was hoping that I could change it if desired... Glad to hear I can. Do all Tanto style blades come ground like this, w/ chisel grind? Cheers, Jeff/1911.
 
General (& others),

I just found the excellent review of the CRKT M16 last night in the faq/product reviews section (of bladeforums), and was very pleased to read about this knife so thoroughly. The reviewed sample sported a plain edged blade, which I really like the looks of.

Before I purchase mine, who likes what? plain edge or partially serrated...what should it be?

Jeff/1911.
 
I have a few M16 comments that might prove noteworthy. I bought an M16-11F a few weeks ago. It has a carbon fibre handle and a partially serrated AUS118 blade. The blade came in quite dull. Now that I think about it, I haven't heard anybody say that their M16 came in shaving sharp. It took A LOT of work to get the AUS118 shaving sharp. I tried emailing CRKT about my initial experience, and asking for tips on sharpening my M16, but was totally ignored by them. Bad customer service on their part. I had to "wing it" on my own. <IMG SRC="frown.gif" border="0">

My experience with the Point Guard and KFF were great. The M16 was not great. I'd only do an M16 under one of two conditions. The first would be that you are very good at sharpening, and possibly reprofiling blades. The second condition would be that you have the opportunity to inspect the knife before buying it.

I also wasn't very inpressed by the serrations. I'd go with the plain blade. I love the knife, but it was far too much work for the price. Spydercos don't look nearly as pretty as CRKTs, but you get a lot more bang for the buck.
 
Buzzbait,

Thank you for your response. I do really like the looks of the M16, and I think I'm hopelessly "hooked on the flipper". That sounds silly...doesn't it?

Anyway, I also really like the looks of the K/C large folder and the Point Guard too. I may end up buying one of each of these over time, knowing me how I do. Anyway, I will have the opportunity to handle the M16 that I buy, before purchasing it (if that's what I end up with) as my local shop stocks all of the different CRKT models. Thanks again for your response.

I will post my own "product review" of whichever CRKT knife I do buy, just for fun.

Cheers, Jeff/1911.
 
I don't know what the deal is w/CRKT and these chisel grinds. I think all the partially serrated versions have chisel grinds, while the plain edge are v-grinds.
btw, you don't sharpen the back of a chisel grind, just strop the burr off.
Anyway, I've been very impressed by my little M16-02Z. Very stout little knife.
Couple of negatives: The "Z" models have AUS-6 which plain sucks (AUS-8 is much better, IMO), and the washers look like they were cut from a plastic bottle cap.
Still, the blade opens pretty smooth, the lock engages on the left side of the tang, and there is zero blade play. The handles are comfortable, and I really like the design. Good bang for the buck, and very good fit/finish for an inexpensive knife, I think.
 
The M16 does have some nifty features. I wish mine had the Carson flipper, but the smaller carbon fibres don’t. <IMG SRC="frown.gif" border="0">

The lock-up on the M16 is much better than on my Point Guard and KFF. It better be though, as it doesn’t have the LAWKS gizmo. I really like the carbon fibre handle on mine too. It’s not the stiffest handle in the world, but it’s very light. The pattern on the carbon fibre has an excellent grip too. Of all my CRKTs, my buddies at work were most impressed by the carbon fibre M16.

OwenM – So I shouldn’t be sharpening both sides of my M16-11F, where there are no serrations? That tells you how much of a knife expert I am. I’ve been sharpening both sides of the non-serrated area. I’ll try just sharpening one side today, and stropping the other side. Maybe I’ll get a better edge this way. Thanks for the info. Would it make better sense to reprofile the non-serrated area to something a little more normal?
 
OwenM,

I appreciate your information about CRKT knives and the chisel grinds going with partially serrated blades. I haven't actually seen a plain edged M16 yet (have my local shop getting some in), but figured it would be the same as the partially serrated one I did handle, and this was the only thing I wasn't crazy about.

Jeff/1911.
 
Hey! What the hell happened to page two of this thread!?!

Anyway, I went out and put a specimen of my CRKT beloved model M-16-04 (full sized M16, tanto blade, plain edge) knife on hold today. I didn't have quite the whole amount to buy it, & wanted to secure this one I found in stock locally. Apparently, a big price increase is coming (at least to Canada) for CRKT knives with the next shipments.

We were right about the edge styles...the plain edged versions of these knives have a double angle grind, and the partially serrated versions use a chisel or single edged grind; I have to assume because they are already cutting the serrated part that way.

Next quest; I'm looking for the Spyderco to go with this CRKT M-16. I think a stainless handled Endura with either a plain edged blade, or a 50/50 style...Hmmmm. Apparently though, the standard Endura only comes in AUS-6 steel. Hmmmmmmmmmm, again. The lightweight version uses ATS-55, but I don't like the really lightweight "feel" quite so much although I'll bet they're a dream to carry. Your thoughts?

Jeff/1911.
 
Now have two M16-14M because the knife is so awesome for the price! The addition of the 1* is also nice . the only negative is that the knife only comes partially serrated. still waiting for my custom Carson M16. Dick
 
Budrichard,

I too am very enthusiastic about this knife. As I mentioned, I just bought the plain edged version but had a lot of trouble deciding between this and the partially serrated one.

Jeff/1911.
 
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