CRKT knives

65steve65

65steve65

Joined
Dec 9, 2012
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654
Hey guys i was just wondering what the general opinion of CRKT is? i have seen a few of their knives i really liked but didnt pull the trigger on them because i just dont know a whole lot about them. any opinions are appreciated!
 
If you really like their knives, buy them! Who cares what we think. Most of their designs never really appeal to me for one reason or another. Some of their handle and pocket clip designs look like something out of a sci-fi movie which I don't really care for. However, I do like their Shenanigan model and am considering picking one up, especially for the price.
 
0oi have seen 2 or three i like, the ripple, swindle, and the ignitor but i dont like waisting money if they are terrible
 
I have about a half a dozen or so, keeping in mind that you get what you pay for their a pretty good value for the money.

They use lower end steel on there economy knives, the QC is not to notch but again you get what you pay for.

They do have a lot of unique designs, they probably have the most collaboration knives of any company out so if you want to try some custom maker designs to see if you wanna pull the trigger on the more expensive knives it gives you a chance at a reasonable price.

I'd j say spend your money on a few and see what you think, worst case scenario you could always trade 'em.
 
The ripple is very nice. Lost mine and have torn the house, shop, and two cars apart trying to find it. I would not recommend any with the veff serrations though. They are ultra thin and chip easily.
 
I own a bunch of CRKT knives in my collection.

Yes they don't use the best blade steel but they produce an awesome production knife and some great collaborations.

One I've recently purchased that I really love is the Mah Eraser, just an amazing knife for the money.

The Ripple 2 is also a fantastic knife for the money and rides so smooth on IKBS.

Your best bet is to purchase one you like and see if you like it once it arrives.
 
CRKT produces some fun little blades, and that's what they are; fun. If I want a hard use folder that I'll use all day, it probably won't be a CRKT. More than likely it'll be a BM or Spyderco.

However, the CRKT Kiss Assist is one of my favorite 'light EDC' blades. Some may not like the AUS-4 steel that's used, but I think it's pretty awesome for it's role.
 
I have the razel folder and the stubby razel. Very unusual knives and very solid.
I would say the CRKTs are on par with the budget line of Chinese made Kershaws.
 
65steve65 said:
0oi have seen 2 or three i like, the ripple, swindle, and the ignitor but i dont like waisting money if they are terrible
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All 3 excellent. Have them all and they are just great knives.

CRKT is going through a big change in the last couple years. It kinda started with the Ken Onion collabs, and really took off this year. Great new designers, better steel options, great new knives, and a lot of other fun changes. They've always been a great maker and they have top notch service. They are not the top shelf brands that everyone here tells everyone are God's gift to the knife world. They are great quality moderately priced knives that work well. If you like some of them, try them out!
 
It seems like the quality has improved a great deal since they hired on Ken Onion. The addition of affordable IKBS folders means you get loads of fun for relatively little money and, while they're certainly not using premium steels, they have stepped up and most of the new stuff seems to be made from very serviceable steels that I can't really knock. I view them as being roughly on par with Cold Steel, but where CS went for the tough-as-nails thing CRKT seems to be more interested in putting out knives with a bit classier aesthetic that are still very affordable and functional. IMO, they've still got quite aways to go before they're in the same class as Benchmade, Spyderco or Kershaw but it looks like they're trying to get there the right way.
 
I owned a handful and looked into their older range.

One of the brainiest company that launched many awesome products. Yeah like CS, i wished these companies use better steels.

Just look at this one!
[video=youtube;OXNWx-Ce14M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXNWx-Ce14M[/video]
 
Moxy said:
Eros, sweet little knife. Sleeker than a Leek.
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Neet!

Lol, seriously though, I've been tempted a few times to get an Eros but I just can't get past the weird futuristic alien type looking handle. And the pocket clip on that thing....way too oddball for me. Just curious, anyone have any experience with the Shenanigan? Nutnfancy and Jdavis gave it pretty high praise.
 
Big fan. I have the K.I.S.S and it was my EDC for years. Now I have the Drifter and once I got rid of the pocket clip, it's a great EDC and backup.

You won't be disappointed.
 
Shenanigan is very nice, great ergonomics & smooth flipper, I would have one except personally I am not a fan of recurve blades.
I wish I could find an Erasure to handle, I have onlyheard good things about it.
 
r8shell said:
I would say the CRKTs are on par with the budget line of Chinese made Kershaws.
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I find them to be a bit lower compared to the budget Kershaws while costing a bit more as well.

I've got a Hammond Cruiser which is a pretty nice knife for the price if you like larger folders. At 9" OAL it's a beefy knife but I've come to really enjoy it.
 
I believe they are all made in China. That is my starting point. The steel is typical China knife steel, but overall the QC seems pretty good on the models I have handled. The pricing is not what I would consider cheap. They pay pretty good royalties to the knife designers from what I have been told. Some of these knife guys are pulling in 100K a year in royalties.

I have the Ringed Razel and Razel Stubbie. Bought them thinking that I would order or buy a custom but I never could get comfortable with the front chisel blade. I use the stubbie. I want to buy the larger folder version and feel that I would use that one as the stubbie is a little small for me. The price seems to always be going up everytime I get the urge to buy.
 
I only have a CRKT $17 Drifter.
It has the best fit and finish of my small collection including Victorinox! The only thing "wrong" about it is when I want a really smooth opening the blade is not centered when closed.
The mentioned opening is really smooth by the way.
 
The guys at CRKT seem to have been stepping up their game lately. I handled a lot of their knives a few years back when I owned a knife store and found minor QC slips and cosmetic flaws rather often in their lower priced offerings (which I guess is to be expected from most companies). I've owned a few and only ended up keeping one, a Folts Minimalist that I really like.

They do have some new knives that look pretty appealing. The main thing keeping me from buying them is the low quality materials they use (although they have improved lately). Country of origin plays a part, too. I've got this ridiculous bias against Taiwanese and Chinese knives, even though I've been proven wrong time and time again. I'm very slowly getting over it.
 
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