CRKT Knives

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Spartan05

Joined
Mar 2, 2007
Messages
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Well looking through all the posts recently I noticed that there wasn't a lot of post about CRKT Knives. I don't know if thats for a good reason. anyway I was looking through there knives and found this one, thought it looked interesting does anybody have suggestions.

http://www.crkt.com/M21sf.html
 
i would never pay anywhere near MSRP for a CRKT, nor would i spend anything over $100 on one, and man it would have to be a really cool one.

the M21 is "ok" i suppose, if ya want that style i would check out the Ti M16, its imho the best of the M16 line.

once ya get into the ~$90 and up, there are a lot of better knives around than a CRKT, ie BM and spyderco, EKI, etc.

imho CRKTs are kinda a entry lever folder, much like cold steel, not a bad knife but not the best either.

some CRKTs have really crummy steel (aus4) and there liner locks are not the best around by far.
 
The second flipper that forms "a true hilt" would be objectionable to me. I like to be able to put my thumb out on top of the blade to guide it when needed.

Also agree with SIFUA1 about pricing. That's a lot of money for a 4" chunk of AUS8. I can get a 4" AUS8 KaBar Mule for ~$40.

But my understanding is that the quality on the AUS8 bladed CRKT knives is better than on their AUS4 models. So this one could be OK in that regard.

But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If this one rings your chimes GO for it, use it and then tell us how good it is and that we don't know nothin'.:D

=======================
He don't know nothin'
Doesn't even suspect very much.
 
Spartan05 said:
Well looking through all the posts recently I noticed that there wasn't a lot of post about CRKT Knives. I don't know if thats for a good reason. anyway I was looking through there knives and found this one, thought it looked interesting does anybody have suggestions.

http://www.crkt.com/M21sf.html
Click to expand...

I think people on the forum prefer to talk about more expensive or more exotic hardware. The CRKT knives are very popular and are a good value for what they are. I suggest you buy what appeals to you. If that happens to be what is popular on the forum, fine. If not, also fine.
 
I have an older M-16 and a Ti and a few other CRKTs and (at least for me) they are nice knives. I do like the blade shape on the 21 and it does catch my eye. The edge grind on my 16 is chisel but on my Ti it isn't, can't say what it is on the 21. IMHO AUS-8 is a good steel and I have had no problems with it. I do, though, consider myself a "light-to-medium" user of these knives so keep that in mind.

WOOK
 
I have several CRKT's , in my opinion CRKT can be hit or miss.

For example I would not buy , much less own a Rollock or any of the KISS line , just do not appeal to me plus the Rollock had more blade play than a Fury knife.

I got an M16-13Z last summer on sale for $19.99, a bargain ! I too would not pay full price for a knife like this , find it on sale.
I have been putting this knife thru hell, close to abuse because I want to prove to myself that some of the folks on here are just biased and like to spread hearsay - no offense intended to anyone - , so far the knife has held up fine , the LAWKS works without a hitch , the Aus6 is easy to sharpen and takes a wonderful edge and surpsingly holds it longer than I expected , I used it one night to make around 15 cardboard record boxes for shipping , if you've ever cut quantities of cardboard you know how fast it can dull a blade , this one held up fine thruout the process.

At any rate, shop around and find one at a good price so if it is not what it was cracked up to be you wont feel so bad. :D


edit - second what John W said , I am not too sure if I would use my M16 like as the one knife I can take with me into the wilderness sort of thing. You are getting what you pay for. I do not expect my M16 to last forever , unlike my more expensive knives.
 
Thanks for the advice, I figured there was a reason why nobody talked about CRKT on these forums. And I was thinking about buying this as a general purpose work knife opening boxes carrying it around the house.
 
If you want a general purpose EDC knife for use around the house, you might be better served by some of CRKT's other offerings, rather than their "Special Forces" model. It's really not the ideal design for pocket carry (due to the dual flipper), but I'd suggest checking out some of the new models, such as the M4, the Tighe series or the Anubis.
 
Spartan05 said:
Thanks for the advice, I figured there was a reason why nobody talked about CRKT on these forums. And I was thinking about buying this as a general purpose work knife opening boxes carrying it around the house.
Click to expand...


CRKT's are okay and you'll probably find several models that suit your needs. For what it's worth, they do make decent knives and I've owned several. Most savvy knife enthusiasts tend to regard CRKT overall as an "entry-level" brand. They put out great designs, however, the materials used on most of their models are rather pedestrian. That said, I do like the look of the upcoming M4 and the Hissatsu folder, but it's a shame that a company like CRKT is hesitant to move forward with more exotic handle materials and higher-grade steels.
 
I have a First Strike and a My Tighe. I couldn't be happier with the quality of either, although the My Tighe(which was razor sharp out of the box) could be a little lighter. As far as MSRP is concerned, you've got to be kidding me. Who pays MSRP for anything that isn't somehow severely limited in production?




PS: I'm thinking about getting one of the M60-16s.
 
I like many of CRKT's designs, the M21 being one of my favorites. But, all the CRKT liner locks I've seen have had the liner prematurely wear and move fully across the tang in a matter of weeks to months. Because of this, I haven't purchased any CRKT liner locks except the Viele Wasp (which the liner has been more durable than the M-series ones I've seen). The My Tighe and Mini My Tighe are very nice and I wouldn't worry about those since they are frame locks. Lock up is solid and overall build quality is very nice.
 
I haven't bought a CRKT knife in many years, but of the ones I've gotten, IMO the Hammond-designed Mirage series was very well-done; these have long been discontinued. I gave a small wharncliffe-bladed Mirage to a relative almost 8 years ago, and it's used a lot, is scratched up, and I've had to readjust the pivot once and resharpen it several times, but it's held up well. The lock still is solid and locks up at the same spot as when new.

I have an original large spear-pointed Mirage and though not used much anymore, it's held up nicely. No LAWKS feature on it, but the liner still locks securely and hasn't moved any further either. Cuts like crazy and easy to resharpen.

About the only CRKT knife that's caught my eye in recent years is the My Tighe. I examined one at a shop and was impressed by the power in the assisted-opening. The frame lock was solid and the blade and handle had great fit and finish. It's not really on my list of 'must-haves', but IMO it would make a great buy.
Jim
 
i have an old wharncliff mirage that still has a place in my EDC rotation
i have never had an issue with the liner lock, the zytel handle is pretty sturdy and the backspacer adheres perfectly to the steel liners - which can't be said about some of my (more expensive) BMs
yes, the AUS 6 blade has to be resharpened monthly and yes they don't use PB washers, but if you like it and the price is fair - go for it
 
I've been using my CRKT Lightfoot M1 for the past few months and am pleased with it. It's a stout knife with a really nice feel to it. I like the way it fits my hand and that it was a nice bargain (in the $40 range) and is made from AUS 8 steel.

The liner is a bit thinner than those on my Benchmades and it is right about halfway across the base of the blade, but having dealt with their customer service, I'm confident that they would make things right if it wears much more.

Anyway, it's another CRKT that doesn't get much press that maybe ought to.
 
I have a few and love them. If you don't want to have to spend $100+ on an EDC knife, IMO most CRKT knives are a great bargain, especially if you can catch them on sale.
 
I picked up a CRKT Anubis today. It's very stout and hefty. Lockup is rock solid too. Of course, it's nowhere near the fit and finish of an Elishewitz custom Anubis, but it certainly a good looking full sized production folder. Materials are typical CRKT: the basic AUS8 blade with a stainless steel frame under Zytel scales. Yeah, the usual. The black scales have a faux wood grain appearance which adds some nice texture to the knife's handle and the gold plated Elishewitz logo on the blade looks nice but serves no purpose other than a decorative one. What impressed me the most is how solid the button lock mechanism engages. No bladeplay in any direction, plus with the AutoLAWKS in play accidental closings are very unlikely. I can foresee an auto conversion in the works (unless one is out already). Curiously, the blade lack the Taiwan stamp, although the box clearly states it's a product of Taiwan. As much as I like the folder, I dream of the day CRKT moves forward and starts using G-10 or at the very least upgrade the steel to something like VG-10. Still, it's quite a handsome and hefty working knife.
 
Why no interest???

Well let's see:

Lower end steel--while decent ---there are better grades these days.

Made in Taiwan---nuff said---I'll buy a $25 Taiwan Byrd----but $130!?!?!? NOT!!!

One of those links actually wants more than stated MSRP---sheesh

$130 gets you into a decent Benchmade or higher end Spyderco---with much better steel and workmanship.

Heck --$130 gets you a custom shop Buck 110 with your choice of blade steel and handle scales----made in USA
 
What CRKT costs $130 dollars?

Ain't nothing wrong with made in Taiwan these days. By the way Byrds are made in China. ;)

Granted, I wouldn't pay $130 bucks on a CRKT, but then again I never pay full retail. Benchmade and Spyderco are definitely a step up, but CRKT knives aren't junk either. They're far better than the rubbish being put out by Gerber nowadays.
 
rebeltf said:
I have several CRKT's , in my opinion CRKT can be hit or miss.

For example I would not buy , much less own a Rollock or any of the KISS line , just do not appeal to me plus the Rollock had more blade play than a Fury knife.

I got an M16-13Z last summer on sale for $19.99, a bargain ! I too would not pay full price for a knife like this , find it on sale.
I have been putting this knife thru hell, close to abuse because I want to prove to myself that some of the folks on here are just biased and like to spread hearsay - no offense intended to anyone - , so far the knife has held up fine , the LAWKS works without a hitch , the Aus6 is easy to sharpen and takes a wonderful edge and surpsingly holds it longer than I expected , I used it one night to make around 15 cardboard record boxes for shipping , if you've ever cut quantities of cardboard you know how fast it can dull a blade , this one held up fine thruout the process.

At any rate, shop around and find one at a good price so if it is not what it was cracked up to be you wont feel so bad. :D


edit - second what John W said , I am not too sure if I would use my M16 like as the one knife I can take with me into the wilderness sort of thing. You are getting what you pay for. I do not expect my M16 to last forever , unlike my more expensive knives.
Click to expand...

You've got it right. My BIG hit was full sized Apache folder for 25 bucks. A titanium framelock w/ ATS-34 is a steal at that price. It's my primary beater knife when not using my spyderco's or fixed blades.
 
I think that CRKT puts out a lot of decent quality knives in practical designs at relatively decent prices. My CRKT's are fixed blades. The one M-16 that I looked at had a defective lock, which was disappointing. I also had a problem with defective screws being included with a sheath- though they quickly sent me a replacement set gratis.

They are a decent company, that usually sells decent knives. Other than that, I can't say much... I own some, and I like the M-21- but there's no way I would splurge MSRP for it.
 
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