CRKT M-16: Tanto or Spear Point?

J

James Y

Joined
Feb 18, 1999
Messages
6,504
I know the Carson "flipper" is only available on the large Tanto, but I like the looks of the spear point version. Anyone have a preference and why?
Jim
 
Spear point seems stronger. I bent a tanto tip to one of those in a piece of plywood, and plywood isn't all that strong, so I was kinda bummed. But it wasn't my knife so I wasn't bummed all that long
biggrin.gif


Might of been a defect, must of been...
 
Both are great knives for the money, but my preference runs toward the spear point Zytel version. The thing still has dual steel liners, is slimmer in profile and is as tough as a nail to boot. I brutally beat the spine trying to break the lock (Hey! It's only $32.50!) and it would NOT disengage. The spear point has proven to be very practical, much more so for me than the tanto, and the overall slim profile of the knife rides really nice in the pocket and is not as heavy as the all metal version.
Overall, I find it much more useful then the tanto.

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So, what IS the speed of dark?

 
I have the M16-02Z (the small one) with tanto and the flipper. I wish I had another type of blade. Nice knife but not as useful to me as the spearpoint/drop points on other knives. It sucks opening envelopes. Other than that, I like it.
 
In real life how does that "flipper" work out? Does it add something or just get in the way. I like the looks of this but have never handled one.

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Tim

 
I have the large tanto with the flipper and when I first got it I wasn't too impressed and said so on rec.knives. Well Kit acutally emailed me and explained the flipper and why the clip was down farther than I thought necessary. I got the hang of slapping the flipper with my index finger while doing a slight flip maneuver. More complicated to explain than do. The blade flys out as fast as any of my autos and not a problem with leo's. I purchased the tanto for a backup while still a leo. I an no longer in law enforcement and would pefer the spear point as being more versatile.

John
 
The thumb stud sits in a "well" in the scales and so the blade is not as easy to start as other knives, hence the flipper which will kick the blade about 75-80 degrees open. Incidentally, I love the size of the 02. The perfect knife for me would be this size with a spearpoint blade.
 
Thanks, all, for the replies.
Today at the gun show I picked up the new Zytel handled version, spear point. I originally picked out the semi-serrated version, then exchanged it for a full plain edge. This Zytel spear point also has the Carson Flipper on it, which makes opening it so much easier, as the studs are a bit rough. Quality-wise, it is unbelievable I paid only $39.00 for it. At some tables, the spear point versions were selling like hotcakes. Fit and craftsmanship-wise, it at least stands up there with my Benchmades.
Jim
 
The Zytel M16 is one of the great knife bargains. Another is the Outdoor Edge Zytel Magna.

[This message has been edited by HarlowJ (edited 19 December 1999).]
 
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