CRKT M-16Z liner lock failed.

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kgriggs8

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I have a CE CRKT M-16Z that I keep in the tool box at work. It used to be my work EDC but now it is just a back-up. I have nice BM 921 Switchback that I normally carry. Sometimes I forget it or something and that is when I use the M-16 again.

It has the Lawks system. The liner has been known to fail when not using the LAWKS so I use it when I need to put any pressure on the lock. I was cutting wire ties like I do everyday. It is a simple process of slipping the blade under the tie and levering the blade so you are using the resistance of the tie to help cut. It does put all the pressure on the lock but it is not abuse and it is not a lot of pressure.

Anyway, I tried to cut one of the tie wraps and the blade folded on me. Luckly I was wearing my gloves so I was not hurt. Also, I guess I never really trusted this knife so I wouldn't use it in a way that could get me hurt. I was surprised to see the LAWKS system fail as it seems like a fool proof system. It is not. THe little tab from the LAWKS got wedged between the liner and the other side of the frame when the liver bent and slipped past it.

Anyway, I looked up CRKT policy and they say that it is a life time warrenty. I sent it off to them just to see what they would do. This is the second CKRT that I have had to send back to the factory. I have only owned about 6-7 of them and two had to be returned. The other one was a Pointgaurd Minor that just fell apart in my pocket because the screws came loose. I got the replacement and traded it at a gun show towards a new BM 885.
 
I was looking at on of the m-16s with the LAWKS safety at Wal-Mart. The lock was "so defective" it wouldn't engage at all.
 
I really like a lot of CRKT's designs, but with their inferior materials & defective locks I don't even look at them when I'm ready to buy another knife.
 
My friend bought one of these as an impulse buy when we were at Wal-Mart a few weeks ago. I like the size and feel of the knife, but one of the first things I noticed about it was the extremely finicky lock. The LAWKS system doesn't seem to want to engage unless it is opened via the Carson flipper with a hard flicking motion. Using the thumbstuds to open the knife or not flicking it open hard enough results in the LAWKS not engaging. And if the LAWKS is not engaged then the liner fails under very little pressure to the spine of the blade.
 
I keep reading two types of reviews on the CRKT knives.
Love them. (These people usually have the more expensive versions with AUS8 steel.)
Hate them. (These folks usually have the less expensive versions with AUS4.)

The old storekeepers used to say, "All goods worth price charged." Maybe they had something there. Maybe the more expensive versions have something more than more expensive steel??
 
Interesting to see an actual experience with a failed liner lock, especially with the LAWKS engaged. I still think that liner locks depend more on the quality of the knife over the design of the liner lock itself.
 
CRKT knives to me are junk. This is just my opinion but I have owned several and they are not what I look for in a knife.
 
"I still think that liner locks depend more on the quality of the knife over the design of the liner lock itself."

I can't agree with that. I have a really well made Jim Downs custom folder that I had to send back to have the liner lock fixed. It would fail due not to the quality but to a slight angle being off on the lock. Mr. Downs says he got it fixed but he had to take it apart and work on it. Other than that, the quality was top notch. It is like a $400 knife made with the best materials. I think the liner lock was not designed well or just needed to be made a little different.

The funny thing is, up until a few weeks ago, I have only had one half way decent knife, fail it's liner lock. It was an older S&W SWAT which is not up to Spyderco standards or BM by a long shot. It was my first one hand type knife but it would fail the spine whack test if you hit a book or something hard enough. Never failed in my hand like the M-16s seem to do.

My M-16 was not the new one with the spring loaded LAWKS, it was the one that you had to thumb into place. When it failed, it left metal shaving in the lock. I left them there to show the factory exactly what happened.

I can't say that I am done with CRKT but I am not going to be buying any of them any time soon. There are just too many other decent lower priced knives out there. As for the higher end CRKT knives, I would rather just buy a Spyderco or BM for $80+ than spend it on a CRKT.
 
My liner lock on my M16-14SF was maxed out to the far side of the "tang", so I sent it in, and they replaced it. As mentioned earlier, nice design, not the greatest materials. Their customer service is good though, I'm sure you'll get a new knife in the next couple weeks, as I did. I only EDC my M16 when my Rat3 on a belt would be inappropraite - I trust it enough for "emergency" use, but not as my daily EDC. I hope CRKT treats you right. -Dice
 
I have a M16 EDC w/the auto lawks system. I have never had any problems with it. I whacked the spine pretty hard on a 2x4 10 or 12 times and it never budged. Funny they seem to use the auto lawks on the lower end folders and the lawks on the higher end. The auto lawks seems more sturdy to me.
 
A lot of people seem to agree that the older CRKTs were pretty nice (S-2, Mirage). I don't know what happened. They seem to be coming out with some interesting stuff again, e.g. I think the ergonomic design of their Ultima fixed blade looks pretty interesting and innovative, but nobody seems to trust them anymore.
 
The only CRKT I have or have ever had was the small Wasp designed by Howard Viele. It is DC'd and was produced a while back (4 years ago???--before LAWKES). The liner lock on that one is solid. It has beautiful blue and black G-10 scales. In general, I do not consider CRKT knives reliable. They are nice looking knives, but I will stick with Benchmade. As long as BM makes the Griptilian, there is no reason to buy a CRKT IMO.
 
Had the same problem with a point guard - wont touch them ever again . I dont like the LAWKS concept at all , sure as hell you.ll not have time to engage it when you really need it .

Chris
 
I, too, have a "love-hate" relationship with the M-16. When the LAWKS works, it is great. I have really given a tough workout and it has never failed me. I have the same problem with it engaging, sometimes it will not work. I have found that it does only work with the Carson Flipper, but not always. It is very strange in that if I oil it, it will work great for a few times and then quit. The same is true when I adjust the tensioner, it will work great for a tiem or two. I still use it some and I just make sure the the lock did engage.
 
I have a Tanto M16 that I keep in the BOB as a last resort its good to know that it may NOT be the correct choice for the duty. I think I'll stick to my old CQC 7 BM.

THanks.
 
kgriggs8 said:
"I still think that liner locks depend more on the quality of the knife over the design of the liner lock itself."

I can't agree with that. I have a really well made Jim Downs custom folder that I had to send back to have the liner lock fixed. It would fail due not to the quality but to a slight angle being off on the lock. Mr. Downs says he got it fixed but he had to take it apart and work on it. Other than that, the quality was top notch. It is like a $400 knife made with the best materials. I think the liner lock was not designed well or just needed to be made a little different.

The funny thing is, up until a few weeks ago, I have only had one half way decent knife, fail it's liner lock. It was an older S&W SWAT which is not up to Spyderco standards or BM by a long shot. It was my first one hand type knife but it would fail the spine whack test if you hit a book or something hard enough. Never failed in my hand like the M-16s seem to do.

My M-16 was not the new one with the spring loaded LAWKS, it was the one that you had to thumb into place. When it failed, it left metal shaving in the lock. I left them there to show the factory exactly what happened.

I can't say that I am done with CRKT but I am not going to be buying any of them any time soon. There are just too many other decent lower priced knives out there. As for the higher end CRKT knives, I would rather just buy a Spyderco or BM for $80+ than spend it on a CRKT.
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I was referring to the quality of the liner lock, not simply the price tag of the knife as opposed to the concept of the liner lock-type. From your post it appears that liner locks are okay in your book as long as it's well made, right? So I don't think we're in disagreement. Sorry I didn't articulate it very clearly.
 
I have a M16 14LE with auto-lawks and aus8. I have some irritating problem with a wiggle that I sorted out by bending the liner lock so that it goes almost all the way to the other side of the handle when engaged. The auto-lawks works great though. I once used the knife for heavy cutting and my hand disengaged the liner (by accident) and the lawks saved a couple of fingers. That turned me away from liners a bit and I am awaiting the arrival of my grip 551. I like the steel CRKT used. Though as hell and gets shaving sharp on my lansky, but seeing they are starting to use similar steel to 420j I think this is my first and last CRKT. But all and all I like the model I have.
 
mp510 said:
I was looking at on of the m-16s with the LAWKS safety at Wal-Mart. The lock was "so defective" it wouldn't engage at all.
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Same here. Actually checked out a couple because I couldnt believe that the lock simply would not engage AT ALL. The regular, alum handled models I've handled simply did not have this problem at all; they locked up VERY solid and seemed to be extremely rugged knives. But I will never own a zytel handled M16.
 
Well I got a NIB version of my old knife from CRKT. At least they honor their warrenty with no questions. I sent them the defective knife and they replaced it free of charge. Considering that I have only owned 6-7 CRKT knives and I have had to send two of them back because they broke, I am not impressed with the quality. I have owned about 100 Spydercos now and I have only ever had to send one back for repairs.

Sure CRKT has a good warrenty but I don't care. I would rather not need it and just have the knife work. I can't see myself buying any more CRKT knives until the quality improves by a large margin.
 
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