Crkt m-21 g10

[Mistwalker]

Since I have been playing with some of the new CRKT tools lately I decided to check out the M-21. It has an over-all length 9.25 inches when open, and just under 5.5 inches when closed. The blade has a length of 3.9 inches, is 0.14 (9/64) 3.5mm thick, and it's made of 8Cr14MoV stainless steel. It has very grippy G-10 scales over stainless liners, and even the pivot pin and thumb studs have the same texture to make for a sure grip.

As with the M-16 it has the "carson Flipper" blade extension to assist in opening the blade quickly. The teflon liners make for a nice smooth action too with no play at all when open.

I like how the autolawks system is a great redundant locking feature as secure blade lock-up has always been one of my major issues with folding blades. Even better is that now it's spring-loaded and automatically engages upon opening so you only have to actuate the lever when closing the knife. This does take a minute to get used to but after a couple of minutes it is an easy one-hand operation. In these pics you can see how the autolawks system works, When you open the knife the spring pushes the lock behind the lever so the lever can't accidentally be pushed from behind the blade during use.

It is a full sized knife with an ample handle that's easy to keep a grip on, and the Lawk lever doesn't get in the way during use.

 

[Mistwalker]

They market it as having a "razor edge" and it definitely lives up to that. The spear point re-curved blade comes with a great edge that whittles really well, and the knife handles well doing so. For a knife with a pocket clip it's actually pretty comfortable to use

 

[WoodenChicken]

Great review and pictures. I have an old M21-12 that has 3" combo blade, you really can't kill this knife. I have been very pleased with it, but the g10 model looks good, and a better sized option.
CRKT knives that I have owned, have all been good quality.

 

[Mistwalker]

Great review and pictures. I have an old M21-12 that has 3" combo blade, you really can't kill this knife. I have been very pleased with it, but the g10 model looks good, and a better sized option.
CRKT knives that I have owned, have all been good quality.

Thanks man, glad you liked the pics. I had an older one...don't remember the model number, but seems like it was before the M-16 but looked really similar to it, but the lawk on it was manual though. It held up really well till it walked off the job site one day. I really like how the lawk on this one is automatic.

 

[Tostig]

I have one of the aluminum handled models , really it's not a bad knife at all. Only negative IMO is the chisel grind ( it's a combo edge ).

Tostig

 

[Mistwalker]

I have one of the aluminum handled models , really it's not a bad knife at all. Only negative IMO is the chisel grind ( it's a combo edge ).

Tostig

So the combo versions are only sharpened on one side? I had an Emerson Design Benchmade like that once. It was a bit odd at first but was one of my favorite knives after I had it for a few months.

 

[slt]

So the combo versions are only sharpened on one side? I had an Emerson Design Benchmade like that once. It was a bit odd at first but was one of my favorite knives after I had it for a few months.

On mine (M21-12G Veff) the serrations are only sharpened on one side. I'm not sure if it's a true chisel grind, because the serrated part is still part of/underneath the saber grind (if that doesn't make any sense, I apologize. Grinds aren't really my area of knowledge). I'd assume this is the case with the standard serrations as well.

 

[Mistwalker]

On mine (M21-12G Veff) the serrations are only sharpened on one side. I'm not sure if it's a true chisel grind, because the serrated part is still part of/underneath the saber grind (if that doesn't make any sense, I apologize. Grinds aren't really my area of knowledge). I'd assume this is the case with the standard serrations as well.

Ok, I understand now. I have an Ultima with the Veff serrations so I understand what you mean. Yes that is standard with serrations of all types that I've seen.

 

[knarfeng]

Nice review, as usual. Well laid out with useful information and good pics.

I was just thinking the other day that I'd not seen any of your reviews recently.
Glad to see this one.

8Cr14MoV is a Chinese alloy that is fairly similar to AUS8 en edge retention if both are taken to the same hardness.

 

[Mistwalker]

Nice review, as usual. Well laid out with useful information and good pics.

I was just thinking the other day that I'd not seen any of your reviews recently.
Glad to see this one.

8Cr14MoV is a Chinese alloy that is fairly similar to AUS8 en edge retention if both are taken to the same hardness.

Thanks Knarfeng, nice to know I was missed , glad you liked the review.

Thanks for the info, I've only had a little experience with this steel. Very familiar with AUS8 so that will make a good ref. point for me.

 

[untamed]

Another great review. Thanks for taking the time!

I've been leery of CRKT for a long time, although I must admit I love the simple, practical designs by Kit Carson, which these folders were based on. The latest additions they did on this knife seem to work well though.

 

[Mistwalker]

Another great review. Thanks for taking the time!

I've been leery of CRKT for a long time, although I must admit I love the simple, practical designs by Kit Carson, which these folders were based on. The latest additions they did on this knife seem to work well though.

Thank you, I'nm glad you enjoyed the review. I definitely like the new autolawk better than the old manual one. And the G-10 feels great.

 

[vic2367]

well mistwalker you just changed my mind on getting one of these,,was leery of crkt ,,but im liking this particular model ,,my next purchase..great review,,many thanks

 

[Mistwalker]

Thanks, it seems to be a good folder, especially for the money. Feels pretty good in the hand, is a good sized knife but doesn't weigh a ton. I like the simple one handed action.