CRKT M16-13Z or Cold Steel Counter Point 1?

[rschuch]

I'm starting to wind down my collection and trying to avoid having too many designs that are similar. I've been thinking about getting the Cold Steel Counter Point 1, but already have other stiletto style knives, including the CRKT M16-13Z and a Boker Magnum Italian Classic (and a Frank Beltrame switchblade and a Falcon lockback). Nothing special or pricey. I was looking at the Al Mar Sere 2000, which is a little out of my price range and saw the Counter Point 1 with the triad lock and thick blade, which I prefer over the Ti Lites thinner blade and liner lock.

SO, I guess I'm looking for an excuse to buy the Cold Steel, but if anyone has the CRKT AND the Cold Steel, I just wanted to ask, is the "feel" about the same? Is the triad lock that different? Is the CS blade thicker than the CRKT or is it about the same? Do you prefer one over the other? I'd appreciate any comments on this to help me make a decision.

Thanks

 

[Riley12]

I had them both, and gave the CRKT to my girlfriend and she loves it. I love the Counter point, but I actually just finished modding mine. The blade is currently getting an acid etch. The CRKT feels a little heavier from what I remember but the Cold Steel is stronger(Tri-Ad lock). I like the flipper on the CRKT but I added a wave to my Cold Steel. The handle on the CRKT is slimmer too. Pocket clip on the CRKT is only tip down and cold steel is only tip up, also.

 

[rschuch]

Nice mod! I take it both edges are sharp now?
Sounds like both are comparable quality-wise. I'm messing around with my CRKT right now and it DOES flip nice. The blade may be shorter than the CS (3.5" instead of 4"), but I like the combo edge, and it may not have the tri-ad lock but it does have the LAWKS system to keep the liner lock from failing.

 

[Riley12]

Actually, nope still just the main edge.
Here's after I etched it too to take care of that shiny clip


The lawks system is nice and I was used to it but the steel on the CRKT was sub par, and I know Aus-8 isn't great but it's easy to maintain and holds an edge longer than whatever the CRKT is(I believe it's 8CR14MOV).

If you like the CRKT but still want a tri-ad lock knife grab up a Voyager, especially in the new steel they'll be great.

 

[Riley12]

My bad, they're both Aus-8. The cold steel Aus-8 seems a little better heat treated to me

 

[Goosey]

Ah! I picked up a Counter Point 1 not too long ago. I haven't had the change to use it much yet so I can only give first impressions. I also used to have an M16-03Z a couple years ago but can only compare from memory.

No, they don't feel the same. The Counter Point 1 is larger and the Tri-Ad lock is much stronger. It is smooth but due to the lock and lack of flipper, it's not fun to open and close like the CRKT. The handle is thicker and taller, it fills the hand more. My CRKT developed some blade play, admittedly after abusing it some, but if it's anything like my other Tri-Ad locks the Cold Steel wouldn't. The lock bar was unpleasant to depress but seems to have smoothed out some already. From the factory it had uneven bevels (one side under 40 deg, one much over) but was otherwise good in fit and finish. It took quite some time to reprofile to about 35 deg with DMT aligner clamp and diamond benchstone. One thing I don't like is that the tip is not concealed much into the handle, it only needs to move ~1.5-2 mm up or backwards to be exposed, but this is unlikely to cause a problem. The handle is not as grippy as the Recon 1 but it is not slick, the guard does seem like it would work to stop your hand sliding onto the blade. The pocket clip is tight but not as bad as those nasty things on the Voyager or Recon 1, probably due to less texture too. Overall it's a solid knife and I like it. To me it looks better in person than Cold Steel's renderings (as seen here). This video (here) has some nice shots of the knife. With this type of grind, not the best slicer, but I wanted a dagger-type spearpoint.

I measured the CP1 after I sharpened it, Cold Steel's specs are a bit off:

Blade length: 3.74" (from front of bolster)
Blade thickness: 3.4 mm
Handle length: 5.09"
Handle thickness: 2/3"
Weight: 4.84 oz

 

[rschuch]

Thanks for taking the time and providing details! While there's no play in the CRKT blade now, the liner lock does seem thin and on the Cold Steel site they do their "whack" test (comparing it to the Voyager with it's tri-ad lock) and the LAWKS system failed after 4 hits. I don't abuse my knives, but it does seem like the Counter Point is a much more solid knife. PLUS you don't have to twist my arm in too many directions to convince me to get another knife, especially if it's an improvement!