CRKT M16/21 Clarification and Recommendation

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CrazzyAzzy

Joined
Apr 29, 2013
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Hey guys so I may be in the market for a new folder. I've taken a liking to the CRKT M16/21 folders and was wondering if you guys could shed some light on why there's so many models and what the suffixes mean. I'm mainly looking at what I think are the Special Forces models? The ones with the "hand guards" such as the M21-14SFG or the M16-14SFG. So I'm guessing the SF (Special Forces) are the ones with the hand guards and the G stands for G10? I like 8Cr13/14MoV so that's not a problem, but I have heard that CRKT makes some pretty shoddy knives. Can anyone help me rid any doubts with their experience? Is there also a straight edge model with the hand guard? Also are the SF models obnoxious to EDC in the pocket due to the second flipper? Thanks guys!

PS: I know these aren't made to be EDC pocket knives and I may throw it in my bug out bag which may end up in my pocket in the future.
 
Alright I've decided to go against the SF series now. I'm currently looking at the M16-01KZ or the M21 G10 except I'll ditch the M21 if it's a recurve blade. Can anyone confirm if the M21 is a recurve or a straight edge? And is the M16 similar to the Kershaw Skyline in terms of size/dimensions?
 
The CRKT M16-01S I have has a stainless handle and the frame lock is rough on the thumbs when closing with one hand. I usually have to use both hands to close it. Other than that it's basically a folding boot knife, no play in the blade whatsoever.

eta: The M16 Is smaller than the Skyline, I think. The handle on the M16-01S is .680 wide and .350 thick by 4.00 long. Blade is 3.14 in length.
 
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Yes the M21 is a recurved blade. I owned a M21-02 for about a month before getting a Benchmade 710 (also a recurve), and to be absolutely honest the BM710 was 10 times the knife for just over $100 more. I ended up giving the CRKT away and haven't looked back since. I recently was given a Spyderco and once again easily twice the knife for roughly the same money as the M21. If you are looking for quality over looks I would suggest taking a look at some of the other brands out there before dropping your hard earned money on what is , in my opinion, an inferior knife.
 
I like the size of the skyline and the m16-01kz. Is the spyderco tenacious within the same size range? I really dislike spine locks so the only two spydercos I like are the Tenacious and the Manix 2. I also don't really care for having a super high quality knife in my pocket such as a BM. As long as it gets the job done it don't bother me none. Not saying I don't like BMs or ZTs or Spyerdcos, I just don't really see the point in dropping more of my hard earned money when I just use them for the same application. Cutting open packaging plastic at my work.
 
I had an M16 and it was a good edc. A pal of mine collects them so it went to him.
 
The M-21 is a spearpoint, The SF models have the double hilt (careful with pocket carry on these as there have been safety issues due to said double hilt opening the blade in pocket).

IMHO the M-21 is the best bang-for-buck out of any production company out there, my only complaint is the country of origin. As far as fit/finish, blade play, useability, ease to maintain, and ergos you can not beat it for the $$$.
 
I have several M16 models. I'd steer clear of the M21s, they're China made models.

The M16 14Z is a sturdy reliable blade. If that's too big the 13Z is a good option. I also have the titanium handled 13t which is significantly slimmer and very comfortable to carry.
 
I could have sworn I posted a reply, but I guess it didn't go thru. Anway I'm thinking of the M16-01KZ or the M21 tanto with G10 scales. I'm going to stay away from the SF series since I'm probably going to include this in my EDC rotation. I'd like to get an M21 but there's no plain straight edge. All the ones I've seen have the deep belly so if I get a plain edge it just ends up being recurved which is a no no for me.
 
CrazzyAzzy said:
I could have sworn I posted a reply, but I guess it didn't go thru. Anway I'm thinking of the M16-01KZ
Click to expand...

I have one of these and I bloody hate it. The Zytel scales are pointless, the frame is WEAKSAUCE, deployment takes more effort than it's worth, edge holding is trash. About the only good things are that I'm one of the few people in the universe that actually likes the AutoLAWKS system for various reasons and it has a really good pocket clip.

If you're looking for a CRKT, get a Ripple instead. Vastly superior, even if the look isn't as cool.

*EDIT*
Slight correction. Mine is the M16-10KZ. The difference is mine is a tanto, not a spear point. Same knife otherwise.
 
You care to expand on your points dsimmons? What makes the scales pointless? Is it not grippy at all? And what were you doing to the frame that makes it weak? I'm also a fan of the AutoLawks system. Seems a lot more secure than normal liner locks. I don't really like the tanto combo edge.
 
The scales provide no traction and on a knife this narrow that's a real issue. As far as weakness, the liners are unnecessarily thin. Any attempt to grip the knife with any sort of force causes the sides to collapse inwards slightly. Not an issue most of the time, but if you're doing anything more taxing than cutting some cardboard you'll have to work a bit harder to keep things from going sideways. It's a cool looking knife, and that's what makes this such a pile of lame. If it had the skeletonized aluminum handles of the M21 this would be a very sweet knife.

If you're looking for something in this price range I would go with the aforementioned CRKT Ripple, the Tenacious, or a Kershaw Cryo before I bothered with the M16. They're all substantially better.
 
I had a tan scaled M16. It was garbage. I was constantly chasing the pivot adjustment, the dual flippers are outright dangerous, and before I could Loctite the pivot the grips screws went missing and the thing literally fell apart. Tye action was never that smooth, fit and finish was poor (but not terrible), and the liner felt kind of flimsy.

For the cost of one AUS8 M16, you could have two Ontario Utilitacs which are a FAR superior knife at around half the cost. The only thing good I had to say about the M16 was that it introduced me to the flipper. Buy a Utilitac II instead if you want a tactical style knife. Having owned both, the UT2 is about five tiers ahead of the M16.

 
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I have a M16-14LE (I think) and I've had it for years. For a while it was my favorite knife, but it is quite different from the 01KZ you're looking at. To put it simply, it's bigger and stronger. Aluminum handles like dsimmons mentioned, almost 4" blade of thicker and non-chinese steel, a smooth flipper and a pleasure to hold. Would I buy it again? Not this one exactly. I'm so over tanto blades, blade coatings, and combo edges, and single bevel edges bother me just a hair. What about the M16-01S? Or try the used market for a discontinued configuration you like. But I'd definitely try for metal handles. I love them from any brand, and on my CRKT's they make it feel satisfyingly solid.

And just for reference, it seems S=steel handle, Z=zytel handle,T=titanium handle, K=coated blade, SF=special forces, and the blade shape seems to be determined by the second number, if any.
 
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CRKT and the M16 and M21 are weird. The M16KZ EDC are a great size and have fast deployment but for me they barely last a year before falling apart. I hate to say it but the Gerber Evo jr , is a very similar knife with a lousy grip texture (smooth aluminum scales with holes that dig into your skin) but its actually much more durable than the CRKT M16...yes the cheaper Gerber EVO knife is better, but again the grip sucks.

On the flip side I really liked my M21 with the G10 handle. Its got a thick blade, fast deployment and was my go to EDC knife for the last 2 years. The LAWKS lock recently lost a spring but the knife still functions. However in seeing the recent prices of getting a new M21, I think I'm going with something else. The M21-02 with the G10 handle was a great knife for under $40, but once it went over $40 and towards $50 there are just so many better options for the money.
 
Thanks for all the input guys. I have a Kershaw Cryo already and I love it. Not looking to replace it but just add something new to my rotation. So what I'm gathering from everyone's input is to avoid the Z series and get a full size if I'm going to get a CRKT. I like the Tenacious it just seems a little big though. My biggest EDC is my Kershaw Compound and that's already a little too big for me in my pocket. I hate how no company posts the whole knife thickness. Is the Tenacious fairly thin? Or at least thinner than my Compound at about .5" without the clip.
 
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