CRKT M16 Zytel

C

Chuck289

Joined
Mar 23, 2006
Messages
196
I just got this today from Wal Mart. It was an impulse buy, just suddenly felt like getting a cheap folder. I was lookin at the knives and saw the M16. I didn't know a whole lot about them, just that they seem very popular. So I figured I would try it out. One thing I thought I rememberd about these knives is that the blade steel was AUS-8. For 30 bucks, thats a pretty good deal. Well I got home and I learn that the Zytel model is AUS-4:grumpy:
Ok now, aside from the steel, I really like this knife. It feels very comfortable to hold and opens very smooth, especially with flipper. Using the thumbstuds is a little awkward, they seem to function primarily as the positive stop. It has a good hefty feel to it. I thought it would be lighter and thinner. There is little to no blade play. I really like the LAWKS. Easy to open and easy to close. Made in Taiwan, but still seems like a quality knife. These are just my initial impressions so I'll have to try this knife out for a while. The AUS-4 is the only thing that really upset me, perhaps this knife will just be used for light tasks (opening mail, cutting tape, maybe food?). Well I'm going to have to try this knife on for a few days and see how it grows on me. Overall it's a good knife. Sometime I would like to try one of the more expensive M16's

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The knife does feel hefty. I like the weight ratio of blade to handle, it feels very balanced. If I didn't already have 2 other daily users I'd consider getting the Soldier version of the M16...
 
I bought the M16-13, [aluminium handle AUS-8 steel] to use as a work beater. It has surprised me and so far has taken a lick'n and keeps on tick'n.
 
i have the m16-01 which many ppl seem to not have. it has alu handles and aus-8 steel too. its nice and i love it. does yours come with the autoLAWKS thingy?
 
IUKE12 said:
I bought the M16-13, [aluminium handle AUS-8 steel] to use as a work beater. It has surprised me....
Click to expand...

I consider the CRKT M16 knives with AUS8 blades and hard anodized aluminium handles
being of a higher quality compared to the M16 AUS4 knives with Zytel scales.
 
I beat the snot out of it for two years before it developed a little blade play. But that wasn't with normal use, I think you would have to say I abused the poor thing. It's not an heirloom you'll pass down to your grandkids but it will make a good beater for a couple of years.

Frank
 
Does this knife have the Auto-Lawks? Can anyone comment on ithat system? I've handled an normal Lawks M16 before. How reliable does it engage? Does it make one handed closing that much more combersum?
 
Newbie here. Iv'e had just about every variation of the M-16 including one Iv'e carried on duty for over 10 years. Never had any problems. I would recommend the CRKT line to anyone.
 
This knife is M16-13Z. I dont think it has auto LAWKS. I have to engage the LAWKS manually. I didn't even know there was an auto LAWKS.

Some updates,
The knife seems to get caught on the edge of my pockets sometimes. The pocket clip is pretty tight, more so than my Kershaw Storm that I'm used to. I find the best thing to do is just pull the knife out quickly. So far I like carrying it in my back pocket next to my wallet the most. In my front pocket, my hand keeps hitting the rough grooves on the flipper when I reach in to get my keys or for something else. I dont have that problem as much in my back pocket and I figure I dont reach into there as much as I do my front. It's also comfortable in the backpocket, I can hardly feel that it's there.
 
AutoLAWKS has been introduced since the beginning of 2006. Many M16 knives
are already available with the AutoLAWKS feature.

More information about AutoLAWKS you can find here: http://www.crkt.com/autolawk.html



tango59 said:
Iv'e had just about every variation of the M-16 including one Iv'e carried on duty for over 10 years.
Never had any problems. I would recommend the CRKT line to anyone.
Click to expand...
What blade steel is used for your M16 that you have carried for more than 10 years?
What's the handle material and where is it manufactured? Is it Made in Taiwan, too?
 
mafeya said:
i have the m16-01 which many ppl seem to not have. it has alu handles and aus-8 steel too. its nice and i love it. does yours come with the autoLAWKS thingy?
Click to expand...
no auto lawks, must engage manually, never use it while cutting, but I suppose I would if I did some stabbing into wood or such.
 
Andy_CN said:
I consider the CRKT M16 knives with AUS8 blades and hard anodized aluminium handles
being of a higher quality compared to the M16 AUS4 knives with Zytel scales.
Click to expand...
I concur:thumbup:
 
hey chuck, i think the new m16-13z's have the autoLAWKS. I noticed that it the stop pins/thumb stud do make it painfull sometimes to reach into the pocket to grab something.

the autoLAWKS works just like any LAWKS system but it engages automatically. when the blade is opened, there is a spring that pushes the metal piece from the bottom out (LAWKS engaged) without having the user actually pushing the LAWKS notch on top.

autoLAWKS: It does make closing a little cumbersome because closing it requires a pull of the LAWKS notch with the index finger and using that same index finger to close the blade at the same time while depressing the linear lock. (3 steps at the same time...phew)

LAWKS: the regular LAWKS is easier to close because the LAWKS doesn't stay engaged like the auto version. So the first step is to pull the notch back, then proceed to the second step of depressing the linear lock and closing the blade. (3 steps at different times...ahhh)

I hope you guys get me...haha.
 
Chuck289 said:
The AUS-4 is the only thing that really upset me, perhaps this knife will just be used for light tasks (opening mail, cutting tape, maybe food?).
Click to expand...

The steel is a lot more capable than that, it is similar to 420HC. However the initial edges applied by CRK&T are problematic, often hollow ground which leaves the edge very weak. The bevel has to be flattened before the performance will stabilize. The overall knife has too many speed holes in the design for my preferences, but actually works a lot better as a knife than what I expected given its appearance.

-Cliff
 
Cliff said:
The overall knife has too many speed holes in the design for my preferences.
Click to expand...

Without the speed holes, how do your knives keep up with you when you are "in the field, moving at high speed?" The aluminum versions don't have a liner on one side, so at least there is an exit hole for debris and water when you rinse it for 50% of the holes, better than nothing.
 
With the knives on my person it isn't an issue as they are inside the turblent air flow field associated with a moving body. The problem comes with dynamic application of force required for field operations. The sudden draw and implementation initiation of application of material separation can induce excessive formation of perspiration.

As a general user I tend to favor the Endura over the M16, not do to the steel as much as just handle ergonomics which are problematic on the M16 which is chunkier. However the M16 is much stronger through the pivot due to much more of the tang being inside the handle and supported by very thick liners. With more blade inside the handle there is less force required to balance the torque on the blade in prying and thus the pivot is under lower loads given the same loads on the blade.

-Cliff
 
Why sweat it? My advice is to take the knife back to the store and see if they'll let you swap it out for something else. Having to restrict your knife jobs based on CRKT's crappy steel isn't something you should have to put up with. If you have the receipt and can take it back, you won't have to add the knife to a bad experience list. AUS-4 is awful stuff. I have this model in AUS 6 and have retired mine. With AUS 6, it's only "okay" as a knife. I imagine an AUS 4 would be horrible.
 
Why sweat it? My advice is to take the knife back to the store and see if they'll let you swap it out for something else. Having to restrict your knife jobs based on CRKT's crappy steel isn't something you should have to put up with. If you have the receipt and can take it back, you won't have to add the knife to a bad experience list. AUS-4 is awful stuff. I have this model in AUS 6 and have retired mine. With AUS 6, it's only "okay" as a knife. I imagine an AUS 4 would be horrible.
 
I don't plan on taking this knife back. It didn't cost much. After a couple of days, despite the steel, I am really liking this knife. My only other complaint is that sometimes the edge of my pocket gets snagged on the "speed hole" under the clip. I find the best way to deal with that problem is just to quickly yank the knife out of my pocket.
 
The M18-02's are very similar knives but have no speed holes. You guys might look into them. Great knives, I picked mine up on sale for 22$. I feel it was a hell of a deal, though because I don't find myself using it enough I've decided to trade it. Very capable knife, I'm sure I'll buy another M series from CRKT at some point in time.
 
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