Crkt M16

T

tadowe

Joined
Sep 20, 2002
Messages
50
I purchased an m16-03z because of its slim profile and good comments I have read in the forums. At first, I was disappointed in the feel of the knife as I am used to carrying a Boker Brend Tactical; a much wider handle as well as larger, in general. However, after working with the Carson 'Flipper,' I saw the benefit to having the slimmer handle in conjunction with using the flipper. I must say, that I find all my other manual locking knives to be cumbersome since becoming used to using the Carson innovation.

The blade material is aus6 and razor sharp. The edge has been sharpened to perfection (no divots at 10x) which surprised me since the Taiwan manufacturer seems to have done a better job than I get from Boker, Case's, or even SOG. I have used it quite a bit on cardboard, rope and drywall without marking the bead blasted blade surface or turning the edge at all.

All in all, I think the M16 knives are a great bargain! Well put together, fast and true one hand opening with the flipper, sharpeness (even with the aus-6) and durability make this a knife to own for EDC and hard work. I'm now looking at the M18 in aus8 just for the flipper!
 
I also have a blade of Taiwan manufacture, Timberline Worden, which I received as a gift.

The fit, finish, lock, blade grind, sharpness, and edge holding are all superb. I wish some US manufactures would learn a lesson from CRKT and Timberline....... all for about $50.00 I will be buying and CRKT M16 shortly.
 
It's a good deal stronger than the Gerber EZ-out it replaced. And as a lefty I love the flipper, who needs a thumb stud?. I love the spearpoint, makes short work of a soup can if you don't have a can opener. And although the Chive sits in my pocket as I write this in the office, the 03-Z has found a nice little bed in my book bag, right next to the Gerber tool and my Grandpa's old SAK. She seems content to curl up at my feet. She knows I still need her. If you get the M-18 tell me how you like it.

Frank
 
Ive had a few of the m16's there ok. I have an m18 with blue G-10 and I have to say its pretty nice!!! the belly of the blade is much more stought, its a great cutter, and the blade steel is better (aus-8) all in all there pretty good knives!! get the m-18 you wont be disappointed!!!
 
I recently acquired one of CRKT's M-18s. This is the next offering from the company of a Kit Carson design. Blade steel on these is AUS-8 and takes an edge very well. I like the slight recurve to teh blade. They stepped up the design features of the M-16 series by keeping the flipper and adding the Lake and Walker lock safety. Once it is engaged this knife becomes, for all intents and purposes, a fixed blade. I've now owned about 7 knives from CRKT of the last 4 years or so and all have been more than satisfactory. In fact, I've got #8 coming in the form of an M-16-02 from another trade deal.
Fun, good quality knives at a bargain.
Doc
 
it's really good to hear about the CRKT's performing well. my first knife was the Point Guard but i gradually stopped using it as my EDC.
i absolutely love the M16 though, i always push people to buy them because of its ambidextrousness (oh gees, not even a word) and its spear point blade. when i first laid eyes on the M18 with the blue inlays, i keeled over because i was in love. in the M18 you get the AUS 8 steel but the CRKT price point, wonderful. once i save up a bit more, i might just purchase the M18, but tell me how it performs for you first so i could get the first hand experience

thanks!

aXed
 
I have an M16-14 in AUS8 and a small M16Z in AUS6. The M16Z was dull when I got it, though it was very easy to sharpen. The AUS8 versions are worth the extra money IMO.
 
Ive carried the m-18 for almost a year and its is one sweeeeet knife!! you have to get one to experience it!!! sometimes I even, almost forget its a crkt!!!!
 
I'm really not trolling here ... I'm honestly curious. Why not go with an Endura at the same price point and upgrade to VG10 steel? Plus, the M16 is weightier (3.5 oz. vs. the frn Endura's 2.9 oz.). I do like the looks of the M16, just trying to better understand why you'll are such fans. :)
 
I agree with mnblade.I have both knives.I have to admit the M16 was one of the sharpest knives I received out of the box.I just think the Endura is an all around better folder.The handle is more comfortable,better edge geometry,better steel,even better pocket clip.Also the lightweight Goddard is an excellent folder also.
 
I have actually have three enduras allready, they are very nice!!! the m-18 feels nice and hefty in the hand. Its nice to feel a good knife!!! If your going to say why not an endura? then why not the bench. 721, or the 910, or the tsek, or the tim wegner custom folder? or the kershaw avalanche?, or the gerber walker? (I have these and many, many more),or..........
Its good to have a variety!!!!:)
 
>"If your going to say why not an endura? then why not the bench. 721, or the 910, or the tsek, or the tim wegner custom folder?"

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Simple. This thread is about the M16 and those knives are not in the same price category as the M16, while the Endura is (which is why I wrote "Why not go with an Endura at the same price point and upgrade to VG10 steel?"). I hope I'm not ticking off any CRKT fans, I don't mean to. Just talking knives with some pals.
 
The Endura and M16 are different styles. People who want tantos will probably want the M16. Also the Carson Flipper is fun to use. That said, I carry an Endura and CQC-7B as my EDC. I'd carry my M16-14 (the 4in model) or my Cold Steel XL Voyager if I needed a big knife and could not carry a fixed blade.
 
Just one more opinion here, but I like the metal handle of the M-16. No strength difference that I'll ever notice, but I just like the texture of the aluminum handle M-16 models. I havent handled the M-16Z models. I have developed a preference for metal handles or metal liners. It adds weight, but they feel better.
 
Have you noticed how wide the endura is closed? There is something to be said for the slimness of the handle of the M16. I have got both, Endura in VG10 http://www.knifeworks.com/product.asp?0=263&1=264&3=1436 and the M16-01F ( thanks Knifeworks.com ) http://www.knifeworks.com/product.asp?0=227&1=229&3=245. The M16 I modified by tig welding a tab onto the blade tang and voila! a flipper!! Could not use it for heavy cutting, the liner lock moved all the way to the other end and I had to use a coin to pry open the liner to unlock the blade. Could be because the CF is flexible and there is only 1 liner. Just got the Endura, blade is extremely sharp out the box. Seems very rust resistant in the tropics. We'll see how it goes.
 
Elwin wrote:
>"I like the metal handle of the M-16. No strength difference that I'll ever notice, but I just like the texture of the aluminum handle M-16 models. ... It adds weight, but they feel better."

Then kevtan wrote:
>"Have you noticed how wide the endura is closed? There is something to be said for the slimness of the handle of the M16 ..."

===========================

Fair enough, guys. To be honest, <i>if</i> I ever lose my Endura and <i>if</i> CRKT ever upgrades the M-16 to at least ATS-55, I'll definitely give it a whirl as I like the looks of the knife - always have. I'd love to handle one in person. So far I've only seen 'em on the web, though. Thanks for the input.
 
I'm going to kinda rant here, but its something that's been under my skin for a while. Most CRKT knives have beadblasted blades. They look OK, and are nice and subdued(sp), but they are a rust bin waiting to happen. My M-16 rusted in my pocket in one day. The Crawford Falcon from CRKT with the polished blade has been carried inside my waist band for 2 weeks of the hottest part of the summer, and no rust spots. The blade steels are the same, I think. Anyhow, Ive never had any real problems w/ the blade steels used by CRKT. The finish kinda irritates me though. The finish wouldnt prevent me from buying a good design, but I'd gripe for a while after having to clean the rust off. Some have had the polished blade rust, and so have I, but it took much longer.
 
I dislike the beadblast also...but it's what keeps the costs down...they're not polished as finely and the bead blast tends to cover up slight imperfections on the blade that might otherwise be seen on a satin finished blade...

ALL my beadblasted blades have the same problem...just have to flitz them more than my other knives...

My CF M16 rusted after one day of just cutting one avocado...

Besides the bead blase though I think the knife is great...the CF version is incredibly light...
 
CRKT offers good knives with great designs at very affordable prices.
They´re the No. 1 brand I´d recommend to anyone who got interested in knives and wants to purchase a decent folder.

I don´t like AUS-6 too much, but at least it takes a very sharp edge with minimum effort. Zytel scales aren´t as bad as people usually say IMO. And if you don´t care for these materials at all, there are many versions (especially of their M16 series) with better materials available and these are still inexpensive.
 
Originally posted by mnblade
Fair enough, guys. To be honest, <i>if</i> I ever lose my Endura and <i>if</i> CRKT ever upgrades the M-16 to at least ATS-55, I'll definitely give it a whirl as I like the looks of the knife - always have. I'd love to handle one in person. So far I've only seen 'em on the web, though. Thanks for the input.
Click to expand...

I hope you've actually experienced ATS-55. From my experience, I'd just as soon have AUS-8 as the ATS-55. Not knocking ATS-55. Just saying that it isn't significantly better than AUS-8 from my experience.
 
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