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CRKT - Michael Walker - BladeLock
- Thread starter James Y
- Start date
I played with one at a knife shop. I like the quality, and the lock feels strong, but it does take getting used to manipulating. I also like the fact the blade is satin not bead-blasted.
I was a bit slow in getting it opened, but again, I put that to being still unfamiliar with operating the unlocking to open feature.
Jim
I was a bit slow in getting it opened, but again, I put that to being still unfamiliar with operating the unlocking to open feature.
Jim
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2001
- Messages
- 12,169
Hi there
I just bought one. Unique locking mechanism however I gotta say, I dang near cut my fingers off when closing the knife. As you know the blade lock is activated by pushing the thumb stud. The knife stays locked in closed position, which is cool. When opening... pressing on the thumb stud is easy and opens like any other tactical folder. However closing the knife is another story. It takes more than a few times to get used to the lock release on the thumb stud and you have to grip the knife hard to release the lock ( a good thing) now im not talking white knuckle grunting to get the lock to release but when itdoes release you are simotaneously(spelling sorry) pushing in and down on the stud to close the knife. When the lock releases boy oh boy did the knife close fast!! and your fingers had better be out of the way. I think the design is unique but if you are not 100% aware of what you are doing your gonna cut a finger. CRKT better be ready for the liability on this one.
I just bought one. Unique locking mechanism however I gotta say, I dang near cut my fingers off when closing the knife. As you know the blade lock is activated by pushing the thumb stud. The knife stays locked in closed position, which is cool. When opening... pressing on the thumb stud is easy and opens like any other tactical folder. However closing the knife is another story. It takes more than a few times to get used to the lock release on the thumb stud and you have to grip the knife hard to release the lock ( a good thing) now im not talking white knuckle grunting to get the lock to release but when itdoes release you are simotaneously(spelling sorry) pushing in and down on the stud to close the knife. When the lock releases boy oh boy did the knife close fast!! and your fingers had better be out of the way. I think the design is unique but if you are not 100% aware of what you are doing your gonna cut a finger. CRKT better be ready for the liability on this one.
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
- 4,670
I've had one and played with it. Unique lock mechanism? Yes indeed. Safe? Yes, locks up tight with no play whatsoever. Safe when closing? That's a different story. The more I play with it, the more I can't get used to how it closes - similar to what Ren was saying in his post. A few times I have come close to cutting myself, knock on wood I haven't yet. Would I carry this knife as an EDC piece? Certainly not. I fumble to close it one handed, and if it were an EDc piece and you whip it out to cut something and close it too fast but don't move your fingers out of the way, prepare to see the nurses in the local ER.
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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK
Living life on the edge
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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK
Living life on the edge
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2001
- Messages
- 12,169
Hello again
well Ive carried the knife all day and played with the opening and closing the knife (my wife calles it knife play) So far no cuts but three close calls. I have carried a knife since I was 9 (im 37 now) and gotta agree with the Dr. I like the knife but definatly not a EDC.
Ren
well Ive carried the knife all day and played with the opening and closing the knife (my wife calles it knife play) So far no cuts but three close calls. I have carried a knife since I was 9 (im 37 now) and gotta agree with the Dr. I like the knife but definatly not a EDC.
Ren
- Joined
- Nov 25, 1999
- Messages
- 1,499
Hmmm, I didn't notice any tendencies to cut my fingers when closing. However the movement "press-n-rotate" instead of "rotate only" is somewhat unusual and probably requires some familiarity with it. I have noticed that pressing requires more force than further rotation, maybe this can cause inadequate force's applying and as result - blade's violent movement?
- Joined
- Jan 4, 1999
- Messages
- 3,000
I agree with Dexter. It is an interesting mechanism and is unlike the locks on other knives, but I fail to see the practicality of it. Uniqueness isn't a virtue in and of itself. Otherwise, I'd describe this knife as typical of the quality, fit and finish of other CRKT knives.
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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
- 4,670
After reading my comments above regarding the BladeLock, Rod Bremer of CRKT sent me another , a current production model. He informed me that in between the time they sent the first one to me and this new one, they have tweaked the action of them. And he is correct. While watching TV and reading the forums over this past weekend, I gave the BladeLock a second chance, getting used to the action. Right now, I can open and close the blade pretty quick without fear of cutting myself.
The part they tweaked was the spring tension on the thumbstud. The first sample I received from them quite some time ago has a stiff spring. All the newer models have it relaxed somewhat.
Rod has also informed me that in the future, they will include a little instruction sheet in the BladeLock boxes on how to work the lock. In addition, CRKT dealers will receive a BladeLock "trainer" display model with dulled tip and cutting edge, so that customers can practice the lock without fear of bloodletting.
After playing and working with this knife over the weekend, my opinions have have done a 180.....after you get the technique down, it'll be just as natural as using a regule liner lock knife.
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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK
Living life on the edge
The part they tweaked was the spring tension on the thumbstud. The first sample I received from them quite some time ago has a stiff spring. All the newer models have it relaxed somewhat.
Rod has also informed me that in the future, they will include a little instruction sheet in the BladeLock boxes on how to work the lock. In addition, CRKT dealers will receive a BladeLock "trainer" display model with dulled tip and cutting edge, so that customers can practice the lock without fear of bloodletting.
After playing and working with this knife over the weekend, my opinions have have done a 180.....after you get the technique down, it'll be just as natural as using a regule liner lock knife.
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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK
Living life on the edge
I have had one for a few days and I tend to agree with Dexter. It takes a bit of getting used to, but now I feel comfortable with it.
Overall, the QC, fit and finish are excellent and the precision of the lockup mechanism is remarkable for a knife in this price range.
Dick
Overall, the QC, fit and finish are excellent and the precision of the lockup mechanism is remarkable for a knife in this price range.
Dick
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
- 4,670
knifenerd wrote:
I second that. There is absolutely no blade play in any direction on this knife. Actually, once you get the hang of how the BladeLock operates, it is a very safe lock, as your thumb does not come into the path of blade travel.
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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK
Living life on the edge
I second that. There is absolutely no blade play in any direction on this knife. Actually, once you get the hang of how the BladeLock operates, it is a very safe lock, as your thumb does not come into the path of blade travel.
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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK
Living life on the edge
- Joined
- Nov 25, 1999
- Messages
- 1,499
And here is how it works.
I have stripped mine and made some direct scans. Please click image to open enlarged one in separate window. The size at the large picture is approximately 1,7 of natural.
<a href="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=2181632&p=47677621&Sequence=0&res=high" target="_blank"><IMG align=right SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=2181632&p=47677624&Sequence=0&res=high" border="2"></a>Closing stages, from right to left:
What a hard blow for flickers
I have stripped mine and made some direct scans. Please click image to open enlarged one in separate window. The size at the large picture is approximately 1,7 of natural.
<a href="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=2181632&p=47677621&Sequence=0&res=high" target="_blank"><IMG align=right SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=2181632&p=47677624&Sequence=0&res=high" border="2"></a>Closing stages, from right to left:
- The blade is opened and locked. The locking bar what in fact is the opposite shoulder of the visible part of knife opening device matches the opening nearer to handle's spine. Very minimal, really hardly noticeable play in opening - closing direction can be noticed on mine. Think it is quite necessary tolerance, differently even minimal obstruction could let lock to fail. I guess both locking bar and opening could have very slightly slanted side surfaces to improve locking reliability and obstruction resistance.
- The blade is almost closed. In this case matching surfaces are slanted pretty noticeably. At the end of closing movement the blade will be pulled into handle and locked in closed position.
- The blade is closed and locked in this position. You should press opening stud to unlock it. The spiral spring stays inside opening stud and prevents unintentional pressing. The knife's accidental opening in the pocket is out of discussion.
What a hard blow for flickers