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CRKT: Opening The Floodgates...

Y

YoungCutter

Joined
Sep 17, 2001
Messages
1,218
Howdy fellow BladeForumites,

I feel a little silly writing this post, as when others on this board have written similar posts I tended to view them as annoyances, but I just had to share my latest score.

For a couple years now I've been deliberately resisting CRKT because of their extensive use of the (from what I hear) mediocre AUS-6M blade steel.

But yaknow, I've got a few knives now, most in high-quality blade steels, and I just don't care all that much about blade steel anymore.

So I went to my local gun shop today (closest thing to a knife dealer around here) and decided to be open minded and check out their CRKTs.

I glanced over their inventory of small folders that didn't interest me much (CRKT has many designs that interest me, but very few of these were in stock and those that were only in comboedge.), Then I see this nice big all-metal folder. Initially, I mis-identified it as the largest version in CRKT's new 16K Summit Series (which I had been looking at before because it's all-metal interframe design appealed to me alot.)
Anyway, the fellow behind the counter pulls the knife outta the drawer upon my request and I slip this puppy into my hands. WOW... it's nice and big and fits my large hands spot on, it's very weighty and delivers a feeling of extreme solidness. The next thing I do is examine the finer points, it opens up real smooth, the thumb-stud is easy for me to get to, the liner is easily usable, the detent seems strong, the lockup is tight, the blade is satin-finished (which I prefer), and the price? $45. "I guess I'll just have to take this home with me" I say, and I handed my money over with much eagerness.

So why is this such a wonderful score? Remember before I stated that initially mis-identified as a member of the 16K Summit Series because that's the only thing I'd seen like it, but I took it home and got on the 'net, looked up the 16K Summit series and noticed that the 16K's had curved handles, this one is fairly straight, I examined the box and noticed it said "Blitz" on it... hmm never heard of that before, did a search on Yahoo and discovered that what I had was an apparently discontinued CRKT Blitz from the Commander series. If I hadn't gone to my gun shop that day I probably wouldn't have ever know this wonder existed, I am most pleased.

And now the answer the last question I'm sure you all have on your minds... "why did he call this 'opening the floodgates'?" The answer is simple, now that I own a CRKT in AUS6M and have basically acknowledged it as an "acceptable" blade steel, I find myself unable to resist the urge to go out and buy all the other CRKT designs which have been tickling my fancy for quite some time.

Next on the list? CRKT Lightfoot M1 Folder.
 
Just to bend your ear a little, have you tried an M-18? I liked the looks of it when I first saw it, then when I actually held it, it was heaven to me mitts. It's still in the top three of my favorite folders. This folder rocks! It has a wide blade that tapers down to a very thin serious razor edge. It cuts like a demon on meth.:D

You may not know it, but by dipping into CRK&T's offerings, you may have stirred up a hornet's nest of knife lust. I have more CRK&T's now than any other manufacturer's knives in my folder drawer.:D

Welcome to the show and...


All the best,
Mike U.
 
Mike,

The M18 has alot of appeal for me aswell, but I think I'd have to handle one before buying (as I don't particularly like the M16s), and my local gun shops have never had them :(

Man it sucks not being within 50 miles of a knife dealer.

Thanks for welcoming me to the lust! (My wallet is doomed!)
 
"My wallet is doomed!" LOL!:D

Well, you'll have knives to show for it at least.:)

I feel your pain about no nearby knife shops. The one I buy from is 53 miles from my driveway.:(
But, it's always a trip I'm happy to make.
 
It's just my opinion that the "steel snobs" get a little too intense about the materials their tools are made of. I have a lot of knives made from supposedly inferior metals that have kept chuggin' along after years of use. The steel used by CRKT is just fine for what their meant to do - provide quality tools at a reasonable price.

No, I don't work for them....but if they want to send me something, oh say a Falcon....:p
 
Have you seen the new catalog? WOW!! The Carson 18's are going to come as a special M18K and have black anodized frames with coated blades and a choice of dark green or black G-10 inserts. Looks really neat. The distributor I get knives from is going to have the D.O.G. in next week and that is one I want to try out. That Lightfoot M1 looks pretty cool also.

Nice catalog as it gives a pic and nice little bio for each maker that collabs with CRKT.
 
How do I get a CRKT catalog?

They seem to have no provisions for sending me one on their site.

Btw that Military-esque M18 sounds cool, but will it only be available in comboedge like the M16 Military/LE/FD models?
 
The M-18 series is done with AUS-8, if I'm not mistaken. A bit better edge holding ability. CRKT's extensive use of AUS-6 works well, IMHO, for the vast majority of purposes for which the knives are intended, especially when the price factor is considered.
 
According to the pics in the catalog they'll all be combo's on the M18K series. Youngcutter e-mail me.
 
As long as I liked the design, I'b uy an AUS-8 blade any day. I dunno about an AUS-6 though. Honestly, I've owned 2 AUS-6 knives (still own 1) and I haven't really used 'em a whole lot, so I can't say much about the steel from first hand experience.

But Congrats YC, as now you have a gazillion knives open to you, and not just CRKT. But CRKT sure does make a great knife. The fit and finish is awesome, and the designs (especially from that Kit Carson guy, whoever he is!) are great too.
 
I have to agree with Crayola...and there are a great bunch of CRKT designs out there, waiting to be bought. I can't wait for the Nealy myself.
Matt
 
I have to agree with Crayola...and there are a great bunch of CRKT designs out there, waiting to be bought. I can't wait for the Nealy myself.
Matt
 
YC, didn't you used to bash CRKT relentlessly?
People have told ya all along they were great.:p
 
I'm not sure "relentlessly" is a fair word, I didn't go out of my way to bash them the way I do with Cold Steel :D

Seriously though, my line has always been "Great designs, but the AUS6M sucks". Now that I don't care that the AUS6M sucks, I can enjoy the great designs. ;)
 
YC: The matter that CRKT uses AUS 6 isn't that big of a deal. The problem is that they don't heat treat it hard enough.
If you look at their site's specs, most of the AUS 6 is heat treated to about 55-57 Rockwell. Spyderco's AUS6 tends to be around 58 I think....
I suppose CRKT's AUS 6 is too soft to hold an edge longer.
I still like CRKT's stuff, but I think I'll hunt for those that have AUS8 steel.
 
There are some sweeeeet looking pieces in that new CRKT catalogue. I kinda like those new 'mini' M16s.
 
In the new Tactical Knives, the cover knife is a Jim Hammond Cruiser. In the article, I believe it says CRK&T will be making a production version of this knife.
As to the steel issue. Would I prefer a "higher end" steel? Yes. Do I still buy CRK&T's in AUS6? Yes.
 
I have an M16 14LE, it has the AUS-8 and I love the knife, really solid. I really like the carson flipper-almost as fast as an auto, and it acts as a guard too. I also have the KISS-it has an AUS 6 blade. The Kiss is a descent knife, I just bought it for backpacking because it is ridiculously light and simple. No problems holding an edge so far w/ the AUS 6 or AUS8 for that matter. All I have to say is keep up the good work CRKT! I'm a satisfied customer! :D
 
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