CRKT Point Guard - not in love anymore

R

RLR

Joined
Jan 10, 2000
Messages
871
First off, let me note that "spine-whacking" tests can be ludicrous. If you hit a folder, clamped in a vise, with a hammer, expect the lock to fail. I do appreciate those who do this, for all extreme blade users, but for us regular folks, that's abuse. BUT...

CRKT Point Guard - loved it, carried it, blah, blah, blah... sitting in my car, listen to music while waiting for the rain to let up, blah blah blah... tapped the open and locked blade on the steering wheel (no LAWKS engaged) and closed on me! Fluke? Tried again, just a tap - flew closed. ARGH!!! So, LAWKS engaged, try again. Closed, the blade wedging between the LAWKS and closed liner! That's not good. These were little taps, no stress... I was disgusted and snapped the knife in two with my bare hands (and I ain't that strong).

To CRKT's defense - my old version Mirage passed all spine-whack tests with flying colours. The liner's a lot thicker on that one.

Just thought I'd share. Now I'm looking at the Axis Locks from Benchmade.

Just a tap
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RLR
 
Why didn't you send the knife back for repair of replacement instead of breaking it? Sounds like you threw away some $$$$$.

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EXCUSE ME WHILE I WHIP THIS OUT.
**Blazing Saddles**

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YES! I threw away some money (not too much thanks to a good deal), but sometimes 'rage' overpowers 'reason.' There are more than one lessons here anyway
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Anyway, no sour grapes or anything, just sharing my thoughts...

Keep smiling
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RLR
 
RLR,

Ditto. I hate it when I am let down too.
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------------------
EXCUSE ME WHILE I WHIP THIS OUT.
**Blazing Saddles**

kansasC.gif
 
I should note that this was the smaller version - seeing the review under the reviews section for the large one, I probably did have a bum one. And knowing CRKT's customer service, it wouldn't have been too much of a problem to get a new one. Still, it was too 'twisty' and somewhat 'weak' feeling. After one failure, one remains leery. Oh well, Mirage in the pocket now and I'm still happy, just a little less so than a few days ago...

RLR
 
RLR,
I'm sure something is wrong with your knife. My experience with Point Guard is very positive, please visit my review here.

I would advise you to contact CRKT and probably to send them your knife for guaranty repair or replacement before breaking it
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One idea more, you should try to tighten the pivot screw. Maybe it was too loose, this could cause the failure you have described.

[This message has been edited by Sergiusz Mitin (edited 10-10-2000).]
 
S.M. - yours was the review I refer to. Just didn't want to butcher your name
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. The pivot was tight (I always adjust them a shade under 'too tight') and the knife was clean. I think there wasn't enough 'grit' or friction between liner and blade.

Excellent review by the way - almost makes me want to buy a large size and test for myself (almost
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)

RLR
 
Originally posted by RLR:
sometimes 'rage' overpowers 'reason.' There are more than one lessons here anyway
Click to expand...

Nice control Dude, I hope a human never rubs you the wrong way.

 
I tried the spine whack test on my small Point Guard (not too hard though) and it passes. However, if you try to white knuckle the handle, the lock disengages imediatelly when the LAWKS is not on. I guess what distresses me most is that you're saying that the knife closed even with the LAWKS on. Well, I guess I'll avoid abusing the knife. Something else: did anyone notice that the tip of the blade is a (very) little bit exposed so there is a chance to snag into something? Or maybe it's just my knife.
 
had the very same thing happen to me with a small one. Might've cut a loose thread or two, it was that new. the liner just started moving over with slight pressure. Messed with the pivot - made it harder to open, but closed just as easily. i returned it to SMKW, where I got it, and they sent me a new one. No problems with this one. I think the first was a lemon. Is the liner on the Mirage that much thicker ?
 
Phil - "rage only against things, for people strike back"
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Don't worry, I as mellow as they get (unless I'm mad)
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Margelatu - if a "slight" grip will release the lock, just think what can happen when you're gripping against a material that can bind (i.e., cause spine stress as you try to pull out the blade.) Like a saw that 'sticks' when you pull it out of a piece of wood that is binding the saw. The lock could close.

RH - Glad the new one works for you. Two exact lemons may add up to a bad batch and nothing more. The Mirage liner is noticeably thicker. How's that for accurate. The big difference is the resistance when disengaging. The Mirage clicks; the Point Guard seemed to just slide right off.

Keep 'em coming.

RLR
 
My large Point Guard is fine with or without the LAWKS. I will say, though, that my original Zytel Mirage, full-size, is more solid. In fact, it is more solid than my smaller-size KFF, too. Now, if only the Mirage used the same thumb studs as on the KFF, it would be MUCH more comfortable to carry and open, but I think the Mirage is, overall, an underrated knife. The liner on the Mirage is SOLID. The liner on my large Point Guard is very thick-looking, too.

I do notice something strange on both my Point Guard and small KFF. When using heavy cutting pressure, the liner moves in more; that is, away from the LAWKS towards the right. Perhaps some play near the stop pin??? It's not a big problem, though, but it doesn't happen at all in my Mirage.
Jim
 
As to the "spine tap" test failure, I would have immediately sent the knife back, got it fixed, then sold it!

As to breaking it with your bare hands ... this is a knife I would get rid of, either by getting it fixed/replaced (if it's a good company) or byt hrowing it away and crossing it off my "companies to buy knives from again" list.
 
If you could break my Sebenza, SERE 2K or Buck 110 with your bare hands ... I'm never going to mess with you!
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Nimrod:

No 'tough-guy machismo' here. After the failure, and knowing that for the price I paid it wasn't worth the 'border hassle,' I tried to snap it. My own Cliff test
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I didn't go "ARGH!!!" and bust the knife in a fit - just wanted to see if the flex and give in the PG was really a weakness. In my opinion, and having TRIED to snap it (and did) the small PG is a little too frail. Another poster mentioned the 'white knuckle grip' bending and disengaging the lock. This is important. As the PG is 'tactical' (though not why I bought it), a 'white knuckle grip' may occur under adrenaline-rush situations.

But I digress. The point is a) I had a bum knife; b) I knew the company would have sent a new one but; c) weighing hassle and the opportunity to test, I decided to test. Still have three other CRKT's that I like plenty.

Waiting to find the perfect folder, I remain,

RLR
 
Originally posted by RLR:
Waiting to find the perfect folder, I remain,

RLR
Click to expand...

Wait, isn't this VG's line?
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But anyways, I understand your frustration. The liner on the small PG is extremely frail and small. I could see how it would easily fail. This is probably why I always still go back to basic BM's for daily carry.


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Dave
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My collection
 
RLR,

Thanks for your thread- I too noticed the thinner liner of the small PG, that was one of the things that made me decide on the Lightfoot Urban Shark. The liner is thicker on this one, and it passed the whack test, no problems.

JK
 
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