CRKT Ripple from Anywhere else vs Ripple from Walmart

Status
Not open for further replies.
Kyui Su Kim

Kyui Su Kim

Gold Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2000
Messages
2,643
Swung by the local walmart to pick up some stuff and noticed that they had the CRKT Ripple at the hunting section. It's model number was K415 KXPC which does not match anything on CRKT's site. Right now, looking at the packaging, the only difference I can see is that the handle is Aluminum rather than steel. I was curious if anyone here knew if there was any other differences?(ie: Blade Steel or Quality) Right now for $30+ dollars it seems like a good deal.
 
An aluminum frame lock? That doesn't sound right. Are you sure it's aluminum?
 
[video=youtube;vwS1CH-msaw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwS1CH-msaw[/video]

Aluminum scales, steel liner lock.
 
I'm not seeing the IKBS logo on the blade, either. I'll bet it's a different steel grade also...
 
Why the heck do they still call it a ripple? different lock, different steel, different pivot, different handle material. Especially since the pivot and handle material are a huge part of what the knife is. Kinda crazy, but definitely an interesting find, thanks for bringing it up. :)
 
Bizarre...I know Wal*Mart has done special projects in the past, but it's odd that they didn't give it a different name.
 
It doesn't look bad. I think I may buy it when I get a few more dollars. If I do i'll post a mini-review.
 
Well its got the main selling point of the original Ripple, which is IKBS at a mid level price.
 
I saw it too just the other day ,the guy at my local walmart showed it to me saying they only had the one and it didn`t have a spot in the display case. I too was wondering about the liner lock and blade steel so I waited to buy it. Also my local store has the leatherman Super tool 300 for about $55 bucks and I don`t think that is right at all. Thanks for bringing it up I didn`t think to ask about it on here , Good catch.
 
Thank you all very much for pointing out the differences. I will still have to give it a try tomorrow, even with the liner lock. I will post my initial impressions when I pick it up.
 
I handled one myself. Quality wise, it's about the same. It's slightly thicker than the standard Ripple, which actually seems more comfortable to me. It flips very nicely, and you can hardly tell it's not IKBS. I'd say it's a better value than the standard Ripple.
 
misterjuiceman said:
I handled one myself. Quality wise, it's about the same. It's slightly thicker than the standard Ripple, which actually seems more comfortable to me. It flips very nicely, and you can hardly tell it's not IKBS. I'd say it's a better value than the standard Ripple.
Click to expand...

I assume it had teflon washers in place of the IKBS?
 
They weren't phosphor bronze, my guess is nylatron/nylon or teflon. They seemed smooth. It was actually a friend's knife, so I got a good look at it, but I didn't take the washers out.
 
I haven't handled the walmart version, but I saw a video on youtube where the guy claims it still has the IKBS

ETA: oh wait, the video I saw is the video posted in this thread lol
 
Last edited:
misterjuiceman said:
I handled one myself. Quality wise, it's about the same. It's slightly thicker than the standard Ripple, which actually seems more comfortable to me.
Click to expand...

Edit: Juiceman, I agree 100%.
I haven't handled the new variant but I have an original Ripple and it is VERY thin. It almost disappears in my paw.

It flips very nicely, and you can hardly tell it's not IKBS. I'd say it's a better value than the standard Ripple.
Click to expand...

Huh? The YouTuber said it is IKBS and that he took it apart to see for himself.
Edit: As Juiceman mentions below, the ball bearings should be visible without disassembly. It'll be interesting to get a BF review with closeup pics.

But yeah, the old Ripple was too expensive. If by chance the new blade is also Acuto+ steel with nice grinds then it's a pretty good deal at $40 IMO.
 
Last edited:
I didn't take the one I handled apart, but it didn't have the IKBS logo stamped, and I couldn't see the bearings. It's possible they're using a proprietary system that's embedded in a nylon washer, to keep it all together, but I was pretty sure that it's not IKBS. As far as I know, legally they can't produce the IKBS knife without putting the logo on, but someone more familiar with this can correct me if I'm wrong.

In my previous post, I meant the thicker, Walmart Ripple, is more comfortable to me. The original Ripple is extremely thin.
 
crunky said:
So Wal-Mart has CRKT making special Wally World knives now? Madness...
Click to expand...

They've had special knives made for them for a long time now. That's where the Spyderco Native comes from, for instance.
 
misterjuiceman said:
I didn't take the one I handled apart, but it didn't have the IKBS logo stamped, and I couldn't see the bearings. It's possible they're using a proprietary system that's embedded in a nylon washer, to keep it all together, but I was pretty sure that it's not IKBS. As far as I know, legally they can't produce the IKBS knife without putting the logo on, but someone more familiar with this can correct me if I'm wrong.

In my previous post, I meant the thicker, Walmart Ripple, is more comfortable to me. The original Ripple is extremely thin.
Click to expand...

Right you are. I wasn't very clear up above.

There was a thread approx 12 to 18 months ago in the Knifemakers forum about the whole IKBS logo issue. Apparently there is no patent, and there are no legal consequences for pirating the IKBS system. BUT doing so would cost a knifemaker some respect in that community.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top