CRKT Ryan Model 7

E

emann

Joined
Apr 27, 2005
Messages
39
Hello. I just bought a CRKT Ryan Model 7 for my first serious knife. Is it true that I've basically bought a flea market quality knife? I bought this knife from a reputable gun and knife store, not a flea market also. I thought it looked nice and I had always heard good stuff about CRKT. Well after browsing a few different forums it seems I was mislead and that CRKT is basically a flea market quality brand, other then maybe a few of there really high end knives. It seems that they have replaced the steel on alot of there blades with cheap steel on there knives recently. I believe after further looking that my Ryan Model 7 is one of them. I believe it went from AUS6 to some 420J2 steel. Is 420J2 really that cheap or bad? I'm just going by what I've read at various other forums today. I really know nothing about the different types of steel used for blades. I do know that it seems AUS8 seems to be the preferred steel.
 
"Flea market quality" might be a tad severe a term for CRKT knives. Some of the older models used AUS 6 prior to their switch to 420.

As Garage Boy said you just need to sharpen more often.

You might not get that razor edge to stay as long as you want, but it should be ok for a beater knife.
 
m_calingo said:
Some of the older models used AUS 6 prior to their switch to 420.

but it should be ok for a beater knife.
Click to expand...
Well what's a better steel AUS6 or 420? What was the reason for CRKT's changing them? And unfortunantely I didn't buy this knife to be a beater but for my EDC self defense knife. It's kind of strange to because the Spyderco's I looked at weren't really any more expensive then the Ryan Model 7 ($50) I bought, but seem to have a much better reputation.
 
Chances are that your Ryan is aus6. Aus6 has a higher carbon content than 420j, thus holding and edge a little longer (but aus6 isn't the best for edge holding, either). If it is intendended for self defense, the edge holding ability is even less important than if it was a 'beater', since it will rarely, if ever, see actual use.
 
I just got a CRKT Crawford KFF Professional....quite a big knife :eek: . Steel is AUS8 instead of the normal AUS6 of the non-pro model.
 
:D :D
So as an EDC self-defence knife you are going to stake your life on that Taiwanese quality?
better you than me......I value my life a bit more .... a 3.5" blade??? I hope whoever you intend to protect yourself from isn't TOO intent upon harm!
 
Zforce said:
:D :D
So as an EDC self-defence knife you are going to stake your life on that Taiwanese quality?
better you than me......I value my life a bit more .... a 3.5" blade??? I hope whoever you intend to protect yourself from isn't TOO intent upon harm!
Click to expand...
Well that and my EDC Sig P239. And sorry but I refuse to carry anything bigger then a 3.5" blade everyday. Anything bigger would just be a total hassle to carry everyday I think. I have a 5" CS Voyager and I'd never even think about carrying that thing everyday. Different strokes for different folks I guess. P.S. Is Taiwan a bad place for blades to be made or something?
 
I carried, used and beat the tar out of an M-16-03Z for about two years. It never let me down. YMMV

Frank
 
emann said:
Well what's a better steel AUS6 or 420? What was the reason for CRKT's changing them? And unfortunantely I didn't buy this knife to be a beater but for my EDC self defense knife. It's kind of strange to because the Spyderco's I looked at weren't really any more expensive then the Ryan Model 7 ($50) I bought, but seem to have a much better reputation.
Click to expand...

AUS 6 is better than 420. If you check some of the previous threads using the search function, there was a discussion about CRKT's shift to 420. Although I don't remember CRKT actually stating an official reason for the switch, the opinion of those in the discussion was the change was due to economic reasons.

If your main purpose for carrying the knife is SD, then the switch from AUS 6 to 420 should be of little consequence. People fighting wars during the Bronze Age killed one another quite efficiently with edged weapons made of bronze which is far softer than AUS 6, 420, or any of the other steels used in knives today.

For a SD piece, my main concern would be the reliability of the liner lock. You can (carefully!) do a spine whack test and check and make sure the lock is secure.
 
You didn't get a collectible, but I think that knife is fine for everyday carry, especially if it will see light use.
 
I've used CRKT knives for years, good knives, never any problems with any of them that I've owned. Fine for EDC. It doesn't really matter what knife or type of steel you have. It's the person that's holding it that makes all the difference. Do you have any training in self defense? Any training with a knife for self defense? Find a martial arts class, it's fun, good for you, builds self confidence, and comes in handy in an emergency =)
 
"Different strokes for different folks I guess."
Quite right emann - no offence intended. Just I wouldn't trust the lock or the quality control for my life.
You're going to carry a Swiss precision pistol - why not carry a decent knife?
Again no offence, but with a 3.5" folder blade and a guy coming at you with a tyre lever you are going to do what exactly?
Run like hell would be my advice.
 
qqqqqqqman said:
I just got a CRKT Crawford KFF Professional....quite a big knife :eek: . Steel is AUS8 instead of the normal AUS6 of the non-pro model.
Click to expand...
I have a CRKT KFF Pro in my pocket this very instant. Nice knife; you have excellent taste. :)
 
Run like hell is good advice anyway. Self-defense means keeping yourself from harm, not seeing how much of a mess you can make of the other guy. If you know what you're doing, a couple of inches of steel will do the job, If you don't, even a sword wouldn't help you.

emann, welcome to Bladeforums. :) You did OK. A knife is a knife, steel is steel. You can learn more later on, there are plenty of sources, like this old thread, Blade Steels - Quick Definitions.

CRKT is a bang-for-the-buck company. They keep prices reasonable by using cheaper materials. Some of their line is way better than their low end, though.

420J2 is a mistake, I think, but remember, they sell to a wide market, not just knife knuts. Unsophisticated buyers look for price because they have no idea of performance.

The Ryan you bought happens to be an excellent design and was originally meant for combat, rather than utility. It is a miniature barong blade.

Where a knife is manufactured has little to do with quality. Japan and Taiwan turn out some excellent knives. It has to do more with supervision, whether the company insists on standards of fit and finish, or imports junk from anywhere. Evidently CRKT pays attention.

Enjoy the knife. Stick around and eventually you will find bargains on better knives. (Take a look at The Knife Exchange here.)
 
A friend of mine EDC's a CRKT M1804 and uses it as a utility knife for cutting thick nylon cord mostly, at his job. He claims that the edge lasts a long time, so does anyone know which steel is used on that model? the knife is very quick and smooth operating, retail was about $70-ish. I also notice that they try to hide the "taiwan" marking on the blade (Small and out of the way).
 
CRKT might not have the best knives out there, but they're not junk. I have an M16-13, AUS 8 blade, aluminum handle with the flipper and the LAWKS, and it works just fine. I also have a Ryan model 7 black, and that is a good utility knife. My M21 big dog does a good job on camping trips. I haven't been able to really use it yet, but my M16 EDC is a great little knife as well. CRKT has some extreme high quality knives, but most knives in the line are utility.
 
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