CRKT - Ryan Plan B

Richard

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Joined
Oct 3, 1998
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I got this knife about 3 weeks or so ago. I have used it quite a bit for the last 2.

I love to cook, so I prefer my knives work well in the kitchen, and I am able to give them a pretty good work out in there. I cut up some frozen chicken breasts (boneless) into strips for fajitas the other night. Having a very sharp factory edge, combined with one of the best handle designs I have ever used on a small knife make cutting frozen stuff very easy. The handle is very comfortable and really locks into your grip giving you plenty of confidence to really get after the cutting without worrying about the knife twisting or slipping, even when wet. I have also used it on steaks, pork, vegetables and anything else that needs cutting in the kitchen. Naturally the cutting board (some synthetic material, don’t know what its made out of) tends to dull the knife a bit. It loses its shaving edge after preparing a very large meal, but still remains plenty sharp to use without worry. After using it, I generally just put it in the dishwasher with everything else with no negative effects on the knife at all. To restore the edge I simply use a Henckels steel. A few strokes will bring back the shaving edge very quickly.

I also have used it for whittling, nothing special, just turning big sticks into little sticks. That doesn’t seem to affect the edge at all, it will shave before, and after. Again the handle design makes it very easy to whittle as long as your want with no discomfort to your hand.

Cutting up cardboard is a breeze. I cut a medium sized priority mailbox into several strips. It would no longer shave after that, but again was still sharp enough to use and easily restored with the Henckels steel.

Probably the best thing about this knife is that CRKT finally managed to put a decent sheath with it. The Companion, and the F4 both have overly bulky sheaths that allow the knives to rattle due to pretty lose fits, the F4 being the worst. That doesn’t really bother me too much, but some people can’t stand it. The Plan B sheath is thin, well fitted to the knife and obviously had a lot more thought into its design. Removing the low profile clip from it allows the knife and sheath to easily slip into your front pocket and is very easily carried that way. Also, I don’t use neck carry much anymore, although this one hides well under a shirt though is heavy enough that it might bug some people to carry that way all day.

As for looks, well it might take some people a bit of getting used to, especially with the slotted handles. The slots do work extremely well though in aiding grip security, a nice touch one you get over the odd look.

As for CRKTs smaller fixed blades, this is the nicest handling and most well designed one so far in my opinion. Typical of CRKT, the fit and finish is quite good, and grinds are about as even as you are likely to find.

Definitely a great value in a small fixed blade.

jul+6+crktplanb.jpg
 
`e with just about everything said above!
I have found that it holds an edge very well. And it is one of the most comfortable small knives that I have used, I have decent sized hands so small handles can be a problem, not with the Plan B.
I have to disagree about the sheath though. It is slim and would carry in a pocket very well. But, since the clip in in the middle of the sheath (on a knife with a rather short blade) most of the mass and length of the knife rides above your belt. I normally carry IWB on my strong side. This knife rides so high that it imprints worse then larger knives with better designed sheaths.

So, I tried it as a neck carry.....not so good here etheir. It spins on the chain a lot.... I know that this is not unusual with a neck carry, but it seemed excessive, every time I checked it was twisted around the wrong way. I tried hanging the sheath on some of the holes further away from the tip of the sheath, holes that are further apart, it helped a little but not much. I think that the center of gravity is not in line with the sheath as it hangs, and this contributes to the knife twisting everytime you lean forward. Finally, I have a phsicaly active job, I'm a carpenter, and I had the Plan B COME OUT OF THE SHEATH! Here I am, using a covert carry trying to hunt a sharp loose blade out of my T-shirt without anybody else noticing! NOT GOOD!

I'm thinking about sending mine to Survival Sheath Systems for a better sheath. Since the Plan B is essentially a mini kukri I've even thought about having them make a miniature version of their large kukri sheaths just for the visual joke.
 
I have the Ryan, but didn't use it enough to be able to judge it. Hoewever, my first impressions are along the lines Richard AND lunumbra pointed.
Another aspect that might be interesting is the SD properties. I asked Mike Janich at the Spyderco Forum (their site forum, not BF) about that. Although Mike didn't have the Ryan in hands his answer is very instructive. You may find it at the Spyderco Forum (MBC section), search 'Franco' and choose the thread 'Q to Mike Janich: Ryan vs. Ronin'.
Regards,

Franco
 
Man that's one wicked looking knife. I tried the F4 but like many, I was dissapointed about the rattle of the sheath. I think that it may be on my list next...right behind the prowler that is.
Matt
 
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