CRKT Ryan Plan B

C

Confederate

Joined
Sep 5, 2005
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We've seen the Ryan Model 7, which came out after the Plan B. Most people I've talked to don't seem to like the former, but what about the latter? Has anyone reviewed the Plan B or would like to leave their comments on them? How good a cutter is it? What was it designed for?

cr-ryan-plan-b.jpg


I also noticed this new Boker Subcom F in the 2006 Shot Show report...

boker_subcom_600w.jpg


...which Looks very much like the old Model 7:

crkt6813.jpg


Or is it just me? Someone here asked if the serrated handles were a new concept. :cool:

Anyway, thanks for any notes on the Ryan Plan B.


-Confed
 
It's more of a back-up knife, similar to the TDI in many respects. That said, I like my TDI a little better, but I still carry a Plan B on my backpack. Considering how many people praise the TDI, the Plan B should get some of the same attention, as its function is quite similar in my opinon. The Plan B good little knife to rely on, but compare it to a TDI if you have the chance.. As for how utilitarian it is, I can't comment. I keep it sharp in case I may need it. The sheath is admittedly crappy though. The TDI's isn't much better, but is a little more secure, if not more difficult to mount different ways(it was designed for police inner belts.)
 
The Plan B is not bad; a reasonably heavy piece of AUS 6 (CRKT may be using different steel now) with Zytel scales. Good fit into the sheath. Usual CRKT fit and finish.

And they have been selling cheap! I've seen them for under 15 bucks in some places.

For under 15 bucks not a bad deal IMO.
 
I'm not sure but i think the steel is the 420js. could be wrong. later, ahgar
 
Nope, the steel is AUS 6M. CRKT dropped this knife from its line in favor of the Ryan Model 7, which has 420J2 steel. The Boker Subcom F also has a 420J2 blade, which I found interesting. The SHOT Show report said: "Our only complaint with the blade is the 420J2 stainless used; this little gem deserves better. It's got a stainless frame with a thin left side inset into a molded fiberglass reinforced black nylon scale, saving some weight and the pattern in the handle makes it easier to grasp in your pocket than it would be if simply a steel frame alone."

The shape of these knives has always been intriging to me, as well, as so few people seem to like them.

--Confed
 
One of the things about the Plan B was that though it seemed to be marketed as a neck knife, it's really too heavy - and prints too much because of the thick handle - to be used that way.
 
Absolutely right on. It makes one wonder why, after seeing some of the design problems of the first Ryan, why they'd want to emphasize the design flaws and issue a new and deproved knife! Then comes the Boker Subcom F, a weird looking thing with crummy steel.

--Confed
 
Confederate said:
Absolutely right on. It makes one wonder why, after seeing some of the design problems of the first Ryan, why they'd want to emphasize the design flaws and issue a new and deproved knife! Then comes the Boker Subcom F, a weird looking thing with crummy steel.

--Confed
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They just released the Subcom F with AUS 8 steel and also a fixed blade version. I have one of these in the crappy steel, and it really feels good in the hand for such a small knife. The person who designed the knife is Daywalker from many of the knife forums including BF and Spyderco Forums. He is just a regular guy like you or me who designed a knife that Boker took a liking to. Now Spyderco made the Lava which is also one of his designs. He seems to favor Spyderco. He is always at that forum.
 
What's the idea, I wonder, about using the crappy steel? Why would any knife company use 420J2 for anything but cheap linerlock metal? CRKT and Gerber both are using it (and hiding it). Cold Steel uses 420 for its Peacekeeper knives as well as some tiny knives that really do cut well. But I don't like 420 overall, especially when manufacturers switch to it and other inferior steels without notice.

As for designing knives, it would be interesting to see what type of designs we'd come up with with just our own preferences and a clean sheet of paper. I don't know what Daywalker would think of Boker using his design and a crappy steel.

-Confed
 
Confederate said:
What's the idea, I wonder, about using the crappy steel? Why would any knife company use 420J2 for anything but cheap linerlock metal? -Confed
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I agree with you on the "drift" towards use of 420J2. I don't like it. But there's a pretty big difference between that and 420HC with a good heat treatment.

I also like your idea of a designer having veto power over steels used in knives bearing their name.
 
I think the Plan B is a great back-up "last resort" type of knife.

It's not too big and the blade is a bit short, but that is what makes it easy to concealed.

The blade is very strong and comes to a wicked point.

The handle is designed with a deep choil so that your hand cannot easily slip on to the blade when stabbing--and the handle is reasonably sized to afford a decent grip for the average hand, although it is a bit small for my hands.

I think this knife was made for stabbing and not really for slicing.

The zytel scales are extremely nice slabs and work just as well as anything else--considering the full-tang design, G-10 would just add cost without offering any extra strength IMO.

The AUS-6 blade-steel is just fine considering the purpose of this knife, and I'm sure that it would get the job done (stabbing someone in the body does'nt require the most advanced blade-steel).
 
I agree with allenC. I picked one up for around 11 bucks. I have just been abusing it. It gets dull pretty quick but for what I paid I love it.

tc
 
clearytja said:
I agree with allenC. I picked one up for around 11 bucks. I have just been abusing it. It gets dull pretty quick but for what I paid I love it.tc
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Definitely. As I said, for 15 bucks or so - which is what I've seen them selling for - it's not a bad deal at all.
 
Confederate said:
Why would any knife company use 420J2 for anything but cheap linerlock metal?
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CRK&T reasons its greater toughness in hard use, the chip resistance and high corrosion resistance and ease of grinding. The same reasons you would favor AUS-8 over ATS-34, taken to the next step. There are also manufacturing reasons as it is much easier (cheaper) to work.

rifon2 said:
I agree with you on the "drift" towards use of 420J2. I don't like it. But there's a pretty big difference between that and 420HC with a good heat treatment.
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420J2 at its upper range of carbon content overlaps 420HC, so you would expect the performance to be similar (the other elements are similar). In favor of 420HC in regards to hardness and wear resistance, however it would not be excellent for one and poor for another. Buck runs their 420J2 one point softer than their 420HC and rate both as equal in edge retention.

As for heat treatment, it isn't like Buck is the only one who knows what they are doing. Most of the myth about Bos comes from custom makers who are basically hyping their own work so have built up Bos to legendary status with little actual comparison data to support it. Yes Buck does a quality job on heat treatment, so does CRK&T from what I have seen.

-Cliff
 
Well...

My experience has been limited to 420HC in a Buck fixed and CRKT's AUS-6M in a folder. With that having been said, CRKT's AUS-6 is hideous.

With a new edge, I've had it dulling to the point of ineffectiveness in < 10 minutes of breaking down boxes.

In contrast, Buck's 420HC has treated me relatively well... pretty much like 440C, and a bit easier to sharpen.

-j
 
The initial sharpness of many knives can be deceptive in regards to what the steel is capable of, both Buck and Spyderco tend to have better than average initial sharpness which raises there performance in that regard, then there is the issue of grit.

The performance with a new M16-14Z left me rather unimpressed as well, the edge went blunt almost immediately cutting 1/4" cardboard, as in a few meters and the blade just slipped off. However with a regrind and sharpening to a more optimal grit you can easily cut a few hundred feet through the ridges and still readily slice fine paper.

CRK&T also hollow grinds some of their edges, not the grind the actual edge bevel is also hollow on some, it was on the two M16-14's I have and this leaves the very edge weak, you have to grind that flat as well to see the true abilities of the steel.

-Cliff
 
I like my CRKT Plan B - it's better than the Spyderco Ronin that I used to have if you consider handle security to be a priority (Ronin was way too slippery and the finger guard merely a speed bump).

That being said, the Ka Bar TDI blows the Plan B away - get a TDI and you won't even think about sub-compact fixed blades (except for maybe a la Griffe / Hide Away knife, but they're a slightly different class IMHO)
 
I have the Plan B in both plain and partially-serrated and find that when pointing it naturally that it appears to be downward-cutting; however, when viewed from the side the point is pointing straight out. This has led me to conclude that the knife is made for sharp slicing down movements, but at the same time it's cutting downwards, it will stab straight ahead.

I have not found AUS 6M to be a great EDC steel as cutting cardboard will dull the edge quickly. On the other hand, I've seen some 420 Chinese knives do about as well (or as poorly). I've also wondered how good (or bad) Cold Steel's 420 Peacekeepers are. When I look at them, they look like they're ground and treated well; however, I don't have any idea of their strength or their edge retention capabilities. Just pounding them through a car top isn't good enough.

I agree with what Cliff said in his distinction between ATS-34 and AUS 8, but I would rather have a quality 440C, I think, than have to settle for stuff that's traditionally been used for liner locks. I think his raising the cost cutting issue was pretty right on.

--Confed
 
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