CRKT Slipjoints anybody ?

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whetrock

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Nov 13, 2010
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Since joining BF I've become a pretty big consumer of Rough Rider knives. I've found them to be quite good given the price. With that being said after I became enamored with these nifty, affordable, little slipjoints began to wonder if their was another make of Asian manufactured traditional folders that might cost a bit more while at the same time feature somewhat better fit and finish. I'm in no way insinuating that Rough Riders are inferior, but am curious as to what exactly is the boundary of quality with these imported slipjoints. I've found the Colt knives to be of nice quality, but they seem to be a tad bit ornate for my taste, still at that they seem to be very well received on BF. That leads me to CRKT. They cost a bit more, but that doesn't necessarily mean better quality. They seem to sport down to earth traditional styling as well.
 
I like the look of the CRKT's but am unfamiliar with them.
I'd like to know more about the CRKT slippies, I have a couple of their one handers and they've been decent performers for their cost.
 
whetrock said:
That leads me to CRKT. They cost a bit more, but that doesn't necessarily mean better quality. They seem to sport down to earth traditional styling as well.
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A couple of thoughts. AG Russell carries these now. If you have ever dealt with him and his company, you know that he stands behind his product 110% (my personal experience). You can't do that with "iffy" quality products. And when considering the price of the knife, you would lose money on it if there was an actual issue that caused a knife to be returned. That says something about these knives.

Next, I have seen them at the guns shows, but only from the CRKT authorized dealer. I had my favorite off shore slipjoint in my pocket, a "Remington" branded medium stockman. We compared the knives and concluded it had to be made in the same factory. The blade dimensions and profiles were exactly the same. The size of the knife was exactly same, along with the position of the blades when it was open. Also apparent was the fact that it was all stainless, except the scales. The fit and finish were as good as it gets, as were the pulls. Even the nail nicks were positioned exactly the same. We concluded these knives had to be from the same factory.

If that is indeed the case, you can't go wrong with the CRKT offering. I have used and used the daylights out of the Remington for a couple of years and it has been a great pocket folder. The hardness of the steel is a bit harder than my old CASE medium stockman in carbon, but still very easy to sharpen.

Robert
 
I'm pretty impressed with CRKT's more modern offerings as well. They aren't too terribly overpriced and feature pretty decent materials and construction. With that being said I can't help but wonder if their more traditional knives are made in the same facility as their other knives or outsourced to another manufacturer. They look nice, but I'm not for certain if they are that much better than say a Rough Rider or Steel Warrior and if I'd benefit in spending any more.
 
Never handled one, but I've seen them in stores. They're very good-looking, in general, and the stag on the few that I saw was especially nice. I mistook them for Boker Solingens at first.
 
Never had much use for CRKT's modern offerings. Lots of flash, but you really had to watch what you actually got as far as blade alloy and long term durability. I'll likely pass on these CRKT offerings as well.
 
knarfeng said:
Never had much use for CRKT's modern offerings. Lots of flash, but you really had to watch what you actually got as far as blade alloy and long term durability. I'll likely pass on these CRKT offerings as well.
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I understand. I always thought of CRKT as mall ninja gear, but part of that was because we had no dealers to show anything but those patterns at the only local knife store we had (in the mall!) for years.

Once I met the dealer that started selling CRKT along with his other medium priced Olbertz, Eye and other knives I found they actually made a lot of different styles. I told him I had a tendency to think of the CRKT knives (while holding a beautiful Olbertz stockman) as mall junk. He agreed. Then he showed me several of their offerings and they seem to be really nice stuff. He told me that CRKT was ready to get into the big boy league of making respectable knives, using better materials and employing respected designers. I bought a Drifter from him, and it is a mini tank. Nice little knife.

When he had the CRKT slipjoints for sale, he told me that CRKT didn't make them themselves. They were from an upper end off shore factory, one that made many models of knives for others but sold only "badged" products. He did tell me that at a distributors meeting they found that CRKT specified a different steel than was used on many of the off shore offerings, and hardened to a bit higher RC level. I went to the web site and found this to be true. These knives are the only knives on the CRKT website that use 7CrMoV, hardened to 57-59 RC.

The knives get good reviews on other sites when someone takes the time to look at them, but they aren't selling any patterns that I want so I will probably pass as well. The big draw for me was the obvious time and attention put to the fit and finish of the knives. The examples I looked at were excellent. I think it would be easier to keep a handle on the quality if you only offered 5 or so knife patterns with one steel and on type of scale material. Seems to be working for them.

Robert
 
I was just looking at them again over on AG Russell's site. I like the look of the stockman and whittler but I wish I could handle them before I buy.
 
zippofan said:
I was just looking at them again over on AG Russell's site. I like the look of the stockman and whittler but I wish I could handle them before I buy.
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I understand. My track record with knives has put me in the position these days of 1) either handling the knife in person before buying or 2) buying from a dealer that gives a 100% ironclad guarantee.

I had a small problem with my AGR branded wharncliffe, and I had a new knife in my hand with a return merchandise authorization as well as return post... in three days! Granted, I might have caught them in top form, but I don't think so. The customer service rep I talked to told me that they wanted me completely happy, so it wasn't a problem on their end to replace the knife. She then told me they do that with every single piece of merchandise they sell.

If I wanted to try one, I would buy from him. Buying traditionals is hard for me these days as I remember the quality we used to get, and at that time took for granted. My AGR purchases have been refreshing (bought two more AGRs based on my experience) and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again.

Just now looking at the knives on his site, I noticed they have added a medium/small whittler at 3 1/2" overall when closed. To me, that would be an easy pocket carry. And I love the whittler pattern if done right. May be going on the Christmas list.

Robert
 
Meh, I think I'll stick to the old tried and true Rough Riders for my inexpensive slipjoints. I like the looks of the CRKTs, however they are pretty expensive for an outsourced knife seeing as for not much more one could have a Case in some sort of Delrin flavor. Maybe I'll try a Colt for the heck of it. I dunno why I'm interested in these inexpensive knives, I'm not rich, but I ain't broke either. I've got Case, GEC, as well as Queen and a few other big production names. I'm just curious I suppose. Also it doesn't hurt to have a beater or two stashed away.
 
I picked up the CRKT Congress a while back and wrote up a review.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/826346-CRKT-6062-Congress

Check out "Chief" brand. They appear to be the same as the CRKT knives, but with different handles matierials and (apparently) actually have stainless steel hardware. And cost half as much. I haven't picked up a Chief yet myself; frankly I had forgotten all about them.
 
Thanks for the heads up Planterz. I'd forgotten all about that review, I suppose they aren't bad in terms of fit and finish, but are of questionable construction seeing as they got the blades backwards. I'm not too terribly interested in the Congress pattern however, and have got my eye on the simpler trapper.
 
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