- Joined
- Sep 5, 2005
- Messages
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After describing the CRKT Thunderbolt II tanto, I was anxious to see what the larger Thunderbolt I would be like. The Thunderbolt I was a solid little knife with a Lake and Walker Knife Safety, a 3.44-inch 8Cr14MoV blade and a heavy 6061 aluminum frame. It also had serrations on the front of the tanto edge, as well as the rear portion of the blade. Although this made some cutting chores more difficult, not easier, it did make for a good tactical addition.
The second knife, the Thunderbolt I, is a virtual carbon copy of the Thunderbolt II, only larger, and with a 3.9-inch blade. I'd heard it described as "large" or "a tank," but having carried large knives for the last couple of years, I didn't really believe it. But I was wrong. Still, it wouldn't have been a problem if the knife had delivered performance-wise. Unfortunately, it doesn't.
The Thunderbolt II is a tough little knife, capable of EDC and even a respectable amount of work, even as a tactical piece. The Thunderbolt I, however, is simply heavy and slow, kind of like Rosie O'Donnel, and about as useful. One would think that any increase in blade length would make it a more effective knife, but it suffers from being on the other side of the point of diminishing return. For example, the following photos shows must how little in gained in blade length:
The smaller knife's blade is so close to the length of the larger that the extra size and weight of the Thunderbolt I, that many will find only a minuscule advantage. Yet they will find the width and frame of the larger knife to be just too much to haul around. In short, it's fatter and heavier, and for only "this much" of a longer tip. Seen from the top, observe how much longer the larger knife is than the smaller knife. In some ways it's misleading, because the length is simply the top of the tanto. It's actually less than it appears.
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Both sides of the Thunderbolt I (right).
For tactical use, skip the larger model; and for day to day use, skip the larger model. Only if you want an outdoor knife would there be an advantage to the slightly bigger blade. It's a case of where the extra weight is in the belly. For EDC use, a plain edge might be better.
The knife's unique look suggests the old World War II prop fighters, though some say it's based on the A-10 Warthog. If you can see the resemblance in the latter, more power to you. Some find the design ugly. The blade material is said to be a sort of AUS8 quality steel (though made in China). I predict most will find far more use in the smaller model than the larger, but each person is different. The frame is heavy, the pivot screw solid and it's a beefy knife. Some may like it, but most will prefer the smaller model.
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The second knife, the Thunderbolt I, is a virtual carbon copy of the Thunderbolt II, only larger, and with a 3.9-inch blade. I'd heard it described as "large" or "a tank," but having carried large knives for the last couple of years, I didn't really believe it. But I was wrong. Still, it wouldn't have been a problem if the knife had delivered performance-wise. Unfortunately, it doesn't.
The Thunderbolt II is a tough little knife, capable of EDC and even a respectable amount of work, even as a tactical piece. The Thunderbolt I, however, is simply heavy and slow, kind of like Rosie O'Donnel, and about as useful. One would think that any increase in blade length would make it a more effective knife, but it suffers from being on the other side of the point of diminishing return. For example, the following photos shows must how little in gained in blade length:
The smaller knife's blade is so close to the length of the larger that the extra size and weight of the Thunderbolt I, that many will find only a minuscule advantage. Yet they will find the width and frame of the larger knife to be just too much to haul around. In short, it's fatter and heavier, and for only "this much" of a longer tip. Seen from the top, observe how much longer the larger knife is than the smaller knife. In some ways it's misleading, because the length is simply the top of the tanto. It's actually less than it appears.
Both sides of the Thunderbolt I (right).
For tactical use, skip the larger model; and for day to day use, skip the larger model. Only if you want an outdoor knife would there be an advantage to the slightly bigger blade. It's a case of where the extra weight is in the belly. For EDC use, a plain edge might be better.
The knife's unique look suggests the old World War II prop fighters, though some say it's based on the A-10 Warthog. If you can see the resemblance in the latter, more power to you. Some find the design ugly. The blade material is said to be a sort of AUS8 quality steel (though made in China). I predict most will find far more use in the smaller model than the larger, but each person is different. The frame is heavy, the pivot screw solid and it's a beefy knife. Some may like it, but most will prefer the smaller model.
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