CRKT: Your thoughts?

I like the M16 and M 21 and the Crawford Kasper model. Never had a Ripple but like the looks.
 
I like CRKT and own a few of 'em. I especially like how they give new designers an opportunity for production collaboration.

CRKT makes some decent knives at a fair price, but I think it takes a little more research to separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. My favourite model so far is the Ripple 1 frame-lock.

Here's another CRKT thread with some thought-provoking perspectives on the CRKT brand, if you're interested:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/820709-Up-The-Columbia-River…-Without-a-Paddle
 
I've had CRKT's that were made better than most of My Emersons.

You can't go wrong with a CRKT.
 
No bad experiences w CRKT. M16 and Kasper folder were 2 of my favorites.
 
T.L. said:
I have recently noticed that I have been subconsciously straying away from CRKT products without having a reason...

I am looking to get another brand into my EDC/beater knife selection.

They seem like good knives but I've never been able to pull the trigger on one. Specifically I am wondering what people think of the M14, M16, and M21. They have tons of styles, and I have heard that the Veff serrated versions are some of the best serrations you can get. I have no knowledge of how the good the AutoLawks sytem is compared to others.

Any thoughts? Recommendations on a certain model? Photos?

EDIT: Would it be reasonable to compare them to Smith & Wesson?


Thanks
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CRKT has had some really interesting ideas and designs that they botched up by poor materials, shortcuts, and high prices. They have a lot of potential and I think they waste it.

I wouldn't say they are as bad as S&W, as they employ many reputable designers, and use recognizable steels.

I would say SOG and CRKT are on par with each other
 
T.L. said:
Very glad you posted that. I was just going to ask about the Ripple or Ripple II. They look like they're pretty sweet for the price.

Nevermind, I get it now. K405KXP is the model. Acuto+ is the steel.
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what the heck is Acuto+...I have never heard of it, is that simliary to 8CR13Mov ?
 
co556guy said:
There are better knives out there, IMHO.

For the price (or less), get a Spyderco tenacious for about $35 or an Ontario Rat1 for around $25.
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further more, there are many Kershaws in the $40.00 dollar range that I think I would buy over a CRKT. How about the Kershaw Cryo, which wont best value knife of the year. A Hinderer design for $35.00 bucks, cant beat it.
 
I have about five m-series they seem Ok but never get much use, I prefer to buy US made knives, and do not really like the thick profile of the knife in the pocket. I prefer my kershaw storm II as my main edc.
 
I have owned many CRKT's, and they were descent knives for the money but generally the blades are softer and don't hold an edge as long. I had an ATS-34 smaller folder with Titanium frame and the detent that kept the knife close wore off. On the other end of the spectrum my crkt crawfor kasper might just be the toughest folder I have ever used. It is a total tank. Soft blade steel, but easy to sharpen, super strong pivot and frame. For the money, they aren't bad. Just like all the other makers these days you really need to weed through the models.
 
I've had two M16s and still have an M21-04, and they've all been perfectly serviceable, fine knives overall for the prices I got 'em at ($25 for the 16s and $50 for the 21).
 
On a scale of 1-10. 1 being the worst flea-market knife that can possibly be imagined, 9 being Spyderco/Benchmade, and 10 being customs.

CRKT gets a 4/10.

The LAWKS system really brings them down a point or two. It gives it a really cheap feel. The springs in their knives reverberate and there are much better knives out there for the money. I really want the Eraser that they just put out, but I just don't trust their quality. I will probably waste $80 on a really overpriced knife. Great design, bad quality.

I will never buy CRKT again.
 
For the price they can be decent knives. But they never "feel" right in my hands. Don't know if it's the skeleton type handles of the M-16 type, or something else. But like you I stay away from them.
 
timberweasel said:
I like CRKT and own a few of 'em. I especially like how they give new designers an opportunity for production collaboration.

CRKT makes some decent knives at a fair price, but I think it takes a little more research to separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. My favourite model so far is the Ripple 1 frame-lock.

Here's another CRKT thread with some thought-provoking perspectives on the CRKT brand, if you're interested:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/820709-Up-The-Columbia-River…-Without-a-Paddle
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+1 on doing research with your CRKT. They are good about listing the steel they use. If you like the looks of one of the M-Series knives just make sure that you order one in a decent steel. I've had M-16s in both their AUS-8 and CR13MOV and both held an edge well and cut well. The liners on both were comparable to the one on my Spyderco Resilient.

Their brand rep mostly arises out of having too many similar knives with too wide a range of quality and materials. There's a lot of room between the M16 at Wally World and the higher end M16 models aimed at servicemen and first responders, but the feedback for both get lumped together. It's a problem for CRKT because their higher end knives are perfectly respectable and many of their value priced knives are decent as well, you just have to pay attention to the materials and look at where they made their compromises to keep the price point low.
 
I wouldn't buy one with somone else's money. I bought a Ripple with the Acuto+ steel and though the steel was fine, the handle had more hot spots than a waffle iron. I am afraid that CRKT just doesn't inspire confidence in me.
 
My M16-14 Southpaw Big dog is my most modern folder. It's a solid knife that I carry when I'm fairly sure I need a tough knife. I use it harder than my GEC Congress :)

It's a solid knife. I took the corner off of the tanto and had the blade bead blaster by a fellow forum member.

IMG_20120911_111942.jpg
 
Ive got the ripple,full throttle, & a customized grant hawk dog with damascus blade,corian handles,those are my favorite crkt's(& my only)
 
I use to stay away from them as I thought they were junk, then my mom both me an m-16 and I carried it because it was bought by her and means the world to me. I was actually surprised with how pleased I was with it. Its a nice knife imho. I also carry a toolzilla by crkt and its been pretty nice also. Hope this helps and enjoy the blade. :thumbup:

Mead-20120924-00436_zpsc18ee639.jpg
 
So this thread's back, huh? Ah, well... nothing wrong with that, I guess.
I think CRKT makes some gimmicky stuff, but they also make some really great knives. Their Alan Folts and Ken Onion designs especially.
 
I have a Jim Hammond design Mirage (6703) with ATS-34... And a Doolittle (6612) 420J2..Both have smooth opening and solid lockup..No complains here.CD
 
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