Crkt

Hi HJaffe. Thanx for the comments. We discuss all kinds of things on this forum, even other knife companies, no problemo.

Columbia River makes good knives and they also have good designers. Comparing knife companies is difficult because they are never "apples & apples". Each company has its parameters that it tries to follow in its product offerings.

The boys at Columbia River are not newcomers to the knife industry, they know their way around. The designers that they select are also very good designers so when they come out with a model, it is usually a good offering. I believe that they are a larger company than Spyderco.

I would always suggest that one should purchase the knives they like for the reasons they like and they should enjoy their purchases.

There will always be something that each company does better than other companies and there will always be things they don't do as well as other companies, regardless of the industry.

Competition is good for the industry. Without it, we would all be carrying inferior products. Argueing over which might be better is moot. Better at what? And at what cost?

Spyderco uses exotic steels because I choose to. Exotic steels are very difficult to use in production knives so a certain dedication is required to actually pull it off. That's our thing. I thnk that I can safely say that if CRKT used CPM-440V in any of their models, those models would be much more expensive. When we make pricepoint models, we also use AUS-6. It's a good all around steel.

"All good, just different". I would worry more about the knives made by companies that don't even put their name on the product. You can probably be safe in assuming that most of the major modern knife companies all put out pretty good product. It's all in what you like.

I will say that the more you know about knives and knife construction, the better Spyderco looks. Much of our effort (money) is put into R&D. That's our thing.

It would be my hope that you enjoy all of the knives you purchase regardless of who makes them. That way you can learn to appreciate what each company has to offer.

sal
 
Sal,

You communicate very well, and what a great attitude you project with your words.

Hats off to you, Jeff/1911.
 
Sal, you are kinder to CRKT than your customers are.

Do you know what AUS-118 is?

Thanks.
 
I think I'll have to agree with the group and say that Spyderco has CRKT beat in every aspect but customer service. In my experience, I have found that both companies are equal. I must admit, I love some of CRKT's designs, and even went out of my way to find one of their discontinued models, but for the price, and the quality you get, you can't beat a Spydie. There are knives from other companies that interest me, and are on my wish list, but the one company I always look at first when I'm about to make a purchase is Spyderco.

Chris.
 
AUS-6M? AHHHAHAHA! Yeah, I'll be taking this Jamoke seriously some time soon. :rolleyes:

I've given away KISS knives as the party favor toys that they are. Find me a CRKT knife that stands up in the same league as a Wegner. I've seen nothing by CRKT that puts them on the same shelf as ANY Spyder.
 
Brian, I agree. More importantly, those dogs in your photo album are awesome! What kind of dog is Lothar?
 
i think the AUS118 steel came up when CRKT came out w/there carbon fiber handle folders, the M16-00 and M16F if memory serves, and also were supposed to be the steel in the kasper pro series knives - i THINK the M16's have it, or are at least advertised as having it, while the pro models i dont know, they advertise them as AUS6, so go figure - i have both of them (M16-00 and a med kasper pro) and they are ok, not quits like a crawford though lol - but it is supposed to be better than AUS6 - hope this helps - and we dont mean to be rude, just like spydies, and the company /people behind it - crkt is ok, but i find myseld buying less crkts the more i learn about knives, they just arent as good as a spydie, for me anyway


sifu
 
AUS-118 has failed to impress in a number of tests. It is inferior to ATS-34 but is aimed at the 440C type of grade. Serg Martin in particular was not blown away by its ability IIRC in his test.

CRKT and Spyderco are in different leagues altogether!

To claim all Spyderco's look the same or that CRKT products are better is a joke. The Bladelock knife looks darn ugly in my humble opinion and after handling it I was far from impressed, same for the Wasp, which is very overpriced and poorly finished (the handles were quite sharp).

I own several CRKT knives and like them at the price point, but carry a CRKT or a Spyderco? No contest at all...:rolleyes:

As to Sal being kinder to CRKT rather than the customers, what is that supposed to mean? Sal is a very genuinly friendly person and I have never seen him lose his rag with a genuine question made in good faith! Please explain.:confused:
 
Originally posted by The General


As to Sal being kinder to CRKT rather than the customers, what is that supposed to mean? Sal is a very genuinly friendly person and I have never seen him lose his rag with a genuine question made in good faith! Please explain.:confused:
Click to expand...

this was meant as a compliment, and was meant to mean:

Sal is kinder to CRKT that we were to CRKT

NOT that:

Sal is kinder than CRKT than Sal is to us.

in other words Sal is a real classy guy to stick up for a competing company on his own forum, which is cool if you think about it.
 
Many of you seem to be very smug about your Spydercos. As I said I own over a dozen, and they are very good knives. Of course, when I bought my first one, they were scoffed at because they had zytel handles instead of stag bone, and holes instead of fingernail slots. Names like Buck and Case were the way to go. Where are these names today?

I was only trying to open some discussion on a different style, a different manufacturer. Many new ideas have been scoffed at and rejected in the past. But without new ideas and approaches we are nowhere. This is not a discussion about who's better.

I could certainly try to get a CRKT forum started so owners can talk amongst themselves, but what's the point of that? I think you will be hearing more from CRKT in the future, and to me it looks like they are committed to making unique and interesting knives, just as Spyderco is. Maybe they need to generate sales initially, so that they can bring us more exotic knives in the future.

I'm glad you guys are so convinced you have the only knife worth owning, and I'm sure you will be quite happy convincing each other of that for a long, long time. :rolleyes:
 
Spydercos aren't the only knives worth having. There are plenty of other makers producing quality knives, with top tier materials. I own plenty of them.

Until CRKT starts producing knives for people who know the difference, instead of simply trying to meet a price point, I won't be buying one.

You walked into the Spyderco forum and started crowing about AUS-6 - did you really expect people who know better to say "You know, maybe I do want a cheap steel that won't hold an edge!"?
 
look- it seems that you cant keep this on the subject of knives. You probably already read where people said that CRKT's are decent- lets leave it at that. Every one has a different opinion over every knife. even if they dont like your favorite, well so what! It still works just as well for you doesnt it? If it were up to me- I would only have buck knives made the way that I like them. but I enjoy the look and feel of other knives that are out there on the market too. as much as we would all love to have our favorite manufacturer make top of the line everything in killer styles and material, it just doesnt happen.
 
no no no we are not saying the only knife worth having is a spyderco - i have a modest collection which includes many brands, including crkt - the companion is one helluva knife, imho the best fixed blade for the $$ around, but the thing comes w/2 crappy sheaths, why not one good one? imho crkt could change just a few things and really improve there products - better steel in blade, better liner lock, better finishing, most are too heavy for the size, but they are ok, just not up to quality on a spydie, benchmade, emerson, rekat, etc - i know, i have compared them side by side - crkt's licensed copies are great, but they too should get away from zytel, do they make any handles from G10, or micarta? not many i dont think - but whatever if ya like crkt, by all means get the knife which makes you happy - if YOU are happy w/your knife, all of our opinions matter little anyway - enjoy your knives, thats what its all about!!!


sifu
 
I like CRKT knives, but I don't think that they are better than Spyderco in overall quality. CRKT does produce good knives for the money, but Spyderco offers more of a selection as well as better steels and various materials. I guess what people seem to forget is that CRKT set out to make affordable knives for the average working individual. If CRKT where to use G-10 scales, VG-10, 154CM, ATS-34 and titanium liners, the price of the knives would obviously go up, then you'd see people complain about their high prices. They do not have the fit and finish of a Spyderco or a Benchmade, but CRKT makes good affordable knives especially for people who are just starting out as knife enthusiasts. The only gripe I have with CRKT is that I hate their plastic sheaths. I would prefer Kydex for their non-folding knives.
 
I have on order a Mnandi knife 24 of 25 and a small Sebenza dark walnut Spiral Damascus knife. I also recently got a great custom fixed blade. I also own other Chris Reeve products an LCC D/A, A MOD DD CQD heck even Benchmade stuff!

Spyderco just happen to give me what I want at a very good price point. The quality and ethic of Sal and Co speaks for itself. They are NOT the best, just one of the best! I am very happy with them and at the end of the day that is all that matters to me.;)
 
In my mind comparing crkt to Spyderco is like comparing
a ford to a ferrai. CRKT are great buys for your
dollar, but what that means is that they a make a
cheap knife, I'm no steel expert but I know what they
use in no where close to qualitity of spyderco blades.
I have owned several spydercos and they continue to
be my favorite knife (stainless Endura in my pocket
right now), being in the knife business I can tell
you CRKT has had many problems with lock failure, and
blade rust, problems Spyderco does not have.
If you want a $30 buy a CRKT, if you want a good
knife, buy a Spyderco.
 
Hi Hjaffe. patience and open mind, right? When you bring another company into a "one company forum", most would assume you were looking for a comparison. If you were just seeking a discussion on CRKT, the general forum might bring more differing opinions.

CRKT has their niche, we have ours. They are not the same.

Which is "better" is often the assumed comparision. Better "at what?" is always where it goes.

The things that set companies apart is what attracts different clientelle. Certainly one simple thing that might set Spyderco and CRKT apart is that Spyderco maintains and moderates two forums for discussion with ELU.

With regards to AUs-118, I have no real knowledge. We are contacting Aichi to see if they make AUS-118 and what is in it.

Steels are far different than designs in that designs are totally affected by opinions. Steels on the other hand have chemistries and they are testible for performance features.

sal
 
be interesting to find out how it stacks up. I was also wondering because people ask for better steel if spyderco has ever used BG-42
 
I've owned a CRKT or two. Great value... well, I'm sounding like everyone else on that one.

And yes, they do look nice. A good knife designer can make a good looking knife.

My personal pet peeve, (the steel thing aside) is the liner lock. Not necessarily the strength, or design. Liner locks have been executed well in other brands, and by other designers, and I like them better than most lockbacks, simply because most lockbacks will get squoze when the knife gets gripped too tightly, and the blade can close. It's not the design of the liner lock that bugs me. It's the way they don't have good access to the lock to UNLOCK the damn thing! Maybe it's just me, but my big, fumbling thumbs have a hard time gripping the very edge of the liner between two full scales. I like having some of the handle cut away, so I can have some room to get at it. And the hell with the milled out grippy edging. It works fine to keep the handle from slipping out of your hand, but not much to make for a grippable lock. I like the looks of the CRKT Viele, but for the money, I'd much rather have a knife, even a cheap one, with an easily operable lock. Sure the blue scales are sexy. But sometimes it's just as important to be able to put the knife away, and relatively quickly and easily, so you can use both hands, ya know?

I guess it's just a style thing. The sales pitch about a knife being the most expensive and least effective pry bar you'll ever own is nice... and very true. It displayed a lot of common sense that I just didn't see in the way they started executing their linerlocks.
 
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