CRKT?

afishhunter

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What is the reputation of CRKT folding knives equipped with an 8CR14MoV blade?

I don't see CRKT mentioned very often.

I'm sure there are "better" budget knives out there.

Thinking of getting a M-16 with plain edge NOT serrated clip point or spear point blade.
(no interest in, or use for a Tanto blade for my needs.)

OR ("and"?) the 'LCK+' for a "modern" take on the traditional Sodbuster.
 
My advice is usually to skip CRKT. I’ve gotten some real duds from them.

Good designs though. It’s a shame their materials and overall quality are generally so low.
This unfortunately, any knife that needs a lock for the lock is a bit sketchy, I would go with some from kizer or Civivi before I went with a crkt folder. That said, I did get this guy for the novelty:
1000010709.jpg
 
The M-16 is the only knife I've ever had literally fall apart in my hand. I'm sure I just got a bad one, but it was enough for me to never buy another CRKT. There are so many good budget options out there now, it's just not worth it. Probably better off with a Kershaw. If you don't mind buying Chinese. Civivi, QSP, and CJRB are all amazing for the price.
 
This unfortunately, any knife that needs a lock for the lock is a bit sketchy, I would go with some from kizer or Civivi before I went with a crkt folder. That said, I did get this guy for the novelty:
View attachment 2472808
😍😍🥰🥰 love it!
My only ... "excuse" ... for not getting the Snap Lock:
Out of my budget. ☹️🥺

I remember similar knives (and Schrade Wire Frame knifes) back when I was a young pre-teen minor. "Always" wanted one ... a couple.
 
CRKT - Interesting designs using sub-par materials and bizarre locks. My advice would be to steer clear. The M16 is regarded as a decent beater/work knife, but the RAT 1 (and Recon 1 even more so) gets my vote instead.
 
😍😍🥰🥰 love it!
My only ... "excuse" ... for not getting the Snap Lock:
Out of my budget. ☹️🥺

I remember similar knives (and Schrade Wire Frame knifes) back when I was a young pre-teen minor. "Always" wanted one ... a couple.
I had to pick this one up when they rereleased a couple years back as I missed the original.
 
For some reason, CRKT is not well regarded around here. I’m not quite sure why, I guess maybe there’s a higher incidence of failures than other brands? Who knows. I own three - a Snap Lock, which I only bought because of its uniqueness; an Attaboy deadbolt lock, which is a really cool little fidgeter; and most recently a Padawan frame lock flipper, which I’ve come to like very much. I have had zero issues with any of them; their action and build quality seems fine, especially at their price points. Granted I don’t use any of them regularly (actually none of my knives are heavily used other than a David Mary fixer that’s my go-to box eater). But I’m perfectly satisfied with my CRKT’s and would not hesitate to buy another one if I see a design I like.

My suggestion - if you’re curious about a particular model, there’s only one way to know if it will meet your expectations and needs: buy it and try it. I think the M16’s are nice looking knives, and for the price of most of them, you really can’t miss. Worst case, you have an overpowered letter opener. Best case, you have a decent cutter that you won’t mind beating on.
 
Some CRKT are pretty cool designs . But I've never been satisfied with the actual build quality .

If you just want something to play with , for the novelty , they might be OK .

I just always end up thinking, that they could have done so much better , and made a much more functional knife .









The Cold Steel above is a great knife , IMO . I would not hesitate to carry and count on . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:

The CRKT has multiple shortcomings . I have never carried or ever plan to . :(
 
Danny Linguini Danny Linguini as Danny said not sure why they are hated around here and that may have been justified a few years ago but lately they've been killing it with new releases and while their budget stuff can be hit or miss I've found them to be fine more than not. They work and they're a lot better than Gerber and I would say comparable to Kershaw's budget options.

You can spend 30+ bucks and get a CRKT that's stellar like the minimalist or Pilar/Squid etc. I wouldn't go crazy on the $$ for those obviously but 30-40 I think you're still getting a good deal granted it's better when they hit those sales and drop to low 30's or 20's even though.

I have a M-16 in 12c27 and it's perfect in fit and finish plus a plethora of their other budget models from 4 or 5 years ago that are all perfectly fine for what they are.

I own a LCK with phosphor bronze washers in 8CR non assisted version and it's great little knife, hell it was the talk of the town about 4 or 5 years ago still a great budget option.
 
I have a m21 spear point. It's really not that bad. Makes a nice sound when if flips open. If you like one for the design I would recommend just don't expect a high quality knife and hope you get a good one.
 
depends where it's made. the usa assembled m16-14sfa's weren't bad, but not great. the Taiwan made m16s were not bad at all. at the same time the Chinese made ones weren't very good...but things have changed in China. I'm betting they are much better than they were.
 
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Bought a lot of CRKTs (including several M16/21 variants) in the past & still own a "baker's dozen" of them now.

My favorites among the one's I still have are:

1) an auto-converted Tighe Tac 2;
2) an Onion Ti Hi-Jinx;
3) a Williams Hissatsu & Otanashi Noh Ken; and
4) an Ikoma Fossil.

You get what you pay for but I've never had an issue with any of them. 🤷
 
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I have a m21 spear point. It's really not that bad. Makes a nice sound when if flips open. If you like one for the design I would recommend just don't expect a high quality knife and hope you get a good one.
I don't absolutely hate everything about the M21 knife , but if they're going to use that designation , I believe they should do better . :(

vvhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M21_Sniper_Weapon_System
 
I owned a m16-14t I believe and it literally fell completely apart. It wasn't even used much just screws fell out of every hole and no amount of torque made a difference. I wasn't about to lock tight every screw so it got trashed after I found way better kknives.Also the lock was sketchy and I don't care for safeties on my locks or knives in general.
 
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