Despite all of the drama about quality...

CrimsonTideShooter

CrimsonTideShooter

Joined
Oct 23, 2010
Messages
3,196
I still find myself uninhibitedly attracted to all things CRK. I recently acquired a Microtech Matrix (ZT 777 copy, shameful I know) and it just didn't feel right. Well, today I traded it for two brand new minty fresh Large Plain 21's. Felt great.

That makes my CRK collection consist of:

2 Large Micarta 21s
4 Large Plain 21s
1 Large Insingo
2 Umnumzaans
1 Small Plain 21


I've had more than this, but I have gotten rid of a few. Sure, CRK's quality may be slipping a tad, but you know what? Even with the minor QC issues going around, they are STILL head and shoulder above the rest in the business. I have actually learned to embrace the subtle differences between each knife, and just chock it up to them having a little "hands on" attention that makes them inherently different from one another. Not all of them have perfectly centered blades, not all of them open as smoothly as the others, but I still love each and every one of them.

Some people have seen me as a "CRK troll" here lately because I speak up on issues that I see. I only do this because I feel like if I don't, I am doing a disservice to myself. CRK, and you guys as well. If we see issues that are out of the norm, then we should talk about it. Plain and simple. That's the one and only reason that I ever speak up in QC threads, and I am most likely going to steer clear of them in the future, unless I have something new and worthwhile to share.


Anway, didn't want to write a book, I just wanted to share the excellent trade that I did today. I've noticed a trend in my collection: CRKs keep growing in numbers while everything else is shrinking.
 
Just bought my first Mnandi. So many options! I didn't think I would get a CRK this soon and now I will have two within a week! (Being in nursing school and all.) I got a small Sebenza 21 a couple days ago. Amazing F&F. Mnandi should be here by the 16th. Have you ever considered one?

Back to point though. When you pay this much for a product, whether a knife or anything. You should have your concerns addressed. A customer should not feel bad for bringing up concerns. That's what keeps most great companies, great. When you are complacent, things happen. In life, with anything.

Again, so far, I'm happy with my CRK's.
 
I agree the quality is not what it used to be but its still superior to all midtechs I've come across and the two customs I've handled. Look no further than the new screws compared to the older screws to see what I mean (poor finish and slightly off centered screw holes). The very slightly off centered blades you occasionally come across is actually proof of the hand fitting process because you cant adjust the blade centering like you can with other production folders. It always gets put back together the EXACT same, with the same blade centering/lockup, every single time if you do it properly. This only happens because the tolerances are ridiculously tight. I've gotten very off centered Para 2s that I was able to adjust to absolute balls dead centered but I would be disappointed if I could adjust a CRK like that. This may sound silly but I'm dead serious. I just see it as extremely high tolerances and the hand fitting process.

BTW 10 CRKs for a supposed "CRK hater" is just too funny and ironic :). You own more CRKs than a massive CRK fanboy like me :thumbup:.
 
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Thats one hell a great trade if you ask me. I'd make that trade all day long and then buy the 0777 when it comes out :)
 
Those MTs were being sold for less than the price of a single Sebenza over here at the Taipei show in December so if you got two for one then you did realy rather well indeed.
 
CTS,

For what it's worth, I've never been of the opinion that you were trollin'. I think you're simply the anti-fanboy, quick to call things like you see them, whether they're CRK products or other. It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it, and there's a lot to be said of someone who will spend top dollar for something and not automatically default to a "sweet lemon" mentality, defending it to the bitter end. We could use more of it around the forums, honestly, and despite the risk of unpopularity.

The current and seemingly prevailing notion that CRK quality has slipped is, I believe, only very temporarily true. As pointed out in another thread, they are enduring growing pains that any business, manufacturing or otherwise, endures when experiencing success and consequential growth. My company is growning, and with the advent of a new phone system to accomodate the growth came a wealth of hiccups and complaints. Within two weeks, we got a stranglehold on the phone system (mainly by holding the phone system vendor's hands to the fire), and we're back to flying casual.

I'm a CRK fanboy, blue and true, and know that while I was fortunate to have amassed a humble collection in the golden days of the early 00's when regular Seb's were as abundant as BM production bali's, the current hiccups will pass soon, and we will experience many more golden days to come. I've not owned a recent-vintage CRK, other than an Umnum that I bought the year it came out, but it was flawless (just not for me). I think Chris has a great crew, and we will soon be hearing of less and less hiccups as they acclimate to the growth and continued success.

Just my .02.

Prof.
 
I don't think quality is slipping, I've recieved more than one recently that were more than perfect, I believe that many of the quality issues are imagined over-exaggerated and in my opinion probly a bit of over analyzing... Everyone justifies it the same way as well and it's just silly... "I payed 400 dollars for this and this extremely minor / insignificant thing is ________ wow!!!"

Do yourself a favor, go to the nearest place you can do this, and sit down in a RR automobile, if you can notice imperfections on a sebenza you will notice them on one of those as well. They cost a lot more than a sebenza yes, but for such a high price shouldn't they be perfect. No, money can not buy a perfect product.

400 dollars is not the end all on price for a luxury level knife, and even 5000 dollar knives I've seen were not as perfect as a CRK... I think for the money CRK are underpriced, find me 5 knives at a higher quality level for sub 1000 dollars and I shall roll over on this point.
 
CTS, congratulations on the trade! You have a great collection of users.

As far as trolling, in my opinion you've been a perfect gentleman and on an internet discussion forum that's not always easy to pull off.

I remember a thread awhile back where someone had posted a video you had done on the 21. You had alot of people nipping at your heels and you held your perspective firm and calm and not once did you bash CRK . Anyway its a much appreciated personality in a place where people can't resist picking a fight or shooting their mouths off.

I agree with Prof. More straight shooters are needed:thumbup:
 
Nice haul CTS. 2 large 21's for that MT was a sweet deal! That Eagle Claw on the blade was eating at you too - I know it was. In regard to trolling - it's the trolls who label straight shooters with that name. :)
 
cziv said:
In regard to trolling - it's the trolls who label straight shooters with that name. :)
Click to expand...

It's off topic a bit, but you do remember some of the things you wrote in a number of threads within this Forum over the past few months, don't you? I do. You wouldn't have gone into the Hinderer Forum and stated you'd buy Chinese knock-off XM-18s, but you said you'd consider buying fake CRKs(among other things you stated)...Emotions can get the best of us causing us to write things we might regret. Someone stating something against the grain shouldn't automatically be called a troll, but sometimes that's what they are doing and shouldn't be surprised if that's how they are viewed.
 
flipe8 said:
It's off topic a bit, but you do remember some of the things you wrote in a number of threads within this Forum over the past few months, don't you? I do. You wouldn't have gone into the Hinderer Forum and stated you'd buy Chinese knock-off XM-18s, but you said you'd consider buying fake CRKs(among other things you stated)...Emotions can get the best of us causing us to write things we might regret. Someone stating something against the grain shouldn't automatically be called a troll, but sometimes that's what they are doing and shouldn't be surprised if that's how they are viewed.
Click to expand...

That was a lot longer ago friend and I'd just come off a brutal call from a certain knifemaker whom others have mentioned. I admit that I held a grudge for awhile and posted what you may view as bad things. It's over now and I'm sitting here with my 3rd large Sebenza in the past 2 months, trying to figure out why it's so darn stiff and the others arrived buttery smooth. I don't have time for arguing today or anymore really. Past is past. :)
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
I still find myself uninhibitedly attracted to all things CRK. I recently acquired a Microtech Matrix (ZT 777 copy, shameful I know) and it just didn't feel right. Well, today I traded it for two brand new minty fresh Large Plain 21's. Felt great.

That makes my CRK collection consist of:

2 Large Micarta 21s
4 Large Plain 21s
1 Large Insingo
2 Umnumzaans
1 Small Plain 21


I've had more than this, but I have gotten rid of a few. Sure, CRK's quality may be slipping a tad, but you know what? Even with the minor QC issues going around, they are STILL head and shoulder above the rest in the business. I have actually learned to embrace the subtle differences between each knife, and just chock it up to them having a little "hands on" attention that makes them inherently different from one another. Not all of them have perfectly centered blades, not all of them open as smoothly as the others, but I still love each and every one of them.

Some people have seen me as a "CRK troll" here lately because I speak up on issues that I see. I only do this because I feel like if I don't, I am doing a disservice to myself. CRK, and you guys as well. If we see issues that are out of the norm, then we should talk about it. Plain and simple. That's the one and only reason that I ever speak up in QC threads, and I am most likely going to steer clear of them in the future, unless I have something new and worthwhile to share.


Anway, didn't want to write a book, I just wanted to share the excellent trade that I did today. I've noticed a trend in my collection: CRKs keep growing in numbers while everything else is shrinking.
Click to expand...

CTS,

I have one question, why was the Matrix not sold to me? LOL
 
Amazing trade!
I don't think you're a troll in any way:)
i really appreciate people like you who're not afraid of showing the some qc issues on some of the most regarded knives out there!
I love CRK too and if i could i would base my entire collection on CRks (despite having some issues before with some) and XM-18s.
As some of you said, i still believe they're the best production knives ever made.
Anyways and just so you know, the vid you made regarding if a Sebenza is worth it is the one vid i always show people who are reluctant about buying a CRk:)
You nailed it and made history there friend:)
 
Discussing is right
QC issues, even small happen, and talk ab out them in a correct way is fine and right, no problem with that, nothing is perfect

awesome trade there, would have done the same.
maxx
 
Just received my small sebenza. It is well made as ever.
It will be my EDC.
Congratulations to Chris and Anne, They are making the best folders since 1984!
Best regards.
 
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