Dissuade me from CRKT Pesh-Kabz as EDC

MatthewVanitas

MatthewVanitas

Go Army, Beat Navy!
Joined
Oct 6, 2004
Messages
467
Greetings,
Lost my Spyderco Delica right before deployment, and now that I'm back am eager to find a replacement. I liked the Spyderco for many reasons, but found it slow to open with my small hand size, and rather stiff in the action (didn't try to work on it for fear of damaging the lockup).
Thought about getting the Scorpius, but then would have the same issues with stiff lock and slippery stainless steel.
In an Oceanside shop, really liked the M16-14ZSF, the one with the double-flipper "hilt". However, will be moving back to Seattle next year and can't have over 3.5" due to local ordinance. The only smaller CRKT I see in their catalog is the M16-13SF, but am not a fan of the tanto point or nitride coating. The ideal would be a "M16-13ZSF", but such a combination is not available.
Looking it over, it seems the Pesh-Kabz would have many of the upsides of the above knives, lacking the doubled flipper but with a good finger groove that should still improve retention. I find the flipper+inertia to be a very fast and comfortable opening. The slightly unorthodox look of the P-K is also pleasing. I understand there is some controversy over the AUS-6 steel, but for $40 and my purposes, I'm not too worried. Heavy cutting at work goes to my Leatherman, so the EDC knife is just for carry in civvie. Just EDC on general principle ("semper paratus" the Coastie swabs call it), with the very occasional letter-opening and remote possibility of self defense. I realize the P-K point isn't the best for fine cutting, but isn't it tapered that way for fighting work?

So, it's not a mythical M16-13ZSF, but it would seem to meet my criterion for EDC with flair and at a good price, while not as ninjafied as the M16-13SF.

Any comments from the gallery are much appreciated.

-MV

(new to this forum, reccommended by the gun-buff friends at www.thehighroad.org)
 
It's an ok knife, I don't think the build quality is as good as the Delica. Every time I go into a knife shop I ask what (non-3rd-world) knives they get the most defect returns on, the answer is always CRKT and S&W. The tip is meant to not break as you force it through body-armor or something, although I don't think it's sharp enough to go through much, especially on a moving & non-compliant target. But if you like it then I'd say at least be sure to handle it before you buy, to be sure it has good hand feel.

That said, my choice would be a BM mini-AFCK. No flipper but great design & great retention. If you want to stick w/CRKT & a flipper, check out the new Starlight, a similar design to the AFCK but it has the E-lock which is a little unorthodox.

Oh, and welcome to the forums!
 
I would double check the blade length limit issue. I was uner the impression that the limit is 4".
 
Not sure what your price range is but I tend to favor Spyderco or Benchmade for a well made reasonably priced EDC. As much as I like some of the CRKY designs I always seem to be disapointed in their execution when I actually get the knives in hand.

Have you thought about one of the Griptillains? They have a strong following for a EDC utility type knife like the Delica does.
 
there are many models in the CRKT M16 line, unless you are limiting yourself to the double flipper, you can get one that's under 3.5" blade, and still has one flipper. I have a M16-00K which I found too small for my taste, but a decent knife for the money. Take a look at the line at http://www.crkt.com/catalog.html . I think the M16-12 might be what you're looking for.
 
for the $$ its ok, typical CRKT imho, i have a bud nealy pesh kebz and its plenty sharp enuff to go thru anything any knife would, FWIW, but the CRKT would be an ok edc imho.

spyderco delica or endura is prob better though too imho, and spyderco is better than any CRKT imho
 
I would go for the Lightfoot designed M1. It has a single sided flipper, AUS8 steel, less than 3.5 blade and it's built like a tank.
 
The M1 would be my last choice of CRKT knives. My specimen's lock failed with only light pressure to the spine. the blade is thin and weak, and the edge geometry causes it do dull real fast.
 
I like my pesh kabz. It's a unique design that flips pretty good. Not the strongest body, there's some flex when you stab it into something and twist. However, it's done no harm to the knife. You can sharpen the tip, which makes it a bit more useful. It's not as shart as it can be from the factory, although the flat part will shave hair.

You can throw it into tree stumps and it sticks. The point of the knife is quite sharp from the factory. It's not the best EDC since its not a utility knife, but it's a fun little blade. Takes a wickedly sharp edge. However, if you are worried about legal implications, this blade could be easily defined as a "dirk or dagger" since its purpose designed for stabbing. However, instead you can argue that it's purpose is to prevent tip breakage..."ever have a tip break on your knife officer."
 
MelancholyMutt said:
The M1 would be my last choice of CRKT knives. My specimen's lock failed with only light pressure to the spine. the blade is thin and weak, and the edge geometry causes it do dull real fast.
Click to expand...
I second that comment wholly, especially about the lock insecurity.

-j
 
The reason I suggested the M1 is that the two knives (M1 & M16-ZSF)are similar in design. The Blade thickness, locking system (including the LAWKS) and Multi position Belt clip, are all the same. The few minor differences are that the M1 is AUS8 unlike the M16's AUS6M. The M1 has a modified Tanto unlike the M16's traditional Tanto. The M16 has two flippers, the M1 only one. The M1 has a shorter blade, just like you wanted. I own both, I have had no problems with lock-up on either knife. Both of mine are rock solid. The M1 is one of my EDC's because of its size, edge retention and ease of deployment.
 
In this long knife-researching saga, I considered and rejected the Spyderco Scorpius (like my lost Delica, lockback, too stiff and too slippery), the Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Covert (mixed word as to quality on this forum, and a bit to wannabe), CRKT Pesh-Kabz, CRKT M16-series (love the Carson flipper, but mixed word on forum as to QC, corrosion), etc.

Finally decided the Pesh-Kabz was very cool, but not really practical for my everyday carry needs.

My roomate has the Kershaw Blackout, and I was very impressed by the speedsafe system and overall simplicity of lines. Wanted something a bit slimmer than the rubberized grip on the Blackout, and so bought a Kershaw Avalanche on Ebay. Hope to have it in my back pocket by the weekend. Another buddy has the same Blackout, and loaned it to his fiancee for her Iraq deployment (they had the supreme ill luck to get "ships crossing in the night" deployments; he gets back, she leaves). She says it's holding up great. So, I hope I have similar results with the Avalanche.

Thanks to all for your advice.
 
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