Recommendation? Dream knife has 8Cr13MoV blade. Alternatives?

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FabledAutomatic

Joined
Apr 11, 2021
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So I've been looking around and reading up lately on knives/steels and I came across the CRKT LCK+ and the CRKT LCK+ Large. These knives check all the boxes for me. I love the style, looks, size, blade, everything, but I've read a lot of disparaging things about 8Cr13MoV steel so I'm reluctant to pull the trigger on buying one. Unfortunately CRKT doesn't make this model with an upgraded blade like they do the CEO, for example. And with me being in Canada, these are harder to come by and start at $50 plus shipping.

Can anyone here recommend a higher quality alternative that's similarly styled to this model? I'm looking for a spring assisted or flipper EDC, in that "gentleman's" kind of look. Budget is $120 Canadian or less.
 
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Boru13 said:
A couple of vendors have the large in stock for $35.95, at that price and it checking all your boxes, why not buy it and form your own opinion on the steel instead of relying on internet opinions.
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Well, that's a good point. But, the cheapest I can get it here in Canada is $50 plus $16 shipping. That's why I'm humming and hawing. For $30 more I could have a better, American made knife like a Kershaw.
 
8Cr13MoV steel, is 1/2 decent, not good not bad
It IMO does not hold a edge remarkably long
But it’s easy to sharpen, lots of companies use 8Cr13MoV steel
Because it’s cheap and easy to use
I have some spyderco 8Cr13MoV steel I can get it scary sharp
If you plan on abusing/ hard use jump up your budget
Or look at Ganzo clones in D2 or 440c
 
S-3 ranch said:
8Cr13MoV steel, is 1/2 decent, not good not bad
It IMO does not hold a edge remarkably long
But it’s easy to sharpen, lots of companies use 8Cr13MoV steel
Because it’s cheap and easy to use
I have some spyderco 8Cr13MoV steel I can get it scary sharp
If you plan on abusing/ hard use jump up your budget
Or look at Ganzo clones in D2 or 440c
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Terrible idea. 8cr is going to be superior to supposed 440 or d2 from a company ripping off others designs. I don't condone buying clones and most here would agree.
 
FabledAutomatic said:
Can anyone here recommend a higher quality alternative that's similarly styled to this model?
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What's your budget?

For the moment I'll assume it's in the price range of the LCK. That knife has a fairly straightforward silhouette (not a criticism), and at roughly that price point I'd be looking at CIVIVI and maybe Bestech; I'll take D2 over 8Cr13MoV every day. I checked Canadian retailer W&W, and they have plenty of both in stock. I bet Kershaw (also plenty of those at W&W) has options in this style, too.

For CIVIVI, take a peek at the Elementum, Dogma, Exarch, McKenna and Chronic/Exarch. Personally I'd go with the Elementum or Chronic/Exarch (the latter is the same knife, but one version is a front flipper and one is a traditional flipper). For Bestech, the Swift and Spike have a similar vibe to the LCK, IMO.

In my book, CIVIVI > Bestech.
 
S-3 ranch said:
8Cr13MoV steel, is 1/2 decent, not good not bad
It IMO does not hold a edge remarkably long
But it’s easy to sharpen, lots of companies use 8Cr13MoV steel
Because it’s cheap and easy to use
I have some spyderco 8Cr13MoV steel I can get it scary sharp
If you plan on abusing/ hard use jump up your budget
Or look at Ganzo clones in D2 or 440c
Click to expand...

Budget is not a huge concern. It's more the style I'm wanting.
 
Dadpool said:
What's your budget?

For the moment I'll assume it's in the price range of the LCK. That knife has a fairly straightforward silhouette (not a criticism), and at roughly that price point I'd be looking at CIVIVI and maybe Bestech; I'll take D2 over 8Cr13MoV every day. I checked Canadian retailer W&W, and they have plenty of both in stock. I bet Kershaw (also plenty of those at W&W) has options in this style, too.

For CIVIVI, take a peek at the Elementum, Dogma, Exarch, McKenna and Chronic/Exarch. Personally I'd go with the Elementum or Chronic/Exarch (the latter is the same knife, but one version is a front flipper and one is a traditional flipper). For Bestech, the Swift and Spike have a similar vibe to the LCK, IMO.

In my book, CIVIVI > Bestech.
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Budget is $120 Canadian or less.

I'll take a look at those you mentioned. Thank you.

Edit: I really like the looks of the Bestech Spike, and am reading good things about the blade. I think that one has take the number one spot. Thanks!
 
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FabledAutomatic said:
Anyone have any experience with the Ganzo fh11 or fh13? Also curious about the Kizer Begleiter.
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Skip the company who’s name we don’t speak of, and go with the Kizer. My mini Beg. came with a little vertical play that was easily remedied. It was a well made knife otherwise. I gifted mine to a buddy looking for a smaller folder, and it’s held up very well. It gets used...He works in a hardware store.
 
FabledAutomatic said:
Anyone have any experience with the Ganzo fh11 or fh13? Also curious about the Kizer Begleiter.
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If you're hesitant about 8Cr13MoV, definitely don't get ganzo. They print whatever steel name they want on the blades. You'll never know what steel it actually is, but it's guaranteed to be worse than 8Cr.

Kizer makes good knives, and the Begleiter is a great option from them.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums!

You could do worse then 8Cr for blade steel. You just might have to touch the blade a tad more often depending on what you cut and how much you use it.

I would highly suggest a Kizer, Bestech, CIVIVI, or CRJB over Ganzo. Like K.O.D. K.O.D. said, Ganzo has a rep for clones that doesn't sit well with a lot of us here at BFs. In the end, it's your $, do with it as you please.

The Kizer Begleiter has had many positive reviews on the web and in forums. Note it is not a flipper or spring assisted tho. Thumb stud to deploy. Is that a deal breaker?

120 canadian is $95 USD for those wondering. Plus shipping. A few from Knifecenter to check out for easy reference.

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/KU...n690-stonewashed-blade-blue-black-g10-handles

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/RK...pper-346-14c28n-satin-blade-black-g10-handles

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/BT...-modified-wharncliffe-blade-black-g10-handles

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CI...0-satin-drop-point-blade-od-green-g10-handles
 
Lee D said:
Skip the company who’s name we don’t speak of, and go with the Kizer. My mini Beg. came with a little vertical play that was easily remedied. It was a well made knife otherwise. I gifted mine to a buddy looking for a smaller folder, and it’s held up very well. It gets used...He works in a hardware store.
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I'm quite new to collecting knives. Is there something off-putting about Ganzo? I only discovered them today.
 
gazz98 said:
Thumb stud to deploy. Is that a deal breaker
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Not at all.

And thank you for the explanation of Ganzo.

The first two links you provided are right up my alley! Ruike has some really nice looking knives. Easy to find in Canada too.
 
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FabledAutomatic said:
I'm quite new to collecting knives. Is there something off-putting about Ganzo? I only discovered them today.
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They clone popular knives, then use slightly different/ cheaper materials, people get twisted that they are 100% Chinese made
Where many manufacturers have China make 100% of the components , then have USA owned companies assemble them or label their brand, their D2 has gotten very solid @ 62 hrc
My favorite knives are benchmade and spyderco, very good quality on USA and Japanese made, but both have Chinese made model lines
And use 8Cr13MoV and 440c, D2 made by same Chinese steel company as ganzo/fire byrde
 
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S-3 ranch said:
They clone popular knives, then use slightly different/ cheaper materials, people get twisted that they are 100% Chinese made
Where many manufacturers have China make 100% of the components , then have USA owned companies assemble them or label their brand, their D2 has gotten very solid @ 62 hrc
My favorite knives are benchmade and spyderco, very good quality on USA and Japanese made, but both have Chinese made model lines
And use 8Cr13MoV and 440c, D2 made by same Chinese steel company as ganzo/fire byrde
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No. The vast, vast majority of people don’t care that Ganzos are made in China. That’s why you see people recommending Bestech, Kizer, Civivi, etc. All knives made in China.

What people have issue with is Ganzo STEALING intellectual property to make their clones.
 
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Fixall said:
No. The vast, vast majority of people don’t care that Ganzos are made in China. That’s why you see people recommending Bestech, Keizer, Civivi, etc. All knives made in China.

What people have issue with is Ganzo STEALING intellectual property to make their clones.
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Truth!!
I saw a 100% clone of a CRK 23 ,USA made S35v steel , birth certificate, 100% except made in USA
 
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