Favorite Hollow Handle CRKs and Why

B

bvo85

Joined
Apr 27, 2017
Messages
466
I don't see much talk about hollow handle CRKs lately. It's a shame because they are all so beautiful and on occasion, you can find them for $500 or so, which seems to me to be a steal given raw materials, craftsmanship, and rarity!

My favorite are:

Project 2 - reminds me a K-Bar knife shape, but in higher build quality

Al Mar Collab - I've always liked looking at Al Mar knives in various knife and tactical mags growing up. Never owned one, and I'm so spoiled by CRK folders that I don't think I'd be happy with one of the production Al Mar SERE knives. But the Collab CRK OPK would tickle my nostalgia button!

Aviator with sawback - probably the coolest and most practical. While I love the Project 2s, they are pretty big and from a practical standpoint, it seems like if you're carrying something that large out into the bush, you'd be able to carry a separate survival kit. Whereas the aviator is like a compact, one-and-done type kit. Also looks really cool!

Skinner - big, fatter brother to the aviator.
 
Last edited:
Great knives, I owned a few over the years. Maybe they will resurrect them at some point in the future.
 
Mountaineer II, just about the right size for these parts, and no top guard makes it easier to use in the woods.
 
For me I have always favored two... the Skinner aka Ubejane and the 9" Sable.

Have the skinner and need the Sable.

And ps. they won't be reissued by CRK again. The way I remember hearing the story is that they had a third party machinist in I believe SA that milled the blanks out and they were finished by CRK. He retired or the like from making them and the line ended there.
 
Iron City said:
For me I have always favored two... the Skinner aka Ubejane and the 9" Sable.

Have the skinner and need the Sable.

And ps. they won't be reissued by CRK again. The way I remember hearing the story is that they had a third party machinist in I believe SA that milled the blanks out and they were finished by CRK. He retired or the like from making them and the line ended there.
Click to expand...
Wow! That's too bad. I think these should be selling for way more on the secondary market than they currently are. Seems a steal when you can find them for $500 or so. Even if we did get a modern version made in 2017, I think retail price would be $500+ given raw materials and tooling costs, and given that the older ones have collectability factor, they should be selling for $1000+! Maybe it's because many CRK collectors like to EDC their knives and it's not practical for many Americans/Canadians/Europeans to EDC a fixed blade?
 
Bear Claw Chris Lappe said:
Mountaineer II, just about the right size for these parts, and no top guard makes it easier to use in the woods.
Click to expand...
I've been closely eyeing a one-piece CRK, and it looks like the Mountaineer II would be the ideal workhorse for a camping / survival knife. Is it the only one you've owned, or did you settle on yours after trying a few others?
 
ganagati said:
I've been closely eyeing a one-piece CRK, and it looks like the Mountaineer II would be the ideal workhorse for a camping / survival knife. Is it the only one you've owned, or did you settle on yours after trying a few others?
Click to expand...

Handled several over the years, but the Mountaineer II was the one I always wanted.
 
Just picked up a Mountaineer 1. I owned one several years ago and foolishly sold it thinking that I needed a larger knife. :rolleyes:

I was lucky enough to find one NIB, which are getting harder to come by. Pretty excited to have one coming back. :thumbsup:
 
I have a Shadow and Sable IV, and they are terrific knives! I prefer the Sable because of the blade shape, but don't see letting either of them go.
 
Can't have a CRK OPK thread without this bad boy:
CRKSWORD.jpeg


For me the OPK knives are cool not because of the hollow handles but because they are milled from a single piece of steel.
 
4" Mountaineer. Love the blade profile, and the 4" knives carry so nicely - and are all the blade I need for 98% of tasks.
 
The OPK is what brought me to CRK many years ago. I have had a couple dozen of them. I still have several and will have to do a group one of these days. Best knife of its design.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top