First CRK&T purchase.

[Badhammer]

Didn't intend to buy my first CRK&T knife yesterday or any other blade for that matter. I actually stopped in this little resale shop to see if they had any Buck knives which they didn't. While perusing the knife case I noticed a blade marked, ATS-34. Now for some unexplained reason I have a passion for ATS-34. Anyway I asked to see the knife which turned out to be a CRK&T S-2 (large model 7503) NIB.

As I say, I've no experience with this makers products but as I'm checking it out, (ATS-34, frame lock, titanium, solid lockup, etc.) I'm thinking this ain't bad. Other than the fact it's tip down only I really don't see much I either don't like or can't learn to live with. I check the tag which reads $60. Knowing nothing about this knife other than what my eyes are telling me I ask the clerk if he'll take $50. He said yes so home she came.

After getting her home I did some research and found out it's a discontinued model and at the time was referred to as a poor man's Sebenza\Bradley Alias. Given the materials I guess I can see the comparison. Also read several comments that this was one of the better models CRK&T made and one they should have kept in production. All I can attest to is that so far I kinda like it.

Anyone know the time frame that the S2 made in? The same store has a partially serrated version of this same knife. Thinking I might make another purchase.

 

[Hale Storm]

Pics or it didn't happen is the general rule here.

 

[Badhammer]

Pics or it didn't happen is the general rule here.

Working on it.

 

[craytab]

That is a great knife and a fantastic deal. CRKT had a couple knives back in the day that truly display they can make a quality product if they want. I have an Apache and a mirage. Both are great knives. Too bad CRKT can't go back to making knives with this level of quality.

 

[jstrange]

Wow, those are both really nice looking.

 

[Badhammer]

Anyone know when CRK&T made this model? I'm guessing it has been out of production for at least 3-4 years.

 

[PURPLEDC]

That is a great knife and a fantastic deal. CRKT had a couple knives back in the day that truly display they can make a quality product if they want. I have an Apache and a mirage. Both are great knives. Too bad CRKT can't go back to making knives with this level of quality.

Honestly i think the problem is CRKT doesnt actually make anything to begin with. The outsource everything. I know it may be a trivial point but when a company doesnt actually make its products and simply seeks factories to make designs for them and even in those cases the majority of the products are collabs with established designers/makers I find it hard to give CRKT credit for anything. To me they are much like a producer of a movie. They fund it but thats about it. Of course funding it provides you with a certain amount of say in the matter but credit? Not IMHO.

 

[Velitrius]

CRKT 7503 S-2.

Helluva find. Go get the other one.

About 10 years ago, Smoky Mountain Knife Works was blowing them out at $25 apiece. For some reason they just didn't take off for CRKT and disappeared from websites like overnight. The reviews were always fine, and I never heard much in the way of problems with the piece.

Titanium and ATS-34... not bad for a $50 bill nowadays.

 

[Shorttime]

Production of the S2 seems to have been going on in '99 and 2000, but it had been disco'ed before '06. That's all I've got for time frame, right now. If I find something more definite, I'll post again.

 

[Rich S]

I really like that CRKT Apache; wish it was still available. My favorite EDC (along with my Vic Tinker) is also an older model; the Vertex (AO).
Rich

 

[Badhammer]

Production of the S2 seems to have been going on in '99 and 2000, but it had been disco'ed before '06. That's all I've got for time frame, right now. If I find something more definite, I'll post again.

Thanks for the info Shortime. I appreciate it.

 

[jill jackson]

I really like that CRKT Apache; wish it was still available. My favorite EDC (along with my Vic Tinker) is also an older model; the Vertex (AO).
Rich

I had the Apache long ago and it had the thinnest liner lock I've ever seen.

 

[adnj]

I owned one for years. I believe I sold it about 5 years ago. The S2 had a smooth action and was built from premium materials with a well balanced design. The problems were that the lock face was viewed as small and CRKT chose to use nylon washers. At $60, I would by the other one, too.

 

[brancron]

Honestly i think the problem is CRKT doesnt actually make anything to begin with. The outsource everything. I know it may be a trivial point but when a company doesnt actually make its products and simply seeks factories to make designs for them and even in those cases the majority of the products are collabs with established designers/makers I find it hard to give CRKT credit for anything. To me they are much like a producer of a movie. They fund it but thats about it. Of course funding it provides you with a certain amount of say in the matter but credit? Not IMHO.

The last several CRKTs I've had have been great: the Squid, the Hootenany, the No Time Off, the Eros, the framelock Ripple, the Swindle, etc. I used to write them off as a cheapo junk company, but they've actually impressed me in the last couple years. I would definitely recommend them over similarly-priced Kershaws.

 

[Wavester]

You need to check out the "No Time Off"
[video=youtube;XQbPbLfB7rM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQbPbLfB7rM[/video]

That is a great knife and a fantastic deal. CRKT had a couple knives back in the day that truly display they can make a quality product if they want. I have an Apache and a mirage. Both are great knives. Too bad CRKT can't go back to making knives with this level of quality.

 

[craytab]

You need to check out the "No Time Off"

I would but I won't for several reasons.

First and foremost, it is too small for me. I can't get myself to carry a folder with a blade under 3.5". Second, for the price I want more. Not just better materials but a better track record. I have had far too many CRKTs with execution issues to invest that amount of money in another one of their knives. Sorry CRKT, track record still means something these days. Want me to take yet another risk on one of your knives? You need to take a little risk and price it accordingly.

And Jill, yes the Apache liner is thin. It feels very solid though. More so than the couple AFCKs I have. And it is not much thinner than the AFCK or a Military. I wouldn't hesitate to use it hard. Can't say that about other CRKTs. The Eraser had a horribly pliable liner. Fantastic design. Terrible execution. They could have built their company on that knife had it been better made.

And Purple, I know what you are saying. Agree completely. The thing is, I think there was a time when CRKT gave themselves more control over their product. Any company can make a great product. It takes a commitment to do so. CRKT does not currently have that commitment but from the older knives I own from them it is clear they once did. Sad really.

 

[grownstar]

The Eraser had a horribly pliable liner. Fantastic design. Terrible execution. They could have built their company on that knife had it been better made.

And yet I still find myself lusting after this design every few months!

 

[craytab]

And yet I still find myself lusting after this design every few months!

Tell me about it. I have come so close to buying one again! It doesn't help that they have been discontinued for over a year, yet there are some still out there at drastically reduced prices. Damn it! I then remind myself that I could not carry it because of the liner. The thing was not just thin it was weak (unlike the Apache which is thin but seems more stiff and strong). It was clear from the one I bought that the liner lock was going all the way to the other side in no time. Not good on a thin liner.

 

[grownstar]

Tell me about it. I have come so close to buying one again! It doesn't help that they have been discontinued for over a year, yet there are some still out there at drastically reduced prices. Damn it! I then remind myself that I could not carry it because of the liner. The thing was not just thin it was weak (unlike the Apache which is thin but seems more stiff and strong). It was clear from the one I bought that the liner lock was going all the way to the other side in no time. Not good on a thin liner.

Haha truth. Oh what the hell? I'll buy one if you buy one

 

[craytab]

Damn it no! Don't give me the excuse! Plus, I just bought a second Apache