First Impressions: CRKT S-2 folder

[Revolvergeek]

Got a CRKT S-2 in the mail and it strikes me as a very nifty little knife. Fit and finish are fine, better than average CRKT but not much better or worse than average Spyderco/Benchmade.

The handle and clip are bead blasted, and the screws and blade brushed. The handles are marked 'Titanium 6AL4V' and have a nice matte gray finish that is very uniform. Everything is put together with torx screws for easy disassembly. Overall the knife seems simple and elegant.

The blade is marked ATS-34 and has ambi-thumbstuds that allow it to be opened very easily. The edge is ground a little off center towards the tip, but MY GOD is it sharp. Nicked myself twice with it last night. Much sharper than any of the CRKTs that I have owned, and easily as sharp as any of the Spyderco/Benchmades that I have ever bought. This thing just glides through cardboard.

No side-to-side or front-to-back blade play. The frame lock is secure, and pretty easy to operate. There is a little compression play in it if you push in on the outside edge of the lock towards the main body of the knife. This does not impact the lockup, but it is noticeable. Seems unavoidable based on the width of the cut that separates the lock from the main handle body.

While I am not sure that I would have paid the original $100 price for this knife, it is a GREAT knife for the $35-50 that they seem to be moving on eBay for.

 

[Bobby B]

I picked up a small S-2 combo edge for $38 shipped. I took it apart (very easy- 2 Torx screws) and sent the blade for BC coating.

You're right it is a very sharp little knife, great for office EDC.
My biggest criticism is the clip, it is located too far back on the knife (to clear the lock) and sits too low, causing the knife to ride too high... A bayonet type clip would really work here...IMHO

Useful and cute little all around knife.

 

[shootist16]

They are decent knives. I just wish they didn't discontinue the large one.

 

[newknifeguy]

I have the small which I got for 25 dollars. Great little knife. Sharp as hell out of the box, and four fast swipes on the sharpmaker and it was a razorblade. Great little knife! IMO the clip is useless. You can't get it out of your pocket without two hands. I carry it in my pocket. I don't have a torque driver small enough to get it off. I do wish I had gotten the larger one. Oh well. Later, Josh

 

[Bobby B]

Josh,
I had trouble finding a T6 Torx, but found one at an industrial tool store. I got a set (GorillaGrip Fold Up Model 12632) by Bondhus USA for $16 CA, (about 11U$). It has 8 "blades" from T6-T25. It's a great little set, for not a lot of cash.
I am thinking of making a better clip... Chances are, it'll live in my pocket too...
Rob

 

[Architect]

The clip is a joke. Very small and poorly positioned. You can get a fold-up torx at most stores that sell accessories for computers/computer repari for very cheap (less than $10) just about anywhere.

I found that it sat very well in my shirt pocket.

I have retired mine - moved on to other knives, but for the money, it is a great value. It filled a gap that Spyderco has never been able to do well in - small pointy blade made of something other than plastic.

The Jester is an excellent little knife, particularly in the sprint run Micarta. Not as pointy, but great handle design and the blade is very multi-purpose. A good competitor to the S-2 I think.

 

[Jazzman]

I really like my S-2 (Thanks Architect ). I think that of all of my knives in ATS-34, it is the easiest to sharpen. I have to agree about the clip though, it's proved to be pretty annoying.
Matt