For those looking for tough, small fixed blade

[bladeprince]

Just wanted to share about a great little fixed blade that I've really come to like. It took awhile but now it's one of my main EDC. I never do posts like this but I'm so impressed with the little known and never talked about knife, that I thought some others may also like to know about it. I've learned so much from people on this great forum and I could never begin to pay back.

The Blackhawk Crucible fixed blade.

3 1/4" full tang blade of ATS-34 (plain).
Several carry options but the one in the pic is my favorite (deservers a custom sheath if what is provided is not satisfactory).
Bomb proof grip with cross-grooves cut in several places.
Performed extremely well with every task I put it through.
Also considered a tactical knife. Indexing is a breeze and would be great for SD.

One interesting thing about carrying it in public. I may be making this up but it seems that people try to look me in the eyes more. No one has ever mentioned the knife, even though it can easily be seen against a light colored T-shirt. It's the way a guy might act when trying to talk to a beautiful woman with large breasts. You want to look at them but it's just not polite so you look her in the eyes.

Here's a couple of pics. Click of image to enlarge:

 

[Ludwig]

One interesting thing about carrying it in public. I may be making this up but it seems that people try to look me in the eyes more. No one has ever mentioned the knife, even though it can easily be seen against a light colored T-shirt. It's the way a guy might act when trying to talk to a beautiful woman with large breasts. You want to look at them but it's just not polite so you look her in the eyes.

That's absolutely hilarious.

 

[Lenny_Goofoff]

I agree (including the sentence about young lady)
Very good in hand, quality knife.
a bit pricey maybe.

 

[comoha]

They're just trying to see if the wacko EDC'ing a fixed blade's eyes are twitching or dialated.

 

[pinetree]

I love the IWB attachment and was thinking about doing so for my BK11. Then again, would it be considered a concealed weapon? While I have a license for my pistols, no such license is available for knife carry.

 

[bladeprince]

I love the IWB attachment and was thinking about doing so for my BK11. Then again, would it be considered a concealed weapon? While I have a license for my pistols, no such license is available for knife carry.

Where I live (Colorado), it would only be considerd concealed if I wore it under something, like a sweater. But in Colorado, I can still carry a concealed knife up to 3.5 inches so for this knife it doesn't matter (3.25"). That's one of the reasons I like it.

Yes, it's a bit expensive but it's a quality piece so expect to pay more. It will last a life time even with heavy use. Also, all of us knife nuts like using our knives but I find using this one down right fun. I don't quite know why, it just is. Maybe because it's so good at every task, from jobs that need a sharp point to those that need some "belly" on the blade, it can do it. I think the sure grip also is part of why I enjoy it.

Good one about the dilate eyes. I wonder how they would react if I wore sunglasses at night. They might even carry my groceries out and open my car door. That would be cool...

Regards

 

[StretchNM]

BladePrince,
I like that knife! Why don;t you post the specs on it? I mean dimensions...

I especially like the inside the waistband setup..like someone else alluded to.

 

[bladeprince]

BladePrince,
I like that knife! Why don;t you post the specs on it? I mean dimensions...

I especially like the inside the waistband setup..like someone else alluded to.

Here is the link to the Blackhawk website with all the specs. They make all sort of military and LE equipment. I notice that the steel is advertised as VG-10. Mine is in ATS-34. I'm guessing that they changed to VG-10 to increase their profit margin who knows. I'm going to send them an email to find out why they changed. Not sure I'd spend the money if I couldn't get it in ATS-34. I'll admit it an expensive knife. Bummer, dude.

http://www.blackhawk.com/product1.asp?P=CrucibleFX

They are still available in ATS-34 on knife web stores and E-bay. Now that I know this, I might have to purchase a "backup" that's in ATS-34, just in case I lose the one I have.

Regards

 

[J85909266]

I've always found VG-10 to perform better than ATS-34 in use. What makes you think it's a downgrade?

 

[wetdog1911]

I love the IWB attachment and was thinking about doing so for my BK11. Then again, would it be considered a concealed weapon? While I have a license for my pistols, no such license is available for knife carry.

That never made sense to me and still doesn't.

Thank God Marion Hammer helped write our CCW statutes.

On mine it says: Concealed Weapon OR Firearm License
State of Florida

Nice knife, I EDC a couple (concealed), everyday. The 1911 not as much.

Rob

 

[bladeprince]

I've always found VG-10 to perform better than ATS-34 in use. What makes you think it's a downgrade?

I should have qualified my remark, I suppose. I'm not a knife steel expert, in anyway. Will I also love VG-10 it just seemed that the few ATS-34 knives that I have hold an edge a bit longer than VG-10. However, no controlled testing was done on my part.

Let me withdraw my opinion of the steels and just state that I noticed the knives are now being made from VG-10 instead or ATS-34. People can draw their own conclusion. In either steel, I still think this is a greatly overlooked knife and I've grown very fond of mine.

Regards

 

[untamed]

I've been singing the praises of this platform design (folder and fixed) for almost two years already! :thumbup: It really is regretful that this is an overlooked knife. The symmetrical cut-outs for the grip are superb and do "index" well in any grip style. Plus the "coolness" factor of associated with Kelly McCann!

I'm really after the folder but honestly, the first time I held them both, the ergos of the fixed seemed to fit better. Maybe because it felt less "boxy" than the folder. Maybe this design translation was lost or not viable when they made the folder.

 

[untamed]

One interesting thing about carrying it in public. I may be making this up but it seems that people try to look me in the eyes more. No one has ever mentioned the knife, even though it can easily be seen against a light colored T-shirt. It's the way a guy might act when trying to talk to a beautiful woman with large breasts. You want to look at them but it's just not polite so you look her in the eyes.

LOL!!! This has Whine and Cheese potential written all over it!

 

[LJK]

Oh man this thread is the best. I just spent the last 5 minutes laughing my ass off. I'm at work still trying to compose myself :thumbup:

 

[bladeprince]

Glad you find a laugh here and there....


Looks like Bark River likes this general design also. The Blackhawk has a much more tactical look, better grip, etc. but the Bark River is still very nice. Blade length of each is very close.

Click on image to enlarge:


While I like BR knives and own several, in this case the Blackhawk Crucible is my choice. Which is a good thing since I already own one.

 

[bladeprince]

Sent an email to Blackhawk asking why they switched from ATS-34 to VG-10. The respondent was non-other than Micheal Janich. Mike is a well known edged weapons instructor. I have all of his knife fighting books and videos. He's also known for designing the Spyderco Yojimbo (which I used to own) and other Spyderco knives.

He works for Blackhawk now (and still teaches, I assume) and designed the Kalista. The Kalista is for traditional Filipino knife fighting techniques and works well for any style of grip. It's now on my list.

Click on image to enlarge:


As far as the steel goes, he said that there was a shortage of ATS-34 from their supplier. Testing showed that VG-10 and ATS-34 performance was very close and VG-10 resisted staining and rusting better that ATS-34.

No one probably cares but I was curious (hey, it's a hobby, right?) so thought I would post the response.

Regards

 

[zenheretic]

No one probably cares but I was curious (hey, it's a hobby, right?) so thought I would post the response.

Regards

I'm not even a real steel junkie, and that was interesting thanks.

Mr. Janich's other Spyderco knife was the Ronin, which is basically a fixed blade Yojimbo with Micarta handles instead of G-10. A pretty neat knife, but I'm a bit biased about the Ronin.

Back on topic, both of the other knives you posted look real good to me.

 

[vic2367]

i also like the Blackhawk Crucible ,,,next purchase

 

[knarfeng]

I should have qualified my remark, I suppose. I'm not a knife steel expert, in anyway. Will I also love VG-10 it just seemed that the few ATS-34 knives that I have hold an edge a bit longer than VG-10. However, no controlled testing was done on my part.

Regards

That has been my impression also. I like VG10, but ATS-34 seems to hold an edge a little longer. I have no test data.

Either steel is fully acceptable.

 

[Michael Lovett]

I have to wonder why they named it Crucible. Which is the name of a Top Steel Company. Oddly enough, the one the maker of ATS-34 copied. Strange coincidence I guess. That design has been around for a long, long time. I like the IWB Sheath. Always wondered why more companies didn't make such a rig for knives. They again, have been around forever for hand guns. Mike