Generally speaking, where does CRKT fit on the list of top knife manufacturers?

T

Tajbral

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After reading numerous posts on different threads, I was just curious where everyone thinks CRKT fits on the list of top knife manufacturers? I mean, for example, if Spyderco or Benchmade are one and two (and I'm not saying that but just for example), followed by ZT, etc., etc. I'm curious about CRKT knives. I have a Squid, sold a Buku, and I'm trying to get a feel for how other people view the quality of this brand. I used to see a lot of CRKT knives for sale, and while there are still plenty for sale, it seems like there are not quite as many as there were 5 years ago.
 
I feel like they are a brand that knows their buyers in that most of them are just wanting a lower cost but mostly functional tool. They don't pander to the Spyderco, Benchmade, or similar priced crowd. I say that and yet they do have several knives in the $200+ range but I have not seen much posted or heard anyone talk about them much less ever seen one. I should admit that years ago I bought several of the M16 variants but I think I only have one left.
 
I do not personally rank them anywhere near any of the lists of Top knifemakers/manufacturers. All of their "good" knives are made by folks like Lionsteel. Many of their other knives do feature interesting designs by interesting big name makers....but then they're made extremely cheaply with materials, and fit/finish to match that low price.

They just don't have enough top shelf knives to compete in that space.
 
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I really wish they could match the (good) quality of, say, US made Kershaw knives while still exploring unique, even whacky, designs from a multitude of designers. Until that happens I will rarely even give CRKT a passing thought. It's a shame, really.
 
For me, the ranking of CRKT depends on whether we're talking about prior or current production. I still own a few older CRKTs when they were higher up on the list IMO but they aren't anywhere near the top of my list of "top knife manufacturers" any longer. 🤷‍♂️

As far as current production is concerned, my list of "top manufacturers" is based on 3 tiers;

Tier 1: Semi Custom - High End

Olamic
Shiro
Strider
Hinderer
CPK
Bernard
Randall
CRK*
Oz*
Koenig*

Tier 2: Mass Market - Mid Market

Spyderco
Microtech
Benchmade
Protech
Medford
Reate/Chaves
Buck
Emerson
Helle
Hogue
LionSteel
RealSteel
ZT

Tier 3: Mass Market - Low End

Kershaw
CRKT
Gerber
SAK
Artisan Cutlery
Cold Steel
Fox
KaBar
SOG
Ontario

This list is NOT all inclusive; is NOT in any order of priority; and only includes knives that I own or know something about.

I own a lot of knives but an * by the maker's name indicates that I do not own any knife made by that company. I also own but have excluded the names of companies that only make balis (or are too small or too niche) from these lists, as being too esoteric for comparison with the others.

Some companies also make knives that could be rated higher and/or lower. My rating is based on what I perceive is the type of knives that they make for their primary market.

Opinions will differ. This is just mine. 🤷‍♂️
 
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sgt1372 said:
For me, the ranking CRKT depends on whether we're talking about prior or current production. I own a few older CRKTs when they were higher up on the list IMO but they aren't on my list of "top knife manufacturers" any longer. 🤷‍♂️

As far as current production is concerned, my list of "top manufacturers" is based on 3 tiers;

Tier 1: Semi Custom - High End

Olamic
Shiro
Strider
Hinderer
CPK
Bernard
Randall
CRK*
Oz*
Koenig*

Tier 2: Mass Market - Mid Market

Spyderco
Microtech
Benchmade
Protech
Medford
Reate/Chaves
Buck
Emerson
Helle
Hogue
LionSteel
RealSteel
ZT

Tier 3: Mass Market - Low End

Kershaw
CRKT
Gerber
SAK
Artisan Cutlery
Cold Steel
Fox
KaBar
SOG

This list is NOT all inclusive and only includes knives that I own or know something about. An * by the maker's name indicates that I do not own any knife made by that company.

Opinions will differ. This is just mine. 🤷‍♂️
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I have to agree that older CRKT knives (2006-2014 ish?) were better.
 
sgt1372 said:
For me, the ranking of CRKT depends on whether we're talking about prior or current production. I own a few older CRKTs when they were higher up on the list IMO but they aren't anywhere near the top of my list of "top knife manufacturers" any longer. 🤷‍♂️

As far as current production is concerned, my list of "top manufacturers" is based on 3 tiers;

Tier 1: Semi Custom - High End

Olamic
Shiro
Strider
Hinderer
CPK
Bernard
Randall
CRK*
Oz*
Koenig*

Tier 2: Mass Market - Mid Market

Spyderco
Microtech
Benchmade
Protech
Medford
Reate/Chaves
Buck
Emerson
Helle
Hogue
LionSteel
RealSteel
ZT

Tier 3: Mass Market - Low End

Kershaw
CRKT
Gerber
SAK
Artisan Cutlery
Cold Steel
Fox
KaBar
SOG
Ontario

This list is NOT all inclusive; is NOT in any order of priority; and only includes knives that I own or know something about.

I own a lot of knives but an * by the maker's name indicates that I do not own any knife made by that company. I also own but have excluded the names of companies that only make balis (or are too small or too niche) from these lists, as being too esoteric for comparison with the others.

Some companies also make knives that could be rated higher and/or lower. My rating is based on what I perceive is the type of knives that they make for their primary market.

Opinions will differ. This is just mine. 🤷‍♂️
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Victorinox should be higher than benchmade and emerson at least, they may be affordable but their execution is top notch, never seen one with a flaw from the factory.

You need a tier 4 for the low end mass market that is consistently a step below the others in tier 3, such as SOG, gerber, and CRKT.
 
BJE said:
Victorinox should be higher than benchmade and emerson at least, they may be affordable but their execution is top notch, never seen one with a flaw from the factory.

You need a tier 4 for the low end mass market that is consistently a step below the others in tier 3, such as SOG, gerber, and CRKT.
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SAK's market & pricing is low end, less than $50, but if you want put them in a higher tier above Benchmade & Emerson (which makes no sense to me), just post your own list. 🤷‍♂️
 
jbmonkey said:
I like that they take knife designers interesting knives and crank them out for us. I don't care for the low grade materials and quality that typically happens. I rank them very low myself......
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I agree with this to an extent. They do occasionally make higher end stuff like a couple I have made in Italy, but generally they use low end materials on nice looking knives. It's a shame because sometimes I will see a knife, I like by them & then I'll look at the steel & it will be 8Cr13MoV or less. For instance, I love the designs of their Folts Minimalists, but the steel is just crap.

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JTR357 said:
I agree with this to an extent. They do occasionally make higher end stuff like a couple I have made in Italy, but generally they use low end materials on nice looking knives. It's a shame because sometimes I will see a knife, I like by them & then I'll look at the steel & it will be 8Cr13MoV or less. For instance, I love the designs of their Folts Minimalists, but the steel is just crap.

​

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I don't mind 8Cr13MoV if properly heat treated. (Truthfully, I'm not sure how CRK&T stacks up on that one.) But the poor fit and finish of their knives leads me to question the mechanical integrity and durability of their knives.
 
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